Adrian & Sarah's Wedding

Hey everyone, so a few weeks back I had the amazing privilege of shooting my good friend Arian & his wonderful wife, Sarah's wedding. Although the wedding was held in the horse capital of California, Norco, and the pickings were slim for spots we managed to find some cool locations near the church to take some photos. The wedding was great and everyone had such a wonderful time. Good friends, food, and fun. Hope you all enjoy. Blessings! (photos are in no particular order)

Aftershocks destroy 420,000 more homes

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Early Morning Wake-up... 3:30am!!!

Five minutes later... I got lost in a thought, sorry, I was just staring at my screen for the past five minutes trying to think how to start this blog. Well, let me begin with a combination of Wednesday & Thursday. 

Wednesday was quite a delightful day. I had to take care of a few work related things one being an interior shoot of this amazing 1930's Spanish villa for the magazine. I will be posting those soon, keep a lookout. After that I went to my buddy's house for a fajita cook out, it was tasty. We all had good conversation and laughs. Later on, my roommate Johnny and I went on the Wednesday night LB ride. The ride was super fun and fast-paced as usual. Towards the middle of the ride a cop rolled-up and pulled a few people over for running a street signal, haha! 

Thursday (yesterday) had busy written all over it! I got to sleep-in a little bit which was nice, then I started my day by heading to the AT&T store to try and get my phone fixed, they gave me a 1-800 number to call, ahh, crappy! I came back and started editing photos: wedding, interior shots, graduation, and random shots. I spent a great part of my day doing that, well, all day doing that. I had a few minutes for a dinner break so i decided to ride down to the store and get some things to make mini pizzas (thanks for the idea James). I came back and cooked away. The night continued and so did the editing. 

12am soon rolled around and I decided it was time to get to bed. I popped in my earplugs and crashed. 3 1/2 hours later I awoke! I thought I just needed some water, so I got up went to the kitchen and got a cup of water. I crawled back into bed and tried to go back to sleep, but I just couldn't, I was wide awake. I laid there for a few then started to pray. For the next  2+ hours God continued to keep me awake. It was one of those overdue conversations that needed to happen, but I apparently wasn't giving Him the time when He wanted it, so He woke me up at 3:30am and kept me up. Needless to say it was amazing!!! The sun soon began to rise and my phone now read 5:30am. I got out of bed, got dressed, grabbed my camera and bible and headed for the door. I hopped on my bike and rode down to the water. I took the beach path to the pier, had some quite time then headed to 2nd street to get some coffee. I pulled-up to Star Bucks order my coffee and read for an hour or so. One thing that He kept coming-up in our conversation early that morning was the book of James. He continually put that book on my heart, so, I while in SB I read it, and now I know why He kept telling me to read it. 

Anywho, now I'm back at my place and about ready to finish-up a few more things before I take off for the the weekend. Here are some photos from my morning. I hope you all enjoy and apologies for the long and drawn out blog. 

Blessings to all! 

Ps. This Sunday @ 6:30pm is Roxi's B-Day bicycle ride in Redlands. Contact me for more info.

Things on my desk from left to right: vinyl dish I made, photo of Rox & I, mini pizza & wine, computer/hard drive, another photo of Rox & I, photo i took in NY, Polska beer stein Rox got me in Poland :) phone, wallet, & books. 

LB beach path a few blocks from my house.

Self portrait on the LB pier. 

Portrait of Denzel on the LB pier.

Land!

My bible and a cup of coffee.

Congrats Roxi!

Well everyone, what can I say? Roxi Graduated this Saturday from Claremont Graduate University with not one, but two masters degrees: 20th Century European History (emphasis holocaust studies) & Archival Studies. I am so incredibly proud of her and for all that she has accomplished over these past 3+ grueling years of school. I have no doubt in my mind that she will accomplish great things in her life. The best part about all this is she gives full credit to our mighty Father! She quotes, "I could have never even come close to where I am now without His beautiful grace that He has bestowed upon my life."

Here are some shots from the graduation and also of her wonderful picnic. Hope you enjoy and I might post more later on.

Blessings to all & CONGRATULATIONS ROXI!!!

Roxi shacking hands w/ the CGU president

Smiles all around.

Rox & I

Rox & Robyn

Johnny, Roxi & Joe

Roxi won the croquet match...

but only thanks to Ish :)

Freddy dominated cricket.

Oh Dorothy :)

I got her a sweet 63' Schwinn :)

A Most Splendid Date or Why One Nerd Needs Another Nerd

I'm all about supporting my friends when it comes to the blogging world. I view their blogs daily, dousing myself with each and every post. It's a way to live vicariously through someone, really. I recently came across a post my good friend, Mike Baker posted a few days back. When I read his post it made a smile crack upon my face, it was just wonderful. So, I thought it would be a good idea to repost this on my blog to share the wonderful words of a dear friend. I hope you don't mind, Mike.

A Most Splendid Date or Why One Nerd Needs Another Nerd:

I used to think that people were lame for thinking it was important their potential spouse like similar music, film, books and what have you. As long as she loves the Lord and loves me, I thought, the other things are inconsequential. Well maybe they are to some extent, but I sure am glad I didn't get stuck with some philistine, because I'd miss out on amazing evenings like this. We'd been looking forward to the release of Narrow Stairs for awhile so we decided to make it into a bit of an event. We drove to the record store with enthusiasm akin to that of a schoolboy on his birthday. We went out for dinner. We got in the car and headed for the longest stretch of open road I could find on Google maps. Jenny fed the disc to the car dash, pressed play and turned it up until the sound enveloped us like a down comforter. She kept her mouth shut, was absorbed in the moment, watched the sunset to her right, non-verbally appreciated the couple standing on the hill in a familiar embrace, squeezed my hand without looking at me, and analyzed every note and lyric without telling me she was analyzing every damn note and lyric. We had no destination in mind but it ended up being a bottle of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, and that was enough. We wandered around and talked about what type of cabinets we should get for our new kitchen and where we should situate our prayer corner. Then we got in the car and headed home, taking in the album under a canopy of stars, airplanes, and telephone wires. The last note of the last song faded as I pulled into our parking space. And she got just as much pleasure out of that fact as I did. Yeah, we could still have a great marriage without taking turns reading a book to each other on the porch, riding bikes around the neighborhood, or going to concerts we are equally excited about. But when I think about the fact that I could have ended up with a girl who didn't derive pleasure from these things, who didn't reflect on passages of fiction or the bridges of songs, it makes me feel as though I've narrowly avoided a sea of quicksand. And that's why a nerd really should marry someone who is also a nerd.

Bike To Work Day

Good morning!

Well, after one of heck of a ride through the streets of LB last night, Johnny and I woke up this morning to support Bike To Work Day here in LB. We rode down to the Belmont Pier for free coffee, vegan muffins, fruit, and a handful of free things including: a bike patch kit, spoke cards, lights, Bike To Work Day backpacks, energy bars, and a whole mess of others things. After Belmont Pier we headed downtown to stop at the next station. We had a great time supporting Bike To Work Day. If it was up to me, everyday would be bike to work day, well, for me that is pretty much a reality (when I'm here in LB). 

Have a great day everyone!

Gregg & Jorden

Hey everyone! So many of you know I have been pretty busy this past month and a half shooting weddings; three to be exact. So far all the weddings have been amazing, especially Gregg & Jorden's. I've known Gregg & Jorden for about three years now. Gregg is an amazing youth pastor at Inland Hills Church in Chino Hills and Jorden does missions type work at the church. These two are absolutely wonderful. They are so full of God's love it's amazing and it shows when they're around each other. Here are some shots from their big day, hope you all enjoy!

Blessings 

Chris Martin...

So The other night Roxi and I were talking about guitars and what kind she should get. The two possibilities that arose were either a Tayler or a Martin. I myself would go with a Martin. My justification behind that was, "hey, Roxi, Chris Martin plays Martin guitars!" "Good point." She replied. We chuckled. So with that said, today while I was looking at Martin guitars online I decided to type in Chris Martin on Youtube and watch some videos. I came across this one that had me laughing the whole way through. It has nothing to do with guitars, only his last name. 

Thousands killed by huge China quake

BEIJING, China (CNN) -- Thousands of people have been killed by Monday's powerful earthquake in just one affected region of central China, its government said, with the toll expected to keep rising as bodies are retrieved from schools, homes and factories...  

When I woke up and read this article this morning my heart began to shack itself as I am leaving for this beautiful place in just over 2 weeks. My heart and prayers are being strictly devoted to the people who have been affect by the earthquake in Beijing and the other provinces that were affected by it as well. May our loving Father comfort all of those who are in need. Be with the families, Father who are mourning over their lost ones. May you reveal yourself and show them true love. You are truly a God of healing. My prayers are with you China.

On a good note, our sister team who is there now, had this to say this morning: 

Update #3 - Monday, May 12 @ 6:00 am - When you wake, you'll probably hear of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake not too far from us. We felt it here (our building and nerves shook a bit) but there was no damage. Everyone on the team is fine and having great conversations with students. Being from California, kind of felt like home.

Blessings!

Album of the Week

Derek Webb & Sandra McCracken: Ampersand EP

Sneak Peek of Adrian & Sarah's Wedding

Hey everyone! Well, my good friend Adrian & his lovely wife Sarah just got married today. I had the amazing privilege of shooting their wedding. Here is a sneak peek of what took place today. I will post most shots of their wonderful wedding later. Until then, cheers!

ps. I have a few weddings I will be posting soon.

-Josh One-

As some of you already know and or some of you don't know, I take photos for a Long Beach magazine called The District. I really enjoy shooting for magazines because you get to meet all types of people from various backgrounds of life. One thing I enjoy the most is shooting the music section of the magazine. I have met some interesting people during my time with The District. 

Today I had the privilege of shooting an amazing DJ in Long Beach who goes by Josh One.

Josh One and I met up today to take some shots for next weeks music section (be sure to pick it up Wednesday). The shoot went great. I took him to this sweet little alley on Junipero Ave. by my place for the shots. Everything went smooth and quick. Here are a few shots from the shoot. Thanks Josh for making my job easy and best of luck with your music. 

Ps. If you're in the LB area tomorrow be sure to check out Josh One at The Tantalum @ 10pm.

Blessings

Meet Denzel

If I could have it my way I would be riding my bike everyday to wherever I needed to go. However, since my destinations are spread out between LB and Hemet, it's kind of difficult to only use a bike. So, thats why I ride as much as i can while I'm here in LB. And that brings me to this, my bike. Everyone meet Denzel. Dezel is my Giant fixed gear. He knows how to get the job done when stuck in sketchy situations. For example: Denzel has weaved his way through cars, hoped up curbs, skidded around corners, and more. Thanks Denzel for not letting me down. 

A Man who fails is greater than a man who succeeds badly.

Past Words and thoughts I wrote for someone...

A Man who fails is greater than a man who succeeds badly.

One who is content with what he has, and who accepts the fact that he inevitably misses very much in life, is far better off than one who has much more but who worries about all he may be missing. For we cannot make the best of what we are, if our hearts are always divided between what we are and what we are not.

            The lower our estimate of ourselves and the lower our expectations, the greater chance we have of using what we have. If we do not know how poor we are we will never be able to appreciate what we actually have. But, above all, we must learn our own weakness in order to awaken to a new order of action and of being—and experience God Himself accomplishing in us the things we find impossible.

            We cannot be happy if we expect to live all the time at the highest peak of intensity. Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.

            Music is pleasing not only because of the sound but because of the silence that is in it: without the alternation of sound and silence there would be no rhythm. If we strive to be happy by filling all the silences of life with sound, productive by turning all life’s leisure into work, and real by turning all our being into doing, we will only succeed in producing a hell on earth.

            If we have no silence, God is not heard in our music. If we have no rest, God does not bless our work. If we twist our lives out of shape in order to fill every corner of them with action and experience, God will silently withdraw from our hearts and leave us empty.            

            Let us, therefore, learn to pass from one imperfect activity to another without worrying too much about what we are missing. It is true that we make many mistakes. But the biggest of them all is to be surprised at them: as if we had some hope of never making any.

            Mistakes are part of our life, and not the least important part. If we are humble, and if we believe in the Providence of God, we will see that our mistakes are not merely a necessary evil, something we must lament and count as lost: they enter into the very structure of our existence. It is by making mistakes that we gain experience, not only for ourselves but for others. And though our experience prevents neither ourselves nor others from making the same mistakes many times, the repeated experience still has a positive value.

--My experience with this field of a divided being and a heart that has so little hope and assurance for my own entity makes me constantly on the lookout for the next thing. I feel that the estimate of myself at this moment in time is indeed at a low. I understand that being at a low undeniably has its downs, however I truly am developing more of a justifiable understanding of who I am supposed to be in life. I know what I have. My weaknesses are making me more of a man in God’s eyes and the essence of myself realizing that is likewise strengthen my being. With my heart focused on Him accomplishing impossible things that I once thought were completely unattainably are now beginning to look more like a reality within my life.

The moment I realized this phase of not being able to have that self-gratifying moment of intensity in my life, I became broken and hungry for Him and Him alone. When constantly at work feeding yourself for the wrong reasons a type of dissatisfaction is soon developed; this sense of unhappiness is considered a grey area in life where it is difficult to apprehend the beauty of silence and leisure. Indeed, we truly do need the silence in life in order to hear the truth that is being shown to us.

Within the progress of this realization of my being it unfortunately came with mistakes of my own, however, they are apart of life and truly do serve as the least important part in this ever passing thing we call life. When a mistake becomes uprooted in life we should not dwell on it and continually tenderize and preserve it by engulfing it with salt. Thus would be extremely unhealthy and could ultimately lead to evil doings, conversely, realize the mistake with your own being and accept the fact that one was made. Once this is truly realized and sought, God will mend the situation and thus will be embedded for future knowledge. --

                        

Past Drives & Buildings

As I pressed my face up against the taxicab’s humidified window I began to feel each and every crack, bump, and unevenness of roadway. During this time of reckless beats my check began to obtrude oils onto the surface of the glass leaving behind an oval-shaped blotch of distorted buildings.

Photo by Trever Hoehne