I am completely honored (and usually surprised) when a couple asks to have a picture with me actually in it (I’m huge in Japan! is this too much?)

Recently, Jen O’Sullivan (another photographer friend of mine) hosted an “Engagement shootout” where couples could get photographed by several different photographers for charity.

There were about 30 photographers and about 8 couples in the session I was in. (Yikes! Holy Photographers Batman!) It worked out to give each photographer had about 7 min with two to three couples for the day. (we grouped up and shared couples) I have to say It was a great experience for the lucky couples.

Honestly it was a little weird to start… since photographers can be a bit competitive and there are only a handful of couples with a limited amount of time. It felt a little like the first day of high school. No one knows anyone else and your looking around to figure out who to hang with and how to get in with the populars (AKA the couples).. But thanks to Luis and Sonia.. who came to the shootout just because they read my blog and wanted me to shoot them.. I felt super special and like one of the cool kids myself.

All in all, I had a blast and met several amazing photographers and other spectacular vendors who I have so much in common with. Check out the Volleyball Grooms Cake and the cute little mini cupcakes with butterflies on them from “The Butter End Cakery“. YUM! They gave me a tray to take home! I’m still working it off.

I’m totally stoaked! OffBeat Bride (a totally Hip cool wedding website) did a spread on yours truly a few days back! And what a spread it was. I’ve been getting calls from all over the US. Check it out, if you have the time and desire.

Check out the  full article here
http://offbeatbride.com/2010/05/los-angeles-california-photographer

So some of you may know.. I’ve been pulling out my hair selecting a new place to move "My World" to.. And finally I’ve decided on Hipster-lake (AKA "Silverlake" ) I’m trading in the Scary Artsy Cool Downtown Vibe for a more healthy family oriented totally awesome walking community of shops and restaurants Silverlake.

I know my west-side clients will be much more at home when visiting plus as a bonus.. easy and free street parking.

Top 5 things I’ll miss about downtown:
1. Cole’s
2. Riding bikes almost everywhere
3. Getting food past midnight any day of the week
4. The Nickel Diner
5. Being right on the Artwalk

Top 5 things I won’t miss about Downtown:
1. Parking. ($250 per month at the lot across the street)
2. The smell of street urine on a hot sunny day
3. Getting harassed by the homeless at least 5 times on every trip out
4. Paying an additional 1k in rent every month
5. Lack of plant-life and fresh air

PS. The studio isnt actually in the intersection… that’s just the major cross streets.

Check out this new album is a fabric covered "lay flat" coffee table press printed book. Its a low cost Album with a little style.

The manufacturer has several cover options.. This is one of my favorites. The fabric cover is what makes this different that other press printed albums. The other press printed books are usually covered like a book you might find in a library.(paper resign with a picture design)

These cute Little Mini Albums are a novel little Pocket Brag Book. Great for Moms! They fold out like an accordion and snap closed with the help of decently strong magnets. Not just for weddings.. they can also be used for baby mini gift albums.

Unfortunately… these are not for everyone however.. My assistant prefers the leather ones i usually use over these.. But I like um gosh darnet!

it seams the "Mad Inventor" Brian is at it again. He dropped by this past week with a few more of his wild inventions to photograph. If you ever have thought… Hmmm.. I’d really like a pair of wings and have a pile of money sitting right here to spend it on.. I recommend contacting him.. Here is his Email. He makes them custom.

These wings open and close at the press of a button by way of an air canister in the back. Its really amazing. They are even designed to "Flutter" if someone really want them to. Totally awesome weird-ness.

I hear wings can be custom designed to the user’s specifications. Not cheap though, these babies are are "the shiznet".

Too Small for my Big head? Heck No! Even a 2 year old’s birthday party (and 2 year old’s are small)  I love to work and If I can.. I’d do it 24 hours a day.. This was a last minute call to photograph a Little-uns 2nd year on this planet birthday celebration. I had the day free and had a blast.

We had a blast. Bubble machines, jungle gyms, burritos and even a magical fairy princess. I was attacked by this little one with he shovel. I think she was trying to feed me Oatmeal that she obtained from the oatmeal/macaroni sandbox (a totally cool idea by the way)

The little guy with the soda.. He just reached into the ice bucket and helped himself.. He’s getting close to getting it.. But not quite yet.  (The beer was in the other bucket)

I just love the expression on the photo of the little girl with the vacuum ..  I think I’ve had this expression myself at parties in those awkward moments trying to figure out who to talk to next… Ahhh.. social interaction. Love it.

It was great working the kids. I didn’t get too dirty on this one.. if they were a little older they would have been dragging me in the mud or down the slide or something. Which would have been fun too however.

I went a little overboard the other day on a head shot photo session. I was having fun and took a few too many pictures. (I think actually this is the most amount of images I’ve ever delivered on a 3 look head shot session.. I’m embarrassed to even mention the amount…. so I wont.)

The future superstar name is "Sam" he is a graduating student at AMDA and had tons of energy. I love energy in photographs. Go Sam! Go!

Once a year, the District Attorney’s office selects a few citizens to give the courageous citizen’s award. People who went above and beyond what was expected of them to help make the world a better place.

I wont go into details.. Most of the stories are quite powerful and not for the faint of heart, but are truly riveting. Real people of any age standing up for others in the face of bodily harm.

This was a Rotary event (LA5), held at the California Club, Downtown LA.. Want more info about what Rotary does in the world.. Click Here
Here are a few pictures. (It might be small.. But that’s our DA Steve Coolie at the podium)

Still trying to keep up with the metro-ness of what a guy’s supposed to be in LA.. I’ve progresses from not realizing that anything was wrong with an entire K-mart wardrobe to stepping up even the fashion of my memory card holders.. Check out my new fancy go-bee bag. I so didn’t need it, but it looks good & its functional..