Sunset Wedding on the Beach

April 27, 2019

There's something really special about small intimate weddings and I may be biased with my 70 person, one residential location, mother officiated wedding. I love the beauty and intricacy of full blown wedding days. The thought that goes into every detail and the uniqueness of every wedding is truly something special. Every wedding is unique because every couple’s story is a one and only. It's the union of two individuals. It's a once in a life time kind of thing for them and truly special for me to a part of that again and again.

Last December I documented the union of two beautiful young souls on the sands of Huntington Beach where they had their first date. Every time I cover a wedding it’s new and exciting because I'm there to tell their individual story.. and this one was romantic, playful, totally southern California beach life; simple yet deep and full of life.

Reverie's Christmas Toy Drive!

January 13, 2019

As much as we bash on social media, it has undeniably changed the way the world works in a number of fundamental ways. The way we shop, the way we entertain ourselves, the way we handle our finances. Everything is on the internet now. Sometimes I wonder how we ever functioned pre-internet; It’s like the second era of our cave-man days. The internet has also dramatically changed the way some savvy individuals make a living. A dedicated “digital nomad” can use social media as a platform to launch a business or career with minimal capital and optimal freedom. Some social media influencers and Youtubers are able to make full time livings by creating multiple sources of income from their internet presence and the content they create. Some brands have grown into flourishing business solely on Instagram and internet sales. Besides business opportunities, social media has allowed people to connect instantly and easily with an audience that appreciates their work. Which is how I came to shoot independent rapper, Reverie -IG @reverielove- at her Christmas Toy Drive.

In the beginning of 2018 my focus for the year for my photography was to build my skill, my portfolio and network. I came across Alex Morehouse’s creative agency, TGS Collective -IG @tgscollective-, who hosts photo meet ups. I went to my first photo meet and met a photographer named Tony. From there I followed a suggested account he was following Enkrypt Photography -IG @enkrypt_losangeles-. I loved her work and since she was managing a tour in Europe, I was hooked to her stories. I started listening to the artist, for whom she was managing the tour and I hooked on the music! Her music, art, fashion and style are KILLER! I would say she’s more of the Lady Gaga of Hip Hop. in that she’s so super talented, original and authentic and she has the strong presence of a great performer.

Anyway, for the sake of keeping this blog somewhat short, I’ll end with these images I took at her performance in Down Town LA. I by no means show these because I think they are great, but because I was challenged to shoot outside of my comfort zone. This is the first concert I’ve shot; I’m not a concert photographer, but i am pleased with my effort, my results and am so thankful for the opportunity to grow in skill and to shoot a performance by an artist I admire. Social media provides portals that wouldn’t exist otherwise. It’s a tool and you can be consumed by it or use it constructively to your advantage.

Putting Together a Collaborative Shoot With a Model

December 23, 2018

My love of photography sparked right along my passion for traveling. After my first overseas trip in November 2015, I became consumed with everything photo and travel! A year and a half and a few trips later, I was wanted to pursue photography as a lively hood and as a way to liberate myself from travel restraints . The problem was, up until then, I had shot street, nature, pets, sunsets, and while I saw improvement I still needed to grow in skill and shoot some actual human beings if I was going to make a real go at providing at starting a profitable business.

Some of my favorite shots from when I first started photography and traveling. I show them not because I’m delusional and think they are amazing shots, but they have potential and that is what drove me to keep going and build my skill. I wondered wh… — Some of my favorite shots from when I first started photography and traveling. I show them not because I’m delusional and think they are amazing shots, but they have potential and that is what drove me to keep going and build my skill. I wondered what else I could create knowing how to properly use my camera.

BUT, getting people to pose for me was not as easy as I had imagined. After some less than enthusiastic submissions to my pleas from family and friends (..and the occasion camera invasion to a family function), my progress grew, but rather slow. I needed a steadier stream of human subjects. So, I created a Model Mayhem account and have used it exclusively to scout for models and other creatives. Here in Los Angeles, I find more than enough eager individuals, willing to grow and chase dreams right along with you. One important thing I learned in putting together shoots is that planning is KEY to a fun and successful shoot.

Step 1 - Building a Concept

Mood board for The Lab collaborative 90’s grunge shoot. (disclaimer; I did not create this board). Check out my blog post on this shoot and what I learned!

Without a concept, I find shooting can feel aimless and going blank because I have no direction to begin with is a huge probability. Shoots feel much more fun and flow easily when everyone knows what look they are aiming for. I find Pinterest to be an effective and easy to use tool for finding inspiration. I begin with searching some key words and pin images that catch my eye to a board. Once I have a solid collection of images, I go through them and see if any themes pop out at me. Maybe it’s a color scheme I’m drawn to, maybe I want to try my hand at a lighting technique, maybe I want to try beauty shots. Whatever catches my attention and inspires me I work off that. I remove images from the Pinterest board that stray from my forming vision and build off the images I choose to keep.

Part two to this step is to create a mood board. I like to do a second run of key words searches to find images I like that relate to my chosen concept and pin them to a new Pinterest board that can either act as a mood board or source from which to source images for a mood board. At this point you should also think about what kind of location you'll be shooting and include it in your mood board. If I use the Pinterest board as a mood board, it's helpful to have only a handful of images so everyone is on the same page and the concept isn't too scattered.Now we ready to start scouting for a team!

Step 2 -Recruiting a Team

I find this to be the most tedious step, but it's well worth it to take the time to put together a great team. I find the most efficient way is to post a casting on Model Mayhem because i'll reach people who are already actively looking to do a collaborative shoot, but you also have the options of Facebook groups or Instagram. Whatever platform you use to connect to other creatives, including a mood board or link to your Pinterest board is important in attracting creatives with a bit more experience. By doing this you're showing that you've thought this out and they won't be wasting their time and skill while you figure it out during the shoot. Everyone comes prepared and on the same page.

Step 3 - Prepare

Once you lock down your team, it's time to prep. Make sure to touch base with your team a few times before the shoot to confirm all the logistics and details. If you are renting a studio or equipment make sure to have made reservations well in advance. I do a quick check over my gear the day before my shoot, if I can't find something or I need batteries I have time to get that sorted. As far as how the shoot runs, I like to visualize what poses and expressions i want and what the feel of the shoot is going to be. Making a Pintrest board or album in your phone with the poses and expressions you're looking for can be a huge help in communicating to your model what your aiming for. It also helps to visualize how you want the shoot to run and verbally practice directing posing because if you have no experience directing a model it can be a little nerve wrecking like it was for me, and the last thing a model wants is for the photographer to be dead quiet and give no feedback. Directing poses was by far the hardest aspect of a shoot and while I still struggle with giving direction, I've come a long way from blanking out on a model. Just jump in and get your feet wet!