Don't Stop Me Now

The First Photo Shoot-1973

I woke up and get ready, then head down to the studio for the next photo session I had. It was for a newer band called Queen. I've listened to some of their music and I really like it. The only thing that I'm worried about is the fact that Paul is their assistant and sometimes he can be a total arse.

I arrive at the studio and get my camera out of the passenger seat. I walk into my shared office and pick up their file. "Ava, they'll be here very soon, you better head into the studio now." John Reid, their manager, told me. At this point he was the only good thing about this job. Everyone else I worked with never had any appreciation for photography of any sort. I grab the keys and walk down the hall. Inside there's our rolls upon rolls of backdrops and the other walls have signed posters of the bands we've managed. I'm setting up my tripod when the door opens and in walks the four members of Queen.

"Boys, this is Ava Richardson, she's going to be our photographer here." John says.  They all wave and I wave back.

Freddie walks over to me, shakes my hand and says, "Lovely to meet you darling, if you every need any thing from any of us, just ask."

"Now, I'll be in my office, I'd like you to do everything she says, after all, she's got quite the eye." John says as he exits.

I clasp my hands as if that would somehow help me figure out what to say "So, um, would you guys like to start with your singles or with group pictures?"

"Let's do singles! Brian, you go first" Freddie exclaims.

"Where do you want me?" Brian says with a smile.

"How about we start off  sitting on that stool there..." I begin taking his pictures.

Then Freddie asks me, "So Ava tell us a little bit about yourself." Everyone nods and smiles.

"Okay, well I've been working here for about five years. I started as an intern while I was in college, finally got a promotion of sorts, so now I take pictures of famous people and get paid minimum wage."

"Only minimum wage??" John Deacon says from behind me.

"Yes sir" I say

"Be careful with those 'sirs', Deaky here might get a little too excited." Roger says, causing everyone to chuckle besides John who I'm sure is blushing.

"Alright, Brian, you're good to go, who wants to go next?"

I continue with their pictures and the life story questions continue, then we have a 10 minute break, the group sits down on the couch, but Freddie still stands and watches me. "So Ava, I'm still intrigued, what is it that you plan on doing for the rest of life? Still this? And I mean none of this in a condescending way of course."

"Honestly I was thinking about turning in my resignation soon... You wouldn't believe how rude some people are, sadly not every band is as sweet as all of you"

"What would you do after?" John asks me.

"I really want to make movies, actually. Not sure where I'd go about that, but it's certainly something I think is worth trying. "

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After the break is over and we start their group portraits, John Reid joins us again, "How's it going? Have you boys treated her nicely?" we all smile and laugh. I have the four boys in a line, all in the same pose. I'm trying to get them to all have a stance and facial expression.

"Oh, John, -" I begin to say.

"Please, call me Deaky." he smiles and its contagious, I blush, and his ears turn red. Brian and Roger share a look.

"Well, Deaky, may I..." I gesture to move his head slightly.

"Of course" he says, I gently tilt his head to the right so he matches everyone else, and my hands linger for a split second before I head back to my camera.

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After their shoot is done, they give me hugs and they all exit besides Freddie "Ava dear, could I have your phone number, I'd like to keep in touch with you"

"Yes, of course!" I grab a napkin and and a pencil and write in down for him. He gives me a kiss on the cheek goodbye.

"Okay Ava, go ahead and take an extended lunch until your next group at 4." John says

"Oh yeah, what's their name again?"

"Iron Maiden? Something like that"

"Hmm never heard of them."

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I was getting ready for bed and thinking about the bassist I was so taken with. The phone rings, snapping me out of my daydream, however, I was reluctant to answer since I was so tired.

"Hello?" I say into the phone, twirling the cord around my fingers,

"Yes, hello my dear! It's me Freddie!"

"Oh hi Freddie! What's going on?"

"Well you won't believe what just happened!"

"Oh boy, what is it?"

"I just had a very long conversation with John, oh and John Reid, not John Deacon, don't get too excited, and I asked him if you could always do our photoshoots, and then I told him that we all think you deserve better... And then he said that since you have such a talent for videography, your could be our permanent director of music videos!"

"My god are you serious??"

"Yes darling we're meeting for coffee at Prufrock at 7am!!" Then he hangs up before I can ask any questions. I can't believe that this happened so out of the blue! I curl up in bed and feel so immensely grateful.