I'm in trouble, or maybe not.
The deal was, 1/2 hr for the interview and pix. No pictures during the interview. They didn't want what we call "nose-pickers", unflattering pix.
I was assigned to photograph Kid Rock. Apparently he's famous. Sold 10 million CD's I was told. Pamela Anderson is his girlfriend. Got to the hotel early so I could study the options for the picture.
Elevator to 23rd floor. The door to the suite opens and the reporter and I are ushered in. Kid Rock sits at a table near the window fidgeting with his lighter.
"Mind if I smoke?", says the Kid.
Since I can't shoot during the interview, the publicist takes me into another room and I find myself in a bedroom with Pamela Anderson.
Ever tried not to look at a car accident?
I did my best, but the spectacle was too much and I knew I'd been caught. Pamela knows.
Busied myself fretting and rechecking my equipment, doing exposure tests. After all, I'm a professional.
She would allow a few pix of her and Kid Rock, after I had finished shooting him. He was the focus of this interview, after all.
Pamela and the publicist are laying on the bed and he asks me to take a picture of them. He wants a picture of himself in bed with Pamela. Done. I could make $10,000 from the tabs with that picture, expecially the one where they look like they've been caught in the act.
Anyway, interview over, I get my chance. Shoot a couple head shots of the Kid and then Pamela drops into his lap and I get four more frames. I ask her to move around to the back of the chair and put her arms around him.
Damn, can't see her breasts. She's down too low.
Ask her to rest her breasts on Kid's shoulder.
End of photo session.
Phone calls from editors. Did you really ask Pamela Anderson to put her breasts on the Kid's shoulder?
Newsroom is all a-flutter. Some think it is inappropriate to ask Pamela Anderson to display her talent.
"Yes, I did", says I.
"Pamela Anderson without breasts is like a river without steelhead".
Wild is better than hatchery, but when it comes right down to it, either will do.
Oh, and I gave the Kid a lighter. Seems his was out of fluid and he never was able to light that cigarette.
"There are no steelhead".
Editors Note: For the record it is not Kid Rock with Pamela Anderson in the picture above, but our own correspondant's face and fishing hat superimposed on Kid Rock's body.
