Velvia 100

February 03, 2015

One of my recent rolls of transparency film for my Creative Thought and Capture class shot on my Mamiya 645.

Winter Solstice

January 20, 2015

The past few months have been such a whirlwind I haven't really had the time to update my blog but I finally found some time to sit and crank out some of the photos from time passed. Here are some images from the end of 2014 and some to start off the new year. Enjoy! and cheers.

BlackBox Portraits

December 10, 2014

The beautiful miss Ashleigh Mower stepped into my BlackBox.

Love to Fly

November 25, 2014

Most people would be satisfied spending their free time surfing, diving, hiking and mountain biking. But for Lars Helgeson, owner of an internet marketing software business called GreenRope, the stress and pressure of his job isn’t so easily remedied. Helgeson loves all those activities but when he really needs to get away from it all he does it in his single-engine Cirrus SR22 aircraft, thousands of feet above the hustle and bustle of city life.

Helgeson, 42, was born and raised in San Deigo and served in the Air Force for a number of years. Afterwards he and a friend decided to study to get their private pilot licenses and Helgeson has been flying solo for over nine years.

Helgeson takes every opportunity to fly his plane, whether it’s for business or pleasure. Wherever he needs to be across California and even Mexico, he’ll fly himself there. Every pilot needs a good copilot, so Helgeson usually brings his four-year-old Boston Terrier on every flight.

Flying his own private airplane isn’t just about having an escape from life for Helgeson, it’s also a symbol of his success. “For me it represented an enormous amount of work and effort, both to start my business up so I could afford it and then also the time I spent in order to learn to fly,” he said. “I think that everyone has their own dreams and their own passion and as long as they focus on getting to that and achieving something really special to them, no one can ever take that away from you.”

San Francisco Dreaming

November 19, 2014

I often find myself itching to adventure and travel but lately I have been finding myself stuck in front of a computer either writing a last minute paper for school or editing my final documentary for class. For the last few months I haven't had the time to just disconnect and get away without any responsibility but I finally made some time to make a quick escape up north.

I packed up my car Floyd and hit the 101 north freeway for San Francisco. I don't mind long drives especially when it is headed for one of my favorite cities in the world. Growing up I visited the Bay Area often with my family and friends and I have always had such a spectacular time exploring the crowded and vibrant city.

After a day of driving I was happy to make it to a cloudy and rainy San Francisco to see Nick and my brother Taishi.

Fisherman caught a leopard shark at Rockaway Beach, Pacifica, California.

It is always a great pleasure to visit an amazing city and it was so sad to leave but not for long! It's not goodbye, it's I'll see you soon!

Big Sur: Above the Clouds

September 03, 2014

A recent trip up the coast on Highway 1 to Big Sur with some cool friends and a small dog named Sadie. We found a campsite up in the mountains overlooking the ocean and above the clouds.

rough time lapse of the sunset over Big Sur

We ended up making our way back down and staying in a familiar place. We made camp on the Pismo dunes for the night.

Land of the Giants: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

August 04, 2014

I recently had the chance to visit Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, where I had not visited since I was really little so it was so exciting. Nick and I drove into Kings Canyon and stayed near Hume Lake the first few nights and then we made our way down into the Sequoias.

We got really lucky and were staying in the parks just a few days before the meteor shower.

Gas Light III

July 20, 2014

Life at Sea: Five Day Ocean Adventure

July 16, 2014

This past week I had the amazing opportunity to go on a 5 day boat trip to Catalina Island with my Underwater Photography class. We left on Monday night and arrived early Tuesday morning on the Eastern side of Catalina Island where we dropped anchor. Everyday was a great learning experience but also the most intense rush of excitement.

Here is a selection of images I wanted to share from this awesome experience with everyone so I hope you enjoy them!

The view from our boat at Sea Fan Grotto.

I was very recently certified as a Open Water Diver so it was amazing to be able to explore what was beneath the oceans surface. Being in the underwater world is quite possibly the most breathtaking thing to ever experience. To be able to dive down 50 feet and see how the other half lives, really, there is nothing like it.

The kelp forest at Anacapa Island, Channel Islands, CA.

I had the great chance to work with some beautiful models during the trip which was cool for a change, I never really get to work with models so getting to work with them in the ocean was even better! Oh yeah did I mention I got to work with Mermaids?!

@projectmermaids Beautiful tails made by The Mertailor

Waking up and going to bed looking over the horizon was truly an unbelievable feeling, the long summer days felt endless and the world looked infinite.

A portrait of one of the crew members, Chase.

Lets just say carrying all of our heavy dive equipment to all of the unnecessary sun burns and skin peeling was all well worth it. I have never experienced the ocean in such a way and really words cannot explain what I have gained from this. I can't thank my amazing professor Ralph Clevenger enough for everything he has done for my class and for this unbelievable experience.

I belong in the ocean its where I need to be.

Gas Light II

July 13, 2014