Reunion.

It has been a long time coming for Baxter and SLUG. Baxter was one of the first campaign models I ever shot with. We created such a classic feeling video in our first collaboration, we knew once SLUG was ready, he was going to be one of the faces of the brand.

After briefly showing Baxter images and samples of the SLUG, he agreed to join me at 7am to shoot a campaign video. He arrived at my house and within minutes of a quick egg and fruit breakfast, we spoke through the vision. Of course, he got it right away. The idea was for him to be commuting to work, collared shirt, slacks, just sluggin’ in NYC. But along his route, he sees something that catches his eye, slowing down his prideful strides. A gym.

Now to most, a collared shirt, slacks, heading to work, is not the attire for exercise. But who says you need a shirt when you have a SLUG ? It’s always time for exercise. NYC. SLUG. WORKOUT. Boom. We’re off.

Brooklyn Bridge Park.

I’d been to Brooklyn Bridge Park several times before. To play basketball with friends, and for walks with my girlfriend. I was always amazed at the skyline view of Manhattan. In NYC, every activity has the backdrop of a movie.

We walked with our equipment to the outdoor gym. We were surrounded by pickleballers and heaps of small summer camp children. We tried finding some frames but decided to wait until the lil guys left to shoot the gym scene.

We traversed to the other side of the park along the East River. Downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge laid in the distance.

Color Film.

The combination of the colors this day were very interesting. The only thing warm was the air. Many blues and greens surrounded us - from the piercing blue sky to the greenish water to the gray concrete architecture. This was perfect though with the SLUG’s blue and white color.

We began shooting to the rhythm of “Penelope Freestyle” by BabyFather, a song my friend Harrison put me on to (a common activity in our friendship).

Effortlessly, Baxter walked in his Air Force 1s, just as he does down runways for fashion’s most impressive brands. I aimed to capture his confidence and ease holding the SLUG. His walk and attitude were strong, and the SLUG adjusted and moved to his pace.

We shot many takes on the platform adjacent to the water. Ferries, jet skis, helicopters all passed by adding to the vitality of the location.

We waited a bit more before heading to the gym. I told Baxter to take 5 as I set the SLUG down on the railing to take some photos. I went back to my camera bag to grab a different lens. Casual. But as I turned back, we had a problem.

From Stepping to Swimming.

I looked around. On the ground. At the camera bag. The bench around the corner. Nowhere. I knew… I was afraid to look…. but I did.

The SLUG had fallen over and was floating away in the East River.

“Fuck !” I yelled to Baxter. “What ?” " he replied. “The SLUG fell into the river !”. “Haha … wait are you serious?”. “YES !”.

He rushed over to see the SLUG now not only floating away, but sinking. I had to make a decision. Jump in and get it, or let it sink. I stood there for about .1 seconds. I took off my clothes, hopped the fence, and jumped into the East River.

Honestly, I had never felt more alive. I swam about 25 feet off the platform to grab it, the current from boats pulling me out towards the middle of the river. I swam and swam and swam. The SLUG had clothes in it so it weighed as much as a brick.

I got to the wooden support of the platform, threw the SLUG up to Baxter and climbed up. Wow. The adrenaline plus the swim left me out of breath. But with the sun’s beam glared directly on my skin, I was glowing. I had never felt better. This is what we do it for.

From there the rest of the shoot went smoothly (I mean it had to after that). We got everything we needed for the day and headed back to Staten Island.

Holy shit. What a day.

Baxter

Strong. Friendship. SLUG.