A Q&A with Martin Scorsese

A client reached out in late December ‘24 needing event photography for a Q&A. The Q&A they were having was with a distinguished guest and, having shot dozens of Q&A’s with distinguished guests, I didn’t think too much about it. I quoted the client a price (which was around 60% lower than my usual fee, as it was a religious organization) and went about my day.

Roughly two days prior to the event they sent me an email saying that ‘Mr Scorsese…..(insert details here).

My brain froze and I was stunlocked for a few moments while I tried to comprehend what that email had just said. Martin Scorsese was the distinguished guest? No way. Can’t be.

I asked if by Mr Scorsese they meant Martin Scorsese and they said ‘Yes, Martin Scorsese.’

And so, Mr Scorsese being my favorite filmmaker of all time and someone beyond legendary, I freaked out. I emailed the client asking if I could get a portrait of Mr Scorsese and wasn’t able to get much of a yes or no on the matter. The night of the shoot, even then after his publicist showed up I still had no idea if I was going to be allowed to get the portrait.

Finally, with all my lighting set up (I brought about 3 bags worth and wasn’t sure if I was even going to be able to use it), as a last ditch effort I pulled up the work that I kept on my phone. His publicist looked at the work, then looked at me, then looked at the work, and issued a string of words that I will, for the rest of my life, never forget.

“Ok, you can shoot Marty.”

The shoot happened on January 3rd, my birthday. And at Old St Patricks cathedral (my middle name is Patrick). One of the greatest days of my life - no exaggeration here.

Shoot: A Q&A with Martin Scorsese
Date: 1/3/2025
Venue: Old St Patricks Cathedral
Category: Corporate Event Photography