THE SHAPE OF THE NFL A Major Book & Traveling Exhibition Photographs by
H O WA R D S C H AT Z OPEN HERE BLESSUAN AUSTIN
THE SHAPE of the NFL
HOWARD SCHATZ
WWW.HOWARDSCHATZ.COM
ABOUT This major project by internationally acclaimed photographer Howard Schatz, “The Shape of the NFL,” will feature photographs of and interviews withtop NFL players. The unique portfolio eventually will be published as a large format book, and the photographs will be seen in traveling exhibitions at museums, galleries, and famous sports venues. Schatz and his partner and executive producer, Beverly Ornstein, are committed to donating one hundred percent of the royalties for the sale of the proposed coffee-table book to a foundation focused on the welfare of retired NFL players. Schatz has called his project “The Shape of the NFL,” and he takes this title literally. Given the pads and helmets worn by players, only a handful—star quarterbacks, a few receivers and running backs, and the rare defensive player—are personally recognizable even by dedicated fans.
Schatz says that he goes “under the armor” to provide players with the kind of revealing visuals that show who they are and how they do what they do. The photoshoot will include powerful formal portraits, spectacular imagery of the actual movement required for each position, along with a close-up study of musculoskeletal body parts— the hands of a great receiver, the torso of a linebacker, the legs of a running back—that are essential for success in one of the world’s most fierce and demanding games. This dramatic exposure will let the public put faces to well-known names, and will showcase the rigorously-trained bodies required to do battle in professional football. Participation in The Shape of the NFL will surely enhance and strengthen a player’s brand recognition. The photoshoot and interview at Schatz’s Manhattan studio will take about three hours. Participants will receive the best images for their personal use.
MARQUEZ VALDES-SCANTLING
THE SHAPE of the NFL
HOWARD SCHATZ
WWW.HOWARDSCHATZ.COM
BOOKS BY HOWARD SCHATZ
Howard Schatz’s photographs have been published in 22 books, two of which have been devoted to athletes. Among the hundreds of professional and Olympic athletes he’s photographed are David Beckham, Jason Giambi, Greg Jones, Serge Ibaka, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbook, James Harden, Sebastian Jankowski, Tiki & Ronde Barber, Ray Allen, Alonzo Mourning, Tony Gonzalas, Terrell Owens, Jason Kidd, Alexander Ovechkin, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
THE SHAPE of the NFL
HOWARD SCHATZ
WWW.HOWARDSCHATZ.COM
Some of the 100’s of photographs of athletes made by Howard Schatz for books and magazines.
TONY GONZALEZ
GREG JONES
BRYAN SCOTT
SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI
DAVID BECKHAM
MIKE TYSON
TIKI BARBER
RAY ALLEN
KEVIN DURANT
MUHAMMAD ALI
TERRELL OWENS
RUSSELL WESTBROOK
THE SHAPE of the NFL
HOWARD SCHATZ
WWW.HOWARDSCHATZ.COM
THE SHOOT
We will work together to create four different kinds of photographs:
1. We’ll make an image that represents movement and action on the field.
2. We’ll make a powerful portrait.
3. We’ll make images of the body which demonstrate musculature in order to show how those muscles inform movement.
4. Finally, we’ll make a full body, standing image.
THE SHAPE of the NFL
HOWARD SCHATZ
WWW.HOWARDSCHATZ.COM
FAQ What is THE SHAPE OF THE NFL The Shape of the NFL is a personal, fine art project by world-renowned photographer Howard Schatz. Howard dedicated his photographic career to a wide range of projects like this which have resulted in the publication of 23 books of his photographs. His work with Olympic athletes was published in the book, Athlete; his six-year long study of boxing resulted in the monumental book, At the Fights: Inside the World of Professional Boxing. A complete overview of his books can be seen here. How will my photographs be used? Each player-participant will first be the exclusive focus of an edition of Howard Schatz’s online series ON SEEING. When all the photography for the series is complete, the work will be published as large, coffee-table book and a traveling photography exhibition. What happens to the proceeds from the book? We have committed to donating 100% of the royalties for the sale of the proposed large coffee-table book The Shape of the NFL to a charity that is important to NFL players. Where do the photo shoots take place? All the shoots take place at Howard Schatz’s studio in New York City. Will I be paid for the shoot? There is no monetary compensation for participation in the project. We will provide images for each player for their personal use in social media or other noncommercial self promotion. How long will the shoot take? The shoot typically takes three hours. What do I need to bring to the shoot? There is no need to bring anything to the shoot. Wardrobe will be provided. Can a bring a friend to the shoot? You are welcome to bring a friend or significant other to the shoot. It’s a small studio so we don’t have room for a large group.
NATHAN SHEPHERD
THE SHAPE of the NFL
HOWARD SCHATZ
WWW.HOWARDSCHATZ.COM
AWARDS 2021 2021
ADC Art Director’s Club CUBE Award The Shape of the NFL 2021 Art Director’s Club CUBE Award for Photography Communication Arts 2021 Photography Annual Award of Excellence: “US Olympic Synchronized Swim Team”
2021 Communication Arts 2021 Photography Annual Award of Excellence: “Human Body Studies: “HEAVY” 2021 Graphis Poster Competition 2021 Silver Medal 2021 Graphis Poster Competition 2021 Gold Medal 2021 American Photography, 37 2021 Photographer, Installation 167.
JASON CABINDA
2021 One EyeLand Photography Awards 2020 Photographer, Two Silver Awards Fine Art 2021 CQ Creative Quarterly 100 Best of 2020 2021 Graphis Graphis Photography Annual Platinum Medal for Beauty 2021 Graphis Graphis Photography Annual Gold Medal for Shape of the NFL 2021 Graphis Graphis Photography Annual Gold Medal for Portraits of Actors 2021 Graphis Graphis Photography Annual Silver Medal for “Installations” Series 2020 International Photo Awards 1st Place, Sports Photographer of the Year Bodies of the NFL 2020 Graphis 2021 Graphis Poster Annual Gold Medal for Eddie Adams Workshop XXIX 2020 TRIERENBERG SUPER CIRCUIT “QUINTESSENCE” – Best of 21st Century Gold Medal for Dance Study 1038, Beauty Study 011, & Boxing Study, 1398 2020 Graphis Graphis Journal 364 January 2020 Portraiture by Howard Schatz 2020 Graphis Graphis 2020 Photography Annual Multiple Gold and Platinum Awards
2020 One EyeLand 2019 BEST OF THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS 10 Images from KINK: The Folsom Street Fair 2019 +81 PLUS EIGHTY ONE Creators on the Line The Photography of Howard Schatz 2019 Graphis 2019 Graphis Nudes 5 Multiple Platinum, Gold & Silver Awards 2019 Graphis 2019 Graphis Master Photographer 2018 Photographer of the Year PhotoMentor of the Year FotoFusion One EyeLand Awards: Silver Medal Photography Book of the Year KINK by Howard Schatz 2017 One EyeLand Photography Awards: Silver Medal KINK by Howard Schatz 2015 International Photography Awards Photography Book of the Year Schatz Images: 25 Years Graphis Master of Photography Howard Schatz One Eyeland Awards: Gold Medal-Photography Book of the Year Schatz Images: 25 Years–[4] 2014 Px3 Prix de la Photographie Paris Silver Medal Caught in the Act Communication Arts 2014 Photography Annual Portrait of Alex Katz in his studio. 2013 American Photography: Best Books of the Year Caught in the Act Graphis 2014 Design Annual Gold Medal for 8
THE SHAPE of the NFL
HOWARD SCHATZ
WWW.HOWARDSCHATZ.COM
HOWARD SCHATZ PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITIONS IN MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES COSMOSCOW 2018, Moscow, Russia Dance/Athletes by Howard Schatz HUMAN+ Rome, Palazzo delle Esposizioni February 26th–July 1st 2018. Le Corps Sportif April–September 2018 Le Musee National du Sport, Nice France Who Shot Sports? October 28, 2018–January 13, 2019 Grand Rapids Art Museum, Michigan Schatz Images: 25 Years Palm Beach Photographic Center, January–March 2018 Who Shot Sports? May 4–July 29, 2018 Allentown Art Museum, Pennsylvania HUMAN + Powerhouse Museum, Sydney 10 August 2018–28 January 2019 (Group Show) HUMAN + ArtScience Museum, Singapore 20 May–15 October 2017 (Group Show)
Who Shot Sports? (group show) Tampa Museum of Art February 4–April 20,2017 Who Shot Sports? (Group Show) Le Musée Olympique, Lausanne, Switzerland May 25–Nov.19, 2017 DesignSight: ATHLETE The Issey Miyake Foundation Tokyo, Japan February 17–June 4,2017 Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography, Moscow, Russia Schatz Images: 25 Years January 19–March 12, 2017 Emotions of the Athletic Body Curated by Giorgio Armani, Milano, Italia Brooklyn Museum of Art Who Shot Sports? (group show) Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona Human+ The Future of Our Species-Group Show Richmond Olympic Oval, Vancouver, Canada Howard Schatz: The Olympic Body PRESTON WILLIAMS
THE SHAPE of the NFL
HOWARD SCHATZ
WWW.HOWARDSCHATZ.COM
PRAISE FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF HOWARD SCHATZ Howard Schatz is so versatile...He has affection for his subjects—athletes, dancers, models, actors—and it shows in every remarkable image. GRAYDON CARTER, Former Editor In Chief, Vanity Fair — Schatz is beyond creatively restless and courageous enough to charge ahead into unknown visual territory. Each subject exploration whether it be dancers, athletes, actors…is deftly brought to life with a singular vision and beauty that seems impossible coming from one artist. KEN CARBONE Designer, Artist and Chief Creative Director Carbone Smolan Agency — You are looking at the work of an artist of ideas with an astonishing range. Like all great art, his images can change the way you think about the world. TERRY MCDONELL Former Editor-In-Chief Sports Illustrated — The range of the images in this book is unparalleled. I cannot think of another photographer who possesses the genius and skill set that Howard Schatz has. He sees and makes pictures that no one else could imagine. — STEVE FINE Former Photo Editor Sports Illustrated
Howard Schatz is fearless when it comes to experimentation. I am repeatedly amazed that he can keep finding new ways to express the human form. PATRICK COYNE Editor/Designer Communication Arts — It is now very clear that Howard Schatz is one of the world’s finest contemporary photographers… an amazing example of how great photography will always stand the test of time. GLEN SERBIN Publisher, Photographer’s Forum Magazine Verso Limited Editions — Howard’s photography is a spectator sport! His images pulse and sweat, leap and soar, laugh and sing. You aren’t looking at a picture. You are sitting ringside. You are on the 50 yard line. Howard’s photos are the stage on opening night and you’ve got the best seat in the house! BARRY & FRAN WEISSLER Tony Award-Winning Broadway Producers — No one understands, appreciates or conveys the beauty of the human form better than Howard Schatz. JIM COLTON, Editor — Schatz explore(s) the human form in all its amazing potential. As the Greeks did with their sculpture, transforming mortals into gods and goddesses, Schatz seeks out and captures the ideal form in his photographs. WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD
At the Fights: Inside the World of Professional Boxing (is) a one-two punch that anyone with the slightest interest in photography or the sport of boxing should be thrilled to find in his or her stocking. FORTUNE MAGAZINE — Howard Schatz is the kind of multi-faceted photographer and artist who has grabbed hold of the human body in all its aspects. HUFFINGTON POST, France — Photographer Howard Schatz has turned …fighters into the subjects of extraordinary portraits showing the beautiful side of pugilism. DAILY MAIL, London — The man with the golden lens ...makes fighters famous. Howard Schatz’s latest offering is a heavyweight champ (literally — the 240-page book weighs a ton). He climbs in the ring with legends (Ali, Tyson, Leonard) and comers (Rios, Malignaggi, Kirkland), managers and promoters, announcers and refs and docs and others buzzing ’round the circled square; spars with men who don’t play; and returns with photos that remind you boxing can be as beautiful as it is brutal. Oh, right—this is what we used to love about it. DALLAS MORNING NEWS — This book is a heavyweight in all definitions…full of stunning photographs of fighters and those connected to the fight game. THE PROVIDENCE SUNDAY JOURNAL
“In his book, ATHLETE, I was struck by the way he manages to express both the harmonious and the powerful.” GIORGIO ARMANI — “The most breathtaking photographic book in years is ATHLETE, conceived and photographed by the incomparable photographer, Howard Schatz. It’s a celebration of sinew and spirit...ATHLETE is astonishing.” GENE SHALIT, NBC: The Today Show — “Tremendous” GOOD MORNING AMERICA — “Schatz celebrates his subject...delight(s) both the lover of photography and the sports fan. Schatz makes photographic love to the perfection of the human body.” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES — “...A visual triumph.” ORLANDO SENTINEL — “Beautifully photographed, beautifully organized, beautifully designed, the book contains endless delights” MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
THE SHAPE OF THE NFL
A Major Book & Traveling Exhibition
Photographs by H O WA R D S C H AT Z To schedule your photoshoot contact: ALEX DARCEY, Producer 845.597. 8114 Alex.darcey@howardschatz.com alexdarcey11@gmail.com BLESSUAN AUSTIN