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RUMBLE AT THE ROCK

Jaime Walton defeats Clayton Gladu
The doctor does a mandatory check up before the fight

On March 12 the Fighters from Sugarrays boxing club and Eboost Canada invited me to document the the fights at Rumble at the Rock VIII. I had the incredible experience of dressing room access (and not all media got that).

What you don't see when they're not in the ring punching each other in the head:

These guys showed incredible sportsmanship and support to their competitors.

AJA

AJA: Aja was so natural in front of the camera I could have shot with her all day :)

You might have seen her work before. In fact, If you own any active wear from Vancouver based LIJA, then you may even be wearing it right now!

A Kwantlen graduate, she spent the last seven years designing for Lija, but most recently she's one of the women responsible for Bullet Collective.

Her and Michelle Herbert launched March 1st. Though this is their first startup, Bullet got a pretty huge first contract. They'll be designing the active wear for ROOTS!

Congratulations Bullet Collective!

If you don't mind-25 degrees Celsius...

Common Redpoll
Chikadee

Deer tracks. I've seen so many deer this week, but they always come out in the evening when it's too dark.

Downy Woodpecker
Grouse



(if you click on this one, you can actually see ice crystals in the air above the trees)

If you don't mind -25 degrees celsius (not including the wind chill),

your lens fogging up, and not to mention losing sensation in all small appendages, then Alberta winter is Glorious!!!

By the way, holding metal objects, (ie. a camera) is a sure way to truly experience what it is to be COLD .brrr. brrr. brrr.

Here's a look at an abridged version of my very chilly week.

Of course, today I didn't bring my camera on the car ride to drive my niece and nephew to school; I was kicking myself while the sun rose (yes... I've been taking them before the sun actually rises), and an incredible SUN DOG almost blinded me! The ice crystals in the air glistened as the sun's rays passed through them emitting etherial glowing colors.

I got home, left the car running, grabbed my camera and headed out to the country roads for my final day of shooting here. :)

I have to admit, I'm looking forward to Vancouver's civilized climate.

FOXY

Alberta, Canada, Squirrel
Alberta, Canada, Red Fox

I'm in Alberta hanging out with my niece and nephew while their parents cruise through Mexico. While I'm driving my nephew to school we talk about how a long time ago there were probably lots of fox that lived in the area now called "Fox Run."

Well, he happens to mention that they do have one that lives around their place.

I think to myself...geez that would make a great shot. But what are the odds he'll come running while I'm standing on the porch calling

"HERE little foxy...I have a treat for you... "

4 hours later

So I set up my computer on the kitchen table to start editing a little video I'm working on, and my peripheral vision catches a blur of red through the window.

Ahhh...could it be? But my camera is still in the camera bag and I'm sure I don't even have a card in it (which is something I usually almost always have loaded for occasions such as this).

I stand up, peek through the window and the little fury guy is prancing off...

AHHH sh%$!!!

I get my camera out and load it up in case it comes back, but I don't even have to wait!!

He/she seems to be exploring the yard...and like a model on a cat walk, advances, stops and poses before making a graceful exit.

Guess what I just read. They hunt at night and are rarely seen...LUCKY ME!!

Thanks big bro for keeping the bird feeders full!!

Fog in Oregon

More drive-by-shootings from my passenger seat window. I've always loved the fog.

Rainy L.A

Happy New Year!!

If you're a photographer and you either live in or visit L.A, it's practically a given that you'll be compelled to shoot the infamous Frank Gehry Disney Concert hall. Though I lived in southern Cali for 6 years, the opportunity never arose.
So imagine how excited I was, when on a recent business/road trip to L.A, my boyfriend listed it as his top priority during our hectic few days in the city.
Gear loaded in the car, I thought we'd spend some good time evaluating angles and appreciating reflections from the signature curvy stainless steel.

But remember the devastating downpour that Southern California had in December? Well there we were at the concert hall, rain bombarding the car windows, my tripod untouched in the trunk. I was trying to capture a shot through the porthole-- the split second when the windshield wiper cleared way. We even considered just doing a drive-by and calling it a day.
But if there's one thing I've learned in the past--
It's shoot anyway and delete later...or keep and bask in the glorious image and pretend that you planned it like that all along :) Seriously...don't you know I put out a huge casting call for that umbrella bearing tourist/model?


From our very illegal parking spot, I rolled the window down just enough to poke out my 70-200. I took a breath, began searching with my lens, and then I understood why so many photographers fall for Gehry's seductions. And I could have shot there all day-- every camera movement composed a new image.
The rain and fog, after all, was just another opportunity. And then I thought to myself..."what's a little rain? Journalists challenge their gear in tsunamis and war Zones." And there I was crouching by a newspaper dispenser in the pouring rain, shooting the cityscape while Miguel waited in the running car with towel in hand.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again:
Anything for a shot--well almost;)


learn more about the Disney concert hall