Was it Magic or Magic?

Earvin "Magic" Johnson in Portland Or, 2007.

In 2007, I was hired to shoot marketing images and VIP portraits alongside NBA legend Magic Johnson at the Simon Benson Award Dinner, an annual event honoring leadership and community service in the Pacific Northwest. It wasn't my first high-profile shoot, but it turned into one of the most memorable and profitable nights of my career.

Taking the job came with conditions. A handler packet outlined exactly what was and wasn't allowed. One line stood out: No signatures on anything except his new book. A book I hadn't had time to research, let alone read. I knew enough. One of the most iconic names in basketball history, and I'd be posing him with major donors in a classic grip-and-grin format. My job was to make those moments mean something to every star-struck guest in the room. And even surrounded by generational wealth, I could see it in their eyes. This meant something to them.

While I was packing my gear, a client stopped by the studio to pick up her son's team photos. Dawn took one look at my bags and said, "Looks like you're off to another basketball shoot." I laughed. Well, yeah, I guess you could say that, except this one isn't in middle school and he's about seven feet tall. When I told her it was Magic Johnson, she lit up. Her son had just given a school presentation on his hero, #32 from the Lakers. The kid had a room full of memorabilia.

"If I run home and grab some stuff, can you get him to sign it?"

I told her about the agreement I'd signed. Then I told her my mantra: There's always a way. Bring it, I said. I'll keep it on hand. No promises, but I'll keep it on hand.

Magic entertaining a sold-out ballroom at the Oregon Convention Center in 2007.

After Magic's keynote, where he spoke about his post-NBA investments including Starbucks franchises with what he called "urban menus," we all made a dash for the elevator up to the floor where I had my portrait lights set up. On that elevator: me, two former Portland Trail Blazers, and a security guard.

The security guard reached into his jacket and pulled out trading cards. "Would you mind signing these?"

Magic flashed that famous smile. "Gimme that, I'll sign anything."

My ears perked up. I reached into my bag and pulled out Dawn's son's #32 jersey and the rest of the collectibles. Magic chuckled: "Look at this guy." I explained. A client's kid, a huge fan, literally just gave a school report all about him.

Then I added, with a straight face: "I didn't bring anything of my own. I signed an agreement saying I wouldn't. But I do have a Starbucks card."

He laughed out loud, grabbed the card, and signed it.

2007 Simon Benson Award-recipient, Bob & Sharon Miller sharing Magic with his family.

As if that wasn't enough to make me love the man. Once I'd worked through every approved donor portrait on my list, I stepped aside and told him, "That's everyone who was cleared for photos." I gestured to the doorway, where a line of fans stretched well beyond the VIP list. Those guys weren't on any approved list.

He looked at the line. He looked back at me.

"How much film ya got?"

I pulled out my pocket case and flipped it open. A half-dozen memory cards fanned out like a hand of cards. He grinned. "Man, you've been fun to work with. Let's do this."

He stayed until the last person in that line had their moment. I kept things moving out of respect for his time, but I made sure to savor the expression on every single face, handing each one my card with a link to the gallery to order a print. By the end of the night, those unplanned portraits had added roughly $3,000 in sales I never expected to see.

PSU Grad and former Portland Trailblazer, Ime Udoka with Magic Johnson.

Magic's willingness to give his time, to stay, to sign, to show up for every person in that room, moved a lot of people that evening. I was just lucky enough to witness it and capture it.

He didn’t know that I came armed with a client’s memorabilia.

He didn’t know I only watched basketball during playoffs.

He didn’t know that I was needed the extra money for an upcoming trip to Australia.

He set aside his “celebrity status” and became a human that created countless memories for many of us.

I'm a firm believer in the laws that show how our thoughts become things. In the power of keeping the right mindset, saying yes, and trusting that things will find a way to work out. So was it Magic, or was it magic?

I say yes to both.

I may not be the biggest basketball fan, but when I work with people like Magic and the many others I’ve served over the years who set their ego aside just to brighten the lives of those they touch… I’m the biggest fan on the planet.