come back from San Francisco

San Francisco trip is coming to an end. I've had a wonderful time here and absolutely love this city. Of all the places in the US this is probably the one city I'd be willing to move to outside of New York. The pride parade/gathering was today, and gave me panic attacks. I did not take any photographs of it, just because it really didn't interest me. However, I have photographed a bunch of friends since I have been here, which has been great.... speaking of...



I finally got to hang out with my friend Parker who I have known for a bit through the inter-nets. I photographed him as well as his partner in crime, Graydon. I usually don't show digital photographs of things I shoot on film (which is most things), however I really like this a lot, so I'm putting it up here. We had a great time on the beach... nakedness occurred. Anyway, I'm glad I met both of them and both are incredibly talented, so that's that.

Anyway, I'm totally out of it from being out in the sun so I'm going to head to sleep. But, thank you San Francisco for being wonderful to me and I am sad to leave. New York, here I come.

food and tattoos.

So now I have tattoos for both my mom and dad. I'm pretty excited about this one, as I have wanted to get a neck tattoo for quite some time. I love my dad, and I love my new tattoo. Yep, Black Heart tattoo in San Francisco is awesome and I highly recommend it to anyone.



Katie and Kenny took me to delicious delicious fancy food tonight. We went to Millennium and I actually can't even describe what was in the food I ordered, but it was fantastic vegan food that has made my stomach feel like it's going to explode. I honestly wish I could eat food like this every day of my life.

I'm having a wonderful time here. I've gotten to see lots of friends I've never met, my cousin who I haven't seen in years, and spending quality time with Katie is really all I could ever ask for. I love her to death.

Good Morning San Francisco.

So here I am, in another state, another city. As much as I hate airplanes, I could travel every day, it makes me so happy. I also couldn't be happier seeing my bestest as well as being lucky enough to have other friends visiting the same city at the same time. It's the kind of stuff that only happens in movies. Yet another portrait of me up top, this time doing what you should be doing when you are in the southwest, handling guns. Surprisingly, as it is slightly out of character for myself, I really enjoy it. A lot. To the right is Katie's neighbors car, Mr. Leon. He is probably the fattest cat I have ever met. I love a fat friendly cat... he's sort of like a cartoon cat.

Anyway, it's Gay Pride, so I'll probably do some gay things. I also plan on photographing some boys.

I'm gonna get off the computer, or rather off the internet. I'm going to finish my episode of This American Life and get some breakfast.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

rad person of the day.

So this is totally being pre-dated, but I'm actually writing this on Sunday. Anyway, after hanging out with Graydon today I decided to look at his work and I definitely enjoy it. You should check it out too. I always leave these short and sweet but I do have deep appreciation for the work of others that I post here.

GRAYDON SHEPPARD'S WORK

this american life.

Well this trip so far has been an experience... I think the above kind of describes how I am feeling. While I have been having a wonderful time in warmer climate, getting to see the Grand Canyon again and not having to worry about work or anything... there has been a few issues. My baby aka my Mamiya RZ PRO kicked the bucket after a roll of film at the canyon. So after a lot of driving and leg work, I bought a new camera and am leaving my old one here to be fixed as it's going to take a week or so. So now I have a new/old camera that's exactly like mine so it's not like I really have anything new at all.... besides a newly emptier bank account. But it's my living, so what are you going to do.
Regardless, the Grand Canyon was AMAZING and just how I remembered it. I wouldn't mind camping down in the canyon for like a week because that's how much I enjoy it. My hair is getting so long and it was so ridiculously hot that my ponytail has become a staple of my ward-drobe. I used to always tell my dad to never have a ponytail because it was gross, and now here I am sporting one myself. Oh boy.



I was watching the Reaping last night for like the 8 millionth time and realized how much I love Hillary Swank's facial expressions throughout the film. So I decided to snap a quick one while in my underwear half asleep on a recliner. My first photo class I ever took in college I spent a good month only photographing the television... I was kind of obsessed and still am with fleeting images that a lot of times are just on in the background of people's houses. They aren't even watching what is on half the time. So I used to just leave a movie or tv show on in the background and when it was a moment that I really liked hearing I would turn to the tv, pause it, and take a photograph.

I have been listening to a lot of This American LIfe since traveling as I like it a lot better than music sometimes. I like that I can laugh and cry all at the same time. I love a good story.

p.s. Off to San Francisco! Talk soon blogger land people.

in the daylight.

So I am totally on vacation. I don't have much internet time so I'm just here to say I'm here. I'll try and make a post tonight or tomorrow with photographs of my travels thus far. Anyway, enjoy above images until then.

Missing.

let the rain fall down.

It's extremely difficult sometimes to have new images 3 or 4 days a week here in blog-land. At least new shoots, as my out-takes seem to be never-ending, and I'm always discovering new things. Landscape shot above, so it must be old. It's from probably 2005 I'm thinking. Not exactly sure... all I know is that it's from the abandoned train tracks by the mall Kyle and I used to work at in Long Island. Oh those were the days. I figured I'd make this post very long since I won't have a chance to update tomorrow as I will be flying out tomorrow afternoon and wont have access to internet until Tuesday.



I promised you all new self-portraits, so here you go. This was taken somewhere along the way of Christopher and I's road-trip to Virginia on the way back home. I'm not actually sure where we actually are though...we just pulled off some random exit so we could take photos. I absolutely love this image... definitely a new favorite for me. It says a lot about my relationships in general I think... I also like the anonymous aspect of it and how it really becomes a portrait of Christopher. Anyway, it's a lot of things, I'm not going to go on and on about one photographer... But it's nice to be back in action. Through the images in the post I'm realizing more and more how much my images look like my images and I like that. It's a nice feeling to know you have a very particular style to your work.



I also got the film back of Greg. The shadow in this image is great.... Mac says it makes him look like E.T. I really enjoy his whole posture in this as it's relaxed and tense at the same time. Really quite wonderful.



It seems a blog post wouldn't be a blog post without some digital studio shots. I wish Dan would come back to NY so I could photograph him again because he is such a pleasure. One of the easiest guys I've ever worked with... and I've worked with a lot of guys. The boy on the left is Jd. A boy that stopped by the studio this week randomly and he was a total sweetheart. He asked me if anyone ever told me I look like Conor Oberst and I smiled because people used to tell me that all the time.



This weekend was very relaxing and non-stressful which was good. I found a new person to move into my apt because one of my roommates is moving out July 1st. I went and saw the Proposal, which I of course loved because it had two of my favorite people in it. Ryan Reynolds being my future husband and everything. I also got a chance to photograph a really amazing woman yesterday morning, which I'll talk about after the issue comes out. However, I will say, I found out while shooting she is an alumni from my grad school, so we got to bond over that. Anyway, she is awesome and I will talk about this anonymous woman soon enough. So I guess that's it until west coast time... until then, enjoy your monday.

p.s. If anyone has any vegan food suggestions for Arizona, Seattle or San Fran let me know.

rad person of the day!

I've been a big fan of Emiliano's work for awhile and actually just looked at it again recently because Christopher is being shot by him on Monday. He has a really great vision and his personal projects are quite wonderful. Take some time to look at his work.

EMILIANO GRANADO PHOTOGRAPHY

the greatest dog alive.

Trina this morning taken on my blackberry. She makes me smile everyday, even when she is being a princess. I love her so much.

missing you.

Vivek Kundra may be the most important figure that I have photographed so far in my career. Vivek is the CIO for the US, and was appointed by Obama in March. I photographed him in the old executive building in D.C. This shoot was also one of the coolest I have experienced for the subject matter and location. Besides the set-up seen above, I also got to shoot on one of the balconies of the building which overlooked the backyard of the White House, as well as a perfect view of the Washington Monument. This was the first assignment for me for WIRED magazine, under photographic direction of the wonderful Carolyn Rauch. Carolyn has been a great supporter of my work for over a year. I'm excited to meet her officially when I go out to San Francisco next week. Anyway, if you get a chance, pick up the July issue of WIRED. While the photo isn't printed very large, it is one of the cover stories and the story itself is extremely well written.



I keep saying it, but even though I'm not doing these for any particular project or reason, I've really been enjoying studio shooting. Especially since the weather has been so horrendous on the east coast for the last few weeks. This is Greg who Mac hooked me up with and he stopped by today. I very much enjoyed photographing him. I think these ones are incredibly sexy.



I really love Audrey a lot. I think she is a fabulous fabulous girl and I'm glad that I met her through Christopher. She watched Trina while we were in Virginia and she loved her. Anyone that loves my dog as much as I do, is ace in my book. I really want to photograph her again because he features are exactly what I look for when photographing a woman. Light skin, beautiful jaw line, great body... can't really ask for more. Oh and she is a dancer.... so, yeah. perfect.



I don't really talk much about my process on here or the way I photograph. I think a lot of people are taken off guard or are surprised when they pose for me. I don't give direction really at all, and I'm very quiet. I don't really like talking while I'm shooting besides talking about the person I'm shooting. I don't however talk about what I want when I'm shooting unless it is for a magazine job. I really enjoy capturing in-between moments.... whether they are awkward, sensual, carefree. I'm completely captivated by how people carry themselves in front of the camera and how they react to me. I'm not one for a lot of fuss or photoshop or re-touching or complicated lighting. Simplicity is what works for me... taking a really striking simple portrait is all I ever really attempt to do. Even with my self-portraits or the work with my father in which there is a grand concept behind everything, I still play it all by ear. After my ideas are sketched out, they usually become something completely different on film. It is what it is I guess.

I'm really excited to be going to San Francisco out of my west coast traveling. I'll get to see Katie who, as I've said a few times in the last few weeks, is the love of my life. That girl gets me in every way possible. I can't wait until we live in the same city again together, because it really does break my heart that I don't get to see her all the time. However, she is probably the one person in my life I can go weeks without talking to, call her up, and feel like not a day has passed. We are that connected and it's wonderful. I'll also get to see my cousin Jessie who I haven't seen in I don't even know how long while I'm there as well. Hopefully I'll get to photograph a bunch of cute boys in some nice locales and eat delicious west coast vegan food. Oh, and it's going to be Pride too while I'm there so I'm sure that will be very entertaining.

p.s. Kristinia DeBarge performed on SYTYCD tonight... I photographed her about a month ago. Will talk more about it when the magazine comes out.

p.p.s. I'm really terrible at expressing my feelings to people in person more often than not. Can do pretty well with writing. I can be terribly flakey, absent minded and quiet. However, there are people in my life I care deeply about, whether I see them often or talk to them often.... I really have a lot of love.

p.p.p.s. Just because I'm trying to keep on top of this due to a few emails I've received... Has anyone not received there prints from any of my sales? I know some people feel weird emailing me about it, but please don't. I want to make sure everyone has what they ordered so please email me and let me know. If there is a problem, I will take care of it immediately when I get back from vacation.

This is why I love Mac.

TONY

Pick up the new issue of TONY if you'd like this week as Christopher is making his magazine debut for some summer fashion shot by myself. Yep, thats all i have to say for the moment.

grin and bear it.

Lions and tigers and bears oh my. I am in love love love with this portrait. It's actually a pre-cursor to a little fashion thing I did for a magazine. But yeah, I wish all of my portraits were of people in animal costumes. Because honestly, I like animals better. Speaking of animals and things of that nature.... I am really finally trying to start a project about Vegan men. The idea of it has had some bumps and what not, but Joshua Katcher and I are trying to make some headway.



One thing I have been fortunate with is the caliber of people that have entered my life throughout the past four or five years. Whether its beauty, talent, intelligence, humor, or all-round good nature, I have really been able to meet and befriend some really incredible people. These aren't celebrities that I've had the pleasure of shooting or up and coming stars, they are people in my everyday life that really just make me feel good. I just wanted to say that, and how incredibly lucky I am to have met the people I have.



So Mr. Mark is coming into New York in a day or so I believe. I am really excited to see him this weekend before I leave for my West Coast trip to see friends. Mark is awesome and I really hope he gets a job offer so he can move here permanently instead of just visiting. He's really handsome too. Obviously.

Things have been a little slow in the work department. I haven't worked a new job in almost two weeks now which worries me a little. However, I'm sending out emails, dropping off portfolios and hoping for the best. There are always down points, it's just whenever they happen I get a little nervous and stressed out. So is life.

p.s. True Blood was fantastic! I'm so glad it's back and can't wait for next weeks episode already.

morning..

So I went to bed super duper early last night for the first time in awhile. It was quite wonderful. Woke up at 6:30 and ready to go this morning. Anyway, off to go do some cleaning, go to the bank and do some work. It should be a nice day. The rain stopped, the sun is coming out and Trina is being a really good girl this morning. I've been putting my hair back at night so it doesn't get crazy and I kind of feel silly having a ponytail, but as long as it's under my hat, it's ok I guess.

rad person of the day.

I love Sarah a lot. She is really great and we went to grad school together. Her work is really beautiful, and I probably didn't tell her that enough. She is also quite sassy and thats alright because it works for her and it works for me. Anyway, please take the time to look at all the sections on her site. You will be happy you did.

SARAH PALMER PHOTOGRAPHY!

meet me halfway.

So i know you all missed me over the past two days however I was on a mini-vacation of sorts. Looking like this mess above. I was trying to exfoliate my body with some sand but ended up just looking like a gremlin. Whatever. So Christopher and I were attempting to get down to Georgia for my opening yesterday night, however we only made it as far as Virginia Beach.... so we made a beach day instead of gallery day. I actually preferred it. I love the ocean so much, it's the best part of summer in my mind. I could be on the beach all day. I even got my first bit of color for the summer but my back kind of hurts.

(I need to start posting more snapshots, because it's a nice contrast to shoots... so I'm going to try to. Promise)



So Karen Olivo won the Tony award this past week for her performance in West Side Story. I photographed her a few weeks back. While the issue isn't out yet, Latina posted the image on their website so I'm just reposting it. Karen plays Anita which was at one point played by one of my favorite people ever, Rita Moreno in the movie version. Rita won an Oscar for her performance as well. You probably know Rita from OZ. Anyway, check out the interview with Karen up at latina.com at the link below.

Karen Olivo Interview



So I'm kind of sad I missed the opening. But if you are in the Atlanta area you can see the show for the next few weeks. The above is another piece in the show. I've been doing a lot more self-portraits but have been really hesitant to show them on here. However, after talking to a few people about it, I think I will start unveiling them. They are always the most personal for me, so I'm very self-conscious about making them really great. Iconic even.



So getting back to the trip... it was really nice. Virginia Beach is great, and I want to go back. I played mini-golf and built sand castles and enjoyed being able to just drive around the coast. I have such a wonderful time. I also saw Up last night and loved it. It made me cry when I wasn't laughing and the dog in it reminds me so much of Trina.

p.s. True Blood! Two days, so excited.

p.p.s. I hate the Mac Store in the city. I won't get into detail about it, but it took almost 3 hours to have a "genius" hand me a new power chord for my laptop. Thanks apple, great customer service.

I'm coming out.

I absolutely love this photograph of Paz De La Huerta. I love going through my scans and hard-drive looking at out-takes from shoots. I have found some real gems after the fact. This being one of them. Anyway, Paz is great. There is a shoot of her and another boy I photographed a long time ago, Nathan, by Nan Goldin in the current issue of V. You should check it out.



Speaking of out-takes. These are like two years old now I guess, or will be soon. They are from some fashion that I did for TONY. I actually have some new stuff I did for them that will be in the upcoming three issues. So pick it up on newsstands if you live in NYC. Christopher actually has his own little fashion story in the issue out next week as I was able to cast him.

So I believe I will be driving out of NYC in a few hours for a day or so to clear my head and take some photographs and all that good stuff. I need a little breather because I'm starting to feel antsy and uninspired. I always do good with my camera on the road better than I do when I am stagnant in new york. Unless it is for work, I find it hard to get myself motivated sometimes just because I get really burnt out.

p.s. The premiere of The Closer and Weeds on Monday was wonderful! So glad they are both back. True Blood is this Sunday and I couldn't be more excited.

p.p.s. Not sure how i feel about the SYTYCD top 20 this year... there are only a few that I'm really into.

it's all good.

So I got my issues of Angeleno in the mail on Saturday with my Keri Hilson photograph. I've also heard from a bunch of people that they have seen it in the other Modern Luxury magazines. So yeah, I have a lot of out-takes that I was really happy with such as the one above. She's just great. I listen to the song energy all the time. It's a great motivator in the morning when I get out of the shower and need a little bit of dancing and grinding in my underwear. It's true.



Christopher is back from Portland which is nice. Him and I are thinking of driving down to Atlanta on Wed to see my aforementioned show there. It will be nice to take a little mini road-trip and do photographs out in fields and eat delicious vegan food and all that good stuff. I also really like to go to my openings if I can make them, and it's really a good excuse to get out of the city. Even though I am going on vacation in two weeks out to the west coast. Which I really can't wait to do. I'll be traveling with partner in flying crime, mr. bruce russo.



I'm really itching to do a new fashion story. This one I did for OUT during fashion week was really one I was proud of, especially because it was very difficult to do logistically. While not a huge fan of doing fashion work, every once in awhile I really have a want and need to. Well, hopefully one comes up in a few for me to do. We will see.

p.s. Tonight is the premiere of the Closer and Weeds! Watch that shit! YAY!

p.p.s. I had a really really great weekend with friends that totally lifted my spirits. Being outside, eating ice-cream and seeing movies is all I can ask for. Speaking of, I thought the Hangover was hysterical. It had down moments that weren't that great, but overall it was a totally enjoyable summer movie.

rad person of the day!

So, I have a show opening in Atlanta this coming week at the Hagedorn Foundation Gallery. There are some real interesting photographers involved, and I love that the concept deals with young boys growing up. I have four pieces in the show. One of the photographers included in the show is Shannon L. Clark. I absolutely love these still lives as they are something that I could see myself doing. Anyway, take a chance to look at the website as the work is really great.

SHANNON CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY

a little venting never hurt anyone.

I just want to fucking throw someone around and for someone to beat the shit out of me right now. I want a black eye, and bruises and maybe even something broken. Some people get me so angry, such as student loan people. Let me say, the people that work the phone lines for all these companies should work for the CIA or something because they are relentless. A day or two past due and I get 10 phone calls in one day. It just makes me want to get into a brawl. I loved grad school, but as time goes on I'm regretting the amount of my life I owe in student loans. Maybe if I actually got checks in 30 days instead of 60 or 90 days after I do a job I'd be a little bit more comfortable. Just a little though. Sorry for the venting....really. I just needed to get it out of my system at the moment.



I photographed a few boys this week at the apt with the assistance of Mac helping pick them out. The way I'm shooting in the studio right now is kind of a precursor for work I will be doing for a certain website come the fall. It will be another outlet for all you readers to see more of these shots and what not outside of editorial and personal work. This is Michael Hopwood from B1 Models. I love his tattoos as they were kind of what made me want to photograph him. I'm a big fan of text on people's bodies. I think it's incredibly sexy.



So I have a bunch of photographs of Spencer I want to continue posting because I really enjoy them. I just really love his look in general and he is an awesome dude. I'm definitely going to photograph him again because yeah, I like it. He's good stuff.



It's Audrey's birthday tomorrow and I'm excited for her to see all the photographs of her for her birthday. I really really love this one of her and Christopher. Mac says it should be called "Dances with Leaves" because it looks like a promo shot for a Folk Band. I think its adorable and I love how much the two of them love each other. It reminds me of my relationship with Katie D. and how no matter what she is the girl that has my heart. I know that no matter what happens in my life, she will be the one I can always count on for sound advice and love. It's a really great feeling having someone that consistent in your life.... especially now after like 13 years or so.

p.s. I can't stop listening to T.I. He makes me happy.

p.p.s. I'm a Celebrity.... Get Me Out of Here makes me sick to my stomach... and coming from me that's saying something as we all know my taste sometimes doesn't really have a filter when it comes to television.

I want your body, need your body....As long as you got me, you won't need no body. True fucking that.

these are the days.

This is my friend Spencer. I hadn't really ever spent one on one time with him over the few years that we have known each other. Yet last week, I did. He said he would be excited for me to photograph him and that made me happy. He is such a sweet guy and also an incredible artist. You'll see some of his work in future portraits I'll post of him, because they are in the background. It's nice to be shooting portraits for myself again when I have the free time. I need to keep reminding myself that it's important to do that.



I'm really enjoying my studio shooting, as I stated last week. This is Nikita who I've posted here before. However, these shots are very very old. Probably from at least a year ago.... but I'm finding more and more treasures from old shoots now that I'm taking the time to look at them.



Edmund White was photographed with Terrence Koh a few months back. I really love, as per a previous post, that I've photographed such amazing gay icons. It's an honor for me. If you don't know about Edmund White and his books, google him.

Well, I'm going to enjoy the rest of the evening after a long day of work... Most likely watching some more E3 videos because I really wish I could be there. I love me some video games... like, way too much.

can't sleep.

I have been having such a terrible time trying to sleep the last few days. My insomnia has come back in full force. I mean, its almost 6 am and I am still awake from Sunday. Anyway, I'll be in the studio today scanning some new stuff so this week will be filled with new images. Including a sexy shoot I did with my friend Spencer, the film of Audrey and Christopher and maybe a few other surprises. Until then, I'm going to attempt bed.

Lyrics from one of my favorite songs by the Perishers -

Trouble Sleeping -


I’m having trouble sleeping
You’re jumping in my bed
Twisting in my head
Leave me

I’m having trouble breathing
You’re sitting on my chest
I sure could use the rest
Leave me

It’s you
Why’s it always you
and never me?
I’ve never dared to let
my feelings free
Why’s it always you
and never me?
I’ve never cared
too much about honesty

I’m having trouble sleeping
I’m thinking of what you said
About the tears been shed
Leave me

It’s you
Now and always you
but never me
I’ve never dared to
let my feelings free
Why’s it always you
and never me?
I’ve never cared
too much about honesty