The Boost Mobile Pro Surf Contest

The last few days I was at the contest shooting. Congrats to Kelly Stater taking the win. Here are a few early morning photos. I have more photos from the event coming soon!!!!

Here is Pancho Sullivan, he gave Slater a run and came in second.

This is Taylor Knox, he was doing some huge turns.
And finally this is Rookie Ben Dunn who had a great result.

More coming soon.....

Finally some waves!!!

Some recent photos...more kite surfing pictures.......always windy in Ventura!!!




Stock Photography is great. I went to my friends going away pool party and off course brought my toy. I ended up getting some usable photos.

What's Your Style Man???

I was originally taking this post a different direction but I started thinking...so here we go.

I have been doing a lot of pondering about my photography and photography in general. I was looking at my work and trying to see if I have developed a style yet. There are photographer's out there (famous or not) when you look at their work you know instantly ohh that so and so's work. A few easy examples are David LaChapelle or James Nachtwey. That style has made them who they are today (yes and being great photographers). So having a style that sets you apart from the rest is a good thing. Usually photographers will get hired because of their certain style.

In thinking about my own photography I am not sure if I have developed that kind of style. I don't know if that is my main objective. TidalStock, my company is definitely branded as fresh and unique ocean, water, life photography so I tend to shoot that kind of stuff but as far as a certain style goes, I not sure. I am still pretty young in my photography career and I love trying new things. Maybe I am still in the searching phase.

So that brings me to why I have been posting some different photos. Every time I edit my photos I always tend to pick out the odd ones. Photography is challenging because everything has been shot a million different times but I guess the trick is to make it new and out of the ordinary from what people normally see right???





Here are a few questions and tips to help you along on your journey.


Think about if you have a certain style in photography?
If someone saw one of your photos could say it was yours?
Think about your goals and objectives.
Try new types of photography, you will always learn something along the way.
Look at lots of different photography. You will learn a lot by doing this.
Are you still having fun???
Go out and shoot!!!



That's all for today just a little thought.....A few more photos from yesterday.

My Other Job-- I guess I can call it that!!!

When I can find time...I also teach private surf lessons in the summer. I really enjoy it, the kids are great and it gets me down to the beach for a little bit. The kids crack me up, and they are starting to get really good at surfing. Yesterday was so beautiful, I decide to break out the camera and take some photos. Here are a few from the day.

A Beautiful Night

Sorry for not posting lately, I have been super busy. Here are a few photos from last night.

Waves

Here are a few more wave photos from the other day.

Just another day at the beach.

I was on my way to Malibu and this guy was just hanging out.

Can anyone tell me the common name and Scientific name for this seal??? When selling your images for stock it is always important to have the common name and the Scientific name of each animal. You have a better chance of selling your images!
Something I need to get better at myself!!!

A Little Abstract Series

Another Great Event!!!

The 4th Annual Night by the Ocean Gala was another great event. Held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the event was to raise money for the Life Rolls On Foundation. This year it had over 500 attendees, the most out of all four year.

Sal Masekela from the E-channel and X-Games, hosted the event. Celebrities in the house were, Paris Hilton, Brooke Burns, the cast from
the TV show Las Vegas just to name a few. Guests enjoyed music by Jon Foreman from Switchfoot, Miles Doughty from Slighty Stoopid and Jackson Browne.

I had a great time shooting this event. I would have to say that all the celebrities were really nice, especially Brooke Burns and Paris Hilton.

It was very interesting to see how all the press photographer's worked. I notice they have to be very aggressive on that red carpet, and they take like 5000 shots. How many shots of Paris Hilton can you have. That must be a nightmare to edit. Also one thing that disappointed me, was the way a few of them dressed. This was a black tie event. I always try to dress up and look professional because I think it is important. Apparently some of these guys didn't think so and showed up wearing shorts. It kind of seemed disrespectful to me. I think if photographers want to get a way from the stereo type of being a slime ball we should all take the time to dress the part. Sorry just a little rant.

All being said it was a great event and I look forward to shooting it next year. Please check out LifeRollsOn.org for more information. They always need volunteers.

Here are a few more photos

Paris Hilton making a bid on one of the many great auctions items they had.

Brooke Burns looking great! My ONE shot to their (news photographers) 5000 shots.

Jessie Billauer, founder of Life Rolls On and friend and host Sal Masekela.

Jon Foreman from Switchfoot