Day 181: Male Muse

 

(Santa Monica, February 2010) 

Continuing my weekend of exploring, I met with my friend Matt in Santa Monica to take some pictures with my new/used 30D. After many years of resisting the DSLR, I bought one earlier this year and this weekend was my first time taking the camera out.

It was a lot of fun using the camera and Matt, like my other friends was  patient with me stopping and taking pictures constantly, even if it was mid conversation.

I have taken other pictures of Matt and he was my subject for an assignment I shot in the past, so it was nice to update his pictures with digital ones. It's always a pleasure to take pictures of him because he's very natural and he doesn't change when he sees the camera come out. I called him my male muse because he has inspired me to do more portraits, specifically of males.

We ended the day with pizza and a conversation while sitting on some stools looking out to the dark streets of Santa Monica. Looking forward to using the 30D more and finding more spots in Southern California.

Day 153: Mon professeur, mentor et ami. (My Professor, Mentor and Friend)

(Campbell, January 2010) 

Yesterday, after spending time with Xochi I was able to meet with my former professor in advertising, George Coakley. 

It is always inspiring to sit down with Professor Coakley. The life he has lead and is leading keeps me motivated to pursue my dreams and aspirations. He started his own advertising firm with less than $1,000 in his pocket and a family to feed and from there he had three offices in California. His company is the oldest advertising firm in San Jose and although he has retired from the profession, his passion is very much alive. He continues to practice advertising by teaching and doing consulting work. 

We met at Starbucks and we discussed our current projects and what we were planning for the new year. I was able to ask his advice on several issues and share my photography with him. I brought my Hasselblad with me to photograph him and as he was looking over the camera, I caught this great smile. 

It's very important to have mentors in your life because they have gone through many life experiences and asking for their input or advice is extremely valuable. I was fortunate to have met George who is not only my mentor, but my friend. 

Day 127: Portrait

(Balboa, January 2010)