Billy Boy Hipster Hater

Billy is a friend of mine. His role is one of Producer. If you could explain his job in a few words; Billy gets shit done. He doesn't mess around. If you can help him great. If you can't, get the hell out of his way. He has shit to do. It's nothing personal, it's efficiency. He doesn't have time to contemplate the finer aspects of skinny jeans. Billy is three dimensional. At any given moment he is on the phone with five different people. He has to be able to understand people and be understood. He uses technology to his advantage. Rotary phones are cute but you won't see Billy slowing himself down with one. He can make ten different things happen with five different people by the time you dial 702. Don't get me wrong though, Billy does love the finer things in life. Like the graceful dancing lines of a '56 Cadillac, or the symphony of twelve hand crafted cylinders of Ferrari glory. Objects of man's timeless obsessions. Objects Billy uses as inspiration. Inspiration to get shit done.

Fade To Black

Lately I have been in a destructive mood. That's why I think it's time to share a project I have been working on for quite some time. It's called Paper Hats, Polaroid, and Profoto. I don't want to give away too much more but I am leaving a taste of what the film looks like. The shot above is from Brian Head, Utah. I went snowboarding with some friends and did some testing with this film stock. The emulsion fades as soon as you take the photo. You can stop the fading process by ripping the acetate away from the developing layer, resulting in a fixed exposure and a clear transparency. I like the excitement of watching the print fade wondering if I should wait a couple more seconds or tear it apart as fast as I can because I like what I see. The process is the fun part. Sometimes with digital we forget to get absorbed in the process. If I could offer any advice I would say pick a project that slows you down. You never know you just might get a great idea waiting for the developer.

Sexy Rick Rides Again

I love working for my friends. They always have the greatest ideas. So I wasn't surprised when my fellow photographer and tattoo artist, Sexy Rick Reffner, came to me and said, " I want to be a cowboy." After a bit of explanation I learned that Rick wanted to get new business cards and he would like yours truly to take the photos. I loved the idea. We did some brainstorming and tons of shopping looking for the right shirt. It was a blast going through all the western wear shops in town. The best was the reaction of the clerks that worked there. Some were into it and helped us look for a shirt and some just looked at us like we were crazy. It was a hoot! My girlfriend and I made the hobby horse. It was kind of amazing the crap we made it out of. The list goes like this, mop handle, two pre-made pedestal for wheels, an old shirt for the head, and string for the mane. With an added tattoo machine (IT'S A MACHINE NOT A GUN) we were ready to shoot. The shot above was Rick being silly at one point. It reminded me of the cowboy that welcomes you to downtown Vegas. We shot a few of this set, then we did a mugshot set up. Karla Joy did Rick's makeup for the the mugshot and let me tell you he looked like he got rolled by The Las Vegas Club security boys. A facebook photo proved how real it looked by comments replied. I had a blast and now Sexy Rick owes me big time. So make sure you go visit him so he can save up to pay the invoice. He drills at Fallen Leaf Tattoos, 1801 E. Tropicana #17 Las Vegas, NV. (702) 489-5323

Dr. Sketchy's

I love photography and I love to photograph. But sometimes I like to get out of the photo world and find inspiration from other mediums. Dr Sketchy's is perfect for this. It's a live figure drawing class held once a month at our local bar Dino's. Hosted by Las Vegas' own burlesque superstar Cha Cha Velour, it is a great time to meet artists and be creative in a social and relaxed setting. I usually draw but the other night I decided to shoot some Polaroid. The film stock I was shooting was old and not exposing properly so I starting drawing on the surface of the print. It felt constructive and destructive at the same time. A feeling one can only achieve at Dr. Sketchy's.

Beautiful Downtown Boulder

If you haven't heard, I am starting a new long term project called January Birthday. My friend, T.B. Lussier and I are restoring a 1954 Chevy panel truck to travel roadside America and document what we see and hear. Recently I traveled to Boulder City to work on a school assignment and scout locations for the January Birthday project. I ate at Mel's Diner and found what I am looking for in my project. As I was sitting at the lunch counter I felt an energy I have been seeking. It was the smile of the waitress and the smell of the food that tripped a circuit in my brain. I could feel what it might be like to drive to a place I have never been and stumble into wonder. I could feel the inspiration build as I ate my breakfast. I can't wait to get on the road.

Stay Out Of The Deep End

I've recently fallen in with a bad crowd. I've joined a bike gang called Hammer & Cycle. We like to ride the streets of Vegas and cause mayhem. My fellow photographer Sexy Rick is to blame . He joined first then invited me on a ride one night. My girlfriend and I were hooked immediately. We try to make it to every ride and event now. This past Saturday Hammer & Cycle had its Spring Nationals. We all met up at Sunset Park and had all kinds of races. Did I mention that we all ride cruisers, low riders, and choppers? Let me tell you a drag race with dropped stretched bikes is pretty awesome to watch. Spring Nationals was a great sucess. After the park some of us went to Amanda's house for a nice little after party. Her house is amazing and lucky for us the pool was empty. Being a bike gang we had to sweep the pool and see if someone would ride it. Maybe it was all the PBR throughout the day, there was no shortage of volunteers. While shooting riders I looked up at the crowd gathered around watching the fun and saw this awesome group shot. It's a small slice of the Hammer & Cycle crew. If you see us on the road give us space. Slowly but surely we are taking over the Vegas streets.

Running On Empty

Lately my life has been challenging to say the least. I am in my final few semesters at school, the economy is bad here in Vegas, and the cherry on the sundae was my brand new laptop was stolen. I didn't lose any data but I haven't been able to shoot much digital. I have been working on my advertising class and shooting tons of Polaroid on the streets.I felt I needed to update this blog though. Here are a couple shots I've done for my class. I usually don't post class stuff but I don't have anything else. Hope you enjoy.