You know the feeling that you get when you try to yank out that stray nostril hair?

Think about the excruciating pain that you experience as you contort your nose and scrunch your eyes! Behind the wheel of a vehicle, this exercise is about 200 times more dangerous than texting!

Well, I experience the same sort of pain while working with famed people photographer, Len Rubenstein. He sends me a huge (virtual) folder of electronic images and asks me to lay them out for an email promotion. I spend hours mixing and matching images to come up with just the right combination – while nervously pacing back in forth, puffing on one unfiltered Camel after another.*

Finally, after nearly obliterating my stomach lining due to worry and fear, I post the finely honed layout for Len's approval.

Ka-blam! Ka-blam! Ka-blam!

Multiple holes are shot through my creation before it abruptly falls to the cutting room floor.

"No not that one!"
"This one!"
"Why didn't you use this one!"
"Blah! Blah! Blah!"

The barrage continues over and over and over–until the staggering layout is thoroughly thrashed and worked over. Finally, after what seems like days, weeks, or even years, I am granted Len's approval.

As I lay gasping and struggling to find air, my trembling index finger hits the SEND button.

"The eMail has left the Building!"

OK. So I exaggerate a wee little bit. The key takeaway from this blog post is that Len's work is beautiful. He is incredibly fun to work with, and as either a creative director or client, outstanding results are 100% guaranteed.

In fact, the layout that I have posted is my original version. Even though Len might not prefer this combination, I don't think that it looks too bad!

Do you want to see more? Visit: http://www.lenrubenstein.com

*I used my poetic license here. Despite the fact that I own several Zippo lighters (manufactured in the town of my birth, Bradford, PA) I don't smoke. Well, perhaps a cigar on a special occasion.