Sophie Simmons : Its in the Gene's

It was a rainy morning in January as I drove up to Venice for the 10am call time with singer Sophie Simmons. You may recognize the last name or recognize her from her on going appearance in Gene Simmons Family Jewels but the singer who just released her first album, 'Black Mirror', is making her own way in the industry.

I was contacted by Grumpy Magazine to do a shoot with her and the concept was just epic. It was going to be outdoors at Vasquez Rocks but the weather forced us to make a quick change of plans, those plans landed us at Podshare of Venice. Having no idea what to expect when I arrived, I swung open the doors to a completely dark room filled with rows of bunk beds; complete with sleeping travelers resting next to piles of laundry and luggage. It was 930 in the morning and the place smelled of freshly microwaved meatballs. I instantly thought, oh crap. 

I quickly scoped out the place and tried to find inspiration in the corners of the room that held any sort of light. As I walked around the building I saw how cool it really was and I started to relax, I really had no time to panic since Sophie showed up minutes after I did. The MUA and Stylist were quickly behind her and we got things set up for shooting. 

There was little conversation exchanged during the hour shoot but we were quick and efficient and got some killer content which was just released in the Spring Issue of Grumpy Magazine which you can pick up on issu.com. 

Here are the images from the magazine as well as a few bonus images

Saying Goodbye to Toys R Us: The End of a Generation

Looking back on my childhood there are moments of time that are frozen and preserved and cherished. Summer lemonade stands, trading Halloween candy with my sisters (give me all the Kit Kat bars!), Lisa Frank, riding my bike to the park, and going to 'Toys R Us' with my dad. I can recall the excitement I would feel as my dad and I would walk up to the store together, how he would release my hand at the door and how I could just run free down the aisles of this magical place! The wonder and awe of seeing all the magnificent, colorful toys was such a monumental part of my childhood. From before my son was born, he was already a 'Toys R Us' kid! His baby registry was through 'Babies R Us', and it became a fun place for us to visit on rainy days, or boring days, or days we just felt like having fun!

Chasing my soon to be three year old up and down the aisle of the toy story was such a full circle moment for me as I flashed back on all the trips my father and I would take to this store so many many years ago. I can still recall how excited my dad would get as he would throw toy after toy into the cart, as I stood by telling him thats too many! Still, he would grab more until he found EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. from a film or show ( at the time it was Toy Story and Lion King) and then he would buy the whole lot! He said, 'you cant have just one character!' Those are the moments that made childhood special. 

Fast forward 20 years, and getting to share that same excitement with my own child felt like a right of passage!. Seeing his eyes in wonder as his feet flew past the swirling lights and sounds of rows and rows of toys was one of the greatest joys as a parent. What was even better was being able to witness my son with his best friend, my dad, exploring 'Toys R Us' together.  It truly saddens me to know my son wont remember these moments, and that a little more of the childhood I grew up in, is dying. Ill be forever grateful for the memories my family and I have made over the years, in the aisles of 'Toys R Us' stores across the country. We will miss you!

Forever a 'Toys R Us' kid !!!!!

Baby Curls and Gray Skies

Its rare that I get a photo of my wild, rambunctious and ever curious 2 year old, Atticus looking at the camera. From the moment he wakes up, to the second he falls asleep he is a tornado of toys, snacks and giggles. I have given up on trying to get that perfect photo of him and as a result I have learned to embrace and love the authenticity of lifestyle photography.  I love that Ill have these images of my son, to remember him as he is, at this age, forever. I have grown so much as an artist, as I document his development and our day to day life. 

Last week, California had some unexpected and very welcome cooler weather resulting in some amazing cloud patterns. Its rare that we get these amazing clouds so I had to take Atticus out to explore in our favorite little field behind our house. I put him in a vintage Sears Winnie the Pooh edition blazer that I found at a thrift store for $3.99 and his trusted and worn out Vans and we hit the dirt running. 

Wild.Carefree.Unleashed.Childhood

AAaaaaand with any photo series I do with Atticus, there are tears...always tears lol. We gotta remember all the moments