Page 166 - ConvinceThemFlip

convince them in 90 seconds or less
optimistic about my prospects. Following F. X.’s advice,
I had invested in a professional wardrobe. I looked more
like my boss than like my office mate.
What an unforgettable first day it turned out to be. My
boss, Mr. Eckerman, called me into his office to brief me
for my first assignment. He took a features section out
of his filing cabinet, laid it down on his desk, and spun it
around so I could take it in. “Twice a year we bring out
this fashion supplement, but the advertisers don’t seem
to like it. I want you to go out there and find out why.”
My reply was brash, heartfelt, and enthusiastic. “I
can tell you why right now. It’s because the pictures are
dreadful. I could take better pictures than that.”
“You think so.” He looked me right in the eye.
I didn’t flinch. “Yes.”
He pursed his lips, nodded his head, twitched his
mustache; and a twenty-five-year career in fashion and
advertising photography was launched. “Okay,” he said,
“you’re on.” Just like that!
Mamma mia! What had I gotten myself into? I didn’t
know the first thing about photography. I didn’t even own
a camera! Fortunately, before I became too overwhelmed,
Francis Xavier piped up on my shoulder, “Find the best
people you can.”
With the help of the paper’s fashion editor, I found the
best models in town, the best hair stylist, the best makeup
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