I never go in without knowing. When doing a shoot just to shoot, my model
friends and I get together and do spontaneous shoots. Those are the ones we
have most fun with. We’ll go around and see what’s around, what you have on,
what is on location and we just go with it. When it comes to a production or
a job, there is definitely a lot of planning, and you’re speaking to the
bookings editor, the fashion editor, or your building a CD cover and
speaking with the project manager assuring that everything is brought to
surface so that everything is in place. There has to be a theme, a story,
and styling. In all aspects you have to prepare. I don’t go straight on, I
like to prepare. I enjoy developing when it during jobs. There is always a
story; a theme to go by to make sure it is well executed. Other than that,
for the most part my shoots are always a lot of fun. I’ve been blessed with
clients that allow me to run with it. I receive somewhat of a guideline, but
they make sure that I get the needed elements, but the rest is up to me. I
have been fortunate. It has definitely been me at the end.
Would you consider yourself an Artist?
Absolutely! A visual artist completely. Although people till this day do not
know how to categorize me. I am very well known for my sexy, sultry, beach
sand, sexy pictures on the beach with men and women. They know that I could
do commercial; they know I can do high fashion. They just don’t know where
to put me. I just don’t go with trends, I challenge myself and that’s when
people say THAT’S Manny Roman. When they see something new they will say,
wait a minute that’s Manny?!
What do you belief makes quality images?
It depends on the theme. There are many types of photography. As far as
quality images, there is your crisp clean commercial which you have your
guidelines to go abide by; or there is your far edged photography. There are
no limits, visual arts have no limits. I think quality images depend on what
the photographer is trying to portray on his image. Some Artist are lucky
with a point-and-shoot, and some do not have an intention behind it. They do
not know what they will shoot prior to shooting it or what the outcome will
be. Some of us do from our visual memory to even putting it down on a sketch
book. That would be a good quality image. Although in all aspects, I think
that every type of art put out there is thought after and has something
behind it. A quality image is based on many aspects.
What does it take to succeed as a Fashion Photographer in the industry?
The key to success is to continue networking. It does not mean you have to
attend every party, but keep studying and networking. Studying is key;
always make sure you revamp yourself. With the technology with have today,
there should not be an excuse for someone not to be working. Not to be
visible. There are many tools we have thanks to the internet, and whether
you like it or not your work is there to be seen and shown. Make sure your
marketing yourself to the area of the industry that markets in your art. It’s
definitely all about marketing, revamping yourself, and always about
studying. To keep up with the trends, if there is something you are not
aware of, learn it. Some will be admirable to your work. If you’re an
amazing studio Photographer, you will need to learn extensively as the
programs of Photoshop keep increasing. Everything today is digital in visual
arts. It also depends on how much you utilize it or don’t. Some people use
it to a minimal, some people use it to touch blemishes or what not, and at
times you go way off but in a good way and really making it visual art. For
instance the Lachapelle Team (David Lachapelle) make amazing photography.
They take it to the next level. It’s definitely studying, revamping, and
marketing yourself.
Are there any current projects you are working on?
I have been working on a documentary about models since 2009. If any of you out there are aware,
a documentary is not something that happens overnight. Subjects change,
through legalities, or the theme changes. You want to make sure everything
is executed. There are a lot of people who do not
know what models really go through on a daily basis in this industry. I feel that
I am a voice for these models. I’ve worked many hard years for them.
A lot of people believe it’s a glamorous life, but it’s rejection after rejection. That’s just one issue,
not being protected and part of a union is another. At times there is no insurance on set when a model
goes to a booking. There are so many aspects that these
models ( both men and women ), go through, and as the years go
by, they are not getting any younger. I am working to get the footage
together and show the viewer’s how hard these models work. People have a
misconception how easy these beautiful beings really have it when there is
so much more to their story.
Manny, do you favor any designers?
Yes. In Menswear, Givenchy, Paul Smith and a few others. Since I’m a Man, I’m
thinking about myself. For Women, I think its constantly changing. I love
the classics like Oscar De La Renta, to a sexy yet stylish, yet still classy
Donatella Versace for Versace. I love the way
she dresses women. Another one for women would be Esteban Cortazar.
I have known him since he was 15, he did an amazing job when at the house of
Emanuel Ungaro, the floral, the prints, and the color which he brought back
to life. I do not know who did their styling; I do know when Cortazar was
there, it was brilliant.
Do you have a favorite Magazine?
I have several. At the moment I favor V, Numero but French Numero. I think
that is it. I really like V, and Numero for now. Those are my favorite for
now.
What are you goals?
I have a few. At the top of my list is to shoot the annual Pirrelli
Calendar. It’s been shot by some of my favorite photographers, Peter
Lindberg, Avedon and the late Herb Ritss. I would like to book the Sports
Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Many people think Sports
Illustrated is very political, but it is still one goal of mine. If I don’t
make it, it will still be OK. I have done so many accounts on South Beach,
the Bahamas, and so on. If I don’t make it, it will not diminish the fact that
I can still take a hot photo on any beach in the world. So definitely Pirelli, Sports Illustrated, and
maybe Victoria Secret. Although more than the main goal I’d like to set
myself up with major accounts. Major accounts that will financially set me up
later in life. I don’t aim to be the next Meisel or Testino. I just want to be a working photographer.
Absolutely. Manny, where do you see yourself in five years from now?
Owning my own gallery in SoHo, possibly off Broome Street. I see a lot, but I
would definitely like to see myself with a Gallery hosting bimonthly
events with proceeds going to an organization that supports children in
need.
