B:East

NYC Group Show Sept. 27 for the 01 Gallery!

Art

We all have the freedom to speak our mind. As artists, we get to do what we love, create art and get paid for it. Let’s never forget that. Professionalism only goes so far in this industry. It would be such a waste to look back on your career and realize that you played it safe for all those years. You only gave the client what you thought they wanted. You only thought of yourself as the hired help, and in the end, silenced your own voice.

At a certain point you have to step back and look at your own body of work. Ask yourself if you are really pushing the limits, if you are really creating art at your fullest potential. Be satisfied in the fact that the work you have created up to this point is a true reflection of who you are as an artist. At the end of the day it’s not the people you pleased in this life that will make the difference…it’s what you represent as an artist, it’s what you believe in.

Are you passionate? Does it show in your work? Are you a photographer with a fire in your eye? Or are you the average run of-the-mill-people pleaser that has long given up on anything meaningful? We as artists have always had such a huge impact on society. We have always spoken up for what we believe in. Ethics and professionalism are fine, but ultimately you must decide which is more important in your life. Artists who create their art based on ethics and professionalism will ultimately never reach their true potential. Someone, somewhere along the way will not agree with their world views.

Just ask yourself one question…is there really a universal truth? It’s obvious to see that we all have different views of “ethics” and “professionalism”. Ethics and professionalism alone are in no way a valid reason for becoming a visual artist. Would you really sacrifice your own vision just to make others happy? Will you be silent for fear of the consequences? Or will you push the boundaries in search of truth and meaning? No one has the right to judge who we are. Freedom is not something to be desired…it is an absolute! Art is about freedom of expression. That is one thing that should never be taken away. That is one thing an artist should never live without.

Old Vs New...

For the past month I have been going through the slow process of scanning, editing and retouching my negatives and digital files. I am completely redoing my old website and making a brand new one. I first got my site in 2003 and have updated it periodically since, mainly once or twice a year. The great thing about my new site is I can customize it as much as I want. The images are bigger and I have the freedom to make new updates whenever I need to. I can't wait for my new site to be done!
New...

Guns N Roses

NYC was amazing...I had a great time seeing all my friends. Going to the Milk BBQ and being in the Staff Photography Show was super cool. It was just the perfect amount of time there and I hope to be back soon.

NYC

I will be in NYC from July 8-11. It's Milk Studio's 10 Year Anniversary this year. Please join me at the MILK BBQ and Staff Photo Show on July 10th from 7-10pm. I have a photo in the exhibition and I would love to see you there!

Manadatory RSVP at bbq@milkstudios.com
449 W 14th St (b/w 9th and 10th ave)

DJ Dom Rocket

straight from the archive...one of nyc's best kept secrets, old school & vintage!

Outtakes...

these were a few outtakes from our last photo party...

Jes

my good friend and amazing musician, jes hudak, performing at the hotel cafe...

Beach

i really love it here...

Texas

i just got back from texas...i found this old photo of my dad's family when i was at my grandma's house in waco. that's my pops on the very right, old photos are the best! to view more texas pics go to this link!

The Contender

I just shot with my friend Jaidon. He is an amazing boxer and was a finalist on ESPN's The Contender.

Faces

from my past...

Christie

she cut's my hair, we shot at her house in hollywood...

Today

we are having another photo party tomorrow...everyone has to wear a costume. this picture was from the last opening at the 01gallery in downtown la.

Karl

Hollywood

Matt in Hollywood...

Elephant Army

my good friend drew nix just released his new cd...i got to shoot the cover for his new band the elephant army. check out their myspace!

Pacino

al pacino was on letterman the other night, he is looking a lot older now. it made me stop and think...for some strange reason i have always had this mental picture in my head of him as the infamous young scarface, from the 1983 movie. it's crazy to see iconic figures of that generation growing old. i took some photos of an abandoned gas station in holbrook, az. gas prices averaged $1.22 when he was tony montana, just like the sign says.

$4.60

i like to snap pictures from my car. i was driving around la today and was really surprised by the $4.60 gas prices at the prena gas station on melrose and fairfax. too expensive!

Hollywood

today i went to the salvation army. our communtiy group from the hc goes every other wednesday to work with the kids who live there. it's really a blessing helping and getting to know them better...afterwards, i had a photoshoot. me and my photographer friend, joanna trimble, from nyc shoot together on different projects. we are starting our own production company, joko production. we hung out with our actor/comedian friend matt in hollywood and took some portraits.

Iraq

i went to an art opening a few weeks back at the 01gallery in downtown la. it was called the "shock and aw...s#@&" show, in honor of the 5th year anniversary of the war in iraq. i saw some really cool paintings and silk screens.

The Face

i had a casting and a photoshoot up at the studio today. met some really cool people that i'm going to shoot for my upcoming projects. just got back from my friend's b-day party in silverlake. he's moving to ny this week...he's gonna love brooklyn.

Dodgers

yesterday i went to griffith park and saw a dodger's game with brea and the hollywood church...it was awesome!

Rocket Girl

one from the archives...peri, nyc

Wednesday

Darth Vader

just wrapped our second photo party tonight...may the force be with you.

Photo Party

i picked up my contact sheets and negs from the past weeks shoots at the icon. they weren't ready, so i went over to the lacma for an hour or so to kill some time. came back to find a ticket under the wiper of my car...note to self, beware of parking in the anti-gridlock zones of la. here's a few scans from the first photo party.