He Did Good…
Not often, but it can get cold and gloomy out here in the desert. What would you be thinking about if you were alone out there. Of course if you were Sergi Constance with my camera pointed at you, you would be thinking about squeezing your abs. He did good!
Veterans Day and Muscle Beach
Not only am I very proud to have been the photographer of both of these photos but both Travis Ely and Stephanie Lugo are Veterans of the United States Marine Corps. Is that not perfect for Veteran’s Day today!
I am very happy to be a continuing supporter of Muscle Beach/Venice. Some years ago, I remember walking along that boardwalk at Venice Beach and seeing the huge guys working out in the “Pit” right there. Those were the guys of the Golden Age of Bodybuilding. How exciting to be living that history today! So come on out to Muscle Beach this coming Summer and you can be a part of it too!
Standing Among The Skyscrapers
Standing 6ft-5 in those boots and with that body she has built, the only place for Natalie Lyle to stand is among the skyscrapers! From our photo shoot.
Just You Wait!
A behind the scenes look from yesterday’s photo shoot with Natalie Lyle. But I am telling you now, you are not seeing what’s coming! Just you wait!
Divine Congratulations!
A huge Congratulations to my best buddy Ava Cowan being named Vice President of Business Relations for Divine Nutrition Products! One of the best known and most respected people in our sport of bodybuilding and fitness, Ava Cowan is a great example of determination and persistence in continuing to advance her career and better the entire industry. Divine has the highest quality protein powders you will find including one that is absent of artificial ingredients and Gluten free. That is special! And before too long, you will see a Fat Burner under Ava’s name that you can bet will be absolutely the best ever. Very Cool!
“TBT” Shooting Film
“TBT” “Throw Back Thursday”. For a photographer that means when we were photographing everything on film. Like this bodybuilding show photograph I shot in a medium format Mamiya camera on Kodak Professional film. The film was processed and scanned at The Icon Los Angeles. The thing I really like about film like in this photograph is the completely realistic skin tones. Also the shadows and highlights filled with detail. I still like shooting film.
I Love Selfies! Jumping Off The Roof Like Superman…
I Love Selfies! And Eddie Medeiros did one that I think came out really cool. Working out, he set up his cellphone on timer and it is really fun! Eddie took to muscle building like many of us kids, regardless of what age or decade. Just like me many years before, he watched Superman and then tied a towel around his neck and jumped off things. I used to jump off the roof of our house! Then at 13 Eddie picked up weights and it has become his passion and his life. Reading and watching everything he could find. Coupled with his interest in art, Eddie has a different look on bodybuilding and it’s esthetics. But to best quote Eddie today, “Each Person is Different but we all have our Special Gifts and Talents to offer to help others to be what we are Meant to be in this Life!”. Be sure to visit Eddie on his Facebook page and see where he is going next!
I invite you to send me your selfies and I will show you off on my Blog and all of my Social Media as well as my Facebook pages. You will be seen by so very many! Girls and guys, whatever you want to send. In the gym, showing off the hard work you have put in, at the pool, or just having fun. 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 as a message on Facebook. 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!
I Have This Urge…
Why do I have this urge to go pump some iron at the workout pit at Muscle Beach/Venice? Because sometimes you get to see Lisa Marino Sandersworking out there too. Plenty of reason for me! A great day for a photo shoot with Makeup and Hair styling by Natalie Lyle! — with Lisa Marino Sanders.
She Found The Gym!
I just love my best buddy Natalie Lyle. Some years ago, she started out as my Makeup Artist on my photo shoots and has been steadily with me ever since. The entire world of bodybuilding and fitness was new to her back then. Not the case any more! She lives and has fun with it and is doing more and more everyday. Over the last four months she has gone from beautiful with a rocking body and amazingly long legs to putting on some muscle to start sculpting down to her same self but solid with definition and the lines of an athlete. What an amazing women, you have to picture that she is 6 ft tall in her bare feet and just stunning. Loving her journey and looking forward to seeing more of the journey of Natalie Lyle!
You Were Thinking…
The incredible arms of the incredible Doug Brignole. I know, you were thinking I only photograph women.
Jack LaLanne 100 Today!
The amazing Jack LaLanne would be celebrating his 100th birthday today! So much in the world of exercise and fitness is owed to this man. This is Jack accepting the Muscle Beach Lifetime Achievement Award on Labor Day Sept. 3, 2007 at Muscle Beach/Venice. Behind Jack is the publisher of Iron Man Magazine and my friend John Balik. John himself an important individual in the world of Bodybuilding. One of the many reasons I like to be at Muscle Beach over the Summer. No where else would I have had the chance to photograph this special moment.
It Started With Way More Than A Bang!
I was going to talk about Summer highlights starting with a bang with Lisa Marino Sanders. But that was no bang, that was an explosion! Our photo shoot at Muscle Beach/Venice getting to use a United States Air Force F-16 and shooting along the famous Venice Beach boardwalk. We were often mobbed and stopped every inch of the way by tourists wanting photos of Lisa or selfies with her. It was too fun and Lisa is nothing but incredible! A big Thanks to Natalie Lyle for makeup and hair styling that gave her that star quality all day! Outstanding!! 
Lee Labrada Inducted In The Muscle Beach Hall Of Fame
Legendary Bodybuilder Lee Labrada today being inducted into the Muscle Beach Hall Of Fame. Of course on stage at Muscle Beach/Venice! Outstanding!
And from Wikipedia… Lee Labrada (born 8 March 1960 in Havana, Cuba) is a former IFBB professional bodybuilder, published author and current CEO of Labrada Nutrition. Labrada was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004. Labrada has his own supplement company called Labrada Nutrition.
He is one of the world’s most well-known and celebrated bodybuilding legends. Lee Labrada holds 22 professional bodybuilding titles, including the IFBB Mr. Universe. He is one of the few pro bodybuilders in history to consistently have placed in the top four at the Mr. Olympia competition (the “Super Bowl” of bodybuilding) for seven consecutive years; a feat he shares with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has appeared on the covers of more than 100 bodybuilding and fitness magazines and has been featured on CNBC, FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN and ESPN as a fitness and nutrition expert.
Thinking It Through
My buddy Anu Mcknight backstage at Muscle Beach/Venice today thinking through his posing. He went home with hardware, a Third Place Trophy in what was a really big class. Doing Good!
Concentrating Backstage
My friend from Palm Springs Fitness, Christopher Bates concentrating during his workout in the “Pit” backstage at Muscle Beach/Venice today. He ended up going home with a First Place Trophy! Good job Chris!
Nine Feet Tall
Jeff Behar and his wife Diem in front of his giant 9 ft tall banner at Muscle Beach/Venice today. And yes I photographed the banner as well. Fun Day!
Muscle Beach Is History, Be Part Of It!
When Taschen published this sprawling pictorial history of Los Angeles, it was the beginnings of Muscle Beach that made the cover. Be part of that history on Labor Day Monday and come out to the last show of this Summer with beautiful women and guys with muscles on stage showing off their best. I will be there with my cameras for sure!
Monday! Muscle Beach!
It is always a good time to be at Muscle Beach/Venice. Just ask Marc-arthur Moses Dautruchee working out and wowing the crowds along the boardwalk. And Monday will be even better! Come out for the final big show for this Summer. Guys with muscle and beautiful women will stand on that stage where Where Muscles Were Born. The original big three shows at Muscle Beach over the Summers are the most fun you can imagine. So be there! I will and with my cameras!
Guys Too!
And yes I have great photo shoots with guys too. Big Daniel Hill from our photo shoot in the desert here in Palm Springs California. A very fun photo shoot where we created some amazing photographs! Of course he makes for a great person to have in front of the camera!
Summer Fun At Muscle Beach
It is so much fun in the Summer hanging out at the place “Where Muscles Were Born“… Muscle Beach/Venice. Lisa Marino Sanders having a good time during her photo shoot looking as bright and beautiful as that Southern California beach sun! The Makeup and Hair Styling for the day by the outstanding Natalie Lyle. Thank You All!
Who You Gonna Call? Me Of Course!
Who you gonna call? Me of course! When you want to shoot those gym photographs after you put in all that hard work. When you are doing your ads for the magazines or billboards or banners. When you are planning your magazine features. Or when you are looking for special photographs from my archive. I think Mark Ebinger in front of my camera was the right combination. He sure put in all that hard work! I can do it for you too. Thanks!
A Win From Venice Beach To Pittsburgh!
A few weeks ago she stood in front of my cameras at Venice Beach. Then on this last Saturday she stood on the bodybuilding stage in Pittsburgh and walked away with her IFBB Professional Bodybuilder Card! Congratulations to an astounding Lisa Marino Sanders! Just wonderful!
How Do You Get Your F-16 Home After Your Photo Shoot?
Ok Let’s Do This!
Bodybuilder and fighter Daniel Hill in our photo shoot.
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