Aretha Franklin Fan
Are you an Aretha Franklin fan? Do you know that her birthday is coming up on March 25? If you’re like me, you can’t help but feel the joy and love that Aretha brought into this world. She was truly a legend, a Queen of Soul, and her music continues to inspire and move us all.
Photography by Matthew Jordan Smith © 2005 All Rights Reserved
But have you ever wondered what it was like to be in the same room with Aretha Franklin, to feel her energy and presence, to witness her talent and grace up close? Well, let me tell you a story about my experience photographing Aretha in NYC.
You’re all I need to get by
We were in a studio on the first floor because she had a fear of heights and wouldn’t go past the 2nd or 3rd floor. I had filled my iPod with my favorite music my Aretha like, “Call me”, “Dr. Feelgood”, “Until you come back to me,” and “You’re all I need to get by.” As she was having her hair and makeup done, Aretha’s voice filled the studio and everyone in the room was lost in her music, including her bodyguards, who were with her on every photo shoot.
Aretha Franklin was a legendary artist who inspired generations with her music. As a tribute to her, I made sure that we had all of her favorite soul food on the set – from macaroni and cheese to peach cobbler for dessert. And, of course, I couldn’t forget the yellow roses – which were her favorite! Once we began to do the photo shot, I instructed my photo assistants to turn the music up. Music has a way of lighting up any mood, and it certainly did its job on the day of my photoshoot.
Photographing Aretha
As I’m photographing Aretha, I can’t help but feel the energy in the room. The song “You’re all I need to get by” starts playing and before I knew it, Aretha begins to sing along. It was one of those moments that made me realize how much of a legend she truly was – her voice and her presence were simply mesmerizing. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing – it sounded like she had come straight from the heavens. Aretha was singing with such passion and emotion, her eyes were closed, and the entire room was in awe. It felt like we were all being taken on a magical journey, as if time had stopped and we were just listening to her beautiful voice. I knew right then and there that this was something special.
Aretha Franklin © 2006 Photographed by Matthew Jordan Smith
Now this is one of my favorite Aretha Franklin songs and before I knew it, I was singing along with her. We sang together for about 10 seconds before she abruptly stopped and looked at me with an amused expression on her face and said, “Jordan, baby, don’t sing!”
That moment will forever be etched in my memory, and if you curious about what happened next? Well, we have the answer for you! Head over to Arethacool.com and find out the rest of the story.
Memories tied to an Aretha Franklin Song
Maybe you have important memories tied to an Aretha Franklin song that you hold dear. That’s why I want to share with you a new photography book project, launched on Kickstarter called “Aretha Cool: A Decade with the Queen of Soul” by photographer, Matthew Jordan Smith. This book is a celebration of Aretha’s last decade, filled with photographs and stories that capture her essence and spirit. It’s a must-have for any Aretha fan. So, on this special day, let’s honor the Queen of Soul by supporting this incredible project. Head over to ArethaCool.com to learn more and see what happened after Aretha told me not to sing. Trust me, it’s worth it. Let’s keep Aretha’s legacy alive and thriving, and let’s celebrate her life and music in all its glory. Happy Birthday, Aretha!