Article & by Peter Haines. Journalist Photography by Matt MacDonald & Peter Haines
Friday night marked the photo session of the decade. Elvie, I’m only kidding (Scarface shout out). But it was in every sense of the word, epic! Friday April 23rd brought together all those passionate would-be do-gooders, striving for a piece of what will be the GRO projects 2nd season of clothing and transformed an ordinary ball room in the student center of the Auraria campus into a bass booming, model grooming epicenter (get it?) of cultural varieties.
--HAILING FROM THE DIRTY SOUTH: ESCOE!!!--
In the blue corner: We have Escoe! Hailing from Atlanta this entrepreneur brought with him a very distinct musical background. Armed with a Casio keyboard and talk-box in hand, Escoe steals the scene posing passionately over classic beats with a funky undertone. DJ Skip Ripkin throws on songs made of pure fire while Escoe jams along on the piano, in sync flawlessly with track after track.
Can you say photogenic-ally GIFTED? GRO project Diamond Tee in Teal and Cream captures the enthusiastic bursts of creativity that this session is all about.
In the red corner: Soul Mechanics! Stepping up and taking charge, Soul Mechanics always “puts in work son (trademark pending)!” Capturing still photos of the Soul Mechanics is like trying to get a glimpse of Paris Hilton shopping at a Wal-Mart: Damn near impossible!
--JUST CHILLIN'--
I mean these guys tear up concrete faster than Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla. And we all know how much f***’n crazy concrete gets destroyed in that showdown. It’s a damn good thing we had the photo shoot at night because pretty much everyone knows that Soul Mechanic’s biological makeup is enhanced by the Earth’s yellow sun (if you can name the movie that comes from I’ll give you some serious props). Needless to say that our photographers had their hands full but in the end the photos speak for themselves.
--INVOLVEMENT FROM ALL KEEPS US MOTIVATED--
Jake enjoys a moment with daughter Coya in the Lion tee with Silver foil over Kelly green. This is what the session was all about. Everybody got up, got into it and got involved (James Brown shout out!).
--REACH WITH OPEN ARMS TO GRO--
Reach spreads his allegiance to ambition in a Toy Solider (Platinum Edition) Tee, Cardinal Red.
--IT IS ALL ABOUT FOCUS HERE FOLKS--
Focus meanwhile takes rocking a tee to the next level as he catches a freeze in the Sky Blue Tempt Me Tee.
--MATT: THE DIRECTOR--
Even our photographer and director catches a moment amidst the chaos and bustle of the photo shoot. Pictured in the Charcoal and Tiffany Lion tee, Matt takes time out to talk shop with artist Thomas Evans.
The night also had a supporting cast of stars.
Tyler Brea took the night off from rescuing damsels in distress and decided to sprinkle a little G. A. M. E. on the session. Just when we thought our Unlimited Dedication tee in Purple and Ash couldn’t possibly pop any harder, Tyler put his signature spin on the shirt and POW! We have a great set of photos.
--TYLER SHOWS LOVE FOR GRO--
Jeff steps up and rocks the photo shoot with conviction. Taking the first steps down a new path is always demanding. Not to worry however, as Jeff leaves the weak willed in the dust and takes a stand for GRO project. Proudly representing our first release of the GRO project hat, The Lions Crown, Jeff is the epitome of dedication.
--JEFF STEPS TO THE FOREFRONT OF THE SHOOT--
“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle” –MLK…And that is straight word!!