Halle’s Smooooth Words o’ Wisdom

We go way back. Kidding. This shot was taken sometime during the late ’90’s by my friend Katie Lain. I was hired by the DPO(Democratic Party of Oregon) to shoot some portraits during a fundraiser at Portland’s Hilton. Katie, a serious pop culture hound, spotted Tonya across the room and proceeded to freak.

“Oh my fucking god! Holy Crap! There she is. There’s Tonya. Tonya Harding,” she gushed. “You’ve got to get a shot of us.”

“No sweat,” I replied. Must admit I was a tad horrified never having imagined myself a paparazzo.

Katie walked over to the table where Ms. Harding sat. Beside her was her date: a southwest Washington cowboy apparently. Think Howdy Doodee in 10 gallon hat. Katie then turned, crouched and faced the camera. Her smile was that of a child having their picture snapped with Mickey at Disneyland for the first time. A big if somewhat nervous smile. The only problem was that the photo was going to consist of Katie, her grin plus the back of Tonya Harding’s head. I motioned that the picture wouldn’t work. Katie approached me. No smile this time.

“What the hell’s wrong?” she asked.
“Do you really want a picture of you and the back of Tonya Harding’s head?! Introduce youself. Make nice. Then we’ll have a picture,” I replied.
“Are you crazy! I can’t do that. No way. Noooooooo way,” Katie said.
I proceeded to crack a joke at Katie’s expense. She didn’t laugh and said, “Fine. You do it. I’ll take the goddamn picture then.”

Always up for a challenge I obliged, walked over and introduced myself. “Excuse me Ms. Harding. Would you mind if my fiancé snaps a photo of you and me?” I asked.

She was very kind and said yes. Still a bachelor at the time all I could think was, ‘Bingo. Christmas card. This picture is going to make one helluva Christmas card.’