The assignment was to shoot 30 NFL Cheerleaders in 10 days.
When we boarded United Airlines from San Jose, Ca. Bound to Tampa Bay, Florida, I was accompanied by the lead photographer Michael Soo (www.soophotography.com) and James Burkart (www.burkartvideo.com) the excitement was in the air, Michael Soo is an energetic leader and the charisma that I felt from James told me it is going to be a great trip. My gut feelings are usually correct.
Two days prior to the photoshoot, we were going around St. Petersberg tagging locations that fits each cheerleaders, as we drove around St. Petes. It was easy to get to know eachother, for eachone of us has fun stories and ideas that we each shared.
We stayed at Traderwinds Beach Resort for one day and then moved to Sergio & Gabriella hotel, closer the "One Buck Place"
Dubbed "One Buccaneer Palace", the Buccaneers’ gleaming new team headquarters is the largest facility in the NFL. Equipped with every modern tool to help produce a successful team on the field, the facility is also a major draw for potential free agents.
Opened: August, 2006
Footprint: 145,000 square-foot facility on 33 acres
Practice Fields: Three, full-length grass fields
Weight Room: 10,000 square feet, 70 types of workout machines
Locker Room: 7,000 square feet
Additional Features: Fully-equipped kitchen and dining room, theater-style auditorium, press conference studio, hydrotherapy room
Monday. May 10, 2009
As we walked into a press conference room, large enough to hold a party gathering, the make-up artist was already working on the cheerleaders, the room was alive, full of warm greetings and I felt that a job well done from the previous year, because of the respect that each of the cheerleaders gave Michael Soo. On the following day, James Burkart surprised the team with a video, as James silently captured behind the scene footage. Their eyes glowed with delight, as James worked his skillful videographic magic.
Helping the lead photographer raised some questions towards his lighting approach, but I am not the one to ask a lot of questions, I am more of an observer, one who makes mental notes. As the photoshoot was flowed, it dawn to me. Michael Soo is sculpturing beauty, no more and no less. His lighting setup is art in itself.
As a second, rookie photographer. I was not shooting on a star of fame, but thankful to have the opportunity to be working under a dignified photographer, who is willing to take me under his wings and allowed a chance of a lifetime.
Antonio Genovia
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