What's in a (cool) Name?

Sometimes, I think I need a cooler name, i.e., a nom de photographe that's more stylish and memorable.

A young NYC shooter, one whose work I admire, is River Clark.

River Clark.

Now that's a cool name for a shooter!

First off, his given name, River, has a lot of "wow" value to it. With a name like that, you simply expect his photography to "wow" you! Yep, it's uncommon yet cool.

Whether River's given name was given or he took it for himself I have no idea, but it's a great name for a shooter nonetheless! The name "River," of course, conjures River Phoenix who, although very dead, was so very James Dean-ish in a very contemporary kind of way. And who was cooler than James Dean? Think about it: You're a shooter hoping to make a name for yourself and your name conjures James Dean, albeit by way of River Phoenix. But still, how cool is that?

While I have no idea if they're related, River's surname, Clark, is an already distinguished name in the world of photography: Think Larry Clark. I've met Larry and he's a fairly cool guy whose had a notable career as both a photographer and a filmmaker. But now I'm thinking Larry might have gone even further if he had a first name like River. And if he did, the real River Clark might have to use a less cool name, like Larry, and perhaps he wouldn't seem so cool in spite of the cool photography he produces.

Oh well. Just some rambling and innocuous thoughts for a Monday. I'm shooting a 20-girl pool party tomorrow. It's for some kind of pay-per-view thing. I'll be one of two photographers doing the honors. (Twenty pretty girls would be a lot for one shooter to adequately cover in one, 12-hour, day.) I should have some pics to share by Wednesday but, if not, it's cuz I'm shooting Tera on Wednesday. Hey! Someone's gotta do it.

The pretty girl at the top is Sasha, snapped a few months ago. She's sitting in a clear, Plexiglas, sci-fi-looking, half-spherical chair thingie that hangs from the ceiling by a chain.