Hello everyone,

In this issue of Dream On we are looking into the relationship Celine has with photographers and photography in general. We are interested in how Celine is using this powerful tool to promote her career.

We are also celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the "Falling into You" album. Released in 1996, the album is one of the brightest highlights in Celine's outstanding artistic career.

Happy reading!

Yuri, creator of celinedreams.com
yuri@celinedreams.com

Celine Dion and Photographers

Celebrities and photographers, a match made in heaven. Or hell! It all depends on what kind of photographers we are talking here. If we are talking about the ubiquitous type i.e. paparazzi, then chances are that Celine (as well as many other celebs) is not thrilled about it. Casual shots of Celine and Rene regularly appear in tabloids. But it would be wrong to assume, that photographers are there only to harass the celebs. The communication between the idols and their audiences happen via photos, so photographers are important agents in the star-audience relationship. It is in the intimacy of a photo studio where celebs confide their secrets to photogs, and where fantasies are manufactured.

Celine has a history of working with some world-famous photographers. The most recent would be an influential campaign for Celine's "Belong" fragrance shot by Peter Lindbergh (his web site). Lindbergh, "the poet of glamour" is a living legend. His black and white photos evoke movie stills. Lindbergh's imagery links Celine's outstanding career with those of movie stars from the golden age of Hollywood. Glamour incarnated.

Earlier Celine worked with a kiwi photographer Anne Geddes on their "Miracle" project. Anne Geddes occupies a very special photographic niche. She specializes on photographing babies. Babies, babies, and more babies. It's super sweet. The result of this collaboration is a best-selling book of photos and a CD of lullabies, which of course makes a good use of Anne Geddes's sweet photos on its cover. By the way, another great photographer, Greg Gorman, did a gorgeous black and white photo of Celine and Anne Geddes on that occasion.

Photography is a powerful image creating tool. Look at the photos of Marilyn Monroe, the most famous woman in the world who was probably photographed every day of her life (after she became famous). Because Marilyn's life was so well documented, fans have an illusion of knowing her personally.

How does Celine use photography? An interesting thing: Celine has been extensively using their family archives and photos taken by her family members in books and other published materials to promote her career. This use of amateur photos adds a certain "humble" accent to the family-oriented image of Celine. Normally, highly Photoshopped, retouched professional studio photos help create a diva image. Look at the photos of Mariah! Celine Dion is a diva, but a humble one. At least that's what her publicists make us believe. Amateur shots of Celine in the company of her husband, son or other Dion family members taken in their backyard are something a lot of fans can easily identify with. We all have tons of vacation shots, photos of birthday parties and picnics made with disposable cameras. Photos like these make Celine look like a regular human being, like one of us. Is it an illusion or the truth? Photography suggests, but doesn't always give an answer.

Anniversary: "Falling into You" album

Falling into You

Original release date:
March 12, 1996

In 1996 Celine's career reached yet another milestone with the release of the "Falling into You" album. This album is a jewel. Maybe, it's the best album Celine ever did. Seriously. All fourteen tracks, carefully chosen for the album display the vocal power of Celine. "All By Myself" is a mega-octave proof of that. But more than just vocal power, Celine sings love and passion. "Fly" is a beautiful and emotional dedication to her deceased niece. "Because You Loved Me" is an anthem of all lovers in the world. "River Deep Mountain High" is a classic, but Celine made it so fun! Judge for yourself.

Tracks include:

1. It's All Coming Back To Me Now
2. Because You Loved Me (Theme From 'Up Close & Personal')
3. Falling Into You
4. Make You Happy
5. Seduces Me
6. All By Myself
7. Declaration Of Love
8. Dreamin' Of You
9. I Love You
10. If That's What It Takes
11. I Don't Know
12. River Deep, Mountain High
13. Call The Man
14. Fly