Brandon Wiggins Behind the Scenes

"Things that make you go HMMMMMMMM"

2010-10-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

I am one of the few people I know that watch the LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON SHOW. I fucks with it because the show highlights The Roots as its house band and Jimmy seems to have universal appreciation for culture that makes the show interesting to watch at times. This particular show, Justin Timberlake was a guest for Jimmy and they did a musical dedication to Hip Hop with the Roots band backing them up. It was a great rendition of memorable chart toppers with crowd-enthusiasm, but in the end of the video when they showed the studio audience's standing ovation and fist pumps....it was all white people....lol.

In my ARSENIO HALL voice........"Things that make you go HMMMMMMMM"

Banned in the USA

2010-09-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Shoutout to Beanhead Ent and Quintez giving me the opportunity to film and direct the video for their hit new single, "LET'S PARTY". We shot the last part at Parks Middle School as a project for our summer PhotoCamp USA. The kids really enjoyed learning how to make a music video and we got some some great footage rapping and dancing through the hallways. Quintez actually attended Parks Middle, so it was a homecoming for him and the neighborhood.

107.9 website banned and censored this video version due to explicit content. All booty shake dancers were over the age of 18. So Enjoy this Director's Cut...lol I don't see anything wrong with a little botty shake. I grew up in ATL during the Freaknik Era where booty shaking was a way of life. If you know any KILO, 2 LIVE CREW, or 95 SOUTH song by memory stand up!!

GOLD ROOM FASHION CRASHERS

2010-09-15T01:40:00.000-07:00

I, Fashion Photographer Brandon Wiggins bring to you another exclusive, The ARMADA MAGAZINE & ARMADA FM INTERNET RADIO LAUNCH at the Gold Room featuring the models of HAUTELANTA FASHION WEEK. Enjoy as the HLFW models crash the Gold Room Party to spread the world about Fashion Week and shut the club down!

The Rack Pack

2010-09-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

Who were the Rat Pack? Only the hippest, coolest bunch of cats on either coast. The group originally sprung up around Humphrey Bogart, who's wife Lauren Bacall first named them. Seeing Bogie, Frank and a few of their cronies come straggling in from a night of carousing, Lauren exclaimed "You look like a goddamned rat pack!" The name stuck.

After Bogie's death, Frank became the group's nominal honcho ("the Leader"). Sometimes called "the Clan," Dean Martin ("Dag") and Sammy Davis, Jr. ("Smokey") were the other two full time members. Peter Lawford (JFK's "brother-in-lawford") and Joey Bishop rounded out the Pack, with occasional appearances by Shirley Maclaine as their honorary mascot and Girl Friday. (Frank never liked the name "Rat Pack." When he called the group anything, he preferred "The Summit.")
The Rat Pack made their home at the Copa Room in Jackie Entratter's Sands Hotel and Casino on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Sadly, the Sands (and the Copa Room along with it) no longer exists. It was a casualty of Las Vegas' expansion and the trend toward family entertainment. For a period of time in the early-to-mid sixties, though, it was the coolest spot in the Universe.
Surely these "Summit" meetings were the ultimate night club acts ever assembled. Frank, Dean, and Sammy carried the bulk of the show, singing, telling jokes, doing impressions, and cutting up. Fortunately, some of these routines have survived and they're a riot to watch and listen to.
The Rat Pack also made a few films together that you can watch and share along in the obvious fun that they had. "Robin and the Seven Hoods" and "Ocean's Eleven" feature the whole Pack.

Often, when one of the members was scheduled to give a performance, the rest of the Pack would show up for an impromptu show, causing much excitement among audiences, resulting in return visits. They sold out almost all of their appearances, and people would come pouring into Las Vegas, sometimes sleeping in cars and hotel lobbies when they could not find rooms, just to be part of the Rat Pack entertainment experience.

We consider ourselves the modern day RAT PACK. Brandon "Vader" Wiggins, Tee "The Future of Fashion" Mott, Kamar "The Black James Bond" Zachery.

This was our trip to THE MAGIC SHOW in Vegas Summer 2010.

The Girl Next Door

2010-09-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

Shout out to my childhood friend Nancy. She claims up and down I was mean to her back then when we were kids. Funny how we all grow up and become the people we are destined to be. Life has a funny way of taking us on the most outstanding journeys and bringing us back home to where it all started. This song and video by Musiq Soulchild immediately come to mind when I think about us. Our childhood was very similar to this....lol

2010-09-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

As a native of Atlanta, I feel I represent true ATL culture and I consider my team and I pioneers in this new fashion renaissance movement in Atlanta. "The Future of Fashion" Tee Mott and I started from college photographing underground designers and model friends, to producing major fashion shows and shooting worldwide editorial spreads. I would not be where I am without my true friends supporting my endeavors and talent. This month we are helping to coordinate HauteLanta Fashion Week with media correspondence, interviews, behind the scenes shoots, and runways shows. Check out this video from our last PHOTOSHOOT PARTY at HALO. For those of you who have not experienced THE PHOTOSHOOT PARTY, here is what you have been missing. Join us for September 15-19th. The Schedule of events are located at http://www.hautelantafashionweek.com/schedule.html.

Religion Is False.....

2010-09-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

Religion is FALSE, manipulated by conquers of war. The survivors of disaster thirst for ANY truth from their past. The elite and powerful preserve this knowledge to remain superior. The various books of Religion are merely history books written in separate lanes of existence. All of their roads lead you back to our origin. Unfortunately, they all don't go the same direction. So which way is wrong?

My Thought Process

2010-09-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

My Thought Process by Goodie Mob. I play this song everyday to give myself peace and motivation. This song never really connected with me until I became grown and assumed more responsibilities. Have you ever had a song that said everything you were feeling? Has a song ever perfectly personified your life? Well this song is MY life's soundtrack. Real ATL hip hop, real introspective struggles. As an artist, you never know where the next dollar is coming from, or when the next big project comes calling. I spend hours in the studio editing, constantly running meetings and closing deals, traveling to different cities for gigs and appearances. This is the life I dreamed of.....and now I'm living it.

Miami: A Change of Scenery

2010-09-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

Miami is a great place to shoot. This is my beautiful model friend ELLE. I told her I was down in Miami shooting a private beach wedding and she flew down at a drop of a dime to shoot with me in South Beach. We were up all night partying and then went straight to the beach before the sun had risen. When the sun rays started to peak over the horizon, we immediately began shooting her surrounded by the morning tide. Anyone who has shot on the beach can cosign.....shooting on the beach is harder than it looks. The elements of the wet sand, wind blowing the sand, balancing your self in the sand, keeping the sand out your camera, keeping water out of your camera, keeping the misty saltwater from clouding the lenses, etc. etc. But when you get home and look at your work, you remember the focus, sacrifice, and the dedication to detail every frame demanded. Beautiful scenes like this makes photography feel fresh to me again. A change of scenery is the truest inspiration.

2010-08-31T01:48:00.000-07:00

In the Story of Vader, the most promising young Jedi Knight in the universe becomes torn between Good and Dark Forces. In our galaxy, we are conditioned to think that Good always prevails. Yet, Good has been known to adopt hypocritical means to overcome its nemesis, The Darkside, whose powers are considered a disturbance in the universe's balance. So who is really good or not? Vader realizes that the Good Force is equally imperfect. Vader is the Jedi Knight professed to bring balance to the force, his allegiance can only be to the side of the force that embraces his own principles and destiny of our universe. Either force be it the Good or The Darkside is necessary. The Darkside just embraced Vader more without contradiction.

Therefore, Vader represents every real emotion, passion, purpose, and principle we live without compromise.

Nebula Queen

2009-07-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

The other night I had a dream I was being transported through different dimensions in space. I slept quit longer than usual that night. I vividly remember floating inside colorful nebulas while shooting past planets fast as a comets. Euphoric pulses came over me as though I were about to climax. When I felt myself waking up again, I'd get magnetically sucked into another galaxy. I can't stop thinking about this dream. It inspired me tremendously.

Monday, I recreated these allusions I from my dream in a piece I like to call NEBULA QUEEN.

Check out the behind the scenes video.

Jordyn Sands First Photoshoot

2009-07-23T19:17:00.000-07:00

My friend just had a new baby girl named Jordyn Sands, and she looks just like him. When his lady was pregnant with her, they came by we took beautiful belly pictures. I remember them being so anxious to be parents. It's funny photographing couples with first babies on the way. They think they know what they are getting into, but they don't have the slightest idea. They've not experienced late night feedings, the uncontrollable crying, and the dirty diapers day in day out. But when you finally look into your baby's eyes and connect with her, it all seems worth it. They brought Jordyn back to me for her first photoshoot. She has her father's serious ora. When I was photographing her flower scene, she looked me dead in the lense and touched my soul. Happy bitrthday Jordyn and welcome the world.

You Never Had Mackin, Like Galactic Mackin

2009-07-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

Every one knows I seriously support independent artists. Recently I had the opportunity of photographing a group called Underground Element, consisting of groupmates Raskoe Farley and Solo Gavera. We started at 5am before the sun even came up. We all drank our morning herbal tea and conversed waiting on the sun to rise. I learned a great deal listening to them discuss their musical inspirations and the direction of their movement that morning. I was really inspired to get started. After we shot the sunrise on the rooftop, we later shot on location in an abandoned crematory in the middle of the wilderness. We recreated number of guerrilla militia scenes with an urban Taliban twist. We ate lunch at one of their favorite vegetarian restaurants and rapped up the last look in the studio. On this last setup, the theme focused heavily on space travel with galactic elements. These guys gave me great energy and lots of ideas to collaborate to make this shoot one of my most memorable. And with no further ado... I present to you their deput single and album cover, "GALACTIC MACKIN" photograph and designed by yours truly.

Check out their music at www.myspace.com/ras39koefarley

Oema Takorr Fall Collection Commercial

2009-07-22T18:41:00.000-07:00

The Oema Takorr Fall Collection Commercial was shot and edited at my studio. Kamar Zachery, the designer of OE, traveled all the back from Iraq for a week of leave and we got to shoot this right before he left again. Thanks to all the models and crew for making this such a great experience. This line debuts the women's kiss T's. Visit OemaTakorr.com to see more shots from yours truly.

Jae Christian Photoshoot

2009-06-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

We shot this on the roof of my studio in downtown Atlanta. Jae Christian gave some great looks in this session. She is so sweet, shy, and soft spoken. You never would know it from the confidence she displays when shooting. Thanks Jae for having such great energy and a positive attitude. You never complained once. One of my favorite make up artists, L'Sha, was on deck. Jae's make up was beautiful and accented her swimsuit perfectly. The song you hear in this video is called T-n-A by my boy's group, Flip Flops & Socks. These cats are serious with the beats and lyrics, a true breath of fresh air in ATL's hip hop movement. I appreciate them for blessing me with the track...this one is a hit!

View on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH_-6cnpRsE&feature=channel_page

A KB Exclusive

2009-03-02T23:20:00.000-08:00

My two friends KB and Kwud came through and took my studio over for the weekend. It was special to have them here because we all got started in photography together in college. Both of them are very accomplished artists in video, still photography, and web design. They inspire me. KB's angles are classic and possess a cinematic perspective. Kwud's experimentation with his lighting concepts creates a diverse depth in his work. I learned a lot assisting them with their projects and I hope we all get together and create more often. Thanks for the family reunion! I can't wait to see the finished product.

In Transition

2009-03-01T21:04:00.000-08:00

It's funny how life takes you through transitions.

What especially fascinates me are the instances where our life's perspective is changed with one event. It could be the birth of a child, the discovery and loss of love, or achieving a life long dream. Their commonality lies in this… life continues.

This is My Transition.

"Don't Leave" By Brandon Wiggins

Sunbeams spill through the leaves outside her windowpane.

I open my eyes and swallow the majesty of her sleeping frame.

Motionless, she sleeps lightly, holding me tightly.

She exhales against my neck and warms me from the morning chill.

With her eyes still closed, she whispers,

“Don’t leave.”

I lay obediently in her embrace nakedly interlocked beneath bed sheets.

Tender breasts muffle her heartbeat’s gentle throb.

We are connected beyond understanding.

She feels perfect in my arms.

She suddenly clutches me closer from the startle of her alarm.

Then whispers,

“Don’t leave.”

Here I am again, surrendering my body to her every desire.

She kisses me with an intensified seduction.

Looking me in the eyes as though she keeping a secret,

She mounts my body.

Grasping my fingers between hers,

Her tongue maneuvers gracefully along my skin.

My hands impatiently wait their turn.

They tremble at this immense stimulation of her moth play.

She draws closer into my ear and whispers,

“Don’t leave.”

I am committed to her pleasure.

Well into the morning I serve her in bed.

Her every request is filled.

My every wish is granted.

Once more, I unwillingly adjourn, but this time,

I kiss her goodbye for the last time.

She reaches for me across the bed, begging one more time,

“Don’t leave.”

New Magazine Spread Designed and Shot by Yours Truly

2008-05-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

Hello world. This is another addition to the repertoire. I shot this spread with the help of my make up artist Kenecia and a talented new model named Atim. We shot in Utopia, a sushi and tapa lounge in Atlanta. The location was ridiculous. I wanted to create a spread that would feature Utopia from a fashion-forward perspective. I planned to cover more exclusive venues this way and create fashion spreads around their themes.

I recently went back to college and got a second degree in document design. Learning to create magazine layouts was the most valuable tool I acquired because now I am a complete package. I shoot the photos, write the articles, and design the graphics of all my projects. I am currently seeking more projects to perform in a Creative Director role. I'm completely confident juggling these talents. This is what I love and this is only the beginning. Look for more to come. Feedback Appreciated.

When Love Is Brand New

2008-05-20T22:44:00.000-07:00

"Everythang is cooooool, when loooooove is aaaaaaall brand neeeeeew. Cause you're learning me, and I'm learning you."

-Musiq Soulchild

Love feels so good when it's brand new right? The tingles you get when your significant someone whispers in your ear. Just laying in the bed all morning together with no urgency to start your day. When you still smell the other's cologne or perfume on yourself hours after you've left their presence. New love just brings out the best in people. The moment you first realize you are genuinely in love with a person is a pivotal experience. Scary almost, because we naturally want to protect ourselves from the disappointments that come with love. Yet in still, we ignore our fears and trust that this new love will be better than past relationships. This experience of new love should be embraced, not feared. There is nothing wrong with loving someone too soon. Positive energy cannot be denied, trust your emotions. Take full advantage of new love. You will be surprised how far you could get if you allowed yourself to be loved without apprehension.

While on the topic of new love, my wedding season has finally begun. This past Saturday, I had the honor of photographing Charles and Denise Lawton's Wedding. They were a great couple to work with. You can tell when they are together that they have a magical chemistry. I took this photo in the Atlanta Metropolitan Cathedral with the wedding party looking on as they snuck a kiss. God Bless their union.

Always Learning Something New

2008-05-16T21:02:00.001-07:00

Hello world. Today I photographed a young lady named Nicole. She was a delight to work with. Always smiling and lots of positive energy. She came with magazine clips of what she wanted to look like and she executed them well. My boy Anthony did the makeup and L.A. did her haircoloring. What I like about this shot is its simple seriousness. Every chance I get, I'm studying my craft to elevate the quality of my work. Earlier today, I visited Showcase Camera where I flipped through photo books for some new beauty lighting techniques. I came across this one COVERGIRL ad that really appealed to me. I took some mental notes from the setup in the book and went home to try it for myself...and WALA there you have it!! Stay tuned, more to come.

I'mmmmmm Baaaaaack!

2008-05-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

Hello World. Long time no see. I've grown alot artistically AND spiritually in the last few months I've been gone. It's amazing how GOD draws people into your life and creates experiences to build our character. I pray constantly for focus, forgiveness, and perseverance. The times when I felt defeated only made me a stronger man. And though I've been a long way, my journey to greatness is just beginning. With a new studio and a brain full of new projects to undertake, I can see the next level in my horizons. WigginsStudios.com will be the new website. I'm excited about my new projects and I would appreciate everyone's feedback and encouragement.

Thanks to my personal Clothing Designer, Andre Jamal, for this incredibly clean ensemble. This man is a beast! His debonair collection of mens suits, ties, shirts, and hats is truly redefining the style of our modern day gentlemen. I'm blessed to have him on my team. You can find more samples of his work at andrejamal1970.com.

Iron Kids

2007-09-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

During an album shoot I had in the projects of Oakland City, all the neighborhood children began to gather around and watch in amazement. Many of them have never seen or been out past their own block. As I we took a break from shooting one scene, I looked over my shoulder and saw these 4 little girls sitting on an old corroded air conditioner eating slices of white bread. It was snack time! You could see crusts of bread lying on the ground from where they trimmed it off…. we all did it when we were little. For something to drink, they shared a can of Tahitian Treat…now how hood is that? Their clothes were soiled from playing in the grassless courtyard of the housing project. They all jumped down after finishing their bread to ride their rusted tricycles and muddy big wheels lined the bottom of the porch. These were good times for them. It struck me how in all this poverty and grim, these girls who were all no older that 6 years old had the most innocent smiles on there faces. They had no concept of poverty, injustice, or class structure. Their world existed only within the fences of their projects and it was enough for them because it was all they knew. Somehow they found happiness within this desolate existence. I call them…IRON KIDS.

Hip Hop, Where Are You?

2007-09-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

Today I was driving to the store and turned to 107.9, Atlanta's Hip Hop Radio Station. Immediately I grimaced at the sounds that came from my speakers. Another local "rapper" whose name I choose not to mention has been on heavy rotation for the past 3 months with his debut single. He meandered through the track with elementary verses that had no substance or message. I shoot my head and asked myself what has Hip Hop become? Why dont't the real MC's get radio play to the masses? I remember a time when Hip Hop pure. No videos exploited our women, protrayed fake lavish lifesyles, or glorified crime. Hip Hop gave the world a first hand look at how Black Culture thrived in America. There are still many MC's out there who have a message in their music that uplifts our people. Unfortunately, new "rappers" in the game are selling there souls for commercial success by making fade music. Fade music to me are songs that are hot today and forgotten tomorrow. Real MC's make songs that speak to your soul and feed your intellect. When ever I photograph a Hip Hop artist, I ask them, "How will your music progress the Hip Hop movement?" To the "rapper", Hip Hop is fame, money, drugs, and women. For the real MC, Hip Hop is revolution.

One Day

2007-09-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

New York City is a place that stirs up so much creativity inside me. My friends in NYC are some of the most talented artists in the game right now. NYC is a hustler’s town. You have to be because the cost of living is so high. For the price of a small studio apartment in NYC, I could buy a nice size 3-bedroom house in Georgia; I guess that's why I never moved there. Plus the cold weather never appealed to me. I’m a Down South Georgia Boy, snow and I don’t mix. Everything about New York is so busy. It truly never sleeps. There is so much visual stimulation from the dated architecture to the fashion billboards to Harlem street life. It’s a photographer’s heaven. Walking down Time Square one night, I stopped and took this photograph to remind myself of why I became a photographer. I look at this photo everyday, I inspires me keep pushing for my dreams and make them reality.

Where am I going?

2007-09-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

I often think about what direction my photography is going. We all question our abilities at times, but I have had the hardest time figuring out what field of photography I should specialize in. I got my start taking photos of children and families, and then I began shooting fashion and weddings. Now with an artillery of diverse photos, I need to figure out where I should direct my energy to growing the business. One thing I know is that clients go to individuals who specialize in certain services. If I needed my oil changed, do I go to Pep Boys (who does it all), or do I go to the Jiffy Lube 10 minute Oil Change(who specializes in changing oil)? Sure, Pep Boys could get the job done, but the JiffyLube would probably get the job done faster because they are specifically set up to do just oil changes. So if I specialize in high fashion, more high fashion clientele will use my services. Yet if I do it all, a prospective client will not know where my expertise lies. I must define my expertise to be a successful photographer.

School Dazed

2007-09-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

Since returning to school after a hiatus of working in the real word, it feels completely different being back in this environment. College life posed so many distractions for me when I was younger. I pledged a fraternity, I was involved in several organizations, and worked a part time job all at the same time while taking 4-5 classes. Now that I'm older and alot more wiser about the decisions I make, I'm not letting all my past distractions get in the way of me graduating in December. My photography is gaining more national exposure and notoriety. For the next couple of months, I'm immersing myself into my school work and my art. Once the school dust clears, I'll be better prepared to take on this cut thought fashion world.

2007-09-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

HAIR IDOL is a nation wide model search that includes a hair styling competition using Sensationnnel Hair Products. During the past two weeks, I photographed the Atlanta and Florida HAIR IDOL Competition entries. I had the greatest experience shooting these creative and over the top styles. The make up artists from the Atlanta and Florida were wonderful to work with. The models, who were mostly everyday women, all had positive attitudes which made my day pass with laughter and great conversation. What I enjoyed most about the entire job was the amazement in models' eyes when they saw themselves in the photo, looking more beautiful than they have ever seen themselves. Many of them never had a professional photo shoot, not to mention the degree of hair styling and make up. I feel so blessed to be able to bring smiles to people's lives through my art. Hopefully, one of the styles I shot wins the competition because the stylists I worked with this week were truly deserving of accolades.