Levi's Community Day 2012: San Francisco

On Thursday, May 3rd Levi's held their Community Day In-Action where Levi's employees throughout the world participated in various projects that helped benefit their communities. I had the opportunity to shoot at the Levi's headquarters in San Francisco where they were building bikes that were given to the local YMCA, sorting thousands of articles of clothing to be donated to Goodwill, and sewing canvas bike bags for kids, and many other altruistic endeavors.

Levi's CEO, Chip Bergh (pictured right) helps to build bikes for the YMCA's YBike program.

Later in the day, after the good deeds were completed, Levi's hosted a picnic lunch for the employees who volunteered to help out with the various projects. The rain rolled through, but it didn't dampen the mood of the crowd which was treated to the sounds of Bay Area band Buxter Hoot'n.

 To find out more about Levi's Community Day and their efforts to be good corporate citizens,  click here.

Also the band Buxter Hoot'n was fantastic. Check them out at their website:

http://www.buxterhootn.com/

Palm Springs Photo Festival 2012

 I love spring!  I get to plant my garden for the summer, my birthday happens, BBQs, sunshine, and the optimism that comes with new beginnings.  It's also the time that I go off the the desert for a week and emerse myself in photography at the Palm Springs Photo Festival.  This was my fourth year with the festival and I'm still trying to process all of the inspiration that I received while I was there.  This year I assisted master photographer Ralph Gibson with his workshop called "Finding Your Personal Vision."  Ralph is fantastic and infinitely quotable.  

www.ralphgibson.com

Here are some portraits I shot of him (he's got great hands and eyes) as well as some of my favorite Ralphisms...

"The best sound in the world is the sound of a zoom lens being thrown into a swimming pool."

"A photograph is a decision to decide."

"In order to succeed you must have a point of departure."

"A great photograph is an unbroken string of good decisions."

We had a group of great models for the workshop and shot some nudes by the pool of the Korakia Pensione and at a beautiful city ranch in Palm Springs. 

Our workshop was so interesting even Robert Maxwell couldn't help but swim over to watch Ralph critique an attendee's work. 

I feel so fortunate to keep returning to the festival each year where I continue to meet more great people and get reinvigorated to go out and shoot.  

Matt Zeltzer in Pismo Beach

Singer, song-writer, musician, Matt Zeltzer was photographed in Pismo Beach, California.  

Zeltzer is a fantastic bluesy, rock and roll musician who has just released his second album Desert Tortoise.  You can check out some of his music by clicking here. Sit back, grab a glass of bourbon, and enjoy.  

Work to be displayed at Photo LA

Images from the series The Second Sex will be displayed at Photo LA from January 12th-16th, 2012.  I will be in the booth on Thursday and Friday to say hi to everyone and talk about the work.  Photo LA is always a great event with inspiring work from wall to wall.  I'm looking forward to strolling around and seeing what images and artists galleries are promoting this year.  If you're in town please come by and say hello!  More details about the event can be found at www.photola.com

Avila Beach Test Shoot, Part II

More images!  

I need to pick up the film this week (I shot with my Hasselblad and a Holga during the shoot), and then I will post some selections from the batch whenever I get it scanned.  

Thanks again to the team! I couldn't have done this without you!

Make-Up Artist: Carlie Nething
Hair Stylist: Nicolette Slipich
Wardrobe Stylist: Melanie Maxfield
Photography Assistant: Stephanie Thurston
Female Models: Linsey Milligan and Heather Shaw
Male Model: Rob Martin