Photographer Steven Gomillion says Rihanna asked him to fly to China to work on a photography book after meeting him just once. The conversation that led to the offer happened at a small Super Bowl party at Rihanna's house.
Meeting at a Super Bowl party
Steven was introduced to Rihanna by Chris Brown, who was working with Steven at the time. He said Chris told Rihanna that Steven was one of the people he trusted most creatively. During a break in the game, Steven and Rihanna stepped outside and chatted for a few minutes.
Steven recalled suggesting they work together on a photography book. “I said, ‘Let’s do a photography book.’” According to Steven, Rihanna simply replied: “OK, sounds good.” The pair then went back inside, with no lengthy meeting or formal planning session.
A call from Istanbul
Steven was later on holiday in Istanbul, enjoying dinner with friends, when he received an unexpected call from Rihanna. The singer was on tour and wanted to know if he could meet her in China so they could begin working on the book.
Steven said: “Can you meet me in China so we can start this book project you mentioned?” His reaction was one of disbelief. “I was like, ‘What?’” But he made it happen, and the project eventually became a reality.
For Steven, the experience proved how quickly a throwaway conversation with one of the world's biggest stars can turn into a huge opportunity. He said: “It taught me that enormous projects can begin with a very casual conversation.” He also believes the experience highlighted the importance of protecting your creative contribution when working on major collaborations.
Career highlights and future plans
Steven has photographed a string of huge names during his career, including Jennifer Lopez and Kendall Jenner. He recalled being one of the first photographers to shoot Kendall for a magazine cover, admitting he was quietly panicking when a complicated neon set wasn't fully working before she arrived. “I was thinking, ‘Please work, please work.’” The set eventually powered up perfectly and Kendall loved the result.
Steven also counts being on the Super Bowl stage with Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Bad Bunny among his proudest career moments. Now, he has his sights set on even bigger collaborations, naming Beyoncé and Lewis Hamilton as dream projects. He revealed he would love to work with Zendaya and Law Roach.
He is also developing a photography book, a chocolate brand called Elves Delights and his own luxury lifestyle brand, GOMILLION. Steven is taking his creative career in a new direction through a collaboration with Roar PR and British luxury travel brand HB London.
The partnership sees Gomillion move from behind the camera to become part of the brand's visual story, bringing his experience in celebrity, fashion and creative direction into the world of luxury travel. HB London says the collaboration forms part of its wider move into fashion, sport, entertainment and celebrity culture, with its suitcases, vanity cases and travel accessories increasingly positioned as fashion pieces rather than simply luggage.
It marks another step for Gomillion as he expands from photographer into artist, director and creative storyteller, working across photography, film, fashion, branding and commercial campaigns.
