Snapshot of a Gracious Richard Avedon

Although the late Richard Avedon’s ego was well known in the photo industry, I cherish the memory of when he took the time to offer reassurance and advice to me at the start of my own photographic career.

It happened many years ago when I was a 16-year-old Brooklyn boy with a letter of introduction to Avedon from a mutual friend. Excited but apprehensive, I took my thin portfolio to his East 58th Street studio. Avedon encouraged me and suggested that I take design courses at Cooper Union.

Then he called over his secretary and dictated a letter in praise of me to take to his Harpers Bazaar mentor, Alexey Brodovitch. I went, took “Brod’s” famous course as Avedon had years before and walked away with enough self-esteem to keep shooting, ignore the disapproval of my peers and teachers and keep submitting portfolios to magazines. Two years later I was offered my first assignment from Vogue. I never saw Avedon again, but those few minutes he took to give me the pat on the back were a favor that is beyond repayment but not beyond recognition and gratitude. Whatever Avedon’s ego, he put it aside and treated me like an equal for those few vital minutes ... and what a difference it made. Thank you, Dick, so very, very much.

Spencer Grant

Laguna Niguel