R2Me

Baby Bye Bye Bye Bye Bye

2010-10-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

(Yes, that is meant to be sung in the Backstreet Boys tune) It's about that time folks. I'm saying so long to Blogger. It was great while it lasted, but like so many of my peers, I'm takin it over to wordpress because the images are simply bigger. And I love it when you call me Big Poppa. So, pardon while I figure their funky stuff out, but please do come visit the new and improved New 2Me blog (thanks for the name and all the transfer and upgrade work Allison!).

Art of Photography Show - An Evening with Robyn Twomey

2010-10-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Art of Photography Show - An Evening with Robyn Twomey

My First Music Video

2010-08-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

My Town Fareal / Go Gettas from robyn Twomey on Vimeo.

George Schultz

2010-07-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

I love Deborah Solomon's interviews. If there is one ritual I partake in, it's going for a Sunday coffee and reading Deborah Solomon's Q&A in the NY Times Magazine. So, I was thrilled to photograph former Secretary of State and politico George Schultz, and doubly thrilled that I was able to squeeze in a headshot of the historical figure.

Time Mag photo essay on Female Vets

2010-07-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

In the July 12, 2010 issue of Time, I had the opportunity to work with Crary Pullen (Photo Editor) and Kira Pollak (Director of Photography) on a story about Female Vets. I'm currently working on my own video edit from my time spent with Shiloh Morrison (pictured below) on her profound story. In the meantime Time.com ran a great photo essay from the assignment with June Moss.

See the photo gallery with more of June's story on Time's website:

some favorite outtakes

Most of the images of June are on the photo gallery, here is a quick peak

Medicinal Marijuana - Environmental Portraits

2010-05-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

Frankford High School, Philly

2010-04-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

While on assignment at Frankford High in Philadelphia for AARP, I fell in love with the JROTC students across the hall from Ms. Stephenson's (aka Drill Sergeant Culinary Arts teacher extraordinaire) class. Here are some faves.

VII The Magazine

2010-03-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

VII Agency has launched a new online Magazine (produced by Scott Thode). The first interview piece with Ashley Gilbertson gives powerful insight into the photographer's journey and process that led to the NY Times Mag photo essay on deceased soldier's bedrooms. First I thought just finding out Ashley is a dude was interesting, but the multimedia piece offers even more depth to the already spectacular stories, proving a great way to integrate video. I hope there is a market to sustain this and other similar endevaors. They are the stories of our life beyond the headlines, and I can't get enough.

SF Art Commission Chain Reaction Show

2010-02-07T10:47:00.000-08:00

Opening Reception: Feb 12, 5:30 - 9pm

Structured like a chain letter, ten arts luminaries influential in the San Francisco Art Commission Gallery’s past were each asked to select one artist to be in Chain Reaction 11. The ten selected artists were then also asked to choose an artist to participate in the show, and finally the third group of artists each chose a final artist to be included. Following the chains of artists chosen by artists will provide a glimpse into what we find most compelling about current Bay Area visual arts production.

My Tupac inspired 33"x43" portraits will be on view in the City Hall space.

Locations and Hours: (All three SFAC Gallery exhibition spaces) 401 Van Ness, W-S 12PM-5PM 155 Grove St., 24 hour store front viewing and City Hall’s Ground Floor, M-F 8AM-8PM

This is Not a Weave

2010-02-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

Growing up in a hair salon I would often find a safe place to wait for my mom to finish her up-do's, perms and "sets." That safe place was usually under a blow dryer, looking through magazines. Since then, I've always been attracted to heat, magazines and hair. So, last month, when I was getting my groove on in a crowded club and felt hair in back of me, near my thigh (?), I turned around to check the goods. And booyah, there was my next subject - with hair down to her calves, Jenny Mesoga. The sweetest young lady who not only posed in the freezing cold for a strange photographer who has a fascination with hair, but also climbed that tree in her 3 inch heels (of course my favorite was the simpler one). Now that is true collaboration.

Art and Life

2009-12-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

I am so impacted by the work of Lejon Loggins who is addressing the way too ignored issue of so many young people dying in Oakland with his powerfully created "Not Just a Number" obituaries.

Close-up: Robyn Twomey at The Luggage Store

2009-12-06T13:32:00.001-08:00

What a completely unexpected and gracious review.

If I can continue the rest of my life leaving a trail of this impression behind, with photography or otherwise, I'll be satisfied.

Close-up: Robyn Twomey at The Luggage Store

And yes, I am deeply "star struck by the mystery of human radiance."

Don't Gimme No Bammer Weed

2009-10-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

On the heels of the Obama administration's memo to end the raids on marijuana dispensaries, I'm sharing a story I did for Fortune Magazine on medicinal marijuana in September. The pioneers in this game are such political mavericks. Stephen DeAngelo (Harborside Health, Oakland), Richard Lee (Oaksterdam), JoAnna LaForce (Farmacy, LA), Robert Jacobs (Peace in Medicine, Sebastopol) and Irvin Rosenfeld (federally recognized patient, FL).

Check out the Photo Gallery:

And extra special shout to the patients, like 19 year old Jordan who is fighting Lukemia. Jordan already has a hard enough fight with cancer. He can live just a bit easier knowing he doesn't have to fight for his medicine too.

Assignment: Medicinal Marijuana, Fortune Magazine

Photo Editor: Scott Thode

Photo Assistants: Ricardo Richey and Ha Huynh

Michelle Rhee-interpreted

2009-09-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

In January of this Year, Time Magazine ran a cover shoot I did with DC School Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Photo editor Dietmar Liz-Lepiorz proposed the idea of her holding a broom. I thought it would be a powerful statement to show her cleaning up the system. Well, the DC teachers took it personal, claiming the broom symbolized her sweeping them out, even deeming her a witch. The cover became fuel for the teachers' fire, as seen on PBS (see May blog post).

This coming Sunday, The Washington Post Magazine attempts to reinterpret the images with a cover story on Michelle Rhee including a gallery of images, many that were originally shot but not used for the Time story.

Writer Marc Fisher in the Post story writes:

We are back to the broom, because for all the control and all her pride about her straight talk, Rhee was surprised, even hurt, by the reaction to that photo. "It was not what I was expecting. I was surprised by how other people saw it -- me being a witch, which I don't get. I personally thought it sent the right message -- sweeping change and cleaning house."

I'm still in awe at how much impact this singular image had on her reputation. The American Federation of Teachers also called me this week, asking if they could use the broom image for a flyer for their rally. I had to say no. I'm not about vilifying an advocate who puts no one but children first. The teachers are desperate to use my image for their cause, and I'm on the other end of the rope tugging to not let go of the integrity and original intentions behind the image making.

Thrilled that my yawner finally made the cut.

2009-09-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

ROBYN TWOMEY

RICARDO RICHEY

Sept 11. 2009

the luggage store gallery

1007 market street

san francisco, ca 94103

tel. 415. 255.5971

www.luggagestoregallery.org

Sept 11 - Oct 18, 2009

Reception: Friday, Sept 11, 6 - 8pm

Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 12 - 5pm

click here for more info

So Long to my First

2009-07-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

When I heard Vibe Magazine was folding, I was momentarily shocked. Then I realized I haven't shot for them in years, but it did reflect the curtain closing tighter and tighter on my editorial career. George Pitts (former Director of Photography at Vibe) was one of the first few people to ever entertain me for a meeting. I had been sleeping on my friend's couch in bedstuy for the summer and would hit the subway every day with at least 2 portfolios. Doors were being closed on me every other hour and I was tired of meeting no one, being broke, and dripping sweat. Then George gave me 10 minutes. I was nervous sitting on the black leather couch in the lobby. Vibe's photographers were such a huge inspiration to me, especially Dan Winters and Dana Lixenberg. Dora Samosi led me down the stairs and everyone who could took the time to look at my work. It was my first portfolio and was full of my friends, all natural light. I was so pleased to hear George say my pictures were soulful, and take the time to comment on nearly every image. That was all the juice I needed to keep on pounding the pavement. When I got back to the bay, he hired me to shoot Ledisi. It was August 2002 and my first editorial assignment from a NY publication. I was still working as a photo researcher at Wired Magazine and did the shoot on the weekend in their kitchen. The shoot validated me as a professional photographer and gave me the mojo to keep on keepin on.

Thanks Vibe, for giving me inspiration and opportunity.

(George Pitts has a nice synopsis of his time there on SPD: http://www.spd.org/2009/07/george-pitts-on-vibe.php)

The Days Never Cease to Amaze

2009-05-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Twitter Founders (Evan Williams and Biz Stone)

Client: Time Magazine

Photo Editor: Amy Hoppy

Photo Assistants: Ricardo Richey and Dawn Pavli

The assignment was to photograph the Twitter guys for the Time 100 issue. Despite the 80 mph winds on the roof shot, no catastrophes had in our 5 sets in one hour frenzy. And the fellas were more than lovely. We even spoke in 140 characters or less. Turn profile had to be reduced to "tofile" and other forms of reduction bred a new school form of internet patois, or netois if you will. Packin up the gear to get some much needed grub. Elevator broken. Gotta come back in an hour. No way in hell we are taking all this gear down from the 4th floor. Cesar salad, glass of red, arrive back at location. P Diddy is in the building. P Diddy is in the elevator. Rob Diggah has no shame in her game. Feels like the good ole days of stalking at ksol.

Exsighting. Diddy even tweeted the pic for his nearly 1 million followers. Thanks for letting me get my paparazzi on. With much thanks to Alan, the elevator repair man / partner in crime, and Dawn with the magliner and undercover reporting.

Image hits the Newshour

2009-05-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Michelle Rhee, DC Education Chancellor

Photo Editor: Dietmar Liz-Lepiorz

Assistants: Gerard Gaskin and Aurelie Graillot

Last November I was assigned by Dietmar Liz Lepiorz at Time Magazine to photograph DC education chancellor Michelle Rhee.

A secondary image ran inside. The shot of her hands crossed was originally in the magazine. A few hours before press, they decided to go with a "softer" look, so used the head shot. (They left the desk shot on the website).

But it was the cover image that seemingly incited a controversial response, that even got a little time on the Newshour May 5. Here's a nice bootleg clip.

Can you blame it on the image?

Did the photograph really have the effect of demoralizing the teachers?

Or did the image reinforce already negative feelings the community had and give them ammunition to interpret it with bias?

And just for the record, here is another shot that didn't make the magazine. And I don't think seeing this image would have won the teachers over to Michelle Rhee.

What would they be saying if Time ran this one?

(ouch!)

And now for my fave, and quite frankly the most honest...

Who doesn't want more Kobe?

2009-04-09T16:44:00.000-07:00

Assignment: Kobe Bryant for Complex Magazine in Sacramento, CA

Photo Editor: Marian Isel Barragan

Photo Assistants: Ricardo Richey and Dawn Pavli

Stylist: Kelly McCabe

Groomer: Brynn Doering

Chimin In: Noah Callahan-Bever, Complex Editor in Chief and Mark Ecko, Founder

Retoucher: Vanessa Ynda at FIX Studios

Layout Design: Tim Leong

A few months back I had the uh-may-zing opportunity to photograph the multi talented Kobe Bryant for the cover of Complex Magazine. We had an hour with the mega star who was pleased to sit and even more pleased to listen to Wu Tang's first album.

It's rare that a magazine picks some of the best imagery and uses design that complements and showcases both the concept and the photography. A true collaboration from initial ideas with the photo editor, to a willing subject, to the final phenomenal layout by Tim Leong. If only we could have had 5 or 6 more pages ;-) Here a few that didn't make the cut.

Paul Washburn also made some nice video of the shoot and interview for complex.com. Here's a little cut that Paul souped up exclusive for this blog.

The nicest womanizer I ever met.

Behind the Scenes at the White House (and Amtrak)

2009-03-30T12:07:00.001-07:00

Robert Gibbs for Time Magazine in the White House Press Briefing Room

Photo Editor: Leslie dela Vega

Assistant: Nick Jraba

2nd assist / Mic holder: Shannon Twomey

In February I had one of the best shoots yet. I know, I always say that, but this was full of giddy exaltation. The assignment, to photograph press secretary Robert Gibbs... at the White House. Booya! What a great opportunity. We hopped on the train from NY and met Nick, who crammed 4 power packs and a crap load of gear into his trusty Honda Civic. Moms was calling me every other hour to update me on the whereabouts of Obama, with hopes of a sighting. The above picture is pretty much exactly what Leslie envisioned, but of course we wanted to get as many variations as possible with our 30 minutes. So, here's what else we were able to talk Mr. Gibbs into (and he ain't an easy one to assuage) in the 15 minutes we ended up getting ...

But the best was yet to come. Since we didn't get our 30 minutes, we got to hang with the CNNers and papparazzi the first fam getting on Marine One for Camp David. I love Shannon's image the most. She was so excited to see Obama, she lifted her head up to see him in person, instead of through the lens, and this is what she got...

good thing I was on backup for moms...

But it doesn't stop there. As if the day couldn't get better, we get on amtrak and run into Dennis Kucinich. And as much as I love Barack, I do really love me some Dennis...

You know it's real when I bust out a Fire Marshall Bill smile. And check out his young wifey (whut? whut?!) ...

All in a day!

Back in the Day

2009-03-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

When I finally get to it, cleaning isn't all that bad. I have one shelf that consists of random snapshots that is in desperate need of some organization. My book keeper says I need to honor my space, so I'm trying to get this place spiffy so my creative energy can flow. And then I came across a time when all I cared about was music. A scrapbook consisting of my ticket stubs which even brags a few autographs. In middle school, I lived down the street from KSOL (they no longer exist), and I would ride my bike up there anytime I heard someone famous on the station. I'd wait in the hallway or in the parking lot to get an autograph. Even though it wasn't pictures, there was some innate obligation to witness and document. It was usually psuedo stars like The Jets and Bobby Brown (he rode my bike!). One day I went up to get Yo Yo's autograph. I was waiting in the hallway for about an hour, when some random dude (who reeked of the wacky tobacky) finally said, "Do you want me to just go inside and get her autograph for you?" I was relieved. He came back with a beautiful autograph (on classic letterhead) from Yo Yo and said, "I'm gonna give you my autograph too, cuz I'm gonna be real famous one day." I love when people know their personal legend. Thanks for reminding me 2Pac.

Hello Blogosphere

2009-03-26T18:55:00.001-07:00

Hello ambient intimacy. Let's do this...