I’ve been hired by San Diego Magazine to shoot their summer swimwear editorial. We did the casting a couple of weeks ago and today we did the fitting with the talent. The fitting is were we pull out all of the clothing, match it to the talent and come up with complete outfits that are ready to go on the shoot day. I also used this as an opportunity to get some shots and test out the camera I’ll be using.

This is gonna be a fun shoot.

John

Just got back from New York City last night. We flew just south of some amazing - and scary - thunderstorms. The weather report said they were generating tornados. Seeing the lightening flash nonstop out of a monstrous vortex was an awesome experience. I was glad to have my feet back on the ground though.Today, I helped Ashley with a baby shoot in the studio. I’m testing a new camera so it gave me a chance to play around.

John

I was recently asked to do the school photos for the graduating class at the La Jolla Children’s School
in, where else, La Jolla. I’m their unofficial artist in residence and go to photographer. At first, I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the thought doing the school photography. Visions of crappy backdrops, cheap combs and bored expressions left me inclined to pass on the opportunity.

But then I got to thinking, what if I made this an assignment for the kids in that the photo should tell something about who they are? I stuck with the idea of the backdrop, but decided to take it down to nearby La Jolla Shores beach. Instead of just cropping in on the seamless paper, I captured some of the background to give the shots a sense of place. I used a strobe to provide the soft light on their face.

And finally one with the whole class. I only wish my school photos were this cool.

John