Catching Muscle Beach Fun With My Camera…
Chris Jantz looking serious as he pumps up in the workout Pit at Muscle Beach on July 4th. But now look past him to the right. I think she is enjoying her view of Chris from the other side. It has always been that way at Muscle Beach and along the Venice Beach Boardwalk. All part of the fun looking at the great bodies on men and women in the Southern California beach sun. I am just really happy that I caught some of that fun with my camera!
I Want It!
I don’t care what it is, if Ava Cowan is promoting it, I want it! Cell phones, posing suits, swimwear, hair style, supplements, whatever! When you look this gorgeous I am all in and there! A selfie from just the other day from one of the most respected and admired women in fitness, Ava Cowan. Go visit her website to get more of a look… AvaCowan.com
By the way, I Do Love Selfies! If you want to send me your selfie and a paragraph about you to be published across my social media and be seen by a huge audience, please do. I will try to publish as many of you as I can, but I do get quite a few, so I may have to stretch them out and pick and choose. But please do! Send them to my email at SecondFocus@mac.com and Thanks!
This Is Muscle Beach!
This one photograph I shot at the July 4th competition to me speaks volumes about what Muscle Beach is all about. United States Marine Corp Gunny Sergent Jaren Wright looking good and having fun on stage. Obviously he has worked hard building his physique and I am sure he will keep it going. And he certainly deserved the two trophies he took home. But even more, Jaren will always remember when he stood on stage at the real Muscle Beach at the only real Muscle Beach competitions!
And as a photographer, again I am so very impressed with shooting with a Hasselblad camera. Bodybuilding and fitness photography has it’s own very unique needs to get right when taking photographs. Definition, color rendition and skin tones are what separates really great bodybuilding photographs from all the others. Just look around at other bodybuilders photos you will see orange skin, blurry looks and unrealistic color. Stop and compare to what you see here. When you do that, you see the difference. As I say, Hasselblad does not just shoot photographs, it duplicates reality, and maybe makes it even better!
A Very Special “Muscle Beach Courage Award”!
The second photograph below is not some abstract work of art. It is the remains of the car driven by Bryan Ortiz. That is the “Before Photo” and also below here is the “After Photo” from Muscle Beach on July 4th. To quote from the presentation as Eryk Bui presented Bryan Ortiz with the Muscle Beach Courage Award…
“Four years ago on June 12, 2011, he was in a car accident, hit by a drunk driver, who was never caught. In the hospital for about a year and a half, the doctors found broken ribs, both lungs collapsed, internal bleeding, his heart moved to the middle of his chest, shattered legs and pelvis. There was the possibility that both legs would be amputated. In a coma for 3 months under respiratory support, he died 3 times. He had over 18 surgeries, 26 blood transfusions, skin graphs, ab muscles removed on his right side to restore his legs, and metal plates and rods from his waist down.”
“He competed on Memorial Day at the Muscle Beach International Classic and last Saturday at the Mr. & Ms. Muscle Beach. He plans to compete on Labor Day at the Muscle Beach Championship to complete the Summer trifecta. His story hopefully can inspire many who think that they can’t achieve the impossible. He’s living proof that anything IS possible. All it takes is hunger, drive, heart, dedication, discipline, and most important, FAITH. His message to everyone is NEVER GIVE UP!!!”
First We Contact The Mars Rover…
First we contact the Mars Rover. Then we turn it around and light you up for my camera. And then I make you look so good! Try me! Send me an e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com and Thank You!
My Secret To Working With Gorgeous Models
I am often asked by newer inexperienced photographers how to get the most out of models during photo shoots. It can also be especially intimidating for new photographers when working with tall, gorgeous professional models like Maria Bertrand. I will tell you my secret… Cookies and Milk. Yes that’s it! You can get the best photo shoots ever with a model if you give them Cookies and Milk.
Here Comes The Judge
Moji Oluwa backstage in the workout Pit just prior to guest posing at Muscle Beach/Venice on July 4th. Moji has been a judge at Muscle Beach for a long time now and is always encouraging and helpful to everyone. A good guy and a superb bodybuilder! I am always happy to see Moji!
Maybe Near You?
Have you been wanting to do a photo shoot with me but getting away to Palm Springs is really difficult. I will start letting you know my likely availability in other locations. So here we go…
I will have availability Saturday July 18th and Sunday July 19th in Los Angeles in the Venice Beach area. And again on Wednesday July 22nd. Other locations nearby would be considered.
August 22nd I will be at the Anaheim FitExpo and Iron Man Naturally. I will have availability to shoot in Orange County on Sunday August 23rd at a likely gym location. Other locations could also be considered.
Labor Day September 7th will find me at the bodybuilding and fitness competition at Muscle Beach Venice. I will again be doing competitor photo shoots of you on stage and backstage if you are doing the show. I will also be doing special individual photo shoots with you, even if you are not a competitor, on Saturday September 5th and Sunday September 6th. These shoots will be at Venice Beach or a beach in nearby Marina Del Rey. I price these photo shoots very reasonably because I can get a number of you in during the day. So you really want to take advantage of this pricing because I really can’t do it otherwise, not even close!
Most of those photo shoots that I do out of town are based on being less complicated and less time than I would usually be doing. So again they are very reasonably priced as compared to my usual shoots. You will still however get the great photographs I am known for creating! I really enjoy shooting with as many of you as as I can, so please try to take advantage of what can be as much as only 25% or less of what i would have to charge otherwise.
For those of you who would like to see me in an area near you, let me know. If you have a few others who would like to be in front of my cameras, we can bring your individual costs way down and make it work for me coming to you.
Please send me an e-mail with any of your questions or for more information. I am at SecondFocus@mac.com and Thank You!
By the way this is from a photo shoot I did in Marina Del Rey a few years back with one of the most popular and respected women in all of our world of fitness, Ava Cowan.
The July 4th Muscle Beach 2015 Over 50 Bodybuilding Champion
Billy Robinson became the Muscle Beach 2015 Masters Men Over 50 Champion this past weekend. When I saw him in the morning I knew he would be taking home a big trophy. It does take years of hard work to build thick mature muscle like that. Great job Billy and well deserved!
I Am Not Surprised!
Theresa Russell told me “I had men following me around telling me I was stunning and tons of strangers wanting pics with me”. And I said “I am not surprised at all!”. She did go home with a well deserved trophy from Muscle Beach on Saturday. I didn’t do any pics with her, I know on which end of the camera where I do best!
Not A Recent Photo
I did tell them that it was not a recent photo. If you are one of over 24,000 photographers who get Professional Photographer Magazine, there I am full page! For over 100 years with members in 54 countries, it is the official membership magazine of Professional Photographers of America. And no I am not still using that camera. Too Fun!
Everyday!
Might be a message there! What do you you think? Chris Jantz pumping up backstage in the workout Pit on July 4th at the real Muscle Beach/Venice. The big Summer bodybuilding and fitness competition saw Chris take home two first place trophies, one second place trophy and a big win as Overall Champion Novice. Everyday!
Candy And Muscle Beach And Trophies!
United States Marine Corp Gunny Sergent Jaren Wright practicing advanced food science supplementation prior to getting on stage at Muscle Beach/Venice yesterday LOL. Don’t be fooled, he went home with two trophies!
Works For July 4th Too!
Works for July 4th too! We have Red, White and Blue! As usual I am at Muscle Beach photographing the July 4th bodybuilding and fitness show. But this was a truly special event with the Tuskegee Airmen honored on Memorial Day 2012 at Muscle Beach. From left to right, Tuskegee Airmen… Levi Thornhill, Buford Johnson, Edward Tillman, and Ted Lumplin.
Brig. Gen. Roger W. Teague, Vice Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base came to Muscle Beach to also be a part of this extraordinary day.
And giving everyone a reason to smile, Heather Clay, the overall Bikini Competition winner that day. She also gets my vote for absolute best salute of the day!
Will Be Looking For You!
We will be looking for you tomorrow morning at the big Muscle Beach/Venice show. You can still sign up now for me to shoot your photographs at the show on stage, backstage in the workout pit, and even your own mini photo shoot on Sunday. And I know that many of you are traveling and it might be difficult to sign up online. So see me backstage in the workout pit after you check in. Just ask for me and I will be wearing a yellow Muscle Beach cap. You can also ask for my gorgeous 6 ft tall assistant for the day, Natalie Lyle. Here is the online link for sign up and more information and Thanks! https://squareup.com/market/secondfocus
Muscle Beach July 4th Is Here!
Muscle Beach/Venice July 4th bodybuilding and fitness competition is here! If you are doing the show and want photographs, time to sign up! You can have your photographs on stage, back stage in the workout Pit or even your own mini photo shoot on Sunday. I am driving to Venice Beach this morning for photo shoots but if you have any questions, send me an e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com or a text to 213-712-1929. Thanks! https://squareup.com/market/secondfocus
Girl Can Jump At Muscle Beach!
Laura Bailey was jumping for joy because I was photographing her backstage in the workout “Pit” at Muscle Beach/Venice. You can too! Saturday July 4th I will be doing the stage photographs and backstage photographs. You can even have your own mini photo shoot the day after the show on Sunday. I can still get you in for a mini photo shoot tomorrow. But you have to sign up. Here is the link for the online sign up form and more info. And if you have any questions just send me a note. Thanks! https://squareup.com/market/secondfocus
Banners Are Up And I Am There!
Very Fun! The banners are up for the July 4th show at Muscle Beach/Venice and I am there right in the middle! I remember walking along that boardwalk as a young guy seeing those big bodybuilders working out in the “pit”. And also the almost naked women walking along the boardwalk as well. If you are doing the show, or for that matter want to do your own photo shoot over this weekend, I am taking sign ups now. For more info and to sign up online click here and Thanks… https://squareup.com/market/secondfocus
Get Out Your Best Sox!
Get out your best sox! Maria Bertrand sure did! I will be photographing you backstage in the workout “”Pit” and on stage at the big July 4th fitness and bodybuilding show at Muscle Beach/Venice! You can even have your own mini-shoot the day before or the day after. But you have to sign up first. For more information and the online sign up form click here and Thanks… https://squareup.com/market/secondfocus
Travis Ely On His Way!
Travis Ely working it in the gym on his way to the NPC Universe National Bodybuilding Championships next week in New Jersey. This is a pivotal show for a bodybuilder because it is what is called an IFBB Pro Qualifier. Top placing competitors will earn the title of “Professional Bodybuilder” in the IFBB, the most prestigious bodybuilding federation on the planet. Travis has done a great job with 20 weeks of prep, making great gains in muscle thickness, symmetry and detail. I do not say this often, almost never actually, but I expect him to do good!
By the way from a photographers perspective… Photographed with my Hasselblad camera producing incredibly accurate skin tones, colors, contrast and detail. So very impressed with Hasselblad!
And a big Thank You to Palm Springs Fitness for always being a great place to work out and being with friends and for supporting Travis Ely! Travis is a personal trainer at Palm Springs Fitness, go see him!
A Couple Of Firsts
Behind the scenes in my photo shoot with Katie Madden just recently. A couple of firsts here; the first time Katie will be published in a magazine. And the first of my photo shoots to be published photographed with my Hasselblad camera! The superb Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle. Very Fun!
Hasselblad Reality
When I announced that I had added a Hasselblad digital medium format camera system to my equipment, it generated a lot of interest. I received lots of messages and have been asked about it personally from photographers, models and people generally.
My decision to go Hasselblad, after trying out pretty much every high end camera system, came back to this one photo I shot of bodybuilder Travis Elywhen I first tried it out on a real photo shoot. Click on it to really get a look. The completely real colors, skin tone and definition were exactly what I wanted. It is more than a photograph, seemingly a duplicate of reality.
There are other reasons I chose Hasselblad. It is a legendary manufacturer of cameras made famous when chosen by NASA in 1962 to be the cameras to go into outer space. And of course used by so many famous photographers in the past and today. So who is next in front of my Hasselblad?
Location, Location, Location!
One of my favorite locations I will be using for photo shoots for July 4th weekend. Here with an incredibly perfect for the scene, Jake Sawyer. You can shoot with me on July 3rd or July 5th, the day before or after the big show at Muscle Beach/Venice. You do not have to be doing the show to take advantage of these photo shoots. I will be doing the show photography on stage and backstage if you are doing the show on July 4th. As many of you know I never make these offers of less costly mini-shoots like this but I really want to do it so I can shoot with more you. So please sign up ASAP and let’s make it happen. Click here for more info and to sign up online and Thanks… https://squareup.com/market/secondfocus
Saw Randalene In A Coupe de Ville!
Oh wait! That was Maybellene when Chuck Berry was singing about her. Randalene Sergent would look good in a Coupe de Ville! I am thinking if he had seen her, that very first rock and roll song would have been “Randalene”. Actually Randalene looks good everywhere and especially in front of my cameras. And she will be in front of my cameras again on July 4th weekend. You can too!
I will be shooting at the big Muscle Beach show on July 4th. However even if you are not doing the show, you can shoot with me at the beach in Venice or Marina Del Rey on Friday July 3rd or Sunday July 5th. I will be working with a few people each day to keep it as inexpensive as I can for you. I would love to shoot with as many of you as possible but there is only so much time. So please sign up as soon as you can, it is right around the corner. For more details and sign up click here and Thanks! https://squareup.com/market/secondfocus
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