Exclusive Interview in HUF Magazine! Abigail Ekue: Author, Photographer, Artist, Provocateur

I'm pleased to announce that my exclusive interview in HUF Magazine is published in Issue #54. This summer I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from the editor requesting the interview and obliged.



It was a fun interview. HUF asked about my first paid shoot and my most recent shoot and how they differed --

My first paid portrait shoot was a male nude shoot. It was for very little pay and the images were for a feminist artist (or painter, I don't remember) to use. I got to use the photos for my portfolio. Around the same time, I was hired to cover a community event. That shoot paid more. My most recent shoot was a shoot for my Bare Men series. It differed from my first paid shoot because I had tons more creative freedom and worked with a model who was comfortable with the terms of the series - visible face and full-frontal nudity. That allows the shoot to flow so much easier.

Women, Let's Get Paid Like Hillary Clinton

As soon as I heard the report on 880 AM this morning about Colin Powell's email account getting hacked I was bothered. I felt uncomfortable and I also sucked my teeth. I was reacting to his comments about Hillary Clinton. He shared in emails that he lost a speaking gig because of Hillary Clinton--her speaking fee was too high. He said she screws things up with hubris and blasts Clinton for having 'unbridled ambition' (and to think she's not as 'loud' as she could be!).


Again, I was overcome with an instant feeling of discomfort and annoyance.


I don't know Clinton's speaking fee. That's not the point. What I thought about was how Powell was implying that she was charging more than she is worth.


Here's a man who's upset that a woman 'cost him money'. I wonder what's the going rate for politicians to speak at universities. How much are men getting paid?


Clinton was the Secretary of State--you gotta pay for that. She's a former senator--you gotta pay for that. She has a postgraduate law degree--you gotta pay for that and she's had a professional career (experience) before getting into politics--you gotta pay for that.

"I am not an imposter. I am a professional. I am worthy of praise... and higher rates." To my fellow female entrepreneurs #impostersyndrome

— Abigail Ekue (@abigailwrites) September 2, 2016

Smokers Wanted to Participate in "Lighting Up" Photo Series

I am revisiting my "Lighting Up" photo series and I need New Yorkers to participate!


What is it? A series of photos capturing people at that moment they light up. I've always been fascinated with that moment where it's only 'you and your flame'. Everyone has their own style - a flame fingerprint, if you will.

 

Shoot in My City, Abigail Ekue Photography

For the second half of 2016 (how is it the 2nd half of the year already??) and beyond, I will be combining my work and travel a lot more!


So I've a gotta question for you: 

Which cities should I visit for private photo shoots?

Ask Abbie: Is it OK to Hold Her Hand?

(Source)

Souls connecting... so why not hold hands?

Hand-Holding Harry:

Hey i need your advice ..it's something personal.
I am married but stay alone in US.
I met a friend who is single.
I have a strong affection towards her and she feels that there is some connection of souls when we meet or talk.
I am 40 years Asian. She is Asian too..may be early 30s.
How can i tell her that I like her and I feel to sit with her at a cafe or watch a movie
and hold hands together...not really looking for sex..
pls advice how to approach...

Get Bare Men on PAPER

In one of the mysteries of cyberspace, this interview disappeared from the PAPER magazine website. 

I discovered I couldn't discover the article while I was updating the links on my photography website and reached out to the writer to find out what's what. 

How Are You So Sure? Because the Universe Provides

"How are you so sure?" I asked a friend that question, in awe of his certainty that he's where he's meant to be in life and will get every and anything he wants and needs.


He pointed to the walls of the studio where we sat and each poster on the wall had a story. He could recount all the laughs and tears and the gifts he received and things he lost. He expresses gratitude for all he has and goes through life fearlessly. Not to be confused with foolishly.

We were hanging out that day because I needed his energy. I always feel good in his presence. I feel heard and I'm guaranteed a piece of sage advice from him. 

I was on vacation a few weeks prior and questioning my direction in life. I was internalizing all the change in New York. There was this resistance in me against being the 'naked man photographer'. I was discouraged at my living situation and bank account balances. 

It's hard to look on the bright side at times and go forward knowing I will be taken care of. Even though I'm ten years removed, depression has rewired my brain. My usually optimistic, determined nature is sometimes shattered with hopelessness, despair and fear.

Abigail Ekue Photography Photo Shoot Marathon (AbbieSnapsPhotos)

On Saturday, July 16, I will be shooting all day in New York City. I have secured a location in Manhattan and am now booking shoots. The portrait, personality, and editorial shoots are open to any artist, entrepreneur, athlete, fitness professional, nudist, naturist who needs new branding images or anyone who wants professional photos of themselves.


I should clarify, this isn't a 24-hour marathon. Slots are limited! I do have the space booked all day but I also have considered time to eat and decompress between each shoot. Other than that, whatever we can create in an hour and 15 minutes is a-go!


Here are the details:

Interview about Writing and Self-Publishing a Book

In Las Vegas for my book signing, December 2015

You win some, you lose some, but in the end you can post it on your blog.


I was contacted by a women's blog for an interview about writing a book and self-publishing. That was a few months ago and it's safe to say that they won't be running the piece so I'm sharing it here:

To Paula, From Bare Men

I welcome the direct notes and emails about Bare Men that I receive. To my relief, they are positive and supportive. Some people share their appreciation of the art, others are advocates of nudity, I hear from men who want to participate in the series, while others who contact me are explicit in their arousal upon viewing the photos.

A couple of the recent notes I've received recently:

"I was absolutely blown away by your Bare Men project and wanted to offer my sincere compliments. I found you on the website "Naked Men, Happy Women". It is a site I check out occasionally, and certainly your work just jumped right of the page! I do love your non-judgmental philosophy, not insisting on ideal or perfect body types. Your talent in this field is most evident!"

This one - Subject: Ekue's wisdom - I received from a man in the Midwest who was passionate about nudity the misconceptions surrounding it:

Abigail, I am a young man from Minnesota. Society deserves no apology for your support of nudity!!!

The human body is not indecent!!! It is a gift which provides opportunities for its occupants to pursue good lives. We all pretty much have the same bodies. We are born nude, we dress nude, we shower nude.....and under our clothes we are nude. Pornography also is absent when particular persons issue zero portrayal of sexual material (for arousal). 

New York International Auto Show Drives Into Town

*Native Creative Concierge™ approved

Despite ubiquitous yellow cab, NYC may not be considered a driving town. What will all the glorious sidewalks and public transportation it's no wonder that many New Yorkers don't drive.

But the city is full of car drivers and car lovers. And the place to find them is at the New York International Auto Show. This year's event will be held from March 25 to April 3 at its home for the past almost 30 years - The Jacob Javits Convention Center. It's a great way to spend the day, and have the opportunity to meet NYC locals and car enthusiasts. It's a Native Creative Concierge recommended event!

Hours for the New York International Auto Show are 10 am to 10 pm Monday through Saturday and 10 am to 7 pm on Sundays (including Easter Sunday). For security reasons, backpacks are not allowed but cameras are so you can take as many photos as you like. We live in the Instagram Era so share your photos using the Auto show hashtag #NYIAS. I'll be sharing my images using their hashtag and the #NativeCreativeConcierge hashtag so you'll be able to find those here!

I love going to the car show! I started going almost 20 years ago with my brother. I still haven't lost my love for the event. It's exciting to see all these futuristic automobiles (it was the first place I saw gullwing doors in-person!) and my bro finally showed me what all the hype was about the James Bond cars. At the New York International Auto Show was where I saw a Duesenberg up close for the first time and got to sit in a pick-up truck (this was during my "I'm gonna drive cross country in a pick-up truck" phase)!

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On Shane McMahon vs The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar and Wrestlemania 32

I haven't agreed with much of what WWE Creative has done recently. I've also seen what was coming a mile away and hoped and prayed to be surprised like I was when I was kid. Perhaps I'll never feel that way again. But I do enjoy when I see something develop that makes me nod by head out of respect  with the understanding that it's good for business (Seth Rollins vs AJ Styles will be epic).


Shane McMahon vs The Undertaker

When Vince McMahon awarded the Vincent J. McMahon Legacy of Excellence Award to Stephanie I was all meh to the whole situation.


Here comes the money...


It was great to see Shane McMahon on WWE television again! I love the blurred line between kayfabe and shoot when he mentioned suffering Raw ratings, plummeting stock and roster injuries. I don't think I'm the only one who is suffering from Authority fatigue and Shane is a breath of fresh air... if he wins control/ownership of Raw (WWE). Having The Undertaker as his opponent works because it brings more real life and storyline together.

Don't Break His Face in Case of Emergency

Photo: Ruth Fremson/The New York Times

If you were in New York City last night, Saturday, February 13 and tried to catch a downtown A or C train between 9:30 and 11 PM, you were assed out. The train I was on was the cause of the delay. The train car I was in on the A Train - 6129 - was the cause of the delay. The white man I gave that "don't sit near me" look to was the cause of the delay. He pulled the emergency brake.

I didn't know that when I first looked at him. He merely looked slightly left of center and I didn't want to be bothered. He was coherent and lucid enough to know what my look meant and kept it moving to the next set of seats.

Then I heard chatter from the center of the car - "he did it" "yeah, that white dude right there" "emergency brake" "that nigga right there"

I looked towards the people talking, "What? This dude pulled the emergency brake?" I asked motioning at him with my thumb.

"Yeah!" I saw the red cord pulled at the other end of the car and then shot a death glare at the man. Another woman sitting at the opposite end of the car, on the other side of him, asked what was going on.

"This man right here," I pointed wishing the power of anger behind my menacing point would pierce his eyeball, "pulled the fucking emergency brake."

She went off too.

And we sat there.

Somewhere between 125th and 59th street. In the tunnel.

Please Remit Payment To

I'm sure this has happened to you: you find a charming restaurant, get all excited about the menu, the ambiance, the "there's something about them" staff and decide to dine at the establishment. Then you're hit with the cash-only edict that you missed earlier. If you really want to eat at that restaurant, an ATM run is usually the next step. Do you ask that they accept your payment via credit card? I have never witnessed someone try to convince a cash-only restaurant to accept their credit or debit card. Perhaps it's happened but I've never been privy to that. Once you've agreed to enter into a business relationship with that restaurant you pay according to their terms.


If your boss told you, "I'm not comfortable signing your checks so I will pay you with a gift card", would that go over well with you?


Didn't think so.

Workspace Energy

Every once in a while I get stuck. It's not a writer's block because I kind of feel stuck in all aspects of my life - the writing, blogging, photography, journaling, working out, diet, sleeping - I even get stuck watching the same shows and having pointless exchanges of 'hey' 'what's up?' 'we should get together' over and over and over with dudes I really don't care for.


I'm a big believer in the power energy holds over someone. Stagnant energy in your home or office can also affect your day-to-day and your work. I was asked by WeWork what my ideal workspace would be like. Hmm...


Not sure about "ideal" but let me tell you about my current workspace: my room. I got my desktop, laptop, pens, loose paper, notebooks cause a writer gotta write and a writer gotta type. Two different things in my world. I have a stereo with speakers for ambient music and high-energy music blasting that fuels my photo editing marathons. My desk chair is a 65cm exercise ball. Ultra comfy. Great for bouncing and rocking when I get into my music and keeps my hips loose which is important since I'm sitting for long stretches sometimes. I have a big window that floods the room with sunlight. I need a window to gaze out of or  to open for fresh air. If I need inspiration, I can keep tabs on my neighbors. I have snacks and drinks at the ready too. Food is fuel and I'm a machine when I'm working.