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Press Releases
BROOKS INSTITUTE AND MAJOR INDUSTRY SPONSORS LAUNCH RED CARPET EXHIBIT & SNEAK PREVIEW OF HOLLYWOOD'S LEADING MEN Santa Barbara, California -- July 11, 2007 — Brooks Institute announced today celebrity portraiture instructor and leading Hollywood photographer John Russo will launch a red carpet exhibit featuring a sneak preview of images from his upcoming book: "About Face" at the Cota Street Gallery in Santa Barbara, California on Thursday, August 2, at 5pm. This free public event is part of the Downtown Organization's First Thursday programming. The exhibit will feature uniform portraits of some of television's and film's most recognizable young faces, many of whom are invited to attend the event. Among the subjects portrayed are Jason Lewis ("Sex and the City", "Brothers and Sisters"), Taylor Kitsch ("Friday Night Lights"), Ian Somerhalder ("Lost"), and Rob Lowe ("West Wing") among others. Russo received inspiration for this project while working in Los Angeles with many incredibly good looking people. "I wanted to find a way to capture their raw beauty," Russo explained. Using a Type 55 Polaroid, Russo started shooting models then gradually moved into actors. Russo's goal was not to photograph only famous celebrities, for this project. He's been shooting "big names" for years. His objective was to capture the raw beauty, essence, diversity, and the qualities that made each subject unique. "Initially, I sought subjects whose looks were, to me, aesthetically pleasing. I researched models that I thought possessed a unique beauty, whether it was a strong Roman nose, full lips or intense eyes," he explained. "Next, I shot all of my models in the same position, in the same pose with basically the same natural light. This created an equal playing field for my project." The male images for the "About Face" book and exhibit are the first in a series. Russo plans to release a second "About Face" book that comprises only images of Hollywood females. "About Face" is scheduled for release in late 2007. Russo will be donating a percentage of the profits to The Smile Train, a charity dedicated to helping children with facial deformities. For more information on The Smile Train, please visit www.smiletrain.org. Epson, the exhibit's major sponsor, provided all printing materials, Pro One Los Angeles contributed photo touch ups on Russo' images, and LiveBooks will host the exhibit's website, www.aboutfacebookproject.com. About Face is also scheduled for exhibition in Los Angeles and New York. For more information about John Russo visit his website at http://www.johnrussophoto.com/ The "About Face" exhibit will be on display through August 28. For more information, or to learn more about the Cota Street Campus and Gallery, call 1-888-3456 x4928. About John Russo Russo began his career as a celebrity photographer only nine years ago. A native of Ventor, New Jersey, he moved to Los Angeles in 1995. Russo's talent and tenacious attitude has propelled him into the forefront of celebrity photography industry. He has shot the likes of Sophia Lauren, Kevin Costner, John Travolta, and Kevin Bacon, to name only a few. Besides his Hollywood "A List" photography business, Russo also teaches Celebrity Portraiture as a faculty member at Brooks Institute. "I am so fortunate to do what I do and I take pleasure in sharing my knowledge with the next generation of photographers." John also travels globally teaching photography workshops year-round, while inspiring, motivating and educating students. Russo is currently working on two other non-profit books in addition to "About Face". "100 Making a Difference" focuses on 100 influential people who are making a difference in the lives of others. Working with the United States Tennis Association, Russo's "The Face of Tennis", aims to help children get involved in tennis to improve their lives. Russo currently resides in Beverly Hills and Montecito, California
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