WHAT I SMELL:  Photograph for Men has a sparkling and zesty citrus opening which is energetic without being sweet .  Funny, after a couple of minutes the fragrance seems to dissipate and it almost disappears.  I’m thinking to myself… really?  Is this it?  All I get is a lightly fresh and sweet layer that smells good, but there’s not much there.  After around 10 minutes or so, Photograph for Men starts to reveal its true self as it begins to bloom with more spice and hints of lavender.  After some more time, the fragrance becomes richer and warmer with a light amber.  This is no powerhouse scent, but it’s clean, neat, and somewhat spicy which gives it a bit of oomph.  And for an eau de toilette, the development of the fragrance is remarkably lengthy and three-dimensional.

From the John Russo Fragrances website:

Photograph for Men is an ambery, earthy, green, woody type with top notes of mandarin, orange, bergamot, lemon, and bay oil, middle notes of lavender, ginger, leather, and clove, with an amber, woody musky smoky, tobacco note.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  John Russo is trying to capture the essence and glamour of old Hollywood.  The picture on the box cover conveys the fragrance’s character very well.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE PHOTOGRAPH FOR MEN:  smooth, effortless, put-together

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPH FOR MEN: Photograph for Men is so new that I only found one review on Fragrantica.

BOTTOM LINE:  Not quite a celebrity fragrance, but bordering on so as John Russo is a famed celebrity photographer, I was a bit skeptical as to what to expect.  But Photograph for Men is well put together and a very pleasant surprise overall.  Nicely done.

• Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
• Scent:  Aromatic
• Classification:  Masculine
• Expense:  $65 for 100ml EdT; available from the John Russo Fragrances website

Disclosure:  Product for review provided courtesy of John Russo Fragrances.