Palm Springs Fitness Center
You will now being seeing my photography on the Facebook page for the Palm Springs Fitness Center! And I will be managing their Social Media! It has been my gym of choice since they opened in 2006!
I have also done many many photo shoots along the way in that gym. And I will get to tell you many of the wonderful stories behind them. So go on over and read the first and ‘Like” the page for the Palm Springs Fitness Center! See you there and Thanks!
Her name is Amy but she has a special title too… Grandma! And a Mom of six!
Amy had been right here at Palm Springs Fitness Center to do a photo shoot for Iron Man magazine and Bodybuilding.com to celebrate her fitness journey. Amy got her start in fitness to keep up with her kids and to conquer her fight with alcohol.
“Part of my recovery plan as an alcoholic is based tremendously on avoiding depression. My love of fitness and thirst for knowledge has kept it at bay…”
Maybe not everybody will look like Amy but we can all be a better version of ourselves. So come on in and workout! If you are not sure how to go about it or feel like you are stuck, chat with one of our trainers. Fitness is a journey and we love having you taking that journey with us! Thanks!
Photos In The Gym
If you read the bodybuilding and fitness magazines, visit the most popular websites, you have seen my photographs. All around the world, magazine features, advertising, brochures, billboards, bus wraps, 4 story high banners on the sides of buildings.
You work hard in the gym to get ahead and be your best like my buddy Travis Ely. You are spending your money for your ads to build your business. You are spending money to build features for your magazines or websites.
Talk to me about doing your photography. Send me an e-mail to Ian@SecondFocus.com. Also if you are going to be there, I will be at the Anaheim FitExpo on Saturday August 27th. Send me a note and we can meet and chat. Thanks!
Travis Ely photographed at Palm Springs Fitness Center by me with a Hasselblad digital camera system. Only the best!
An Office Day For Me
One of my typical days in the office. Here with bodybuilders Grant Pieterse, Jake Sawyer and Xavisus Gayden. I wonder how many times and for how long I made them hold that bicep curl.
Bodybuilders Grant Pieterse, Jake Sawyer and Xavisus Gayden at Power of Fitness.
Behind The Scenes At City Athletic Club
Behind the scenes the other day on a photo shoot at City Athletic Club in Las Vegas. An incredibly gorgeous Shawn Towne complemented with Chaun Williams providing the right atmosphere in the gym. And a huge Thank You to Jennifer Chamberlin who was a wonderful photo assistant, modeling coach and wardrobe advisor. A really cool gym and a huge Thanks to everyone!
Iron Man Magazine Naturally Determined
Travis Ely is determined coming into his second time at the NPC Iron Man Naturally bodybuilding competition this Saturday. In conjunction with the huge Los Angeles FitExpo this is great kickoff for his next year of competition and accomplishment. You can see Ely giving every inch of concentration as he listens to posing refinements from Jake Sawyer. Along with some last minute diet tweaks from Jake, between now and Saturday morning Ely will look ripped and refined when he steps on stage. So come on out and see the show, I will be there, camera in hand. And take in the FitExpo on Saturday and Sunday at the Los Angeles Convention Center. One of the biggest fitness events in the country!
“For The Ladies”
Someone asked the other day if I ever photograph guys in the gym “for the ladies”. Well not with that thought specifically in mind. I do photograph a lot of guys in the gym for magazines, online features, advertising etc. Actually I am one of the most widely known photographers in the bodybuilding and fitness business. However in answer to the idea of “for the ladies”, will this photograph of Jake Sawyer in the gym do the job? 
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!
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!
He Shook The Moment!
The sound of Jon hitting that heavy bag reverberated throughout the gym. The slam like an earthquake shook the moment and made everything else stop. Even the bag wanted it to stop. Jonathan Rude working it out in front of my camera.
You Were Thinking…
The incredible arms of the incredible Doug Brignole. I know, you were thinking I only photograph women.
Fly Her To A Gym!
Fly her halfway around the world, put her in a gym and she is at home.Sharon Lim from Singapore at Power Of Fitness in Palm Desert. And even better, in front of my cameras! With Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle. Thank You!
Gym Time Photo Shoot…
You have seen Charles J Flanagan in my feature photographs where he is racing a freight train. Now you can see what he looks like hammering it in the gym. How many Nike models have you seen on “America’s Next Top Model”? Only this guy! From our photo shoot.
Don’t Doubt It…
Don’t doubt for one second that even if you are a beautiful woman I won’t make you work it in the gym for our photo shoot! Tiffany Forni from our photo shoot for her feature as the Iron Man Magazine, Bodybuilding.com, BodySpace Physique of the Month. The great Makeup and Hair Styling byNatalie Lyle. Thanks!
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!
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?
Taking Another Hard Hit!
You just know that this heavy bag is about to take another hard hit. And you can just hear the thump as it rocks back from the blow each time, over and over. With a very big Jonathan Rude working it out for my camera. Outstanding!
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!
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.
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!
Sexy And Creative From 1985 With Rachel McLish.
So very sexy and creative and attention grabbing. A health club television commercial from 1985 featuring Rachel McLish, the very first Ms. Olympia. I really do not think ads for gyms and supplement companies really measure up today.
However this is one national magazine ad that I think is great. I photographed this for Bodybuidling.com.
Check Out That Bicep!
When I look at this photograph I shot of Cortney CortCity Solomon the first thing I see is that big happy smile and those eyes, and then I have to smile. Then I check out the ink up and down her back, and it makes me kind of laugh, it is so fun! But then my eyes swing to the right and… Check Out That Bicep! Working out hard in the gym and having fun!
A big Thank You to Natalie Lyle for another day of great Makeup and Hair Styling. And a big Thank You to the Power Of Fitness gym in Palm Desert. You can work it out there for sure!
Raechelle In The Gym
Earlier in the week I showed you one of our desert wind farm photographs of Raechelle Chase from New Zealand. We also shot in the gym. But I would rather look at Raechelle Chase than the gym so here is one photograph from our shoot that I like a lot. Thanks!
Action! Ok Not That Much…
An action shot behind the scenes! Ok not that much action right there anyway. Our photo shoot with Cortney CortCity Solomon actually was more fun than I can tell you. Also on hand we had Natalie Lyle doing the Makeup and Hair Styling and my assistant Clyde Sawyer. A great gym to shoot in and actually workout too, Power Of Fitness in Palm Desert CA. More photos to come very shortly but you can see one here on my Blog and you really want to! https://secondfocus.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/live-the-life-you-have/
Want to be in my photo shoots or talk about shooting your advertising or magazine work. Send me a note here to my e-mail to SecondFocus@mac.com. Let’s talk about it! Thanks!
“Live The Life You Have”
“Live The Life You Have” – very good words painted on a wonderful hidden and well defined canvas! Cortney Solomon just did her first figure competition on stage at the NPC Grand Prix in Culver City California. Then in front of my cameras at the Power of Fitness Gym in Palm Desert CA. We had just too much fun and I really enjoyed getting in some extra unexpected reading while I was there!
SecondFocus Blog 