Miss Lady Kier blogged this today. This is classic. Takes me back to my youth… If things were so sweet and innocent now as they were then. A magical fairytale to dream into…

During Forth of July Weekend I had the pleasure of attending Essence Festival 2011.  I has working with Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan during the week and was amazed of what great talent these ladies have.  There is a reason why these “Diva’s” have gained their status and fame. Their Talent, hard work and  achieving what is important; to make the crowd pleased and leaving participants, with a night to remember.

The Week started with a Press Conference presenting New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Essence’s Magazine Editor Constance White, and the legendary Chaka Khan… to name a few.  New Orleans honored Essence’s Magazine/Festival with a street named in the event’s honor.  “Essence Way”  .  During the event, Chaka Khan spoke on behalf of the CK Foundation, educating the public what the foundation represents. Press ended with a group photo of the mayor, Ms. Khan, and sponsors.

After the Press Conference the Khan team and I went to the African American Museum Located not far from the French Quarter to greet the 50 Ladies, attending the Festival, chosen by the CK Foundation. Chaka was excited and over-whelmed at the same time. She was standing before ladies ready to “make a change” and “pay it forward”.  The program offered by the foundation is to guide and teach a more simple, humble kind of life to the ladies.  Once each participant gets toward their goals, they are to help another individual in need. The Stories that some of these ladies shared where heart wrenching.  Some ladies where HIV+, Drug Addicts, and Sexually Abused at early ages.  These stories presented were upsetting because these ladies lives are damaged. However, these ladies are fighters and have came to the realization that it’s time to look at life in a different more positive manner. The foundation has made it accessible for the participating ladies to be leaded in the right direction in achieving their goals.

After attending the inspiring speaking with the CK Foundation, I received the phone call to meet Jennifer Hudson and her crew at the Superdome. It was time to do rehearsal for the show that was going to be presented the following day.  I was greeted with open arms and many hello’s.  I got right down to work and started with still photography moving to motion photography.  Ms. Hudson is very driven and has a focused mind in how she wants to perform for her audience.  Dancer’s were added to the show which is Genius!!!  I was very impressed in just the rehearsal performance given by Jennifer and her crew. 

The following morning I met Jennifer and her crew at the Superdome. It was ready for “sound check rehearsal”.  Each stage is different on the road and the band,dancer’s, back-up, and Jennifer herself was getting used to the stage.  Lighting was working around the performance, managers making phone calls, and sound check crew “tweeking” their knowledge of sound based on a full dome compared to a empty dome.  After the performance JHUD and WW confirmed me to be at the CD signing at the Convention Center. Knowing that I needed to be at the Convention Center in a hour’s time, I rushed to get to the Convention Center.  Before i met up with Ms. Hudson for her signing, I was able to see Mary J. Blige receive her 365 Black award given by McDonald’s . 

I met Jennifer and her Crew, in a side entrance of the Convention Center, moments after taking Mary’s photo.  I greeted Jennifer Hudson and her crew with Mardi Gras Beads and Mask’s.  I was hoping that she would wear them for the signing, but… maybe next time. The Signing with Jennifer Hudson was wonderful and it was pleasant to see her fans get excited of her presence’s  She spoke of projects she is currently working on. Concert Dates, Movies in progress, and Movies currently being edited.  We signed for about 30 min then it was time for Jennifer and Crew to leave. 

Once Jennifer left, Chaka walked “in the house”. I didn’t stop of course, it was time for me to continue the documentation of yet another powerful Lady!  Now this is where it gets funny…  As Jennifer did not wear her Mardi Gras Beads, Chaka wore hers that I gave her.  Oh snap… the way it happen was way funny and if you ever read this Tammy… sorry ;).  I had to step back for a minute after I finished with Chaka’s signing because I realized that I, a simple, humble person, gave Mardi Gras Beads to Chaka Khan and she wore them.  Atta Girl….;0 

I had just a couple of hours of down time till it was time to start the concert portions of some wonderful artist.  I met with Jennifer and her Crew again at the Superdome. As I was in the dressing room area with Jennifer, Boys 2 Men walked by me and said “what’s up”.  I did a triple take and was like… Is that, Was that… then while in Jennifer’s dressing room Fantasia jumped in to say hello.  (I had met Fantasia before Essence’s Festival at an event in Chicago and she remembered me… or at least she acted as though she did.)  Little David Jr. was in the room with us and of course, stole the show.  Fantasia was lightened with David’s Energy and dance moves. Yet, if you were to know Jennifer Hudson’s child, you would melt with affection as well. After laughing with the ladies briefly, I stepped out of the dressing room so the ladies could do their ‘lady talk’. 

Fantasia came out of Jennifer’s dressing room and went to hers to get prepared for her performance.  Fantasia hit the stage and while I was back with Jennifer, I jumped out briefly to take a few photos of Fantasia.  Fantasia is a wonderful performer, and i encourage all a must see!

After Fantasia, it was time for my favorite “Super Model” to do her thang’.  Jennifer Hudson was brilliant on stage!  If you ever have an opportunity to see Jennifer Hudson in concert, it is a must see!!!  Not only is she powerful with vocals on stage, she is also a bad ass performer.  Jennifer Hudson is a rock-n-roller at heart!  (I can’t wait till she decides to do a rock album, even though I enjoy her R&B tracks.) The crowd embraced Jennifer’s tracks and presence’s onstage.  Defiantly, a powerful house.  After Jennifer’s performance, it was time for us to go to a quick press conference to speak about up and coming projects.  The night ended with goodbye’s, kisses, hugs, along with see you soon’s.  

Recently, I was in New York on the video shoot of Jennifer Hudson’s new video “No One Gonna Love You”.  I was excited to be flown up to New York, but when I got off the plane, It was hotter than what it was in Chicago :(.  Anyway, I got to the shoot via public transportation (because I am trying to learn NYC Transit) and started working.  As always, Jennifer and her peeps were happy to see me and we were able to catch up a bit.  See, Jennifer has been over seas doing promotional dates for her new album “I Remember Me”. 

As the video progressed, Jennifer and I shared some very similar concerns and interest of the making of this video.  (I hope I didn’t cause to much “drama” with that, but hey… Jhud and I both agreed on the issue). 

We broke for Lunch and I got to share lunch with Her and Her son outside in a nice little court yard, eating some tasty baked chicken. 

Break was over so we went back to work and started on the second part of the video… dancing in/on bar chairs.  This was the first time that Jennifer had danced in a video and was so excited to be a part of it.  We did many shoots of this particular part of the video and after that was done, I got to do my thing with her as being her personal photographer. 

The bedroom scene was shot after the dancing scene and then, we did a end of the shoot with dialog.  After we were done in the studio, we went outside and got ready to shoot the outside scenes.

Prior to doing these scenes, we rested for awhile on the trailer.  As she was getting her baby down for the evening, I realized… Damn, I really have been given a wonderful opportunity and “can’t believe that I am finally here”

The shoot lasted 23 hours and I was exhausted after, but I jumped on the next plane to Chicago rested for the day, and spent 4 days of editing on photos. 

Jennifer sang it over and over and over “No One Gonna Love you, like I’m Gonna Love you”…  I am starting to think this may true.  I will always love her for that moment.  Thank You Again Jennifer Hudson, Not only are you a dream girl ;) but your my dream girl.