Mugshotz

I've been Trumped!

Sep 01, 2023

I have been blessed with the friendship of many wonderful Tucsonans in my lifetime and chief among my chums is Steve Meckler, a fabulously talented and renowned commercial photographer.

If you are unfamiliar with Steve’s beautiful work check out his delectable website here: Steve Meckler Photography

Steven has shot the gorgeous covers for the Tucson Jazz Festival guides.

And you may remember a beautiful short-lived publication called “Edible” that was indelibly enhanced by Steven’s distinctive photography.

Click on the link below and check out Steven’s mesmerizing black and white series “Coney Island 1979-1980”. Steven shot these haunting images when he was a kid at State University of New York at Stony Brook. The first time Steven showed me these prints I was blown away. I felt like I was looking at the portfolio of a Walker Evans, a Eugene Smith or a Dorothea Lange, savoring a world class body of work that merits an exhibition at the CCP or the TMA or MOMA.

Enjoy: "Coney Island 1979-1980"

Through the years I’ve drawn Steven from time to time and he has shot me. With his camera.

In 2018 we had a blast traveling together with our families to Germany. Steven and I would abandon our wives and wander Munich looking “for the right light.” I ended up teasing my friend by photographing him photographing subjects, claiming my photos were going to be part of a famous exhibit one day: “The Meckler Series”.

Steven just laughed. Well, hey buddy, Mr. Cool, who has the last laugh now?

“Meckler Series”

My favorite portrait

An image Steven shot of me eons ago at the long gone Old Pueblo Grill is one my favorites. And yes, that’s real ink in my mouth. And yes, I’ve never regretted trusting the inspired creativity of my friend Steve. I’ve used this image for years as a trademark mug. Thanks, Steve.

Photo by some hotshot genius named Steven Meckler

And then Trump’s mug shot appeared everywhere.

Next thing I know Steve emails me. “I’ve got an idea.”

Of course I enthusiastically said “Yes!” like I always say “Yes” when Steve has an idea ( Because it usually includes lunch at The Cup downtown) and that’s how I ended up at Steven’s home studio planted on a bar stool on his set, lit like a movie star in a noir classic and taking direction like an Avedon model.

I’m a little disappointed he never said, “Shake your hair darling,” like Austin Powers but dammit the man’s a pro.

“Head slightly right. Chin out. Down. Up. Look straight at the camera. Scowl. Don’t scowl. Look resolute. Think ‘retribution.’ Head not so far to the right.”

The project was a challenge because unlike Trump I do not have lips. Or a golden comb-over. But Steve’s a master craftsmen. As he photographed away we talked about the poor quality of the Fulton County Jail mugshot and the similarities between the two images below:

I patiently watched Steve get the lighting just right. I imagined God fussing with the lighting on the third day of Creation. And lo, Steven said that it was good.

In spite of the fact I had not worn a suit and tie since Matthew Brady photographed me at Appomattox, I was happy to cooperate as long as he didn’t go all “Helmut Newton” on me and insist I wear latex.

Steve is successful because he is a perfectionist. Steve wanted to perfectly match the shadows on Trump’s face in the mugshot. The distance from his ears to his shoulders. The angle of his head. The background. Shoulders slightly turned. Chin out. Eyebrow arched.

And then it was time to head to The Cup and break bread together.

The next morning I opened my email and found this masterpiece. I’m thinking it will make the perfect Christmas Card. “Make the holidays great again.”

Once again my friend, the master, got it just right. What do you think?