Where are you based?

My studio is located in what is referred to as Artist Alley in Oceanside, California. Oceanside is a beach town on the verge of rejuvenation and rebirth. This studio is the base for my production and shooting. However, I am involved in location photography whether that takes me one block to the beach or several miles to the streets of Mexico, or, for that matter, to any location that offers interest.


Is that right, that you worked in a cubicle before becoming a photographer? What was your occupation?

I have worked in the marketing department of a few software and internet companies in San Diego. Marketing provided me with the ability to appreciate the importance of design and layout but to also realize that I did not want to limit my ability to a 6 by 6 foot space.


When did you realize that you could make a living shooting pictures?

I have always had an interest in photography, a passion that was encouraged by my grandfather who was an avid photographer. Then my wife gave me a new camera for my 30th birthday. I was looking for a different way to make a living and was willing to do what I had to to turn this passion into a profession. My wife had just given birth to our first son, and I called in my two- week notice at the software company that day. I just knew there had to be a better way to support my family...or I should say, better for me.


Was there a photographer that inspired or influenced you?

While there isn't one specific photographer that influenced me, I have always been drawn to the California lifestyle that I have seen depicted through photography. But I think what has become more of an inspiration is the ability and opportunity to reproduce the sense of that lifestyle through visual images.


What type or what style of photography do you shoot?

I predominately shoot lifestyle imagery for catalog, stock, commercial and individual clientèle.




What type of equipment do you use?

I mainly shoot with Canon Digital equipment (1ds m 2), However, I occasionally dust off my 67 film equipment and have even been known to use my Holga on certain shoots.


What's the worst thing that has happened to you during a shoot?

I locked the car keys in the rental car with my equipment. I now keep two sets of keys in two different places.


Is your site flash or HTML?

My site is designed using flash. A few years ago I was looking to create a new website and fortunately I was shooting for a client (Theta Interactive), a talented and innovative group of designers. From then on we have worked in tandem to created ITDR (www.intothedarkroom.com) developing innovative products for photographers including web sites, photo-proofing, slide shows, blogs, with.more to come. All the ITDR site are search engine optimized.


Do you have a rep or agent?

I am currently signed with Select, an assignment division of Aurora Photos based in New York City. It is a non-exclusive relationship, and I am keeping my options open.


Where have you been recently?

My recent assignments have keep me local lately; however, I have had a few shoots that have taken me all over Mexico and to Mammoth on recent assignments.


Do you ever just shoot for fun?

Absolutely! Every shoot is fun and even the ones I take for personal reasons have the potential to become great stock images


Do you deal with any stock agencies?

I deal with two agencies. My first agency is Aurora Photos. My images placed at Aurora also have distribution channels through Getty Creative and Corbis. I recently have been contributing to Jupiter Images via Workbook.


Do you feel like you're being treated fairly by your agency?

I am very pleased with my relationship with Aurora. The time and attention Aurora gives its photographers is really impressive. My relationship with Jupiter is still in the initial stages. I think any photographer certainly will get more attention the more that person contributes. .


What do you think will be the next big trend in the photo industry?

I look for more multimedia, stop motion, photo video, voice over and rich media for both narrative, news, and commercial application and distribution. I am trying to combine HD and photography as much as I can to prepare.


Do you use a resource site or publication?

I am continually reviewing websites, magazines and publications.


What are you working on next?

I am constantly working on projects...go to the ephotos site to complete the interview:
www.ephotos.com

so with a new waterhousing comes new lenes.  just got the canon 28mm f1.8.  got it cause i needed those wide shots underwater and this was the right price for about $450.  it had some decent reviews and so now i own it.  i am pretty happy with it so far.  here are a few from a session with mike.

having some fun shooting standup paddle boarders. this is a first of a few sessions, more to come.

shot a story for jet set, pretty fun session.  got a chance to use the new water housing with the 1dsm2 which was nice.  speaking about locations...this is a good friends house and pool in carlsbad.  nice have friends that allow me to shoot on their property or with their toys, thanks joe! the truth is this is the first placed i lived in california way back in 1994...i rented a room in the house...nice to go back and shoot there....  tons of shots from this session but here are a few...

i have had people ask me where i find my places to shoot... I actually do very little location scouting, unless it is a very art directed session with location intention or there is a budget and producer that helps secure and plot the locations.  for the most part i have an idea and scout when shooting and just find it! 

so here is alexia's session in la jolla.  love the field...the second i saw, i was excited.

have shot debi in the past and its always fun.  she has tons of soul and looks good on the board;-) 

update**  both housing and lens are sold!!  thanks

hi all, moving my underwater rig to the 1ds m2 and have a custom made del mar housing for a 5d for sale... the port fits a 17-40...also seems to fit a 50mm, 85mm... and has a zoom ring, exposure knob and a packet wizard port.

port is super clean, no scratches, like new except for some scratches on the top bottom of the housing...

$1500 ~  housing
$600 ~ lens 17-40

Call or email!

hi all!

back in the studio after a nice family and friends camping trip to mammoth lakes, ca.  i have never been so i was very excited to see what all the fuss was about.  we camped at twin lakes campground just a short drive from town.  the campground was great with lots to do for the kids, but for 4 year olds, playing and living in the dirt is just about as good as it gets.  but we did hike to emerald lake, devil's postpile national monument and rainbow falls.  we also got some fishing and boating in as well as some late night beer drinking stories, which is always fun.

the crew below, was my family as well as eric, andrew, ocean, chris, and levi.

as for the photography, all shot on my trusty 1dsm2 with lots of post production for the holga look which for camping has a nice nostalgic feel.  i did shoot the 50mm 1.4 a good bit on this trip and if i was gonna do it again, might be the only lens i would take.  super lightweight, and fast for those moody backlit trees.

the top image is a image merge in photoshop from 6 vertical images of emerald lake.