ireland

Re-discovering images when sorting through negs is so much fun!

These were made in northwestern Ireland, a few years ago.

Trail

Landscapes are something else I want to include more of in this body of work (sirens), but it's challenging to find the right combination of light, land, sky and water that makes me want to make a photo.

Greg and I scored some fun surf up at San O this past weekend and discovered a trail we had never been on before. As I turned a corner descending down the cliff, I knew this was the just about the combination I was looking for in a picture. If you look closely you can see the swell lines...

Variety Pack

(above) Chelsea contacted me after seeing Sirens on Jettygirl, and I was stoked to have the chance to go up to San Clemente to photograph her this week. As you can see by her many, many trophies, she is quite an accomplished surfer at just 16 years old! One thing I noticed is that EVERY SINGLE trophy she has ever been awarded has a boy on it. No girls on trophies. How'dya like them apples?

(below) While visiting with my friends Cher and Steve this past weekend, they were kind enough to let me photograph their house. I love how natural, unique and fun their environment is - it captures their personalities so well!

These images have me especially excited because I've been trying to capture more details to incorporate into Sirens and I think at least one of these will work well. I photographed Cher previously, and will again, and I think these detail shots will compliment her portraits nicely by telling the full story of how integrated surfing is into her life.

rest here: III

Aliso Creek Rest Area, I-5 northbound, mile marker 59

more love

i absolutely love cardiff. after moving here almost 2 years ago, i never want to live anywhere else. i feel like i'm on vacation almost every day! life here is paradise, and i feel so lucky to have a little slice of it to call home. the images above highlight some random things that caught my eye while cruising around town last week.

and just for fun, some cardiff factoids:

• cardiff is officially known as cardiff-by-the-sea and lies 25 miles north of san diego.
• the 2007 consesus revealed a population of 11,537
• history has it that the founder of cardiff, j. frank cullen chose a spanish name for his playground because of its proximity to mexico but mrs. cullen, a native of cardiff, wales, persuaded him to name it cardiff and give the streets english names.
• cardiff's only industry, a kelp works, was built 1912. seaweed was processed there for its food and industrial content. the plant's foundation is still visible along the san elijo lagoon's muddy north bluff.

love

have you met greg? he is the love of my life!

in his hands is a new love in his life - a mahogany martin 000-15S. this portrait commemorates the beginning of a long, wonderful journey.

linda, part II

Linda at home, holding a photo of herself with her Makaha trophy, 1959.

Amazing!

cher!

Meet my friend Cher! I posted some board pics from this session last month, but these were left on a 1/2 exposed roll of film, and i just got these processed. i think i mentioned a bit about her in my last post but one post does not do her justice. cher is kind, joyful, understanding, inspiring, creative, fun and has an amazing laugh.

it's odd how in our first visit i missed all of that, but while shooting, we had some intense conversations and i think that is what ended up on the film. we have really gotten to know each other since these photos were taken, so i think some new portraits are in order - i want to make some images that celebrate the positive energy she exudes. i am so happy to have her in my life.

wait, is that....

linda benson? IT SURE IS!

i am so stoked she is willing to be a part of my project. her contribution to surfing is incredible, both athletically and culturally; she has truly helped take the women's side of the sport in new directions. click here to learn more about linda's history. more images and a written piece will be posted soon. thank you linda!

i want to go there

Thank you for sharing this, Brenda!

ask and you shall receive

i am so grateful to my friends who have participated in this project by allowing me to photograph them and contributing their words. cori sent me three pages of writing today and i got goosebumps as i read her responses to all of my questions.

i felt this response was the best for this image.

in case anyone is wondering, i came up with 5 questions to ask each surfer... they can answer one, or all, in any way they choose. so that's where these answers are coming from. looking forward to reading more :)

Lulu

Lulu was kind enough to write out some thoughts for me. If you recall, this was a shoot that was super tough for me to edit - what do you think of my image final selection? i chose this one because i like her expression, the light, the boards, and the fact that it's a more traditional style portrait.

although i really dig this portrait, i'd be curious to hear opinions on using any others, especially now that text has been introduced.

check out some of Lulu's other portraits here.

one of my favorite people!

my niece tristen is one of my favorite people. at 8 years old, she intensely smart, honest and genuine - no holds barred with her. maybe most kids are that way, but t0 me she is one of a kind. tristen is also hilarious and loves to cuddle, which is a winning combination in my book.

after making a pact that if i photographed her karate promotions (she is now advanced orange belt), she'd sit nicely for some "real" portraits, we made these photos in her room in colorado.

i've been on a hiatus from sirens, taking time to apply for grants & exhibitions, and prepare for portfolio reviews. (my review at the Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins went really well last friday!) now, i am home from CO but sick as a dog. once i am well, you can bet your bottom dollar i'll have new images for Sirens.