About 20 years ago, when I was performing in Ottawa Canada, I had been booked to do a Real Estate convention. They had put me up in the top of the line hotel Chateau Laureau, me not being aware of the floor that my room was located upon.
Now, as a budding photographer, I had heard that Yousuf Karsh was located in Ottawa, and his office was located in the Chateau Lauria, but to my surprise, found that my room was on the same floor as his office. One afternoon on my way to the venue, I noticed an area much longer than the rest of the rooms, with an insignia place on the wall, but took very little notice of it. The next day, just before I was about to press the elevator button, I looked to my left, and noticed the door to the office open a little. Standing there talking to an unfamiliar man, and I instantly recognized him, was Yousuf Karsh. My heart lit up like never before. I had actually seen with my own eyes, this infamous man of portraiture. I was on literally on fire.
The next day, as I walked toward the elevator, knowing I had lots of time before my performance, there was a part of me, that was screaming, to meet him, but also a part of me, that was incredibly nervous about that possibility. I fought with me, thinking, "you have the opportunity of a lifetime in front of you. Dont walk away from it." Well, I slowly walked toward the door of his office. Believe me, I was trembling like a leaf, but felt that I must take this opportunity and do the best I can with it.
Upon walking in the door, to a rectangular office, on my left, above a high chair, was a very large photograph of Queen Elizabeth, sitting in a chair, wearing her regalia dress, and wearing her glorious crown. On my right, a very large photograph of Winston Churchill, with his cigar in his mouth. Just behind the receptionist, a long (about 4 feet) and about 1 foot and a half high, a photograph of Prince Charles and "the boys." I then truly recognized, that I was in the office of a very great man, and my nervousness grew, as I walked to the receptionist.
I told her who I was, and why I was in Ottawa. Also, very nervously, expressed to her, that if there was the tiniest possibility of meeting Yousuf, I would be infinitely greatful. She told me to wait, while she went and spoke with him. A leaf would have fallen off of a tree, if it were shaking as much as I was at that moment, and very shortly afterwards, out came a bald headed man of very short stature. It was him. It was this man I had respected so much for his accomplishments This man that had photographed royalty, and a long line of celebrities, and I was being given the honour, of actually meeting him. All the leaves on the tree were shaking almost uncontrollably at that point.
He introduced himself very politely, and I the same, but I'm sure when I shook his hand, he could sense my incredible nervousness. I expressed to Yousuf why I was in town, but also expressed to him, that I was a budding photographer, and if he was able to give me any advice. Yousuf expressed first of all, that he didnt have a great deal of time, as he was working on a project, but that he would tell me the same thing he had told Kenny Rogers.
Kenny at the time, was getting into photography as well. "What ever you develope in any area of photography, go as far as you are able to, and dont let it go, until you are totally satisfied, that you have gone as far as you wish to, or you will become bored with it and not feel the success, that you had originally wished to." With that, he expressed that he must continue with his project. We shook hands, and he went back to his studio.
When I walked out of his office, I was floating on cloud "eleventy-seven," and any time I think of this incredible experience, I once again, begin to float, knowing that I actually met, in person, an infamous photographer.
I kept and have kept on thinking, if I would have such capabilities, but feel, that my meeting him was for a reason, so I am now thinking, in the not too distant future, of exploring portrait photography. I will shortly have a freedom, I have been wishing, for some time. We shall just see, how I am able to accomplish, from what he expressed to me, as well as reading up on him and his processes, as well as observing as many of his portraits as I can.
I have left a link to show you some of his photographic accomplishments. I truly and sincerely hope that you enjoy them. I also hope, that there is something there, that will help you in some way photographically.
I am truly grateful, for the opportunity I had in meeting this very great man of Portrait Photography. 
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