COOL COW COMEDY

Rahmein Mostafavi

Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing the mastermind behind Cool Cow Comedy, and with a name like Cool Cow Comedy, expect hysteria. Do you have any idea how hard it is to shoot while you’re laughing? Yeah, try holding a camera steady.

Cool Cow Comedy brings hysteria to Fredericksburg every other week at the Courtyard Marriott on Caroline Street (keep up to date on the gut busting shows). The brilliant mind behind this laugh factory is Rahmein Mostafavi. His stand up is hilarious - from his Iranian-American background to fatherhood to his general observations of life’s absurdities

And really, just the name itself - Cool Cow Comedy. Cool Cow Comedy got its name when Rahmein was teaching one of his sons to say Holy Cow. It kept coming out as Cool Cow so everything in the household that deserved a Holy Cow got a Cool Cow. Then we’ve got that whole cow set up going. The black and white curtains (think Holstein) and that funky little cow logo. From the mouths of babes – it works.

Rahmein knows what’s funny, too, and as the host of Cool Cow Comedy, he’s bringing fresh entertainment to town. His first show at the Courtyard Marriott headlined Danny Rouhier and featured Greg Brown; the night of the shoot – headliner Brain Parise, with featured comedian Lafayette Wright. Cool Cow Comedy’s next show will be Saturday, July 2^nd at 8pm with headliner Erin Jackson, featuring Brandon Wardell.

If you're looking for a laugh, here's your chance. Advance tickets can be purchased online.

Rahmein also hosts Cool Cow’s Raw Comedy every Tuesday night at Ragtime up in Arlington.

All in all, it was a joy photographing Rahmein. The great thing about photographing people is the insight behind their business (in this case, a study of a different artistic medium) and just getting to know someone with a devoted passion for their work. For Rahmein and Cool Cow Comedy, that passion is rewarded by a room full of laughter. Thanks Rahmein for the opportunity.

Please note that Cool Cow Comedy shows present adult humor and are rated R. Those 17 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult.

THAT 80/20 THING

I came across an article the other day about becoming a successful artist. It was the 80/20 thing and why artists often fail at business. The 80/20 thing means you're supposed to spend 80% of your time on business (marketing, networking, etc) and 20% on art (you know, the fun side of all of this). My business manager has been telling me this for years. I know the 80/20 thing, but there are times it just doesn't fall into place. This week was a perfect time.

This week was more like a 20/80 thing. But I guess it's really a matter of how you look at it. The week went something like this:

Tuesday - One hour networking event; afterward, three hours roaming Fredericksburg capturing its charm.

Paddle Boat at City Dock - Fredericksburg, VA

Physick Garden behind Hugh Mercer's Apothecary Shop - Fredericksburg, VA

Thursday - Two hour networking event (that offered a great opportunity for photography while networking).

Home grown plants at the Market at Courthouse Village

Scratching it off the bucket list - the inside of a hot air balloon

Harry Wilson (of Harry & Larry & Buck) on the vibraphone

Friday - Look 3 Festival of the Photograph in Charlottesville (and while I missed the ticket sale before it sold out, I did find time to take a shot or two).

Outside cafe in Charlottesville, VA

So all in all, since the photos go in the portfolio and the majority are for sale, and since two of these shoots were associated with networking events, maybe it was an 80/20 week.

DR. JEKYLL & MS. HYDE MEET TWEAK

So, now that I've taken the studio to a new level, went completely business and all, well, business and art, but mostly business while the art stays ever present in the background, I'm having conflicts. Kind of feel like a I have a split personality. There's Kerri the artist/photographer (we'll call that one Ms. Hyde) and Kerri the business woman (and we'll call that one Dr. Jekyll). And while Kerri the business woman was always there, Kerri the artist/photographer was the presence behind the business. Thing is, it's more than fine art these days. It's commercial with an art twang. Transferring things to the business side, let's just say Dr. Jekyll's been busy, but Ms. Hyde wants to come out and play.

And with that, I want to introduce you to Tweak and discuss the etiquette of common courtesy. Yeah, that's right, common courtesy.

MEET TWEAK

As I said, Dr. Jelyll's been busy and a lot of that busy has been networking. I attached my camera to my side on the last networking outing because it took place by the water, docks and boats and all that, along with the occasional passing Amtrak train across the railroad bridge. And if you've every looked at my shots, you know I love shooting railroad bridges.

OCCASIONAL PASSING AMTRAK

I was lingering on one of the docks taking this shot of the red and blue boats...

RED & BLUE BOATS

...when I spotted this guy walking around with a small dog in a front pack carrier (okay, I really don't know what they're called - but according to the label, Outward Hound). So I made my way across the dock, keeping my eye on his movement, cause I wanted to get a shot of this twosome. When I came upon him, I introduced myself, handed him a business card (it was a business event) and asked him if I could take a picture of the two of them. I mean, you have to understand - here's this cute little chihuahua with goggles over his dark brown eyes so patiently hanging out with dad. Dad was very obliging and I kindly asked him if he could lean up against the rail so I could get the angle I wanted.

TWEAK & DAD

Quick notes on Tweak: He actually did ride in on a motorcycle (and I thought my dog was spoiled). He was fine with the goggles and never had any problems with them once he realized they protected his eyes. This is the kind of information you get when  you take the time to talk to someone when you want to get their photo. Oh, and according to dad, Tweak got his name because he's always "tweaking".

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Now, this is where the courtesy (or lack thereof) comes into play. At that moment, I swear three to five camera phones swooped in and took over. Cut right in front of the shot. Dr. Jekyll was not happy (and Ms. Hyde wasn't too thrilled either). So I stepped back and waited for these inconsiderate phone photographers to finish their "gonna post this on Facebook" snaps (and who never once considered asking the twosome if they could take the shot) and started working with dad again. Patience paid off as I got the whole Tweak family. It's a Life (family) Portrait.

THE FAMILY TWEAK

This is where the conflict plays out. You see, Dr. Jekyll, as a professional business woman, would never complain about the inconsiderate behavior of others. But you know, Ms. Hyde, the artist/photographer, has no gripes about it at all. Don't get me wrong, Dr. Jekyll will always be the professional on every level of business (as in asking a complete stranger if you can take their photograph), but Ms. Hyde must always capture the art (and complain about the process).

And a big thanks to Tweak and his humans for allowing me to capture these great shots.