JAE

Smokin' Hot

Something about the way smoke looks on film is just so fascinating to me, so naturally I was intrigued when Jaelen brought her vaporizer along to our shoot.

Jaelen, 2014

It was also a good day to break out the Bronica ETRS.  As much as I love this camera, it's not the easiest to shoot with when time is a factor as is common lately.  But luckily I was able to take my time here and really get some use out of it.  And what an immaculate image it captures...

DTLA Rooftops

Brianna On Film

This week model Brianna Michaela and I had some fun exploring the Downtown LA Rooftops in her first ever shoot on film.  I'm really starting to enjoy introducing film shoots to those who are unfamiliar with it.  The entire process of the shoot becomes much more freeing and relaxing.  Instead of constantly worrying about how they look in camera and wanting to see previews, the models are just able to relax and be themselves, which makes it that much easier for me to really capture their true, natural beauty, and not the overproduced, oversexualized glamour prevalent in the industry today. 

Brianna, Abstract - Downtown LA 2014, Bronica ETRS

African Fashion

In a collaboration with Fashion Designer Kabeh Ojo and Makeup Artist Vanessa Rene, today I shot four models in hand-made garments from fabrics sent directly from Africa.  It just so happens that the offices behind my production headquarters for According to Him & Her give off a heavy island / African vibe.  The perfect location for this shoot.

A Cali Afternoon

A good friend and creative collaborator Anninka and I took a stroll around Santa Monica while I broke in my new-to-me Bronica ETRS and Canon AE-1...

Meet Anninka, Costume Designer and muse.

This was my first time venturing out into Santa Monica since moving to Los Angeles.  I arrived here with the mindset of a permanent resident, so I never really explored the city much before just "living" in it.  Anninka graciously offered to show me around, and became my reluctant muse for the day.  A few of the photographs captured on this day still remain some of my all-time favorites.

This certainly wouldn't be our last shoot.