“Artist In Action”
A really big congratulations to my buddy Dennis Johnson. Today at the Palm Springs Art Museum doing a print making demonstration as one of their “Artist In Action” presentations. On the main floor of the museum, a sizable group of people gathered around and listened and watched a demonstration of an art form almost unchanged since the 15th Century. Very Cool!
The C-47 And D-Day
Yesterday over Palm Springs, a C-47 painted with the D-Day invasion stripes. The alternating black and white stripes were for easy identification by the Allies during the Normandy landings 70 years ago. The Palm Springs Air Museum flew their C-47 “What’s Up Doc” in honor of that anniversary of the largest seaborne invasion in history. Can you imagine the sky being filled with over 1,000 C-47’s dropping 13,000 paratroopers and towing assault gliders!
In The Cockpit She Looked Better Than Me!
I was just trying to convince Lisa Marino Sanders into letting me drive. But I remember her diplomatically saying that she probably would look better in the cockpit of the F-16 at Muscle Beach than I would. It was hard to argue with that so I just went back to taking the photographs.
Yes on Memorial Day weekend as part of our photo shoot we got Lisa up in that cockpit. And yes it is a real United States Air Force F-16 fighter jet. They brought it out just for us. Ok… well they brought it out for the big Memorial Day show at Muscle Beach/Venice. The place “Where Muscles Were Born”! Thanks!
And a big Thank You to Natalie Lyle for her great Makeup and Hair Styling all day!
Great Look At Muscle Beach!
Just loving these great looks on the women standing on stage at Muscle Beach/Venice this last weekend for Memorial Day. Tall Bikini competitor Aline Gretler was a standout not to be ignored! Outstanding!
Just Radiant At Muscle Beach!
At Muscle Beach/Venice on Memorial Day I do not get the chance to photograph everyone on stage. I am just too busy with so many people around the show and backstage. But I did photograph who I could only describe as a very radiant and very beautiful Jennifer Henry. I truly love it when I see people having so much fun on stage at the place “Where Muscles Were Born”!
Red Topping On A Great Body!
I love it when beautiful women come out to Muscle Beach to stand on stage and stand out and have fun! Megan Garrison sure did that! Everyone was inspired by the rocking hot body she has built and topped with that bright red hair! Here she was busy concentrating on getting ready back stage in the “Pit” Of course Megan went home with a trophy! She does hang out on Facebook but she tells me she is much busier over at Instagram as @megandelbarrio. Very Cool!
Athlete For Sure!
Jonathan Rude describes himself as a lifelong athlete since he was 5 years old. I would say that the word “athlete” is the description for this 6ft-4 big guy! Played football for Georgetown University but injuries ended his signing with the Washington Redskins. Now for some time he has been working on being in shape to continue to compete in boxing, kickboxing and MMA.
Coming to Los Angeles you would have found Jon training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club, training with former Light Heavyweight contender Marcus Harvey as well as former Tyson Assistant trainer Tom Patti before working with Hall of Fame Trainers Freddie Roach and Jesse Reid Sr.
Then Jon went on to transition into MMA in 2010, training at Dynamix MMA with former UFC and K1 Kickboxing Heavyweight Antoni Hardonk, Rickson Gracie BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) Blackbelt Henry Akins and 6x Soviet National Champion Freestyle Wrestler and UFC Light Heavyweight Vladimir Matyushenko.
Now Jon is building his business and reputation as one of the top trainers in Los Angeles while contending for the Boxing Heavyweight Championship of the World, competing in the K1 and Glory Kickboxing World Grand Prix’s and finally making a run at the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
So did I say “athlete” was the right description for this guy! It sure is!
It Takes A Lot To Stand Out On The Venice Beach Boardwalk!
It takes a lot to stand out on the Venice Beach Boardwalk and Lisa Marino Sanders sure does that! At times she was surrounded by people wanting to take photos with her. It started the moment we got out there and went on all day during our photo shoot. I would have stopped in my tracks too to take in the view of this beautiful woman standing 6-2 in those heels. Just Wow! Actually it was a lot of fun!
Lisa is a Physique Competitor on her way to National competition to grab her IFBB Pro Card fresh from the show the night before our shoot at the NPC California State Championships National Qualifier. How better to celebrate than in front of my camera at Venice Beach!
A big Thank You to Natalie Lyle for a superb day of outstanding Makeup and Hair Styling and all her help!
The Best Fun At Muscle Beach…
The best fun at Muscle Beach/Venice for me… seeing friends old and new! All time greats and legends of bodybuilding Tony Pearson and Bill Grant cheering on Jeff Behar winning the day yesterday at the show.
And I have to Thank so many of you who made it a part of your day to come see me as well. You yelled and texted and had other people find me amid the crowds and so much going on. I am so very flattered by you! Thank You Thank You Thank You!!
A Real F-16 At Muscle Beach!
I knew it was coming, but it was a secret, a big secret. A real F-16 jet fighter courtesy of the United States Air Force at Muscle Beach at Venice Beach for the big show tomorrow. Very Cool!
Norman Rockwell’s “Rosie The Riveter”
Norman Rockwell’s “Rosie The Riveter” for the May 29, 1943 issue of the “Saturday Evening Post”. It depicted a more robust Rosie but still feminine with her lipstick and curls. But the message is clear with the American Flag background and her standing on a battered copy of Hitler’s “Mein Kampf”. The original painting sold at auction in 2002 for almost $5,000,000. It is now displayed at museums. A photograph of the poster today at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
The First Commanding Officer of the Women’s Army Corp
Oveta Culp Hobby, the first commanding officer of the Women’s Army Corp created and encompassing 350,000 women during World War II. She was also the first secretary of the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare. A photograph of a photograph today at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
F/A-18 Hornet Marine Red Devils
A United States Marine Corp F/A-18 Hornet coming in to Palm Springs Airport a little more than an hour ago. The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin engine supersonic aircraft designed as a fighter and attack aircraft. This one is from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232) nicknamed the “Red Devils”, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar CA. It is the oldest and most decorated fighter squadron in the Marine Corps.
You Will Find Me At Muscle Beach!
It is that time when you find me at Muscle Beach/Venice for the big Memorial Day Bodybuilding and Fitness Show. I will be headed out there tomorrow Sunday for photo shoots and photographing at the show and all around on Monday.
Here is one of my photos from in the pit during a show with Andy Haman wowing the girls on the boardwalk. It has not changed at Muscle Beach almost forever. It is the place “Where Muscles Were Born” and only gotten better and more fun! And I will tell you a secret… tomorrow the United States Air Force will be rolling in to set up a real F-16 Jet Fighter to show off right there at the show on Monday! How cool is that!
Sending Some Love To Sasha!
Sending some LOVE to my good buddy Sasha Brown who is doing the IFBB Pro Figure Qualifier for the Olympia this weekend in Culver City California. We had the best time last week shooting photographs at Salton Sea here at Bombay Beach. I have known Sasha for a long time now and she just keeps getting more beautiful! Keep it going Sasha!
Ready For The Indy 500 And “Not Guilty”!
Sunday is the Indy 500 and Maria Bertrand is all set to go! She just needs a ride, any volunteers? She is even bringing her favorite tires. And by the way, Maria is indeed “Not Guilty”! Been there, done that and has the T-Shirt!
I Love Selfies! And Her Success At Playboy And Guitar World!
I Love Selfies! And when Kathy Pack sent me so many I was hard pressed to pick just one! They are all fun! I am especially proud to know Kathy, I did her first professional photo shoot a few years ago. She told me about her hopes and aspirations about competing in a world of modeling that had been in the back of her mind for years. And you know what… those hopes and aspirations have all been coming true!
Those first photographs we shot got her featured in Guitar World Magazine. And she ended up winning as the 2013 Guitar World Buyers Guide Model. If you follow Guitar World you know that is really cool. She has gone on to be featured at events and projects at the Playboy Mansion, hosted events for the Oscars and now traveling around the country for photo shoots and video projects for Playboy, Guitar World and many more.
Success that started with the discipline from being a two time state champion gymnast and continuing to stay in shape with core fitness and her own pole fitness workouts. So I am very ecstatic to know Kathy and her success puts a huge smile on my face! As she says “Always believe in yourself and your dreams and your goals”.
I invite you to send me your selfies and I will show you off here on my Blog, on my Facebook pages, and across my other Social Media. Girls and guys, whatever you want to send. In the gym, showing off the hard work you have put in, at the pool, just having fun. Anything a little too edgy for Facebook will go on my Blog and I will safely share it here. You don’t have to have ever done a photo shoot with me or even met me in person. It will also be a great way for me to see you and talk about photo shoots. Let’s do this, it’s all fun!
You must send me the selfie to my e-mail at SecondFocus@mac.com or across Facebook Messenger. I will say that I might have to pick and choose to make it manageable and hold some or change when I decide to post them for one reason or another. Thanks!
A Jessica Rabbit Who Found The Gym!
I showed you the teaser on the back of the camera last week. So I thought I better follow up with the actual photograph. Sasha Brown from our photo shoot last week at the Salton Sea. I imagined I was looking at a Jessica Rabbit who finally found the gym and built some muscle and definition!. Look at that tiny waist!
Sasha Brown Figure is one of the hardest working women in the sport of bodybuilding and fitness. An IFBB Figure Pro she has been traveling all over the world. She recently traveled throughout the Ukraine doing seminars and appearances. Sasha Brown is one of the most recognized people in fitness throughout Russia and Eastern Europe.
Help! Instagram!
I am calling on my best gorgeous buddy Maria Bertrand to help announce that I am now on Instagram. My account is IanSitren. Does that mean I am @IanSitren? I haven’t quite figured it out yet, so maybe all of you can help me. What do I do next! Follow me and I will follow you! Thanks!
Sexy And Creative From 1985 With Rachel McLish.
So very sexy and creative and attention grabbing. A health club television commercial from 1985 featuring Rachel McLish, the very first Ms. Olympia. I really do not think ads for gyms and supplement companies really measure up today.
However this is one national magazine ad that I think is great. I photographed this for Bodybuidling.com.
My New Shelter Watch Dog
Got this guy at the shelter on Friday. They said he would make a great watch dog. But he doesn’t seem to bark at all. Also not interesting in playing ball. Oh well, we will see how he does at puppy class.
Actually a small part of a mural in Twentynine Palms photographed on a day long photo excursion. “This trompe l’oeil mural tells a story about an artist who fell asleep while painting a mural. Manifested from the artist dreaming about Cattle Days in Hidden Valley, a rodeo bull named Valentine is metamorphosed into reality next to the scaffolding. Named for the white heart shape on his head, Valentine also bears the McHaney gang brand, as if he traveled out of the historical scene in the mural. Waiting for the artist to awake, along with a patient vulture, Valentine will soon have his day.” “Valentine’s Day” by John Pugh.
From Where We Were To Around The World!
I can’t resist posting this from the back of my camera from my photo shoot yesterday with Sasha Brown. Sasha just was having so much fun, she had to get it out on her social networking right from the car by using her cellphone. When I think about it, it is so very cool. From where we were to around the world. Wow!
Do I Know How To Treat My Models On My Photo Shoots Or What!
Sasha Brown staying on her competition diet on her photo shoot with me at Salton Sea.
Her Sexy And Focused Dark Warrior!
Her Dark Warrior, an alter ego which is really her true tenacity and focus and oh so very sexy. Stacey Naito from our photo shoot. Only better when you see this photograph, by clicking on it, full screen on my Website.
A big Thank You to Blanche LeBeau for the transforming Makeup and Hair Styling. And another big Thank You to my friend and photographer Jaime Klein for hosting us at his studio. And a huge Thank You to Stacey Naito for being so incredible in front of my cameras!
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