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!
Behind The Scenes With You…
You could be looking at behind the scenes photographs of my photo shoot with you. These are from one of my shoots with the more than beautiful and wonderful Stacey Naito. This is the time that I am really giving a lot of thought to my planning for photo shoots for the coming year just around the corner. Of course I will continue to do my photography in bodybuilding and fitness whether in the gym, in the pool, or on location. I am also continuing to expand my shooting more directed to lifestyle features, edgy and nude fashion, editorial and advertising. And as I have always said, I reserve the right to photograph anything I find fun and interesting. So if you want to be a part of any of those concepts, genres and ideas or just want to get in on the fun and interesting, it is time to send me an e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com with what you are thinking and let’s chat about it. Thanks! 
Dauntless Dive Bomber
The SBD Dauntless is a World War II Naval dive bomber that is best known for sinking the Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. This very rare and still flying Dauntless not only saw service during the war but also appeared in the movies “Midway” and “War And Remembrance”. Flying out of the Palm Springs Air Museum from the “Planes Of Fame” Air Museum in Chino California.
It Has Already Started…
I started thinking about my photo shoot plans for next year. That may include many of you. So if you have been thinking about shooting with me or planning your magazine editorials or advertising campaigns, let’s chat. Yes I will be doing my work in bodybuilding and fitness, but let’s make it really standout! I am also doing work in lifestyle including fashion, edgy and conceptual. As I often say, I reserve the right to photograph anything I find fun and interesting. But seriously, whatever your concept, let’s talk! We can make it worthwhile and fun! Send me a note to SecondFocus@mac.com.
Here is a look behind the scenes on my photo shoot in the desert and wind farms with Sergi Constance. Sergi has become enormously successful as a model and our photographs made their way to magazines and more around the world.
Santa… She Says She Can Explain…
I really would like to be the Santa hearing all about this story from Maria Bertrand! Ho Ho Ho!
Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle. Photography by Me!
The Intense Environment Of Salton Sea
The environment of Salton Sea can be very intense. Harsh Sunlight, desolate spaces, an eeriness to the Sea itself. In places a post apocalyptic look that would be movie perfect. But I find it uniquely compelling and beautiful. A favorite location for my photo shoots. Model Bailey Daniels.
Love This Film Look!
I just love this old film look of this Drambuie commercial. Looks like this are why I keep gravitating back to shooting film in my photo shoots.
Hellcat!
A United States Navy Hellcat. A carrier based plane that destroyed more enemy aircraft during WWII than any other Allied Naval Aircraft. Flying out of the Palm Springs Air Museum.
On His Way!
A huge congratulations to my good friend Xavisus Gayden. He has been invited to compete in at the very prestigious Arnold Sports Festival for 2015 in Columbus Ohio. The opportunity to show off that finely honed physique on that stage is truly special in the world of bodybuilding and fitness.
From his first magazine appearance, when I featured Xavisus in Iron Man Magazine as the BodySpace Physique of the Month for Bodybuilding.com, and along the way, he has been an exemplary individual and a credit to his continuing service as a United State Marine. Outstanding!
Another Holiday Season Photo
Another of my Holiday Season photographs. See the festive red candles on the counter. Oh, you missed those. Look again. From our photo shoot with one of the most beautiful women I have ever photographed, Ashley Owens Gulina. Makeup and Hair Styling by the wonderful Natalie Lyle. Thank You!
Me In The Hollywood Reporter!
I must say that it is very fun to see my photographs in places like the Hollywood Reporter despite the fact that I have been published many thousands of times over.
Go see the movie this weekend just so you can see my photographs in the end credits as well as my name! OK you will also see great names such as Gena Rowlands, Cheyenne Jackson, Rita Moreno, Julian Sands, Jacki Weaver, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Anthony Zerbe. And the work of legendary cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond. Yes all that and it is great fun. Check the schedule on the website at http://sixdancelessonsmovie.com. Thanks!
Clouds And Palm Trees and Polaroid
A painterly view of Clouds framing Palm Trees after a rain in Palm Springs. Photographed in a Polaroid SX-70 camera with instant film by the Impossible Project.
It’s So Big!
I want a smaller one! Actually I want two. Shooting still photographs on movies and productions often requires complete silence. Even that little sound from the camera shutter is too much. The solution is that the camera has to go in what is called a “blimp” which completely deadens all sounds. Except the sounds of my aches and pains of carrying it around and a second camera all day. This is my friend Masha, who was at the studio in Budapest during the shooting of the movie “Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks”, giving it a try. She does make it look better than it does on me anyway.
“Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks” was released last Friday and is now being held over in theaters in Southern California. Go see it, just for me, so you can see my photographs in the end credits and my name LOL! The Encino Town Center, The Sundance Sunset in West Hollywood, Laemmle’s Passadena, Laemmle’s Westpark in Irvine. Thanks!!
Who Is Getting Ready?
Who is going to be getting ready to be in front of my cameras starting in January? Jake Sawyer is one for sure!
Motion Picture Premiere And After Party
Great excitement on Wednesday night for the premiere of the motion picture “Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks”. The follow up, in newspapers around the country, included my photographs. Kind of an extra reward for the seven weeks I worked shooting the photographs during production in Budapest. That and famed Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond giving me the compliment “You can work on my sets any time, you stayed out of the way”. He also said that he was happy because he stayed out of the way too. That is actually pretty funny.
But then, after the Premiere, was the After Party at the Warwick Nightclub in Hollywood. The surroundings dominated by posters from movies starring Gena Rowlands who, as the star of our movie, was also in attendance. The place filled up, standing room only, including many of the people I spent all that time with in Budapest. Very fun. The Warwick itself, very cool place that I can only describe as dark and sexy. You have to know it is my kind of place with two huge photographs of gorgeous naked women on the walls including the star of now, Emily Ratajkowski.
It was an entire evening of dark and sexy which includes the hotel where we stayed, The Redbury in Hollywood. It seemed like eternal sultry night in the place with it’s dark colors and subtle illuminations. Very exceptional and unique design.
Now go see the movie when it comes out just shortly around the country. Starring Gena Rowlands, Cheyenne Jackson, Rita Moreno, Julian Sands, Jacki Weaver, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Anthony Zerbe and some amazing music. It is great fun!
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