Rancho Bernardo Courtyard

Below are shots taken from a bridal portrait session for Chelsee Bopp (now Epperly). We did this shoot on Friday, the night before her wedding. We planned on going to the beach to do the shoot...but while driving up to the hotel I saw this fence and decided we'd try to get some shots there...after finishing with the fence we decided to look inside the complex to see what there was....and we found a perfect place for a photo shoot...plenty of light, different lines and shapes and a great bride. Thanks to Chelsee for making the shoot so great...I couldn't have done it without her.

New Website Coming

I know I haven't posted for a long time.....not since August actually! I've been wanting to add so much content to the existing website and while working on that...I didn't shoot last weekend for the first time in 4 months....so I had a little time to think...and while reviewing the new content I thought, "Why not just make a better website?!!" Well, to those of you with websites you know that is no small undertaking. But I can't resist....the website could be up as soon as the end of this week or as late as the end of the month....but it will be up this month. I'll make sure to let you know when it's up!

Myomed Ragnar Great River

Below are images from the Myomed Ragnar Great River Relay Race that runs a whopping 205 miles from La Crosse Wisconsin to Minneapolis Minnesota. We started off the race watching the Ragnar guys getting interviewed by CBS news for the race. As you can tell by the shots below the race route is absolutely gorgeous. It follows the Mississippi River pretty much all the way down...making for some great shots.

The sunset was gorgeous as the sun turned deep red and ran into a dark blue sky. These Ragnar races are so great to shoot as a photographer because of the different lighting, terrain, and conditions that are present at each race. It was a great time.....we'll be doing the next one in Washington DC in three weeks!!!

Venice Beach Engagement

Below are pictures taken this month at an engagement session done at Venice Beach down in So Cal. Venice Beach is so amazing because you have so many different backgrounds, settings, people, water, everything!

One thing I really recommend is to find a great place that shows the heart and grit of a city and incorporate a great couple to make some very dynamic photos. I can't thank the bride and groom enough....judging from their engagement session the wedding in November will be fantastic. I also have to thank my main photographer Don Atherton for shooting with me...I always love shooting with him....he has several shots below....including the one with the sail boat that I really love. Plus, finding the area down by the water where the waves crashed so hard on the rocks was just unbelievable. Let us know what you think!

Santa Monica Engagement

These are shots taken for an engagement session with Scott and Noemi down in Santa Monica earlier this month. We started the session with me following Scott and Noemi from a short distance while walking on the boardwalk. I got stopped by security who thought I was there either as a paparazzi or shooting some kind of a production without a permit. It's very common to get stopped in LA because of the Hollywood productions going on. They took my information and by the time I got back out there the couple was gone! They didn't know I had been taken away by security.....

Well, we met back up and really got started and got some great shots. Some of my favorite were taken in the underpass where it had some great lighting that I just loved. Scott and Noemi are getting married next month in Malibu and I'm sure it will be a beautiful wedding. Thanks to Scott and Noemi for making it a great shoot!

Myomed Ragnar Northwest Passage

Below are pictures from the Myomed Ragnar Northwest Passage Race that our team shot in July. It is a great race that goes from Blaine, WA (1 mile from the Canadian border) all the way down to Seattle. It's a beautiful stretch and a tremendous amount of fun. I have to thank my team of Michael, Brady, and Chris for everything they did to make this race a success as we drove the race route hanging out of the SUV shooting photography and videography and of course blaring music the whole way.

A big thanks as well to the Ragnar team for choosing to work with us in these incredible races. We just finished shooting the Great River Race from Wisconsin to Minnesota 2 days ago and will be in Washington DC next month. If you haven't done one of these either as a runner or photographer, you should....they are a blast.

Casa Paramour

These shots are of the beautiful Molly Darnieder, a bride that is getting married next week. These shots are from her bridal portrait session we did a few weeks ago at the Casa Paramour in Balboa Island in Southern California. It's a beautiful beach front residence that is rented our for special events. We did a two hour shoot at the house and I can't thank Molly enough for being such a great model for me. Let me know what you think of the pics!

Poli Poli

These pictures are of our last day in Maui. I woke the boys up at 3am and we drove for 2 hours to the top of the Haleakala volcano for sunrise pictures. Even though it's Hawaii it's still cold up there. The temperature was 35 degrees and my boys let me know how cold they were. The funniest thing was that once they had the opportunity to use my cameras they dropped their blankets and started shooting. Before we left the boys went into the restroom and warmed their hands and legs up by standing under the automatic hand dryers. Needless to say there were a lot of laughs coming from the restroom. On our way down the hill we saw a really bad car accident....they did seem okay but the car was flipped over....

We drove back to the hotel to get Kara as we had to check out of the hotel. We packed up all our luggage and went downstairs. I did grab a shot of Michael as he sat out on the balcony taking in the view for one last time. We went downstairs and I couldn't find my Ipod. Kara went back to the room twice, security and housekeeping went back...and no one could find it. I finally asked my boys...."Where's my Ipod?" Kevin responded, "In the lamp." Kara said, "That's impossible, we checked everywhere." Kevin said, "It's in the lamp!" I said, "Okay, go show me." Kevin and I went to the room and sure enough, Kevin stuck his hand up the lamp shade, grabbed my Ipod and said, "Here you go!" He had hidden it there......

We left the hotel and drove a beautiful drive to the Poli Poli State Park. This place was amazing. There was a beautiful cloud cover that we were above...The shots may make it look like snow, but they're clouds. It was such a fun drive....we saw Wild Boars, Bulls, and did a good deal of offroading. It is a remarkable place....

We took off for the airport and got there 2.5 hours early only for US Airways to tell us all of our seats are separated for a 6 hour Red Eye flight. Our flight was supposed to leave at 10:30pm, but if we wanted to sit together we would have to take the 9pm flight...leaving us only 30 minutes to get through security and make the flight. We started to run and what a site that was....I'm running down the terminal, Kevin and Michael behind me...with Kara and JJ behind them. I'm shouting down the hallway..."Come on boys you can do it!" The boys were trying but by the time we reached the gate they were crying saying their legs were hurting. We got there only to watch the plane take off....We got booked on a later flight where after doing some musical chairs while on the flight...we finally sat together. It was a wonderful trip that we'll never forget....and soon to repeat.

Lahaina

Saturday was a relaxing day for the family. We went down to Lahaina and had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. We then went walking throughout the shops of Lahaina. Kevin asked us a really funny question as he looked at the cars passing by...."Daddy, why don't cars have legs? Why do they have wheels?" I responded, "Well, wheels are faster than legs...so it's better for cars to have wheels." He replied, "If wheels are better, then why don't we have wheels?" I thought for a moment and said, "Well, I just don't think we'd look good with wheels." He said to me, "I would." I love writing down the things they say....because kids say the neatest, most real things.

We took them for ice cream where they all ordered strawberry and then we found a part on the walkway where the waves would splash over the railing. It was like watching kids standing in the "Splash Zone" at Seaworld. The funniest thing was watching the other tourists get such a kick out of watching triplets play in the water. If only all of us would lose our inhibitions and be able to play like kids....the world truly would be a better place.

A Photographer's Perspective

The pictures below are from our adventures on Friday. I had some work to get done in the morning so before I got started I decided to take the family down to Sonz restaurant in the Hyatt....and it's a great restaurant. I decided it was time for the boys to start learning more about photography so I actually let them start shooting with my D3. The pictures on the bottom are from the restaurant....and the pictures of myself and Kara were taken by the boys....no help.

The kids went swimming with Kara and I took a break to go and snap some shots of them. It's amazing how old the boys look when you see them in photographs... At about 5pm we left the hotel and went on a drive back down the road to Nu'u. I saw what I call the "Car Garden" which is a beautiful hillside with abandoned cars that have been overgrown by the foliage. I intended on taking pics of that until I passed this tree. As you can see it's right along the road.....but it was amazing. There is very little photoshopping done to these images....the sunset really was that amazing. The picture below the tree shots is actually of a sugar plant in Maui. I just love the smoke stack with the full moon. All these shots are taken without a tripod....the D3 really is that amazing with night photography...

People sometimes ask if I get tired of taking pictures.....my response is, "No, because I'm always looking for something I've never taken before." That's what I love most about the tree pictures....I've never quite taken a picture like this before. That is why I love photography. The world is so different and beautiful....you just have to open your eyes and decide to see it a little differently.

Lanai

What an adventure we had on Wednesday. We left in the morning from Lahaina Harbor and too the ferry for a 45 minute trip to the island of Lanai. Immediately upon arriving in Lanai we realized we were in a different country....not really....but it felt that way. We grabbed some food at a small market (no fast food on the island), and took off on a Jeep adventure. We thought the rental car company would have car seats....but no such luck. They did find two booster seats....and Kara only felt comfortable putting the third triplet (JJ) on her lap....so we broke the law....and had a blast!

We took off the Shipwreck beach....Kara got out over a real rough part on the road and I took the boys off roading....I don't think I've ever heard them scream so loud in my life....they loved it! I then took shots of this amazing WW2 ship that wrecked just off the coast...that's why they call it Shipwreck Beach. We left and went to Garden of the Gods....a place that looks like Mars...really a trip. We took the road all the way down to this ocean that looks like it's straight out of a Hollywood set....deserted and beautiful. We had some fun down there and then took off to the Jeep and had to outrun the bees that had swarmed around our snacks in our cooler.

We drove down the road towards an old deserted church that is over 100 years old. It's amazing to drive down this dirt road and just find an abandoned church. There was even money in a collection plate and a prayer written on the pulpit with an old straw hat still sitting there.

By this point we had to make it back to the ferry and fast.....the brochure said it took 45 minutes to make it from the church to the paved road.....no joke....we did it in 11 minutes..... The boys and Kara thought that was the funnest off roading they had ever done....and I completely agree. We got back just in time and took off on the ferry back to Maui. My boys stayed out with me to take pictures while it was light...but as it got dark only Michael was able to make it out there on the top deck with me....what a trooper!!! The cutest thing was while I was taking pictures of teh moon Michael asked me, "Daddy, what does the moon say?" I replied, "I don't know, what do you think he says?" He responded, "I don't know, you tell me." I replied, "I don't think the moon talks Michael..." He responded resiliently, "Yes it does Dad....his mouth is on the other side....you just can't see it. You have to look harder" I responded, "You're right Michael...sometimes when we get older....we stop looking as hard as we should. I can see it now." I love those moments as a Dad. The last shot is of Lahania Harbor at night. It was an amazing trip and one that I highly recommend. Only a few more days left on our trip....but man....we have had a great time!

Kaanapali

On Tuesday we went to Kaanapali, the most tourist friendly part of the island. If you want great food, fabulous hotels, and an awesome beach this is the place to go. We're staying at the Hyatt and that's a great hotel to visit if you ever go. We all walked down to the beach and had a great lunch at Leilani's....and then we found ourselves in the water before we knew it.

Kara took pictures of us swimming with the boys which was a lot of fun. We then got out of the water where the boys proceeded to pose for every picture with a Kung Fu Panda pose. They then showed us their best Kung Fu kick....and then started to dance and sing with the poolside singer at the Sheraton...We went back to the hotel and were so tired we just ordered room service for dinner. The boys were so tired that they were asleep before it arrived. When they woke up Wednesday morning Michael asked me, "Dad, did they bring my Mac n' Cheese yet?" When I told him it came last night he was sorely disappointed....but soon forgot once we got breakfast. Another adventurous day in Maui...

The Road to Nu'u

Yesterday was a fun day. Everyone knows the Road to Hana...but prior to the earthquake the road to Hana passed through Nu'u and continued on to the other side of the island making a complete circle. Now, this complete circle road is broken in the middle by the earthquake...making two very long one-way roads. This stretch of highway is absolutely stunning and much less traveled than the road to Hana. This highway goes from complete green to lava rock back to green and more.....it is the most undeveloped part of the island due to the volcanic rock that is prevalent everywhere. The road is traveled so little now that I was able to take these pictures in the middle of the road and not even worry about getting hit.

We continued on this highway until we reached the earthquake damaged area and turned around. On our way back we found a beautiful country road and decided to see where it would take us. The funniest thing was Kara kept asking me, "Is it okay for the rental car to drive on this? Can this car make it?" I replied, "Well, we have an SUV...we'll be fine. I'm not so sure about Mom and Cameron in the PT Cruiser." We all did make it but not without having to back up for several locals and get some very interesting looks to say the least.

We ended the night at Bubba Gumps in Lahaina where my Mom treated us to a great dinner. I had some fun taking shots of the sunset (this was our view from our table at Bubba Gumps) and included the two shots to show the difference in the depth of field settings.....what a difference those lower aperture settings make! Cameron used his time to indoctrinate my son Kevin on the virtues of the Ipod. My boys then ended the night by continuing their photographer training by dragging my case to the car...which was appreciated by their Daddy...Life should be this good....

A rainforest, valley, lava rocks, and a beach!

Yesterday was a great day. We started off by visiting a rainforest on the side of the road north of Kapalua. It is straight out of a movie. Vines so thick you can swing on....amazing. We then went through a drive from Kapalua towards Kahului and then went into Iao Valley. It's amazing to see these huge cliffs and mountains...and the clouds are always so amazing on the island.

We then drove to a lava rock field just past Wailea and it looks like it's from another planet....a great place for a photo shoot....just need a model. The sunset at this point was amazing so we went to Makena Beach for the last shots where the boys got to run off some of there energy due to so much driving in the day. It was another wonderful day in Maui.....

Seven Sacred Pools of Hana

What a day we had yesterday. We started off the day driving the road to Hana...and that is an all day excursion. We stopped off at a local hangout on the way where we walked through a Bamboo forest to a secluded waterfall. Cameron (like every single male) poses for the camera everytime it's pointed in his direction...and my Mom decided to get up close and personal with a rock (after she slipped and fell).

Kara took the pictures of us in the forest and I started taking pictures later starting with the shot of my boys taking a picture of me taking a picture of them! At long last we arrived at the Seven Sacred Pools of Hana (which is at the end of the road) where the boys swam, I took a few pictures, and Kara went swimming (with her Nikon unfortunately)! The camera body made it through her accidental dip...but the lens is shot. Oh the life of a photographer...Cameron jumped off the cliffs (see the white dude in the white shorts on the left side of the picture).

It was so dark when we decided to walk back to the car that I had to pull out my Sony video light just to light the way....literally...it was pitch black....the moon was covered up by storm clouds. Another wonderful day in Maui.................

Haleakala- A Glimpse Through God's Eyes

Due to all the recent traveling and time spent away from my family....it was time for a family vacation. So I decided to take them to the place where I've had so many great memories....Maui. These pictures are taken from the famous volcano Haleakala. What makes it so amazing is that the summit is above the cloud line....which is why I think it's a glimpse through God's eyes.

My Mom and brother Cameron are with us as well. Cameron has somewhat of a deathwish by climbing onto cliffs and getting pictures taken of him...it makes me more nervous than it makes him. All my boys are practicing their photography and I snapped a shot of Kevin setting his camera on a rock for a set shot of the clouds. The sun dropping below the clouds is a sight one can never forget. I love Maui......

Claudia and Dustin

It's been awhile since I've posted pictures from a wedding so I thought I would post a little more than usual from Claudia and Dustin's wedding that I shot the last week of July. What a beautiful bride, wedding, and family. Between Dustin's humor and Claudia's beauty there was no shortage of great pictures. It was shot in a beautiful Catholic chapel and then we moved to a Country Club for the Reception. I thank them so much for the opportunity to work with them. Let me know what you think!!

Bourbon Street New Orleans

WOW!!!! My long trip is finally coming close to ending.....and I'm ready to go home. I did have the amazing opportunity to spend the last three days in New Orleans. If you've never been here you can't imagine what it's like. Bourbon street is the symbol of New Orleans....and it's an amazing place.

On one street alone you'll find so many different things....psychics, shops, restaurants, voodoo, bars, karaoke, street performers, and a few houses of ill repute... From a photography standpoint it's so dynamic and amazing with the lights and all the personalities. I'm heading back to spend some time with the family tomorrow, but I never can forget New Orleans.

Filling the time clock...and time zones

Life is crazy right now. I just returned from quite a day of meetings. I was out in Naples Florida doing some work with hotels out in the area. Yesterday morning I flew out of Naples to Chicago. I had a quick lunch at Bandera (great place), and then a 1 hour meeting with a client. From that meeting I left and flew back to LA.....so I went from East to Central to Pacific Time Zones...all in one day....that's crazy. I stayed in LA Wednesday night and now fly out to Seattle. From Seattle I come back to LA and then 12 hours later fly out to New Orleans. Is this crazy??????? That's the reason for the delay in posting.

Good news is that I've booked a 11-day trip for the family to Maui in early August so they can join me as I get some work done out there. That will help us to reconnect which is needed. The coolest thing is that Kara and the boys joined me in the hotel in Los Angeles last night and we watched Speed Racer on the TV movies. Simple but so important to reconnect. I'll post some pics when I can!!!

A Night on Hana Highway

A night on the Hana Highway was an amazing thing....and true. Back in Maui I took a trip down the famous Hana Highway...or the "Road to Hana." A little ways back there was an earthquake on the island that cut the road off at the end and made it impossible to circle the island. I was told that the road was fixed so I took off on the road. After driving four hours down the road I came to where the road stopped....due to the earthquake....the road was still closed! If I had been able to continue down the road I would have been back to my hotel in only 1 hour....

By this time it was about 10pm and I was looking at a four hour trip back the way I came. With no alternatives (there are no hotels) I turned around and headed back. One of the reasons the road is so long is because of how windy and narrow it is...so driving it when tired isn't recommended. I started driving and had to pull over everytime I was tired. I ended up sleeping on the side of the road numerous times. Talk about a mind trip.....try waking up in the middle of paradise, at night, in a rental car.....you think you're still dreaming after you woken up. I finally made it back to the hotel by early morning. It was a night I will never forget....by the way...all the shots below are taken handheld without any type of tripod or monopod.....I LOVE MY D3!!!