Happy Halloween

Photo © David Torrence

Boston Terrier Stock Photography

© Photo David Torrence

Seems like Bostons are in high demand for stock photography these days…and luckily, I’m the proud owner of three-year-old Milo. His photos have been licensed for loft development brochures and ads. The best thing about it is that his modeling fee is minimal — a glob of peanut butter followed by an ice cube.

Scavenger Hunt For Corn

© Photo David Torrence

I got a call from a longtime client saying that if I could locate fresh corn in green husks by the next morning, there was a healthy fee for one shot. “Good luck,” he said, “I’ve called everywhere.” The hunt was on. My stylist called local farmer’s markets, wholesale businesses and grocery stores. Nothing. Two different people told her there was no fresh corn in St. Louis after the end of August. (Remember: No white shoes and no green corn after Labor Day.)

I made a call to my in-laws in Kansas. My mother-in-law called Smith’s Market and then called me back within 10 minutes. “They’ve got a ton of it. And it’s green.”

My father-in-law (more adept at shipping stuff, I was told) was called in for back-up. They handpicked the pieces, boxed them up, and went to the little shipping depot on Main Street. (There’s no dedicated FedEx in Hutchinson.) They were closed for lunch from 1:00 to 2:30. With the nearest major airport an hour away in Wichita, and the clock ticking, they waited, guarding the corn. Although it was a $90 shipping fee to get it to St. Louis, it arrived the next morning green and healthy. It goes to show…when in a pinch, there’s no place like home.

Andy Warhol Art Collector Shoot

Photos © David Torrence

Recently I did an editorial shoot of art collector/dealer Robert Lococo. He lives in a beautifully styled mid-century home, and it was a fascinating experience to see artwork from Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, William S. Burroughs, James Brown, Donald Sulton, and even a coffee mug by Picasso displayed throughout the house. As opposed to seeing the works in a gallery setting, it was a whole different perspective seeing art incorporated as part of someone's daily life. You can check out all his offerings here.