Steel Notes Magazine
July & August 2016
in the moment.
MBW:
... and naturally the world would love to hear all about Mamie ...
from how you first met ... up until now with this winning partnership between the artiste and his dynamite subject ???
AM: I was in love with Mamie Van Doren for as long as I can
remember. I read her book when it came out in 1986 I think. I
longed and fantasized about knowing her! I found her web site
in 2005 and wrote her an email hoping she would respond and
she did. Naturally I asked he if she would model for me and she
agreed. We had INSTANT chemistry as we began taking shots. I
found that I adored her and her husband Thomas immediately. Of
course we just continued to shoot and I started making a name for
myself as a photographer through my work with Mamie. We are
an example of the perfect duo. I have always said we co-create the
images. Mamie does her own hair and make-up and styling. I am
always impressed with her intelligence and artistic choices. She
has been a kind of a teacher for me and absolutely a muse.
MBW:
Can you bring us with you into the scene of some of your favorite photo sessions with Mamie ???
AM: Whenever we are planning a new shoot we just set a time and I show up. Sometimes we shoot inside a
studio with lighting and often we shoot outside her home in Newport Beach. We just shoot until we are tired. It’s
pretty simple actually. Mamie knows exactly what she’s doing so it goes fast and I don’t take many shots. Typically I shoot about a minute and a half for any look.
MBW:
What is it about Mamie that makes her so exceptionally attractive ???
AM: Beside the obvious physical beauty she possesses, she is also extremely intelligent and sensitive. I have
always believed that eternal beauty comes from an attitude within and Mamie knows who she is and is not afraid
of who she is. She also requires no one else’s permission to be her unique self. I value uniqueness in anyone.
Mamie is very normal in the sense that she is an honest and grounded person. She is like no one I’ve ever known
before.
MBW:
... and how about you, Alan ??? ... It would be awesome to hear what it is like to be this famous photographer for
a day ... How would you describe a perfect day and night in the life of Alan Mercer ???
AM: Well most of my days are not terribly exciting or glamorous. I work a lot on my images to give them the
extra sheen and quality they have. Digital pictures straight out of the camera are dull and flat. This is where my
art background really comes in handy. I’m ALWAYS excited whenever I have a photo shoot. I’m still new to the
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