Behind The Scenes And On The Screen
Usually behind the work on my photo shoots as the makeup artist and hairstylist, Natalie Lyle is also pretty incredible in front of the camera. Sculpting all 6 ft tall of her into a fit body and watching me direct shoots has made her a model who surely commands a lot of attention. Here is a look of the behind the scenes from one of our photos shoots and an on screen look of a small part of what I see afterwards.
They Said Rita Moreno!
When I was asked to be the stills photographer on the movie “Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks” I asked who was going to be in it. Gena Rowlands and Rita Moreno were two of the answers. When would I ever have the opportunity to photograph these extraordinary individuals of motion pictures!
Rita Moreno won her Oscar for her role in the motion picture “West Side Story”. Perhaps that does not mean much to you younger than I, but to me it leaves me speechless. “West Side Story” is certainly the great American Opera. The music written by the great composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. The movie an adaptation brought to life by the greatest names in music and theatre and entertainment. There are no words to describe this incredible and legendary motion picture.
Rita Moreno herself is one of the very few performers to win an Oscar, a Tony, a Grammy and an Emmy. One of the absolute greatest of the world we call entertainment. So when they asked, I said YES!
A Look Behind…
A look behind the scenes on a photo shoot with Ashley Owens Gulina and Natalie Lyle who did her makeup and hair styling for the entire day.
You Can Be Hot In Palm Springs
The weather is sunny and warm and just like Jessica Jacobsen you could be hot poolside in front of my cameras. Send me an e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com and we can chat about it. We can also discuss photography for your magazine, online or print features, or your advertising campaign. Thanks! 
T-34 Mentor Fly In
The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor was a military training aircraft which first flew in 1948. There were over 2300 built and it is based on the civilian Beechcraft Bonanza. Originally a piston engine and later introduced with a turboprop. Still in service for many uses after six decades. At the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Laugh and Cry with Gena Rowlands
Last night at Cinémas Palme D’Or for Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks – The Movie. Followed by questions and answers with the wonderful Gena Rowlands starring along with Cheyenne Jackson.
A filled theatre laughed endlessly at all the right places and tears welled up for the touching moments. An auditorium that filled with applause at the close and credits scrolled across the screen. Even my name was there as “stills photographer”.
Without question, a movie and story that will make you laugh and touch your heart. Great music too! Go see it! Thanks!
Exclusive Real Property Photography
Practicing my skills as a photographer of high end real properties. I think I made this look elegant, don’t you? Just needs a little landscaping work perhaps and some window treatments. Yesterday traveling around Wonder Valley near Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms.
Gena Rowlands In Person
A photograph I shot of Gena Rowlands in Budapest, Hungary on the set of Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks – The Movie during production. Tomorrow night Gena will be doing a Q&A after the movie at the Cinémas Palme D’Or in Palm Desert. Of course I have already seen the movie but it will be fun to hear what Gena has to say and to see the movie in my own backyard after spending 7 weeks in Budapest photographing it! Maybe you might want to go see it too! It is great fun! 
The World Of Farming
Last week on the way to Salton Sea, a different route taking us through the farm land of Mecca. It is truly a different world than what we experience in more urban living. And if you think you work hard, well these people really do work hard.
Maybe A Million!
The 14ft x 7ft huge banner that will hanging at the shows at Muscle Beach/Venice this Summer. The photographs of Travis Ely and Stephanie Lugo taken by me. How exciting to be a part of world famous Muscle Beach at world famous Venice Beach! I am guessing almost a million people will be seeing that banner. Thanks!
Not My Fault!
My friend Lydia Tack says I have a camera lens that automatically finds girls with long legs. Well this one is not my fault because Jennifer Henry brought them with her to our photo shoot. There was nothing I could do but take the photographs anyway. And if it is ok with you guys I will be showing more of them to you soon.
Miles And Miles And Then…
Sunrise the other morning taking a different route to the Salton Sea. A day for a combination of photo excursion and location scouting. Almost 25 miles of road with no one to be seen and then coming around a turn, a crew shooting a Nike commercial complete with a California Highway Patrol escort.
Dangerous In Winter
For those of you in the depths of Winter around the country or around the world. Do not invite Victoria Kirsanova for a visit. She will melt all the snow and ice and cause flooding. Much too hot! From our photo shoot with Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle.
Avenger!
The new model Avenger was actually first introduced to the public by Grumman Aircraft on December 7, 1941 as Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan. By early 1942 the first 100 were delivered to the United States Navy. Be sure to watch the video as this TBM Avenger 1900hp engine fires up and the wings are extended on this huge airplane. At the Palm Springs Air Museum. Very Cool!
Poolside Blonde Is My Choice
Fun last night at the La Quinta Brewing Co.. for their Guest Bartender Fundraiser for the Desert Cancer Foundation. My friend Charissa Farley was my bartender of choice and she set a fund raising tip record.
My buddy Dennis Johnson came along. He is the connoisseur beer drinker, not me. I have not had a beer in years, but I did like their beer named “Poolside Blonde”. Seems to be a fit for me!
Censored
I just find it so odd that in the USA we find ourselves so censored as compared to much of the rest of the world when it comes to things considered sexual. At least that is my view when it comes to photographs and photography. Here is a page from Vogue Paris with model Emily DiDonato. And Vogue is what I would call a mainstream magazine. Below is how I have to post the same photo on Facebook. Can you imagine the same photograph made “safe” for “American” magazines. It is just not as interesting and beautiful. That is why the photograph was designed and photographed as it is in the first place.
Are You Ready?
Jake Sawyer in front of my camera. His job on this photo shoot was to show up in shape and looking good. He did that! My job was to turn the scenes I had in my mind into photographs. The tools for this job were very simple, a few rolls of film (yes film) and a camera. That worked! Are you ready to do your job in front of my camera? Send me an e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com and we can chat about it. Thanks!
Willie Boy’s Saloon
After walking the Big Morongo Preserve, lunch at Willie Boy’s Saloon. Do you know the story of Willie Boy or seen the movie “Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here” with Robert Redford, Katherine Ross and Robert Blake? The actual Willie Boy’s grave monument bears the inscription “The West’s Last Famous Manhunt”. Willie Boy’s Saloon just shares the name, but is otherwise kind of a fun and interesting place.
Walking Around The Big Morongo
The Big Morongo Preserve is in the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Ranging from an altitude from 600ft to 3,000ft, it covers 31,000 acres. Just a quick drive from Palm Springs.
Jesika von Rabbit
Who would have thought we would be watching Jesika von Rabbit at the Galen Palm Springs Art Museum In Palm Desert last night! Her page describes her as “penultimate post-modern inter-galactic pop provocateur.” “… the buxotic blonde vixen…” “…comes in the form a characteristically sizzling celestial psych-disco sound…”. What a great fun show! Love her music! The photos with her dancing entourage Larry Van Horn and her Banana!
Photobomb Or Not?
Photobomb or not? Maybe she is just ignoring him. Above the bay in Marina Del Rey California for a photo shoot.
Let’s Play!
It’s 2015 so let’s have lots of fun and shoot lots of photographs! Cara Jo Basso playing in the wind high over Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles.
And The Clock Strikes New Year!
More of all of my photography for 2015 coming your way! More bodybuilding, more fitness, more lifestyle, more sports, more fashion, more with an edge, more editorial, more magazines, more advertising, more of everything. And more of you! Come be a part of it! Send me an e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com and we can chat about it! Thanks!
Cortney And You…
Cortney CortCity Solomon was so fun in front of my camera! And like Cortney you can be in front of my cameras too, whether in the gym for bodybuilding and fitness or edgy fashion lifestyle or other sports or concepts. It could be for yourself, magazine editorials or advertisements for your products or services. Just send me an e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com and and we can chat about it.
I want to say that I am very heartened by how many of you have contacted me over the last week about shooting. I have heard from people looking to build their own portfolios and promotion, companies looking to shoot their advertising and magazines looking for something different and unique. It shows that people are thinking ahead and optimistic about the New Year. Outstanding!
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