Wanderlust

SCRG Portraits.

Back in August I photographed the stunningly beautiful Smog City Roller Grrls for some team portraits they needed for their website and promotional materials. We did two locations and two themes in one evening. The first was the "derby pageant"--an idea I came up with and had been dying to execute for a while. Originally I wanted to shoot them in the Tower Theater or a similar venue, but we didn't want to pay to use their stage. Luckily, my favorite derby girl, Kim Burly, arranged to have us use her church's stage and tacky green curtain as a backdrop.

I'm pretty happy with how a lot of these turned out, but I'm not entirely sure that I nailed the pageant feel I was going for, especially since only four girls did the "talent" and "swimsuit" portion of the pageant (my favorite part of the idea), which hurt the overall picture package. But regardless, the bottom line is that I did this shoot for the SCRG and not for me, so I really just wanted to make them look amazingly gorgeous and fun!

The second part of the shoot was a lot more straight forward--hot chicks in an auto shop--and, as always, I had a blast taking pictures of these amazing women!

Drag Night at the Granada.

Scenes from a weekly Pride Night at the Granada Theater in Lawrence, Kansas.

Moving on.

A week ago I graduated college, moved out of my house, and then immediately hopped on a plane bound for Kansas City to shoot a wedding. It's strange to go through so many changes at once--they all happen so fast that you hardly have time to reflect on it all. So here I sit late at night in a friend's apartment a few blocks away from KU, and I can't help but miss the sun (it's been cold and raining) and think about my time at Brooks. Three long years and it's all over... hard to believe. On any given day my mood will range from feeling excited and determined, to utterly terrified and lost. I have no idea what to expect or where to begin, but I think I'm on the right path.

I hope the sun comes back out tomorrow.

VC Derby Darlin's Freak Show Fight Night - 8.16.08

The Ventura County Derby Darlin's had a bout with Bakersfield a few weeks ago and, of course, I was in attendance to take pictures and hang out. The girls played a great game with the score almost always tied, up until the last 60 seconds when Bakersfield just barely beat out Ventura by 2 points. Even with the defeat, I can safely say that the darlins' put up a good fight and were just as beautiful and entertaining as always!

Lucent Dossier.

A little over a week ago I photographed Lucent Dossier at The Edison in downtown Los Angeles. The best way I can think to describe watching Lucent Dossier is by simply saying that it. was. AMAZING. Truly a performance unlike anything I've ever witnessed. It didn't even feel like they were "performing" most of the time; it was just so organic and seamless that you felt like you were a part of the era they were channeling. I was blown away by all the thought that went into how they used the space and all the little surreal details they added in order to create an experience I'll never forget. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend that you all see them once in your life. It is well worth it. I hope I can go back this Wednesday and shoot them again!

Ventura County Derby Darlins Disco Brawl - 7.26.08

I photographed the Ventura County Derby Darlins at their inter-league bout last weekend to add to the roller derby photo essay I'm working on. They had the disco team--whose name I can't remember--(in silver) versus the punk rock team--the CBGB's--(in gold), and if memory serves, I believe the CBGB's won. It's become challenging me to find new persectives and new moments the more and more I photograph derby, while also trying to get that one essential action shot (nope, I still don't have it... but I'm getting closer). In any case, here are my favorite shots:

Happy August.

New month, new project:

(Wall art by Aurora Armijo)

I'm still trying to figure it all out, as it is by far the most challenging project I've ever taken on. Expect a series of experiments to follow--some may succeed, some may fail, but hopefully I'll create something meaningful with it in the end.

Circus snaps.

SCRG Bout - June 28th.

God help me, I'm still obsessed with shooting roller derby. Here are my favorites from when the Smog City Roller Grrl's won a great game against the Prison City Derby Dames on June 28th:

Leadville Update #6: Scenics, Part 2.

This is my last Leadville update. Being there was an incredible experience, and I'm really happy with most of the pictures I took. I hope to go back someday and dive even deeper into the community. The town has truly captured my heart, and I miss it so much.

Leadville Update #5: Around and About.

Leadville Update #4: Little League.

Leadville Update #3: Religion.

Leadville Update #2: Youth Culture.

Leadville Update #1 - Scenics, Part 1.

So as I finish up my time here in Leadville, I'll be making updates with what I've been seeing and shooting. I have to say that this little valley is one of the most scenic and breathtakingly beautiful locations for a town that I have ever seen. Every street I drive down has a million different scenes I want to shoot, and the hardest part is picking the best ones to spend time at! But for now, these are my favorites:

There will definitely be more to come. I have barely scratched the surface of Leadville's beauty.

Outside of Boulder.

I could die happy under these skies.

The Road to Colorado.

Here are a few snaps I took while driving from Ojai to Leadville. I can't help it, when I'm on the road, I want to pull over every 5 minutes and take pictures--especially with the amazing weather I had this time around.

The Mojave.

Nevada.

Utah.

I spent the night in Green River, Utah after the first day of driving, and then woke up to this amazing sky:

Colorado!!

Snow <333

Yay Leadville!

Greetings from Colorado.

So it's been a while since my last update. I've been in Colorado for a little over a week now, doing a travel story on Leadville. Today I walked down to the Arkansas River right before the sun set and I realized how lucky I am to be in such a beautiful part of the world. Sometimes it's easy to forget that when you're working your ass off every day, but there it was, staring at me in the face this evening. And I couldn't walk away from it; I just stared and sat and let the beauty around me absorb into my soul. My mom has been harping that message to me all week when I've called her freaking out about this or that: "Enjoy where you are and stop worrying about everything," she says. I couldn't agree more.

Thanks Mom.

Derby Domestic 2: Country Living

Last week my favorite roller derby girl, Kim Burly, and her sister-in-law/fellow derby teammate, Lotta Leadpipe, both of the Smog City Roller Grrls, did a shoot with me. After brainstorming for a bit, Kim and I came up with an answer to what will now be known as my first Derby Domestic series--Derby Domestic 2: Country Living. The girls dolled themselves up pretty amazingly, and we spent a few hours one evening playing around with tractors and a horse trailer. Any shoot I do with Kim is always so much fun, and these pictures in particular are now some of my all-time favorites. Have I mentioned how much I love roller derby girls?

"When will the welfare check get here..."

Kelly & Paul - 4.26.08

Two weekends ago I photographed Kelly and Paul's wedding at the Forest House Historic Hotel in Forestville, CA. The entire day was filled with fun and laughter. I have never seen a bride more calm and content in my life! And the toasts were so funny that I felt my gut split many times over. Kelly and Paul truly looked at peace with one another, and their little dog Foxy is an adorable part of their new family! (she walked down the aisle with Kelly and always made her way into the pictures) After not seeing Kelly for almost 20 years, I have to say that she's turned into a beautiful, lovely woman, and I am so appreciative of how her family and friends welcomed me to the wedding. I hope all my wedding experiences after this are as blissful and wonderful as theirs. Congratulations, Kelly and Paul!

Melody Grove & The Movement.

A few weeks ago the band Melody Grove & The Movement came up to Ojai to take some band portraits. They brought tea and a ton of yummy picnic food, set up under a tree at the river bottom, and attempted to enjoy the 100+ degree weather (hah! we were all so miserable in the heat... and of course it cools down significantly the very next day). The nature that surrounded us was beautiful, as is the band. These are my favorite shots from the day:

iPod Trailer.

I had to make a short iPod trailer for myself for my multimedia class. I did it the day it was due, in class, because I hadn't had time before then, so there are a few problems I want to tweak with later. In any case, here it is:

Original music by Austin Anthony.

Puke and Precious.

Troy Harvey and I met Puke and Precious on Main Street in Ventura while interviewing people about conformity. Instead of telling you who they are and what they believe, you should watch this piece and find out for yourself; I think you might be surprised.

(sorry in advance for the weird audio glitches--there were some issues when I rendered it again after doubling the audio tracks)

Overall I found that the things Puke and Precious opened up to us about were not only impressive and insightful, but also gave us an interesting point of view to a lot of things I may not have ever thought about before. It was great to meet them and do this project, and we plan to continue working on it for a while.

SCRG Bout - March 29th.

The Smog City Roller Grrls had a bout two weeks ago and they let me photograph them while they kicked ass. Unfortunately, they (technically) lost to the Wine Country Homewreckers, in spite of many questionable calls and plays. In any case, they played a great game which was so much fun to watch. I love these girls!

Today.

Walked around Main Street in Ventura, snapping and recording. It felt good to take some pictures this afternoon--I feel like I haven't been shooting much this past month because I've been bogged down with so many things. Still trying to catch up.

Twenty-three.

Today is my 23rd birthday, and so far it's been great. Over the weekend I went to Fresno to celebrate with my family and friends. Tonight I'm having dinner with my roommates, my brother, and a couple of other friends.

23 is going to be a big year for me. In August I'm graduating and then I'm hitting the road for a month, during which time I hope to land a job somewhere in the Northwest (or maybe on the East Coast?). I'll be moving away from everyone who's made a huge impression in my life and it will be hard, but I know that we'll always stay close.

There are so many possibilities and so much potential coming up for me. I can't wait to explore my options and start a new chapter in my life.

So here's to you, 23–I hope you're good to me.

SCRG 80's Prom.

These are a couple of fun snaps I took at an 80's prom I attended two weeks ago, hosted by the Smog City Roller Grrls. It was a blast (as all Fresno 'proms' are), and I can't wait to photograph their bout on the 29th!

Ballet class.

My old stomping grounds.

Growing up in Fresno, I never understood why everyone was always so "bored." My dad would always tell me that people who are bored in Fresno will be bored everywhere else as well. On the other hand, I do get that there is a minimal nightlife and art scene (although it is growing rapidly, and is much stronger in some respects than it is down here in Ventura) and I know that there weren't a lot of big concerts coming through town until recently, so if you're into that kind of thing a bigger city would be right up your alley. But seriously, by living in Fresno you are just a short drive away from THREE national parks and some of the most spectacular countryside I've ever seen. How can someone honestly be "bored" living that close to this kind of beauty? Especially right now in the spring, when the blossom trail is in bloom and the hills are bright green.

When I was living there I spent every afternoon I could driving around in the countryside and taking pictures. It's part of why I became inspired to do this as a living. I even took many days off from work because it was just too damn beautiful out to spend my day inside shelving books. Even though the hills in Ojai are also quite beautiful, to me, there's nothing quite as breathtaking as the hills surrounding Fresno and the Sierra Nevada. I always felt incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such beauty, and I miss it so much right now.

So to you Fresnans I say, go out on the blossom trail this weekend. Drive around the countryside. Take a road you've never been down before. And do it now, before summer comes and it gets all brown and yucky. I promise that you won't regret it.