LaCresha's Lens: LaCresha's Lens Focuses on...Page 3 - Working with the Masters in Photography Ernie Passwaters

Today was filled with blessings. I woke up at 7:15am wondering what in the world I was doing. I was exhausted with a lot of items on the to-do list today. I got up, walked the dogs, fed the chickens, showered and got dressed for the day. I ran to my friend Jody's to borrow some lighting equipment and backdrops. Once the gear was loaded in the truck I was off to meet at Panera in Donelson with my PR person. Two blocks from the restaurant I was pulled over for expired plates. I have the paperwork, I just need to find the $100 to get the updated tags. Thankfully I dealt with a kind officer and within minutes I was allowed to go on my way.
I had a great meeting with a woman who runs her own PR Firm and is willing to mentor me. What an amazing blessing by God! I have been given my newest task which I am to input into my weekly routine. It will be established tomorrow. Why put off tomorrow what I can do today? Because I need to meet the amazing Miss Ernie by 10:30 am so I can assist her today during her photo shoot.
Our meeting came to a close and we were both on our way. I texted Miss E to let her know I was on my way and asked if I had time for coffee. I was relieved to see her response, "Of course"!
A quick stop at Starbucks, Lemon Poundcake for her, and a Peppermint Mocha Frappe with a shot and I was out the door. I pulled up and she was waiting for me. I anxiously tossed gear into the backseat and we were on our way to the studio.

The day was amazing, we quickly set up, tested lights, refigured the lights due to one light which was not working. After a few test shots Miss E was up and running. 29 potential models and talent came through the space that day. Many eager, nervous and excited faces were interviewed, video taped and photographed. Then there was the last model, a patient man who was waiting in the row of chairs while the last 8 or so cleared out. His name is Darrin, quiet, polite, considerate, handsome and organized. During his photo shoot I was asked to help tuck in his shirt. It was during this time as my fingers danced across his belt and top of his jeans I realized how built his body was, how muscular. It was distracting. It was sexy.
Once he was done being photographed it was time to wrap. Miss E collapsed on the couch, and I handed her, her water bottle. I began to tear down the lights, the backdrop, the stands and stacked it up. By the time Miss E was done with her break everything was packed and ready to be loaded out.
Once the gear was loaded in the car we all went out for Mexican. After driving around 3rd and 4th street downtown Nashville we found a great little find, a Mexican restaurant off 4th. It was pouring down rain and Darrin was holding the door for us as we walked to the entrance with our umbrella.
We get settled in the booth, and I ended up sitting across from Darrin, next to Sherry. Nathan sat across from Sherry and Miss E took the head of the table. We had a lively conversation about the day. Darrin made a comment about my energy and asked how I could have so much energy after such a long day. I told him, "I love what I do, it is easy to have energy when you are living your dream, doing your passion". He seemed to 'get it'. We then talked about our dreams, goals, how we are both creative people; He spoke about while in the Army for the past 12 years he didn't have a creative outlet, so now, he is just going for it. I told him how I understood and was giving my business everything I've got.
Miss E and I agree we should split the fajitas and just before the food comes, Miss E and Sherry switch places. Conversation is flowing at our table passing between group conversation to us falling into conversation between the person next to or across from us. It was lovely, it was energetic and inspiring.
At one point I found myself in this great conversation with Darrin. We were talking about his dreams, goals, background, how he found his way into film school. At times while speaking to him I would feel nervous, butterfly kind of nervous. Yet, his confidence, down to earth persona, his sweetness, put me at ease. I got scared, as I found myself thinking, "I could talk to this person for days if not the rest of my life.
He has family out in California and I asked if he thought he would move to LA for the film industry or try to make it hear. His reply pleased me, he said he would move to LA if he needed to for his career. But, he felt the industry was strong enough here, and the connections he has made here, he felt he could make a living working here in Nashville.
I asked if he knew about Film-Com and he said he had not - I told him about my friend Tim, my acquaintance Greg and how I would like to introduce him to the few people I know in the industry. I told him he didn't have to meet them, and I didn't know if anything would ever come about it. But, one never knows, and you don't know until you try. He seemed open to it, maybe this will be a reason for us to hang out sometime?
I switched conversation to Sherry and asked her if I needed models for a runway show, if she would be able to help me. "Absolutely" she replied, and then she said, "wait a minute, is this the runway show that was going to be in October?" I said, "Yes" and we both said "at Hotel Preston" She mentioned how she was contacted about that, and I put it together, "Jane Weinberg"
"Yes! Crazy Jane"
"She is crazy as a fucking loon!" The entire busted out laughing.
"Small world"

Finally it was 7:00pm. Nathan needed to get home to his boyfriend. The text he sent him earlier was accidentally sent to Sherry and she laughed wondering why he was calling her "baby". Miss E was exhausted, and while I could easily talk to Darrin for days, maybe even years, it was time to go.
Miss E and I made our way to her car and we had wonderful banter about the attractive men that came through today. The big conversation was on Darrin, he was built, he was sweet and I was openly confiding on how I discovered over dinner I liked him. This scares me, I never thought I would ever think in this manner again. Not after what I have been through.
Yet, my career needs to be my main focus, and all of my attention. If this is a man for me, I need to hand it over to God. One thing is for sure, he isn't afraid, he likes the outdoors, and he is willing to take a risk for the things which his heart desires.
Maybe one day...I will be one of those things in which he takes a risk for in his life...
Stay tuned, and we will find out together.