Slacklining

After pulling into Yosemite Valley this past weekend,  I spotted a group of climbers slacklining over the Merced River.  Having tried slacklining a few times myself, and failing to make any progress whatsoever, I can truly appreciate this sport as an art in moving meditation.  Extreme focus, balance, and core strength are a few of the necessary ingredients for mastering this sport.  Add a dash of daring, and you get folks dangling over buildings, mountain tops, or in this case, an incredibly cold river chilled by snow melt.

I gotta love the guy wearing the wetsuit; he seems to be the only one who truly understands the consequence of falling.

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Recommitting myself to fun

I've been in a rut lately and realized it's because I've been producing work for other people, and forgetting to do stuff for myself.  Today, I sat down at the computer with the express purpose of having some "me" time and going through images that I shot for fun weeks ago.  I had forgotten that I had started this blog as a space to display personal work, and as a place of creative experimentation.  I've lost sight of this goal.  Well, that all changes now.....I am officially recommitting myself to having fun with my camera once again.

By now, you're probably aware that I love trees.  Especially trees that are overtaken by fog.  There's a yearning, loneliness, dignity and romanticism to the scene that recalls a great Bronte novel.

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Jumping the Broom

I shot a wonderful wedding last week for queer feminist writer Andreana Clay and her partner Joan Benoit at the Berkeley Botanical Garden.  In her blog, QueerBlackFeminist, Andreana writes about the transformative experience of standing before one's community of friends and family and publicly declaring your love for another person.  Her article "Be My Husband, I'll Be Your Wife: On Queer Marriage" (click for link) is a beautifully written analysis of LGBTQ marriage and focuses not on the need for state recognition, but rather a more community driven approach to celebrating queer love.

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A Family's Journey with Autism

One of the most rewarding part of people a photographer is being invited into people's home to catch a glimpse of their personal lives.  I was thrilled to be asked by the Children's Health Council to capture the story of Johann Garcia, an exuberant, loving boy diagnosed with autism.  For a couple hours, I got to be part of his life, and was blown away by the incredible amount of work, patience, and loving commitment shared by his entire family. 

Below are additional images that didn't make the newsletter, but are personal favorites.

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Cover photo for Reach Vietnam Magazine

I was pleased to find that East Meets West Foundation, a fantastic development organization working in Vietnam and SouthEast Asia, used another one of my photos for a recent issue of their magazine.  This image was taken while documenting the organization's SPELL program (Scholarship Program to Support Literacy and Learning) in the rural regions of Central Vietnam.

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Rue Atelier

I recently did a shoot with Rue Atelier, a super charming clothing boutique located in the Piedmont district in Oakland, CA.  Barbara Dryden (top photo), owner of Rue Atelier is a conscientious business owner who understands the importance of supporting local artists, and most of the items found in her store are the creations of established and emerging fashion and jewelry designers.  Handmade craft items, including stuffed toys, slippers, hats and scarves are also staples of this eco friendly store.

If you get the opportunity,  Rue Atelier is having a Trunk Show on Saturday, May 7th from 1-5 pm where local artist, Stephanie Arata will showcase her Funky Lotus Jewelry designs.  For those who haven't had a chance to shop for a Mother's Day gift yet, this would be the place to pick up that "perfect something." 

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Drawn to the Beard

Beards fascinate me.  Every time I see a beard, I feel the urge to run my hands through them, and yank real hard.  Don't get me wrong.  This impulse isn't kinky, sexual, sadistical or anything.  I prefer to think that it's an innocent curiosity.... kinda like the little kid who sits on Santa's lap and feels compelled to pull at his beard.  Obviously, I couldn't ask John if I could touch his fluffy gnome-like beard.  That would be too weird.  So I did next best thing and photographed him instead.

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