A Swim On A 1920’s Luxury Ocean Liner…
Wouldn’t you love to do a photo shoot here! This pool was a topic of conversation the other day so I thought I would follow up with a post about it. This is a photograph I shot of The Health Club Pool at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
Modeled after the decks of 1920’s luxury ocean liners. Solid brass trim on windows, doors and railings, teakwood deck chairs and hand-laid Italian mosaic tile on the walls and in the pool are original.The Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel had it’s grand opening in 1923 and was the largest hotel West of Chicago. It was the early home of the Academy Awards and the place of the 1960 Democratic Convention acceptance speech of John F. Kennedy.
Photography For Your Ad Campaign…
I am ready willing and able to photograph your advertising campaigns, magazine ads, billboards and more. So this is my shout out to you supplement companies, clothing, sportswear, fashion, art directors, marketing managers. Just send me a note to my e-mail at SecondFocus@mac.com. Thanks!
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?
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!
Not “Cat In The Hat”!
This is not “Cat In The Hat” but it is by Dr. Seuss. “The Rather Odd Myopic Woman Riding Piggyback on One of Helen’s Many Cats” certainly depicts a different side to his satire. In a gallery in Laguna Beach.
“Mississippi Burning” 50 Years Ago Today
Fifty years ago today, three Civil Rights workers were murdered by members of the Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan including members of the Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department and Philadelphia Police Department of Mississippi. James Earl Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael “Mickey” Schwerner were working on the “Freedom Summer” campaign registering people to vote. This story has been retold in the 1988 motion picture “Mississippi Burning” which was actually the name given the investigation by the FBI. Outrage over the murders of these three young men were among the many outrages that led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
My photograph here… So ordinary but yet so very profound in the history of this country and in all humanity… A section of the lunch counter from Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina that became pivotal in the protests against racial discrimination on Feb. 1, 1960. A non-violent protest by four very brave students, five months later the entire Woolworth’s chain was desegregated, serving blacks and whites alike.
One of the very moving and extraordinary things I saw, many unexpectedly, on my trip last year. On display at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.
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!
Laid Back Lavender
Don’t tell anyone but this is where I was on Sunday. Seems kind of laid back for me! Actually it was very fun and different. Food and music too. The Lavender Festival at Highland Springs Resort California. Check it out, it goes on next weekend too.
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.
Instagram Follow Me Follow You
Yes I am on Instagram. Many of you have asked. I am listed with my name as “IanSitren”. Follow Me and I will Follow You! http://instagram.com/iansitren
Air Force One Landing In Palm Springs
Air Force One landing at Palm Springs Airport a short time ago at 6:25 PM local time.
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!
SecondFocus Blog 