4. ByLines Jerry

#5

There I was minding my own business lying on the sand having an optic on the bikini clad - sometimes mostly unclad - beach belles. Well, to tell the truth I was eying a special group. They were the most gorgeous cover girls being photographed by Jerome Johnson. Jerome is as well known as a photographer of the Beautiful People as most of his models. When I say the beautiful people I mean the A List as well as surf sirens.
It was a box office hit matinee up till now. I rolled over on my stomach in lust and envy as Jerome and his assistant spent more than enough time adjusting the bikini top of Belinda (just Belinda). Then it happened. As I dragged my eyes away from the spectacular, to protect the innocent, I caught sight of a big breaker rolling in to swamp one of Jerome's expensive cameras which was left unattended on it's tripod while the photographer and his assistant made vital adjustments to the almost non-existent bikini.
Forgetting my manhood embarrassment I jumped up and rescued the camera in the nick of time. Why couldn't it have been one of the bevy of beauties? Just my luck, especially as my girlfriend Bethanie was shopping that day.

Without thinking, well actually I was, I took the camera straight over to Jerome, grabbing the opportunity to get into the inner circle.
"Hey! Thanks. That's one camera I wouldn't want damaged."
"Got there just in time". I was talking to Jerome but sneaking a furtive glance at his clients. "No damage".
He held out his hand. I wasn't sure whether he wanted to shake or retrieve the camera. So I took the preferred option. I shook his hand. And then handed over the camera.
"Jerry". I introduced myself.
"Hi! Jerry, Jerome. Look man, I can't stop now or I'll loose the light. Go over to my secretary and give her your name and phone number." He had a good look at my shaved head. I was used to that. "I'll give you a ring"
"OK!" 'Yeah!' I thought to myself. ' That'll be the last I'll hear of that.'
But it wasn't. A couple of days later the phone rang.
"G'day Jerry. This is Jerome Johnson. Remember me. The photographer at the beach. My camera almost got drowned"
"Sure Jerome. Is it OK? Did you get good shots of the girls?"
"Fabulous Jerry. Look, I'd like to do something for you, and for me too, come to that. A reward"
"No need for that Jerome" But really I was thinking that tea on the lawn with several of his models would be good. "I couldn't take your money". That was a lie for a start.
"Glad you said that Jerry. I have something else in mind. How would you like me to do a portrait session of you?"
Now this was big time. Jerome is a famous photographer. His photographs hung in galleries. I was vain enough to be flattered bring asked to be a subject for Jerome Johnson. I could give a portrait to Bethanie as a present.
"That would be great Jerome. I'd really like that."
"Jerry, I don't want this to be an ordinary session." 'What was he thinking?', I wondered. "You won't believe this. But I have never photographed a shaved head before. And yours looks extremely camera friendly. I grabbed a quick frame of you at the beach when you weren't looking."
I could go along with that. I am proud of my bald dome.
"I always do my exhibition stuff after hours on my own. Could you be at the studio at about 5 tomorrow?"
Five would be alright. Suddenly I was not sure what I was getting myself into. But I couldn't pass up a portrait session with Jerome Johnson.
"Thanks Jerome. Yeah! I'll be there. Any special clothes I should bring?"
"No. It'll just be headshots. No shirt. Just be sure you have a fresh headshave will you? I don't suppose you shave your chest as well, do you? That would look very smooth."
How did he know the Bethanie had done that just last night? And not only my chest. So next day, just before five, I was at Jerome's studio.

Let me tell you a bit about Jerome's hair right here, 'cause it's important to the rest of the story. Jerome was not only famous for his photographs, but he was also famous for his hair.
It was black, very black, and straight, very straight, long, very long. But it didn't look too long, because he wore his hair lacquered absolutely flat to his head. He didn't wear gel, but old-fashioned hair lacquer. His hair was parted just off centre on the right, then brushed severely back and finished with an elaborate queue-plait about a foot long. His hair was so black and flat and shiny it looked almost like a polished onyx skullcap. But that was Jerome's image, his trademark.

The photo session was interesting. My freshly shaved totally hairless head was well oiled as was my upper torso. The society photographed set about 20 poses; each time adjusting the lights. The background was kind of neutral. I all took a bit over three hours. Coffee and sandwiched were ready on a side table in the studio, but I was too interested, and excited, to eat much, and Jerome was too busy. But after the shoot we did have a glass or two of chilled white, and called it a night.

Three days later Jerome rang me again to come and see the proofs. I was stoked. In all due modesty, I made a very acceptable model. My hairless head never looked so good gleaming in the studio lights..
"They really came out well Jerry. I've got to say that your shaved head makes for great pix. That's what I want to talk to you about."
"What? Should I be a model?" I joked, half serious.
"Sure! I can use you now and again. You're studying aren't you. The money could help. But no. That goes without saying. What I want to get your opinion about is shaving your head. Since I took these pictures of you I have been thinking about doing the same. What do you think?"
"Bloody hell Jerome. You're famous for your shiny black hair and plait"
"Yeah!, well it's maybe time for a change. To tell you the truth Jerry, I'm sick of the upkeep. I spend two hours a week at the hairdressers, and an hour every morning on running maintenance." I could see that he might. "Bald looks good on you. How do you think it would look on me?"
"If you're serious ….. You skull looks to be a good shape. You can see that because your hair is so flat. But that black color could be a problem. No matter how much you shave you would always have a five o'clock shadow on your head after a couple of hours. But shave it I say, if that's what you want."
"The black hair … I've got a bit of a confession to make Jerr. It's dyed."
Now that he mentioned it I could see a much lighter edge on his forehead.
"My hair is really light brown. You can see." He looked in the studio mirror and ran his finger along the distinct halo line. "I haven't had the roots done for a bit on purpose. So, what do you reckon? Will you shave my head for me?"
Would I ever?
"Sure. When do you want it done?"
"Nothing like the present. Could you do it now?"
"Absolutely"
He guided me to the make-up room. Clippers and razors were set out on the bench. No wonder Jerome Johnson was so successful. He was prepared. I had done a couple of head shaves before, but only on mates who already had short hair. I had actually taken Gavin to Errol to lose his hair. And I had been shaving my own for a couple of years of course. But this wouldn't be too much different except that that Jerome's hair was glued flat and he had a queue.
He settled into the chair.
"Go for it Jerry. Make me bald," advised the society photographer.
And I did. It was interesting cutting off that hard lacquered hair and solid plait. When it was shaved, he did look good. So Jerome's new image is as bald as I am. You can see his pix in the social pages on most weekends.