There’s a deep sense of nostalgia that washes over me whenever I think about the Apple iPod. As a professional celebrity photographer, the iPod was more than just a music player; it was an essential tool that helped define the mood and atmosphere of some of the most iconic photo shoots of my career. In the age of streaming services like Spotify, it’s easy to forget how revolutionary the iPod was, but for those of us who relied on it daily, the memories are vivid.
Listening to my old Apple ipod.
The Power of Playlists in Photography
In the world of high-end photography, especially when working with celebrities like Oprah, Angela Bassett, and Aretha Franklin, creating the right mood is everything. As a professional photographer, you quickly learn that the atmosphere you create is just as important as the technical aspects of the shoot. The Apple iPod allowed me to curate playlists tailored to each client, helping to craft an environment that put them at ease and brought out their best.
I used to love making playlists—carefully selecting each song to match the vibe I wanted to create. Whether I was on a plane, at the beach, in a remote location, or preparing for a photo shoot, the iPod was my constant companion. But it was during those photo shoots where the iPod truly shined. Imagine walking into a studio, and as soon as you step in, the perfect song is playing, setting the tone for what’s about to happen. That’s the magic the iPod brought to my photography sessions.
Iconic Shoots and Unforgettable Moments
Let me take you back to a moment that still sends shivers down my spine—a day when the stars aligned, and magic was captured through the lens of my camera. It was the early 2000s, and I had the extraordinary opportunity to photograph Oprah, a woman whose very presence can transform the energy of a room. But this was no ordinary shoot. I had just 15 minutes to capture one of the most influential people in the world.
The stakes were high, and the pressure was palpable. My team and I arrived hours before the session, meticulously setting up every light, every backdrop, every detail. The room buzzed with anticipation, knowing that in a few short moments, Oprah would walk through those doors, and we would have to create something unforgettable.
As the minutes ticked down, I double-checked everything, my heart racing. And then, just as the clock struck the hour, the door opened, and in walked Oprah. Her presence was electric, instantly filling the space with a palpable energy that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Without missing a beat, I reached for my iPod, the playlist I'd curated for this very moment queued up and ready. I hit play, and the room was suddenly alive with the unmistakable beat of Tina Turner’s "Proud Mary."
The atmosphere shifted in an instant. Oprah's face lit up as the music washed over her, and suddenly, the 15-minute window we’d been given didn’t matter. We were in the zone, completely in sync. The camera clicked, capturing her radiant smile, her infectious joy. Every shot was better than the last, and the energy in the room was nothing short of electric.
But then, the inevitable knock at the door came. Oprah’s assistants were there, gently reminding her of her next obligation, pulling her away from our shoot. But something incredible happened—Oprah didn’t want to leave. She was having too much fun, swept up in the moment, the music, the energy we had created together. "Proud Mary" was still playing, and Oprah, the queen of multitasking, had decided she wasn’t going anywhere just yet.
We kept shooting, the assistants hovering anxiously at the edge of the set, but Oprah was in her element, and nothing was going to pull her away. The images we captured in those stolen moments are some of the most powerful I’ve ever taken—each frame a testament to the magic that can happen when everything aligns just right. That day is etched in my memory, a reminder of the power of music, energy, and the right moment.
Oprah smiling as Tina Turner’s Proud Mary plays on my iPod
The Moment a Single Song Revived an Iconic Actress and Captured Pure Magic
Let me set the scene: It was one of those days where the energy in the room was thick with expectation. I was about to photograph the phenomenal Angela Bassett, a woman whose power and grace I’ve had the privilege of capturing many times over the decades. But this session was different—Angela was in the midst of shooting a film, and the grueling schedule had taken its toll. When she walked into the studio, I could see the fatigue etched on her face, her usual spark dimmed by the exhaustion of working late the night before.
As a photographer, you learn to read the room, to sense the energy, and adjust accordingly. I had prepared a playlist I thought would lift her spirits, something to reignite that fire within her, but as we started the session, it became clear that the music wasn’t having the effect I’d hoped for. Angela was giving it her all, but I knew there was more—so much more—just waiting to be unleashed.
The camera clicked, but something wasn’t right. I paused the session, giving Angela a break to catch her breath. I could feel the tension in the air, the pressure to deliver, and that’s when my assistant approached me with an idea. “Why don’t we switch up the playlist?” they suggested. “Try the Oprah playlist—the one with Tina Turner’s ‘Proud Mary.’”
The moment those words were spoken, it was as if a lightbulb went off in my mind. Angela had famously embodied Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It, a performance so powerful it had left an indelible mark on everyone who saw it. If there was anything that could revive her energy, it was the music that had once driven her to deliver such an unforgettable performance.
With a nod, I signaled to my team to change the playlist. As the first few beats of "Proud Mary" began to play, I watched Angela closely, hoping for a spark. And then, like a switch being flipped, it happened. The tiredness faded from her eyes, replaced by a gleam of recognition, of connection. The music swelled, and Angela didn’t just come alive—she transformed. Her energy radiated throughout the room, and suddenly, we were in the midst of something extraordinary.
The camera clicked, and this time, everything fell into place. Angela was unstoppable, her presence filling the frame with a force that was palpable. The fatigue that had weighed her down melted away, replaced by the fierce, electrifying energy she was known for. The room lit up, and with every shot, I knew we were capturing something special—something that would make my client ecstatic.
The session that had started on shaky ground ended with a crescendo of brilliance, all thanks to the power of music and a perfectly timed playlist. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do—the ability to capture not just an image, but a moment, a transformation, a piece of the person that’s real and raw.
That day with Angela Bassett will forever be etched in my memory as a testament to the magic that can happen when the right song, the right moment, and the right person come together in front of the lens.
Angela Bassett photographed by Matthew Jordan Smith for Olay
How My iPod Turned a Photo Session with Aretha into Pure Magic
Let me take you back to a moment that is so surreal, it feels almost like a dream, but one that I was fortunate enough to live. For over 13 years, I had the honor of photographing the legendary Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul herself. Each session was a journey into the heart of her music, but there was one session in New York City that stands out above the rest—a session that I will never forget.
We were in the studio, a space that had become as familiar to Aretha as her own voice. By this point, we had worked together many times, and there was an unspoken understanding between us, a comfort that allowed for true creative freedom. I had my Apple iPod cued up with a playlist of my favorite Aretha Franklin songs, the ones that had shaped my love for music and, in many ways, my career.
The room was electric, charged with Aretha’s energy and the power of her voice. As her music filled the studio, it was as if the walls themselves began to hum along, resonating with every note. And then it happened—one of my all-time favorite songs, "You're All I Need to Get By," began to play. I was focused on capturing the perfect shot when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aretha close her eyes and begin to hum along.
At that moment, the world outside ceased to exist. There was only Aretha, lost in her music, and me, trying to capture the magic unfolding before my lens. But then, something incredible happened—Aretha began to sing. Not just a hum, but a full, rich melody that filled the room with a sound so pure, it felt like the very essence of soul. She was only four feet in front of me, and here she was, singing the song that had meant so much to both of us.
My heart raced as I realized I was witnessing something extraordinary. And then, almost involuntarily, I found myself singing along with her, swept up in the moment. For a split second, it was pure bliss, a harmony between photographer and legend, a shared love for the music that had brought us together.
But just as quickly as it began, it ended. Aretha stopped singing, opened her eyes, and looked directly at me. There was a pause, a beat where time seemed to stand still. Then, with a knowing smile and that unmistakable voice, she said, “Jordan… baby, don’t sing!”
The entire room burst out laughing, the tension broken by her gentle teasing. It was a moment of connection, of shared humanity, that I will treasure forever. It wasn’t just a photo session—it was an experience, a memory etched into my soul.
This year, I’ve channeled all those incredible moments into a photo book titled Aretha Cool, a collection of my favorite images of Aretha Franklin, celebrating the last decade of her life. To make the experience even more special, I’ve recreated the playlist I used during our sessions and made it available on Spotify. It’s the exact order of songs I played for her, designed to accompany the book and immerse you in the same experience I had.
You can find the playlist here: Aretha Cool on Spotify.
And if you’re interested in the book, Aretha Cool is available on Amazon. It’s more than just a collection of photographs; it’s a celebration of Aretha Franklin’s life and legacy, including her final official portrait session.
This moment, this story, is a testament to the power of music and the indelible impact of a true legend. I invite you to step into this world with me and experience the magic that was Aretha Franklin.
