Mikey Headshots

Mikey and Tera

Washington DC

While I was in DC for a work conference last weekend, I had the opportunity to check out some of the places most associated with our United States of America. I had been there once before, years and years ago for a family reunion (my dad grew up in DC), but I wasn't quite old enough to know what these monuments stood for. As I walked up the steps to the Supreme Court, it hit me that that this is where everything in our country happens. These are the places where America was shaped into what it is today. It's the site of many of our proudest-- and weakest-- moments. Yet what shook me most wasn't the feeling of standing on those hallowed grounds, it was the sense that even a place as important as this was trivialized by the thousands of tourists who arrive each day, and stay just long enough to snap a couple photos before leaving. The most important place in our country seemed just another tourist trap.

My greatest hope for the next year is that we elect a leader that will make us proud to be American again, and proud to visit national monuments where we can feel the weight of the struggles and achievements of the people who came before us. We are a country in need of change and inspiration.

Here's to November!

Photo Homework: Final

As promised, here is the finished cd case that I will be turning in as my final project for my digital photography class. This was a really great project because not only did we have to combine everything we've learned this semester in terms of taking the photo, but we also had to consider design, layout and text, too. Morgan, my model, was incredible and I hope she likes the end product as much as I do!






A closer look:

Hans...again :)

Anyone who knows Hans will agree that we just had to do some pictures that captured him in character. He's from the midwest, so a cowboy theme was natural. But, much to my delight, he also wanted to do some vintage-inspired shots. As luck would have it, there was an awesome old Dodge pickup parked outside his apartment and old-school diner down the street. If you're ever in the mood for a good cherry pie, check out Paty's in Toluca Lake.... deelish!

Morgan

At LACC, where I'm taking a digital photo class, our final photography assignment of the semester is to create an cd cover for a musician or band. This project is supposed to encompass all we've learned this quarter-- design elements, lighting, etc. I chose to do a cd case for The Distillers, a punk rock band from LA.

So, on Saturday I met up with Morgan, a model who answered my ad for a Brody Dalle (Distillers front woman) lookalike. The Distillers are one of her favorites too, so we had a good time trying to recreate the feel of their music and she seemed to really enjoy playing Brody. I'll post the completed project in about a week. Until then, here are some pictures from our day:

Hans

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of working with an actor named Hans Obma (www.hansobma.blogspot.com). Hans was so much fun to work with, and really, just a great guy all around. He looks like Viggo Mortenson, sings like James Taylor, and can switch between an impressive German accent and fluent Spanish translation like nobody’s business.

I met up with Hans and his friend/ stylist Krys Fehervari (www.fehairvari.com) in Alhambra bright and early-- when I arrived, Krys was about to give Hans a fun new haircut, so I snapped a few shots while Hans was getting ready. (Check out the vintage-looking ironing shot below…)

Then, we went downtown for some Daniel Meade (of “Ugly Betty”) –inspired shots, and back up to South Pasadena where we did a few outdoorsy and frat boy looks. It was a fun day, but not nearly long enough. Keep an eye out for more pics of Hans—we’re going to get a little more creative next time with some James Dean looks, and maybe even some outfits from the 1940’s… fun!