A legendary Jil Sander print by Craig McDean

There has been a lively discussion around the recent Inez and Vinoodh post that raised very smart questions about the chances a new generation of photographers have in breaking into the campaign market. That discussion has led to a flurry of calls to TI and let's just say if there IS indeed a recession looming, brands are bracing themselves for it by taking no chances. And when we say brands, its almost as if you have to start thinking of the current photography establishment as brands in and of themselves.
Think Meisel Inc. Testino Unlimited. Sims Corp. One Hiss Squader actually mused to me yesterday over lunch that , "If I were a blue chip photographer and I saw trouble coming, I would totally be locking down jobs with those mass market companies. I mean when the money runs out people might be buying fewer alligator handbags but I don't think Target or The Gap is going to be bouncing checks anytime soon"
Will that conventional wisdom hold up? You'd be surprised as to what some of the bigger names in the biz are lensing...on the down low.

In the meantime Testino Unlimited is shooting an All-Testino issue of German Vogue right this minute, including a Top 10 New Models edit with a short-list so spot-on I almost want to leak it. Almost lol.

In the world of musical chairs that is big campaign photography the hiss is it will be McDean doing the honors for Calvin Collection this season, while Steven Meisel moves into the gig for CK Jeans. Interestingly enough there was some kind of Prada pre-collection spot shot by McDean but word is Meisel continues to hold an iron grip on the Prada Collection ad. The most interesting buzz picked up yesterday however was the fact that Meisel and Lori Goldstein are back together again on behalf of a job for Vera Wang. THAT we can't wait to see. See, it is musical chairs! More later.