The Burgett Group Signs Renowned Photographer: Deborah Anderson Mentors New Talent on “America’s Next Top Model,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “If I Can Dream”

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Los Angeles-based branding and strategic communications Company, The Burgett Group (www.theburgettgroup.com) signs renowned photographer and multimedia artist Deborah Anderson (www.deborahandersonphoto.com). Anderson—recognized for her ability to capture the sensual side of A-list celebrities and high profile artists—continues to expand her repertoire, as she becomes an in-demand photographer for on-camera mentoring of rising talent. She makes a special appearance to shoot and career coach 14 contestants on the second episode of "America's Next Top Model" (Cycle 14), airing on The CW on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at 8 p.m. EDT. She also does the same for contestants on an upcoming episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (Season 3) on LOGO in early 2011. In addition, Anderson appeared in the role of photographer and filmmaker on three episodes of Simon Fuller's latest reality venture, "If I Can Dream" (Hulu.com).

“My work is about creating fantasy. One must feel confident and loving of oneself to make the fantasy look and feel like reality.”

Anderson says, “My work is about creating fantasy. One must feel confident and loving of oneself to make the fantasy look and feel like reality.”

RuPaul comments, "Intimacy, passion, beauty, love—Deborah Anderson has it all."

As an expert in her field, Anderson savors the opportunity to work with newcomers—sharing career knowledge and life experience that will help them get along in the creative world. She loves to guide them in learning to feel comfortable with expressing who they really are in a photo shoot. She believes in “photography with a purpose.” Knowing that her subjects are so exposed and vulnerable, she has trademarked herself with a tender, yet “straight-shooter” working style that results in subjects baring their souls (and frequently their bodies).

She adds, “I always aim to create a beautiful visage—something extraordinary, special and unique. The heart of this exploratory process is the singular connection that is created with the person that I am photographing. It is extremely intimate as I work with a subject to evoke emotion, feeling and strength from within his or her core. There is no greater reward than connecting with someone in this way and seeing new talent blossom before my camera lens.”

On “If I Can Dream”—an online show that follows five cast members 24/7 with 60 cameras as they attempt to succeed in Hollywood—Anderson takes on the role of mentor to a model and an actor. Anderson adds director to her credit during the show as she produces an experimental video, entitled "Impression,” starring aspiring actor Ben Elliot. The video had one million viewers in the first week and also features music by Anderson. (http://www.hulu.com/watch/168832/if-i-can-dream-ben-elliott-stars-in-the-short-film-impression)

Michael Herwick, executive producer of “If I Can Dream” says, “Deborah Anderson is a visual genius, and from the second I saw her work, I wanted her to be a part of ‘If I Can Dream.’ Her gift of taking truly stunning photos is matched by her ability as a director of film pieces. This, in my mind, makes her one of the great creative artists of our time.”

Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC

Anderson is the art director for the Gansevoort Hotel Group’s newest Manhattan hotel, Gansevoort Park (420 Park Avenue South), which is opening this September. The Hotel features her photographic art—over 1,500 pieces—throughout the bedrooms, corridors and public spaces.

Anderson—whose artwork in the Gansevoort South (Miami Beach) location garnered an award—collaborated closely with Gansevoort Hotel Group’s founder Mike Achenbaum on the art direction for the new hotel. She was inspired by the voyeuristic nature of New York City—with all its high rises, windows and condensed population. Anderson created photographic art for the Gansevoort Park’s 249 bedrooms, which appears as if one is peeking through a window and seeing private sensual moments between men and women in 1960s vintage clothes, hair and make-up—or an intimate moment of a lingerie-clad woman listening to music or preparing food in the kitchen.

Throughout the corridors, the art takes on a touch of nature. Life-size unframed pieces of art floating an inch away from the wall—embedded between two panes of glass—from a shoot in Central Park feature bursts of fall foliage color and 1960s “Mad Men”-inspired couples walking hand-in-hand. Anderson wanted to evoke the sensation of guests feeling as if they are strolling in the park while walking down the hallways of the hotel.

Achenbaum, who is an avid supporter of Anderson’s art, has commissioned her to create a 10 x 10 square foot original piece with diamond dust for the bar. He was recently quoted in New York Magazine as saying, “When Steven Meisel doesn’t get the job, Deborah does.”

Gansevoort Park is one of New York City’s most highly anticipated openings of the Fall 2010 Season.

About Deborah Anderson, Photographer & Multimedia Artist

The photographic art of Deborah Anderson—"a photographer whose distinctive sensuality is located somewhere between classic French erotica and Helmut Newton" (Los Angeles Times)—adorns the walls of such notables as Sir Elton John, Cheryl Tiegs, Kid Rock, famed interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard and jewelry designer Loree Rodkin. The renowned Gansevoort Hotel Group in New York and Miami, where her art also appears throughout the property, showcases her sensual book Paperthin (Verlhac) as the in-room featured coffee table book. As art director for the two hotels, she is also currently working on the new Gansevoort Park project (due to open September 2010) in Manhattan, which will feature her other book Room 23 (daab) in all 249 guest rooms. For the book, she photographed 100 celebrities to raise funds and awareness for the Sanela Diana Jenkins International Justice Clinic at the UCLA Law School Human Rights Center. The first of three children, Deborah Anderson was born in London to Jennifer and Jon Anderson, legendary rock vocalist of the band YES. This multimedia artist followed in her father’s footsteps, performing with such artists as Kruder & Dorfmeister, Zero 7, DJ Shadow, Le Tone and Telepopmusik. Following her mother’s passion for photography, Anderson taught herself the art of taking pictures while her music took her to various cities around the world. Her photography has graced the pages and covers of many albums and magazines—from P!nk’s “Funhouse” to GQ, ELLE, Playboy and Architectural Digest. To see samples of Anderson’s photography, please visit: www.deborahandersonphoto.com.