Roger

01.05.10 by René portraits

He’s clever, but innocent.  He’s daffy, but refined. He’s unashamed, but cautious. Daring, but wise.  Nonchalant, but deliberate. He’s pure-bred country, but oh-so city. He calls NYU and Georgetown his alma maters and has a love-hate relationship with his guitar. He labeled this past summer the “Summer of Rog” where he didn’t allow himself to say “no” to anything or anyone.  He’s a conglomeration of the best of both worlds, but perhaps best described in his own words:

I’ve been described like a bottle of sake – light and smooth. Life is short and full of surprises, and I have an enormous appetite for all of it.

I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. I pass the hours contemplating my Statement of Purpose, my navel, and the mysteries of the universe. I am a professional mason, a brilliant marriage counselor, and a deft gunfighter who toured with South America’s premier vigilante circus before joining the Black Panthers. Food critics worldwide say I make a delicious bowl of mango chutney. I have played Hamlet, performed brain surgery, and spoken with Elvis, all with unintentional pontification.

Head almost always above water, sense of humor always intact. Lover, fighter, bureaucrat, and rockstar in Chuck Taylors with kung-fu grip burning the candle at both ends. Giggity giggity.

Roger and I go way back.  Back to my first job at the St. Cloud Coffee House in Cañon City, Colorado.  Roger was a regular.  Well, not a regular.  There’s nothing regular about Roger.  He was a… sporadic regular, if you will.  In between school semesters on the east coast, Roger found his way back to his home state.  Our pattern of Christmas and Thanksgiving vacation visits continued over the years, even after I graduated from serving coffee. It was this holiday season, over a glass of wine, that I had the bright idea to capture this unique, incredibly zany friend of mine.  He’s the perfect subject; I don’t know why we didn’t do it sooner.  Roger currently resides in Washington D.C. doing some pretty cool work.  The type of work that if I told you, I’d have to kill you. You know how it goes…

So, Roger, here’s to you and many more Cañon City adventures.

The night before his shoot, I expressed confidence in Roger’s ability to pull some aces from his sleeve the following day. He definitely did not let me down. ;)

I couldn’t resist a quick grab of this shot as he quickly leaned over to tie his floppy laces.

I absolutely ADORE these next several shots!  I think they are some of the best portraits ev-uh!  Can I just say that real quick?

The shot on the right could quite possibly be one my all time F A V E S of a person.

Another all timer… ugh, there is just something about his expression and vast composition… LOVE IT!

Roger, you are so cool!  This is yet ANOTHER favorite! Not just of you, but favorite portrait – period!

Roger is so politically savvy and patriotic… Quite fitting of a back drop, I’d say.

Boo. Ya.  Roger, thank you so much for the best 45 minute shoot I’ve had in a long time!  We kicked butted in such a short amount of time. Looking forward to crossing paths again soon.  Cheers!