It Was Hard To Take A Bad Picture Of Prince, The Musician's Longtime Photographer Says

http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2017/10/30/afshin-shahidi-prince

In his new book "Prince: A Private View," Afshin Shahidi unveils many unseen photos and reflects on the two decades he spent as Prince's photographer.

Shahidi (@AfshinShahidi) tells Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson about his collaboration with Prince and the impact the artist had on him and the world.

Very good, thanks for posting this laura. Did you get the book? What do you think of it?

Mumio said:

Very good, thanks for posting this laura. Did you get the book? What do you think of it?

I am off to get it today. I want to get it at the book store so I can look at it immediatly. I will let you know my thoughts. Afshin comes off as being a sweet person and I can see why Prince kept him around so long. I also like how respectful he is and you can tell he valued their friendship.

Some other associates could learn a thing or two from Afshin. Even the question about drugs he handled properly no heing and hawing. He simply knew nothing about it for the 20 years he worked for Prince.

The only thing I do not understand is why Prince did not adopt some kids. He obvisouly loved having people bring their families along for road trips and seemed to be good with kids. It is a mystery.

laurarichardson said:

laurarichardson said:

Mumio said:

Very good, thanks for posting this laura. Did you get the book? What do you think of it?

I am off to get it today. I want to get it at the book store so I can look at it immediatly. I will let you know my thoughts. Afshin comes off as being a sweet person and I can see why Prince kept him around so long. I also like how respectful he is and you can tell he valued their friendship.

Some other associates could learn a thing or two from Afshin. Even the question about drugs he handled properly no heing and hawing. He simply knew nothing about it for the 20 years he worked for Prince.

The only thing I do not understand is why Prince did not adopt some kids. He obvisouly loved having people bring their families along for road trips and seemed to be good with kids. It is a mystery.

I agree. Everyone who knew and loved Prince...and who does interviews...should listen to this NPR conversation. Afshin was masterful. I also loved how he handled the question about P's passing. He simply said that he was devastated...but he was on the show to celebrate Prince's life, not to talk about how it ended.

laurarichardson said:

I am off to get it today. I want to get it at the book store so I can look at it immediatly. I will let you know my thoughts. Afshin comes off as being a sweet person and I can see why Prince kept him around so long. I also like how respectful he is and you can tell he valued their friendship.

Some other associates could learn a thing or two from Afshin. Even the question about drugs he handled properly no heing and hawing. He simply knew nothing about it for the 20 years he worked for Prince.

The only thing I do not understand is why Prince did not adopt some kids. He obvisouly loved having people bring their families along for road trips and seemed to be good with kids. It is a mystery.

Well, my take on it won't be popular with some but that's fine.

I don't think he was a family man and I think he knew it. He may have loved kids, but there are many people out there who love kids but don't have any of their own. People have different lifestyles now and they don't always include kids. If you want children, you must be devoted to the notion that they will always come first over everything if you want to raise them to be well-adjusted, independent adults. Prince couldn't stay committed to any one woman, how was he going to raise children? How was he going to maintain creating his music, rehearsals, touring, one-off performances, etc... He was never going to give his music up, that gift was deeply ingrained and there's no way he could have left that. I give him credit for knowing that family life wasn't for him this go-around.

There's a reason why he didn't adopt, there was nothing really stopping him from doing it. He made sure he didn't leave a trail of kids all over the world. I just think he knew it wasn't for him.

[Edited 10/31/17 12:28pm]

Mumio said:

laurarichardson said:

Well, my take on it won't be popular with some but that's fine.

I don't think he was a family man and I think he knew it. He may have loved kids, but there are many people out there who love kids but don't have any of their own. People have different lifestyles now and they don't always include kids. If you want children, you must be devoted to the notion that they will always come first over everything if you want to raise them to be well-adjusted, independent adults. Prince couldn't stay committed to any one woman, how was he going to raise children? How was he going to maintain creating his music, rehearsals, touring, one-off performances, etc... He was never going to give his music up, that gift was deeply ingrained and there's no way he could have left that. I give him credit for knowing that family life wasn't for him this go-around.

There's a reason why he didn't adopt, there was nothing really stopping him from doing it. He made sure he didn't leave a trail of kids all over the world. I just think he knew it wasn't for him.

[Edited 10/31/17 12:28pm]

Why would having children have meant giving up his music career? I don't see the connection.

FlyOnTheWall said:

Mumio said:

Well, my take on it won't be popular with some but that's fine.

I don't think he was a family man and I think he knew it. He may have loved kids, but there are many people out there who love kids but don't have any of their own. People have different lifestyles now and they don't always include kids. If you want children, you must be devoted to the notion that they will always come first over everything if you want to raise them to be well-adjusted, independent adults. Prince couldn't stay committed to any one woman, how was he going to raise children? How was he going to maintain creating his music, rehearsals, touring, one-off performances, etc... He was never going to give his music up, that gift was deeply ingrained and there's no way he could have left that. I give him credit for knowing that family life wasn't for him this go-around.

There's a reason why he didn't adopt, there was nothing really stopping him from doing it. He made sure he didn't leave a trail of kids all over the world. I just think he knew it wasn't for him.

[Edited 10/31/17 12:28pm]

Why would having children have meant giving up his music career? I don't see the connection.

I don't know that he would have had to give up his entire career, but we are talking about someone who was pretty much focused on all things music (he said "I am music" so he was very clear on it himself). I don't see someone like that as able to drop off much without some serious problems that would affect the quality of his life as well as those around him.

Mumio said:

FlyOnTheWall said:

Why would having children have meant giving up his music career? I don't see the connection.

I don't know that he would have had to give up his entire career, but we are talking about someone who was pretty much focused on all things music (he said "I am music" so he was very clear on it himself). I don't see someone like that as able to drop off much without some serious problems that would affect the quality of his life as well as those around him.

It would have been challenging, but I think he could have done it. As fate would have it, though, fatherhood just wasn't in the cards for him.

FlyOnTheWall said:

rogifan said:

Mumio said:

Very good, thanks for posting this laura. Did you get the book? What do you think of it?

I picked up the book yesterday and I love it. I like the way the photos follow a time line and I find it interesting that I never noticed before how short his hair was a full decade before the "fro".

Also I noticed just how good looking he was even without make-up which he did not need.

I think this period in his life was a fantasic time for him and I was glad that Asfin made sure to mention the trips to Maui, Pananam , Morroco and the parties. Let's us see that he was not working all the time in his later years and he did get to relax and have some fun.

Good for the public to see this side instead of people harping on stuff from back in the 80s and 90s as if people do not change and grow.

anangellooksdown said:

rogifan said:

anangellooksdown said:

In an interview when asked why their marriage fell apart, Mayte said the clear answer: that when they lost their children Prince felt the marriage wasn't meant to be, and that was "it". (that was the way he felt and there was no changing it.) So again, if fatherhood didn't happen, and I feel strongly that he wanted it to and would have easily and happily made it a priority, it was probably because the right partner didn't come along. He would've needed a relationship on really solid ground that he could trust. Prince wasn't stupid. He knew what this kind of commitment would take. And he would've put his music along with it if it had been God's will. It doesn't have to be one or the other. We can never question God's will. What we think "should've happened" and are so sad about, might be the best thing for all parties. I know God will give this love, partnership and family to Prince, and in one way He already has. Prince has been with his son since he crossed over. [Edited 11/1/17 5:37am]

Does make me wonder if he and Mani had ever had children perhaps the marriage would have lasted? Just seeing photos of them from Afshin’s book they really did make a a cute couple and seemed happy together at the time.

They did seem happy and even Wendy said Prince was not fake with his feelings. I doubt he would have married her if he did not care for her.

laurarichardson said:

laurarichardson said:

rogifan said:

anangellooksdown said: Does make me wonder if he and Mani had ever had children perhaps the marriage would have lasted? Just seeing photos of them from Afshin’s book they really did make a a cute couple and seemed happy together at the time.

They did seem happy and even Wendy said Prince was not fake with his feelings. I doubt he would have married her if he did not care for her.

They did look happy. I hasten to add that Prince and M1 also looked very happy. Indeed, most married couples look happy during the honeymoon stage. Some marriages survive. Some don't. For whatever reason, the latter was the case for both of Prince's marriages. And, when the marriages ended, he reportedly cut off ALL contact with both women. This, in spite of the fact that he undoubtedly cared for both of them at one point. That's it in a nutshell. He left behind two ex-wives... and no widow.

FlyOnTheWall said:

rogifan said:

rogifan said:

FlyOnTheWall said:

They did look happy. I hasten to add that Prince and M1 also looked very happy. Indeed, most married couples look happy during the honeymoon stage. Some marriages survive. Some don't. For whatever reason, the latter was the case for both of Prince's marriages. And, when the marriages ended, he reportedly cut off ALL contact with both women. This, in spite of the fact that he undoubtedly cared for both of them at one point. That's it in a nutshell. He left behind two ex-wives... and no widow.

To me the photos with Mani always looked more natural and less posed than the ones with Mayte. Of course 90s Prince and 2000s Prince are like night and day in many ways so that probably had something to do with it.

This is exactly what I said to someone when we were comparing the photos. I thought he looked happier with Mani and more at ease.

Mumio said:

Mumio said:

rogifan said:

FlyOnTheWall said: To me the photos with Mani always looked more natural and less posed than the ones with Mayte. Of course 90s Prince and 2000s Prince are like night and day in many ways so that probably had something to do with it.

This is exactly what I said to someone when we were comparing the photos. I thought he looked happier with Mani and more at ease.

And yet...both marriages had the same outcome. I will say that things were probably a lot more stressful during the M1 years, what with the whole Warner Bros. and "Slave" thing, not to mention two lost children. Some of it might also have to do with who took the photos.

anangellooksdown said:

Mumio said:

This is exactly what I said to someone when we were comparing the photos. I thought he looked happier with Mani and more at ease.

Maybe he felt as though he didn't have to be as strong or protective...or something...of Manuela. She had a lot of self-confidence so it might've been easier. This is ONLY a guess. As though they were more on equal footing. He was older, too. Maybe he was more assured of himself as well. But his relationship with Mayte had its sweet spots too.

I think it was as simple as he and Mani were a better match. It just seemed everything about him was in a better place, he was happier when he was around her, it was quite clear and easy to see on his face. Afshin definitely captured this in his pictures of them together and in those of Prince alone, you could still see that come through. I'm glad for a time that he found someone he finally seemed to be relaxed and happy with.

[Edited 11/1/17 19:42pm]

He was happy enough to lock her out of the house and take away her credit cards.

Mumio said:

anangellooksdown said:

Mumio said: Maybe he felt as though he didn't have to be as strong or protective...or something...of Manuela. She had a lot of self-confidence so it might've been easier. This is ONLY a guess. As though they were more on equal footing. He was older, too. Maybe he was more assured of himself as well. But his relationship with Mayte had its sweet spots too.

I think it was as simple as he and Mani were a better match. It just seemed everything about him was in a better place, he was happier when he was around her, it was quite clear and easy to see on his face. Afshin definitely captured this in his pictures of them together and in those of Prince alone, you could still see that come through. I'm glad for a time that he found someone he finally seemed to be relaxed and happy with.

[Edited 11/1/17 19:42pm]

ISaidLifeIsJustAGame said:

ISaidLifeIsJustAGame said:

He was happy enough to lock her out of the house and take away her credit cards.

Mumio said:

I think it was as simple as he and Mani were a better match. It just seemed everything about him was in a better place, he was happier when he was around her, it was quite clear and easy to see on his face. Afshin definitely captured this in his pictures of them together and in those of Prince alone, you could still see that come through. I'm glad for a time that he found someone he finally seemed to be relaxed and happy with.

[Edited 11/1/17 19:42pm]

I did acknowledge that it only lasted for awhile, did you miss that?