Eddie of Over The Bridge Photography & Management

Eddie, what they do chico? We see you constantly on the grind, hustling. What made you get in the photography game and how did it all start?
Well I don't just do photography I also manage artist. But to answer I have to take you back to the Days of La Peña. If you been Grinding in Miami wit this music shit then you know about La Peña. La Peña was in my eyes a true industry night. And its really where I made a lot of connections. At the time when Frank Camble brought me in to help out with La Peña I was working on a Documentary which was how "Over the Bridge" started. I figured this local night would be perfect for the footage I need for my doc. So I started booking acts and promoting for this local night and at the same time building my list of contacts. This is also where I met my first artist, T.R.U.T.H. (Myspace.com/truthmission). I noticed his talent immediately and a few months later he asked me to manage him and that's how I got into the management side. As T.R.U.T.H.'S manager I knew I had to make this nigga look like a superstar and instead of hiring one of these over priced and under skilled photographers out here I decided to do it myself. I had always been into photography so I invested and got a Canon Rebel, nothing crazy but it got the job done. Then one day my Friend Maritza Isquierdo was like hey I wanna shoot with you. I need some pics and you need the practice. And one thing led to another and I really got into the modeling world. I've always been a behind the scenes guy. I like making people look good and reach there full potential.

So OTB stands for "Over The Bridge", but what exactly does it mean? What bridge and why?
Yes OTB stands for Over The Bridge. Its funny Because if you really look at it its all poltrix like and old Garcia and Flow Official song. But all across America the hood is always separated by something weather its a bridge a train trax something. But yea over the bridge for me just basically means on this side of South Beach. A lot of niggaz come from out of town and soon as the land they go straight to South Beach and they think that that's Miami. Mind you I don't hate South Beach its some real miami niggaz in South Beach but for the most part its just the pretty side where all the tourist go. And my thing has always been that's not miami. Come over tyhe bridge if you wanna see the real Miami.

Back to the model thing. Where can people check out some of the models you've had photo shoots with?
Well you don't have to go far ....laughs Thanks to you guys 305hiphop. I have a section called Hard Body of the Month witch right now is my baby. Its my first published work and the beginning of a lot more fire coming your way. You can also check out mt stuff at overthebridgephoto.com witch is forwarded to my myspace page or myspace.com/otbphoto. I'm still looking for a dope web designer to wrap up my website. You can also see some things at modelmayhem.com/overthebridge there a few other sites out there with my work on it. But that's been given to them by the models they haven't really contacted me so I don't really count that.

Are those web pages the best way for a model to get in contact with you for a photo shoot or you have some other contact if you would want to give the 305hiphop.com audience?
Well you can always hit me at Overthebridge@gmail.com but don't put me on no damn blast list I already get enough emails from 305hiphop ..... Ha ha ha and if you do hit me up and your a model please attach a pic if not I probably won't respond not to sound hollywood or nothin I just have to many things going on so all I ask is make my part that much easier by attaching at least a head shot and if your fly and I can use you for something I will respond. Now if your trying to get into modeling and you need a professional shoot or a comp card ex.... Just say so and we can work that out also.

Since you're the man behind the 305HipHop.com's Hardbody Model section, do you got any new plans in the near future for that section?
Actually I do. I'm looking for sponsors as we speak for next years hard body ( hit me up for those packages hardbody@305hiphop.com ) I'm trying to take the Hard Body section to another level next year with not only the monthly segment on the site but also a calendar and a DVD. So local business holla Because you have until August of this year if you wanna get down.

What's the most memorable photo shoot you had and why?
The most memorable I don't think it has happened yet. Its funny cuz I mostly shoot models and celebrities and with both its always a lot of hype and its usually the opposite of what you think. I've shot people who I thought were gonna be straight ass holes or hollywood ass bitches and its turned out to be the opposite they've been the nicest people and vice versa. But there's a few people that I wanna shoot that I hope that doesn't happen Because that would be a total kill. So for now let's just say the most memorable hasn't happen.

Can someone hire your photography services other than modeling and if so how should they go about that?
Of course I love to be behind the camera so ill shoot pretty much anything. Just email me at overthebridge@gmail.com but I love editorial work that's what I really wanna do.

Where and what times do you think is the best for a photo shoot?
It depends what your shooting. If your shooting in the studio time doesn't matter. I prefer to shoot on location and that all depends on lighting. If you have good lighting you can shoot anytime if your using natural light which a lot of so called photographers have no clue about early morning and late after noon is best. The worst is when the sun is above you.

Talking about "so called photographers", is there somebody in the scene that you don't think should be doing photo shoot and why? You don't have to name names.
Na actually I think Miami is big enough for every body to eat. So I think everybody who's is doing they thing should keep doing it and I encourage all photographers to do they thing. Just don't try to eat off my plate especially if you can't cook like I cook. (Laughs)

Any new projects photo related or not that poeple should check for coming in the near future?
Well I'm always grinding and always shooting. And like I mentioned before I don't just do the photography thing I also have the 2 artist that I'm pushing TRUTH and ERM@K But right now my main focus is the Hard Body thing and taking that to another level and through that I know some doors will open.

Well Eddie, thanks for your time. Is there any last words before you go?
Just wanted to say thanks to you Fillup banks for believing in me and giving me this opportunity and THC for holding me Down. And to everybody that I've had the pleasure of working with and will have the pleasure in the future. Remember with your a model or an artist you need professional pics by a professional Holla at me overthebridge@gmail.com
305 300 8950