May 22, 2023

Celebrity Portraits Published in Art Bodega Magazine

Individual Portraits/Headshots, Couples Portraits, Family Portraits

I had the opportunity to take some celebrity portraits for Art Bodega Magazine's Summer 2023 edition. It is their 10th anniversary issue -- 50 Most Beautiful in the Arts & Philanthropy. I was honored to have six pages of my photos displayed in the magazine. My first time being published! So cool!

I'll start with the Allende Family, which you may have seen on the reality TV show Mexican Dynasties. Fernando Allende is known for many things: Latin superstar, actor, producer, singer, painter, reality TV star, Miss World host, and more. His wife Mari is a producer, Fernando's manager, reality TV star, and full of spunk. Eldest son Elán works in commercial real estate while also pursuing a music career. Younger son Adán is also pursuing a career in music. Funny story.... when I arrived at the photoshoot to photograph the Allendes, I realized that I had met Fernando, Elán, and Adán all separately and had no idea until that day that they were all related! I first met Fernando Allende at his art show at my friend's gallery. I remember thinking he was such a character. Big personality. You could tell he had entertainment in his blood. I had met Elán and Adán separately through friends in Puerto Rico.

Next up is Wilnelia Forsyth, also known as Lady Forsyth (widow to the late Sir Bruce Forsyth). She won the Miss World pageant in 1975 representing Puerto Rico. Miss Puerto Rico has only won the Miss World title twice--1975 and 2016, and pageants are a really big deal here in Puerto Rico.

Then we have Carlos Beltran. Major League Baseball player 1998-2017. World Series Champion 2017, American League Rookie of the Year 1999, nine MLB All-Star Games, three Golden Glove Awards, two Silver Slugger Awards. Founder of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy for the youth of Puerto Rico and the Carlos Beltran Foundation. I photographed him at his 46th birthday party with the theme Wild Wild West at his home in Puerto Rico.

Next is Brock Pierce--crypto entrepreneur, founder of Tether, child actor, and presidential candidate in the 2020 US presidential election. Along with Brock was Daniel Dabek, who is also in the crypto space.

Please note that I did NOT take the cover photo for the magazine. That photo (along with many portraits in the issue) was taken by the famous Nigel Barker. I included an image of the cover in the collage to show the issue of the magazine where these photos can be found.

All but one of these photos were taken in Dorado, Puerto Rico. I took the remaining photo in the mountains in central Puerto Rico.