Some of the greatest photographers I believe, are those who continue to give gifts to the photo community and and light comforting hearthfires for those of us in darkness. They show us the human side of imagery that marketing companies don’t put enough emphasis on — only because they want to strive towards profit. I’m not only talking about the photo industry here, but also the music industry. But one of the photographers who I think sincerely should be on everyone’s favorite list of portrait photographers is Matthew Jordan Smith. In his recent book, Aretha Cool, we get to read about some of his unique stories with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. It’s rare insight into the minds of photographers and their subjects that we don’t get often. If you think that Aretha Cool is only a book that’s about Aretha, you’re mistaken. In fact, I like to call it the story of the yellow rose.
Aretha Cool by Matthew Jordan Smith can be purchased on Amazon. For more, check out Matthew’s website and find him on Instagram @matthewjordansmith.
First off, know that my biggest critique of many photo books has to do with pages splitting images down the middle. In this case of Aretha Cool, very few images span two pages. In several cases where they do, then they’re split at less important parts of the frame. There is surely a share of photos that take up a lot of space and have odd splits down the middle. So when you’re looking through this book, make sure that it’s slightly propped up and you’ve got soft window lighting giving its blessings to the pages.
The photographs are stunning, first and foremost. And that shouldn’t even be a question. It’s Matthew Jordan Smith, after all. And the hero of his story in this book is Aretha Franklin. Do we really need to explain more? Every time I went to stand up over this book to take it in, I had to sit down. I’m simply compelled by the stories that these images tell, which you have to keep in mind as you flip through the photographs.
The Forward is one of the most touching stories I’ve read. And I think that it’s essential that you read it before you dive deeper into the book. Trust me, when you dive in, you won’t want to hold your breath. Your lungs will yearn to soak all of it. Believe it or not, after reading this amazing forward from Aretha’s publicist, you’ll see hear more from Matthew. And that’s where things get really intriguing.
Matthew unveils little details about their working relationship through vignettes and stories. She always called him Jordan, for example. When they started working together, he sent her yellow roses. For those curious, I, too, had to look it up. Yellow roses symbolize friendship and joy. And you can tell in the photos that they both revered one another when working together.
As you go deeper into the book, you realize that Matthew and Aretha have a very special relationship; she literally asked him why she wasn’t in one of his books. Imagine that. And then imagine having to come up with an answer from a place of love while also sorting through the surprise and excitement that someone as great as Aretha stated that to you.
There are other awesome stories about an assistant being told to not touch Aretha’s purse and about her love of his photographs of Tyra Banks, and how she wanted images just like that.
It’s easy to dismiss this book as something that’s just about Aretha and her photos. No, it’s instead about how she was and her working relationship with Matthew through his eyes. Considering how incredible Matthew Jordan Smith is, you’ll be very intrigued.
Aretha Cool can be purchased on Amazon. Even if you’re not into Aretha’s music, you’ll surely get some joy from this book.
