James Intveld models his custom Manuel Suit behind Tootsie's in Nashville

ames Intveld is a musician and actor who is also a friend I have photographed many times. This image comes from a shoot we did over 2 days in and around Nashville. We shot all over and for this set-up he wore the suit Manuel made for him. Manuel and James have known each other for many years and Manuel affectionately calls him Jesse James, which is the primary design on the back of the jacket. Manuel was the protege of Nudie the man responsible for Gram Parsons’ Gilded Palace of Sin suit among so many others. Manuel designed and made the Beatles’ Srgt. Pepper costumes, Elvis’ gold lame outfit and more than could ever be summarized adequately here. It was a special pleasure to be able to meet him. Of photographic note: a gorgeous 20″x30″ black and white portrait of him by Mary Ellen Mark hangs in the rear of his shop which is a spacious converted Victorian home.

This is the image that became the cover for James’ latest album “Have Faith” shot in the same broken down Ford I have featured before on this site:

Cover photo for James' album Have Faith

This last image comes from the bottom floor of Manuel’s store. On the right hangs some of the 50 state Suits Manuel was commissioned to make. Each one is dedicated to one of the U.S. States and is emblazoned and bedazzled with iconic imagery representing the history and notoriety of each. James wore one at the American Music Awards just after they were finished.

James takes a look at some of Manuel's 50 State's Suits in Nashville

]]> http://jpbleibtreu.com/portrait/james-intveld/feed/ 0 http://jpbleibtreu.com/portrait/brian-dillard/ http://jpbleibtreu.com/portrait/brian-dillard/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:10:22 +0000 JP http://blog.jpbleibtreu.com/?p=60

Portrait of the Architect as a young man.

Tribeza magazine here in town assigned me to make a portrait of local architect Brian Dillard for their upcoming October Architectural issue. He is a very talented architect who has designed many projects in different areas of Austin. I met him in his South Congress office where he showed me a few plans for homes he is working on. We then walked up the block and around the corner where I shot him in the soft, early evening, summer light against the side of Guerro’s. 20 minutes and a roll of 120 later and we were set. Thanks Brian!

One of the last shots of the session.

Greg sits a while.

I was reminded of this shoot with musician Greg Vendetti recently when a photographer friend of mine was asking about interesting locations to shoot at. This was done this past January in an abandoned house not far from where I live. I drive past it regularly but only noticed it about a year ago in the winter when the leafless trees revealed their secret. They have kept it well and in turn the house remains undiscovered and absent of graffiti. I brought the 19th century bed spring which fits into the brass frame and window curtain to complete the scene. The house doesn’t need much more than that- it speaks for itself. I am particularly fond of places that inspire more questions that answers. As J.J. Abrams so brilliants posited in his TED talk, sometimes it is the unresolved mystery that draws and maintains our attention. This is one of those places.

Jasper studies the decay rate of oak leaves in a Ford composter.

We were out taking a walk and passed one of my favorite places to shoot- this old Ford pickup that was left by the previous owners toward the back of the property. It lies in between several oaks and so the only light that reaches it has to travel the 30 feet or so down from the canopy of the forest around it. The light is always spectacular especially in the afternoon. I have shot several people here on many occasions. It always has a mood and feeling to it that suits the subject I am working with. Today it happened to be Jasper who just turned 2 years and 6 months old. Another image I created here features the musician James Intveld sitting on some tires – there is no seat, and no engine – and was used as the cover for his album Have Faith.