I Love Selfies! Wow Natalie!
I Love Selfies! And I especially love this Selfie! This is Natalie Lyle, the Makeup and Hair Stylist on so many of my photo shoots for a long time. When Natalie started with me a few years ago right our of makeup school, she had never been exposed to the world of bodybuilding and fitness. Well with me, she sure has many times over and embraced it. Now look at her! Check out those arms and shoulders! Keep it going Natalie! Outstanding!
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. Anything a little too edgy will go on my Blog and I will censor it for Facebook. 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!
Ok Let’s Do This!
Bodybuilder and fighter Daniel Hill in our photo shoot.
Getting Ready For The West Coast Classic Bodybuilding Competition…
Travis Ely getting ready to stand on stage tomorrow at Lonnie Teper’s NPC West Coast Classic. Getting in some posing practice in the mirror with his coach Jake Sawyer. Looking good and looking even better tomorrow!
Three Of One Doug Brignole!
Three of Doug Brignole in one photo. And it makes perfect sense!
First there is Doug Brignole the bodybuilding competitor having just returned from bering on stage at the 2014 NABBA World Championships in Belfast, Ireland. It was the Nabba Mr. Universe that launched a guy named Arnold. How cool is that!
Then there is Doug Brignole, a recognized expert in the field of exercise physiology, author of endless columns and features in bodybuilding and fitness magazines. The author of the published book “Million Dollar Mu$cle” along with Adrian James Tan. And as well, Doug is an amazing historian of the world of bodybuilding.
And third, there is Doug Brignole the personal trainer who has brought along people to heights of health and fitness they never would have guessed they could have achieved.
So three of Doug Brignole in just one of our photos from our shoot… Perfect!
Bus Stop, Mall or Social Media
It was in a shopping mall where Maria Bertrand was handed a business card and told she would make a great model. She ended up modeling and appearing in ads and magazines for Guess, Versace, Gianfranco Ferre, La Vien en Rose, Dynamite, La Perla, Armani, Coke, and Le Grenier. Maria worked in Milan, Paris, London, Athens, Montreal, Toronto and Capetown. Then commercials for Audi, Miller, Bud Light, Baskin Robbins, Molson Dry, Coppertone, Pela Windows, Comcast, Michelob and Club Med. Also there are about 20 movies and television shows. And like Maria said to me “I forget half the stuff I have done “. Pretty good for being spotted in a mall!
So where is the “mall” today. One top model, Asheigh Good, who is all over everywhere today, said she was spotted at a bus stop. “They took those photos, and then nothing much happened”. But three months later they went up on Facebook. “It was only two hours before a call came in from Ford Models. One week later, Ashleigh had booked the Givenchy in Paris, as an exclusive.” – Interview from “CR Fashion Book” Spring/Summer 2014 issue.
So I am making a point… Social Media is very powerful. For those of you looking to move ahead, be the person you want to be and be careful how you use Facebook and other Social Media. And if you are using horrible photos of yourself, well, that is what will be seen. By the way, all my Social Media is watched and has been seen by millions of people from all walks of life. That includes the owners of major companies, editors and art directors from all kinds of magazines and so very more. I have found it for me to be the most powerful tool I have ever used for “getting out there”! If I can give you any assistance or ideas or when you are ready for the photo shoot, send me a note to SecondFocus@mac.com. I love seeing people become successful! Thanks!
In Front Of My Cameras…
I have had so much fun photographing so many of you. This is what it is like in the gym in one of my photo shoots. Well with a couple of exceptions. The tall hot blonde is usually my Makeup and Hair Stylist, Natalie Lyle. But she is very amazing in front of the camera as well. And you don’t see my assistant, Clyde Sawyer, because he is taking the photo. The big guy there is Jonathan Rude. You know he is big because Natalie is 6 ft tall. Put her in 6 inch heels, and I have, well you get the idea! So who else wants to be in front of my cameras?
Rockin’ Bombay Beach!
Build a fit rockin’ body in the gym and look good everywhere! The rockin’ body here built and belonging to the equally beautiful Sasha Brown. A woman who you now see from Southern California to the gyms in Eastern Europe and everywhere! A success story that Sasha has written herself! Outstanding!
Good Thing “A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words”!
It is a good thing that it is said that “A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words” because I do not know what to say. The incredible Stacey Naito in front of my camera.
First Thank You to Blanche LeBeau, Makeup and Hair Stylist who created such a beautiful look on Stacey. What would one expect from one of the top talents from Estee Lauder! And her talents also encompassed wardrobe that went from Warrior to a Dream of Feathers. Thank You! Outstanding!
Thank You to my long time friend and talented photographer Jaime Kleinwho allowed us again to overrun his studio in Van Nuys California. A very considerate and generous host! I hope did not shed too much! Thank You my friend!
Thank You to Dan Cuny from Profoto USA for loaning us one of their new B1 500 Air TTL strobes which we used for the remote scenes we shot that day. All of the lighting used that day was Profoto. The results speak for themselves!
And a Thank You to my assistant Clyde Sawyer who as anyone on my shoots comes to know, just does everything and with a laugh and a smile! Thank You My Friend!
Much More To Maine! “I Love Selfies!”
I Love Selfies! Boston born and now in Maine, Sophia Mansora is one beautiful and educated individual who has found the world of fitness and fitness modeling and can’t get enough of it! Training last year took her to competing in Bikini and walking away with being in the spotlight with trophies and overall wins. I am predicting she is going to be doing good along with her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and working towards her Master’s Degree in Business. She says she loves to travel to new places so I think being in front of my cameras should be one of those places! But until then go check her photos out on her Facebook page, it is worth the visit!
I invite you to send me your selfies and I will show you off here 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, naked and/or just having fun. Anything a little too edgy will go on my Blog and I will censor it for Facebook. 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!
A Very Beautiful Winner!
A huge congratulations to Randalene Sergent winning the Overall Bikini Competition at the NPC Southern California Championships this Saturday in San Diego! When I first photographed Randalene and spent the day with her, a couple of years ago, I knew she was someone very special. She is just beautiful, and has sculpted an amazing physique topped off with a wonderful personality. And looking at Randalene though the viewfinder of a camera is one of life’s great wonders! Going to be seeing much more of Randalene Sergent! Outstanding!
Editing Photo Shoots
What am I doing when I am not shooting photographs of beautiful women and good looking guys in great places? Editing the photographs on the computer for the most part. KInd of fun to see the photographs and to think I was there. This is part of many hundreds of photographs from this photo shoot with Sasha Brown at multiple locations around Salton Sea recently.
That Natalie Can Run A Photo Shoot!
I let Natalie Lyle run my some of my photo shoots now. She really knows how to keep people in line and doing what I need to make it all look good. Here she is gently explaining to Jonathan Rude how to slow down and squeeze on each rep so I can get some good shots. Natalie runs a tight ship! Jonathan got it right! Natalie is the incredible Makeup and Hair Stylist on so many of my photo shoots for years.
She Was Hanging Drywall
I Love Selfies! She said it’s hardly body revealing but she will do that next time when she has not been drywalling all day! Well I think Janet Crawford Wigginton is quite the eyeful anyway! A Mom of three who has been who has been remodeling for the last month which she says has gone a long way to remodeling herself as well. “Just so you know, counts as a workout!” Real time Janet works in ad sales for health and wellness magazines.
Important to her is realizing that everyone is different but everyone can maintain good fitness in their own way. Good eating habits, good sleep habits, lots of water! “Even if we aren’t perfect, or even close, we can’t give our families the best of us if we are performing at half mast. For the busiest, most overwhelmed of us, our own health is essential to the way our homies will present. Take nothing, especially YOU, for granted.” Well said Janet! Now looking forward to seeing more of you!
I invite you to send me your selfies and I will show you off on my Facebook pages and here on my Blog and all of 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, naked or just hanging drywall or 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 as a messageon Facebook or to my e-mail at SecondFocus@mac.com. 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!
What A Great Photo Shoot!
What a great photo shoot! Lisa Marino Sanders in front of my camera at Venice Beach was just perfect. Lisa looked just incredible, Natalie Lyle did a fantastic job with her Makeup and Hair Styling. And everything at Venice Beach cooperated from the weather to the workout Pit at Muscle Beach to the boardwalk to the ocean on the sand and even the United States Air Force letting us use their F-16 at the Memorial Day bodybuilding and fitness show. Just a Wow of a day! Thanks everyone!
Not Her First Time But The Most Breathtaking!
Not her first time in front of my cameras but certainly the most spectacular and breathtaking! Sasha Brown over the years I have photographed her has not only dramatically honed her physique but she has become a superbly talented model in front of the camera. Our day of shooting around the Salton Sea was so very outstanding and so very much fun! Thank You Sasha!
Warrior Beauty
Her inner Warrior Beauty, Stacey Naito Ifbb Pro. From our photo shoot like no other. There is so much more to Stacey Naito Ifbb ProDoc than just the beautiful woman so very involved in fitness and health and competition. There is an inner quality and drive that she possesses to make her such a unique and special individual. I think you can see it here!
Much goes in to a photo shoot like this. So many Thank You’s to go around. First to my friend and artist, Jerry L. Hanson for creating and allowing us to use this incredible one a of kind chainmaille cape which he created and now shows in the Archangel Gallery in Palm Springs California. Thank You Jerry! Just amazing!
Next to Blanche LeBeau, Makeup and Hair Stylist who combined her talents with my thoughts about the look that we both envisioned. What would one expect from one of the top talents from Estee Lauder! And her talents also encompassed much of the ideas for wardrobe for much of the shoot as well. Thank You! Outstanding!
Thank You to my long time friend and talented photographer Jaime Klein who allowed us to yet again invade his studio in Van Nuys California. A very considerate and generous host! Thank You my friend!
Thank You to Dan Cuny from Profoto USA for loaning us one of their new B1 500 Air TTL strobes which we used for the remote scenes we shot that day. All of the lighting used that day was Profoto. The results speak for themselves!
And a Thank You to my assistant Clyde Sawyer who as anyone on my shoots comes to know, just does everything and with a laugh and a smile! Thank You Buddy!
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!
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