By JoAnn Fields
Contributing Writer
Hollywood, CA: The Media Appreciation Awards of Los Angeles is also a birthday celebration for the famous Fashion Designer Eugene Sidney. This annual event is hosted by Sweet Dreams Entertainment and draws out a colorful collection of Southern California’s talent to recognize their contributions in the media. This event has been coined “the Oscars of Melrose” and has become a very prestigious award to receive. Award Winning Filmmaker Michael Maroy was awarded an extra special honorary award for his achievements as an independent filmmaker from the founders of the event due to Maroy’s exceptional valor in his personal journey as an independent filmmaker with out the help of Hollywood in creating his documentary series Too Real For TV.
San Diegan media mogul Rochelle Porter, Founder & CEO of Peache’ Photo Memories and Peache’ Fashions is dubbed the Queen of the Red Carpet. She has covered exclusive and historical moments such as Muhammad Ali’s 1st Annual Humanitarian Awards Gala in Louisville, Kentucky at the Muhammad Ali Museum & Center, Montford Point Marine & Medgar Evers Ship Christening in San Diego, the BET Experience, ESPY Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Judge Mablean Ephriam Annual Father’s Day Awards to name a few. Rochelle also is a personal event photographer for the Quentin Jammer Family Foundation, Michel and Darren Sproles and the Jackie Robinson YMCA amongst many others.
Rochelle is very creative and steered her talent through fashion, starting her career first as a fashion designer. She pursued sewing after being taught by her mother Ms. Betty Heard at the tender age of 10. She became a licensed beautician shortly after she moved to San Diego from Illinois.
Rochelle produced and participated in a number of fashion shows. However, was challenged to find a photographer to compliment her fashion designs and capture the statement she wished to express in her clothing. She found her own solution by becoming her own photographer to capture her expressions.
Professionally, Rochelle was given the opportunity to improve her photo journalist skills by then boss Dr. Willie Morrow of the San Diego Monitor and has also freelanced for the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, Indian Voices and High Desert Gospel News. That was the beginning for Rochelle that she will someday be a top photographer not merely because she takes great pictures but, because she truly cares about how the people that allow her to capture their personal moment. Rochelle’s motto is, “to capture moments to remember for a lifetime.”
In 2001, Rochelle received a 1st place trophy from The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint’s Gold Coast Classic Parade for her fashion designs. “I have received other awards over the years. However, the Media Communications Awards in Hollywood has made me feel that I belong and I will continue to give photography and Hollywood all that I have. I have learned over the years, it’s not who you know, it’s who notices and recognizes you.” states Rochelle Porter.
Photos by Joan Fields:
