The Xavier Tavera Shoot for LEGACY Live

Hello readers! I've not been blogging so much lately because I’ve been extremely busy with work (my day job), daddy duties and LEGACY Live. I’ve had little time to sit down and gather all the things I want to talk about and share.

I’ve done so many things involving LEGACY. I’ve been pushing for growth, networking with people in the entertainment field and learning so much from them.

I have SOOO MANY things I want to share with you all. I won’t do it all in a single blog because it would be a LOOOOONG read. However, I’ll start with the following: The Xavier Tavera Photo Shoot

In August, we did a show at “Heart of the Beast” theatre in Minneapolis and I had the pleasure of meeting a photographer by the name of  Xavier Tavera. Xavier had his 

"LC Jackson & Xavier Tavera"

studio equipment set up upstairs in the theatre where the show took place. He was there doing photography of the different performers and he did a few photos of myself as well as the LEGACY cast that was there that evening to perform.

Xavier is an extremely professional photographer. His work is very interesting and eye-catching. Some of his collections have been featured at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Weisman Art Museum and he has exhibited his work nationally. I learned that some of his work has gotten censored and even banned because of its controversial content. He is true to his work and I admire that in anyone who has the nerve to put something out that might offend some people, yet bring out opposite feelings in others. I Love that.  

After the shoot at the Heart of the Beast theatre we chatted for a little bit and he was interested in knowing more about what I do etc. I told him a quick summary of my story and he asked if he could shoot photos of me (as myself~ Luis) in my “LEGACY” room at home. I suppose he wanted to shoot photos of me in my environment not as “LC 

Jackson” but as Luis. I said I would love to and that’s where that conversation ended. Then I had to leave to perform with my peeps. He too, had to go since he was also doing the shoot for the live entertainment that night.

Shoot at Oxford Studio

A month and a half later we reconnected again and we did a longer shoot at Oxford studio (where we hold rehearsals). He told me he was doing a series on myself which I was surprised by. I didn’t realize he was doing a series on me but then it all made sense! That’s why he wanted to shoot at my home, in my environment. Then it clicked! We had a successful and fun shoot. Two days later, we shot the ones in my downstairs living room with all the costume racks, props, hats, mic. stands~ you name it. He arranged it all very nicely and took the photos. At the last minute, he changed his mind and had me get into hair and makeup. While I got ready, he sat and we chatted for a good hour or so...

Tavera's work is simply jaw-dropping

 We had good conversations about our art, music, family, even Juan Gabriel (a Mexican songwriter/singer). There was everything and it was such a good experience. I was surprised by the fact that he entrusted me with his raw files of the photos he took and said I could use them commercially (in press kits, posters, website etc.). That is something he said he never does (give someone his unedited work) and I was very honored by the fact that he trusted me with his work. I promised I would not release anything he wouldn’t want people to see. I treasure those photos and his work so much that I put the disc in a safe and will have the final drafts password protected on my workstation.

What I got out of this whole entire experience was being reminded that your work has to mean something to not only you but others as well. Xavier said something that will stick with me forever. He was describing what he felt when he saw people at galleries looking at his.  He said:

"The worst thing that can happen is for someone to walk away feeling indifferent about seeing my work”

THAT was priceless to me and it was the biggest lesson/reminder that I took from my time with Xavier. This had more impact on me than all the other tangible things that I got from this experience. I got a reminder of how important it is to convey any kind of emotion in others through your art. If you don’t achieve that you may as well not do it.

 -LC