Chasing down a coveted shot of Jenna Lyons was always a thing for all of us at New York Fashion Week, so I was thrilled when I got the above shot in 2012 as she exited a fashion show (a shot that she ultimately reposted on her instagram in August). The fun thing is - she stepped right in front of me, so I was the first and only to catch that closer angle and, when she walked away, all the photogs rushed down the road to get the long shots (head to toe shots are preferred in street fashion, but I prefer the close ups and details). Here’s the hard lesson learned while trying to get the shot below:
This is common sense in hindsight, but I was fairly new to shooting street fashion while living in New York for a year and a half. After I got that top shot, I ran ahead to try and get more shots and Tommy Ton, the king of photographers at that time, was already planted down the road. As I ran that way as well, he very politely motions for me to go around, so I’m not in their shots. When I got there, he told me, with a smile, to try to run wide when I can. Got it. Lesson learned. In one of his own shots, linked here, I’m probably in front of those white buses by then, about to join a line of a bunch of guys. I’d guesstimate the photog ratio back then to be 89% men, 11% women. (That year, I was verbally attacked by one volatile man, who I don’t care to expose.)
It seems weird that we’re all chasing the same shot, right? The higher profile guys like Tommy were hired by fashion mags and digital brands to upload their cache nightly. I just did it for fun and, but was ultimately contacted by magazines, landing shots in The New York Times, VOGUE Turkey (where I had lived as a child, so it meant something), a VOGUE Germany slide show, ELLE Girl Japan, Glamour Italy and also appeared briefly in a STYLE Network scene.
The point is, I shot Jenna so many times and she was always very cool. Even when I thanked her for posting my shot on her instagram, I got a couple hearts (probably from her assistant, but I’ll take it). She is a style icon to many of us, so please enjoy watching how she decorates her SoHo cocoon in the 3 videos below. In contrast, I’ll be sharing shots of my tiny kitchen soon that will blow your minds.
Jenna is the only reason I will tune in to Real Housewives New York this season and I can’t wait. Catch my easter egg at the bottom, a sidebar story about Andy Cohen and how I copped an invite to his local Real Housewives event.
Above, Jenna was a shut in during the quarantine.
I don’t usually covet other people’s clothing collections, but I do love that closet. I have a standing collection of about 50 pairs of high heels and vintage kitten heels and that’s more than enough.
Here’s the sidebar story: Years ago, Andy Cohen was in LA at a Verve Coffee sidewalk table, while I was leaving Sweetgreen salad bar. As he’s parting ways with his friend, he shouts out to text him for tickets to Watch What Happens Live. I didn’t even plan to ask, “Hi Andy, my name is Jerri and I’m a Bravo Co-EP. Can I come to the show, too?” He literally cocks his head, confused, because I don’t work on the same shows he covers. He humors me and tells me to, er, text him on instagram for tickets. I do, but don’t hear back and then someone calls me for ‘will call’ ticket details a few weeks later. It was a blast. Thank you, Andy!
Early next year, I will later share one very nostalgic story about working on the first season of “Real Housewives of Miami.” Until then, I will daydream about Jenna’s home decor and marble bathroom. I’ve also captured Jenna here and here.
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