Last night we all me Senita, an amazing person with a wonderful spirit, a woman who possesses the courage and power to influence change. We met her at a coffee-house on the corner of Wilshire and Detroit, a trendy little area that we locals refer to as the Miracle Mile District. We finished or chat at 9:00pm and as we said our farewells I was grabbed by the architecture, the stormy sky and the starkness of the cityscape. My artistic […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

 “It’s about education, about understanding the worldly cultures that are out there. The world is so small and we are not educated enough.” Now a day there is no reason to say that you are ignorant, you do not know what is going on or can’t get a different side of the information. The information is out there. It just a matter of how much you really want to know. People have to take the responsibility to find out,” Says […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

He goes by the name of D-Rock. And if you guessed a stage name, you are correct. His story is heard of often. We had a band and went to Los Angeles to seek fame and fortune. A claim that many have made and many have only dreamed of. For D-Rock… it is a reality. One that after he and his band “Later Days” pooled their tour money from filled auditoriums in the Florida music scene, pulled their home roots […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“When I was a kid I was raised in a real wild scary environment – Germany during World War Two. And when the war was over, I was barely 11 years old. All I remember is that my dad went away and never came back. He got killed.” Yet with this tragic account, today’s neighbors… now endeared friends, Horst and his beloved wife Elizabeth, show no signs of contempt towards humanity. Up the street they live from me, always private, […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

I’ve stumbled upon yet another Starbucks think tank group, lovingly titled by charter member Bing, “The Old Takaka’s.” But Takaka’s they are not. I sit with them and chat for about an hour. All have great stories, wise advice and more combined enthusiasm than that of a collegiate fraternity. Among them is peer of similar age to myself, Rick, son of group veteran Cara. Seems that today Rick is crowned campus chancellor. And without hesitation he nobly steps to the […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Susan Looks at the world, “If everyone had more of an understanding of other people. And not just trying to thrash them on their beliefs, but just understanding that we are different; and if they accepted those differences, we would all get along so much better.” I meet Susan on a bike outing with my daughter. If you’ve been with me for a while in 365, you’ve probably noticed that I do a lot with my kid. And I have […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“Go with your own heart, go with your own soul.  Trust people… people are good. All over the planet people are the same, but government is trying to keep us apart… Don’t trust the government.” A great “We the people,” perspective, delivered to us today by new friend, comedian and entertainer, Pijman. I run into him in purchasing two small Dell monitors at his moving sale. Pijman tells me he is moving to Vegas. “There is way more opportunity there […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

I’ve succumbed to the land of retail. Yep, I’ve left behind my aversion of the shopping center. And, although it still radiates in my mind as one of America’s cultural downfalls, as well as the kingdom of big business enterprise, I have to humble up in also acknowledging that… if entering its boarders with a correct perspective… it can also be viewed as a melting pot of humanity and individual expression. In this analysis, I come to a generalized conclusion […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Last night was a terrible night of sleep, when at 2:00am my daughter gets up and says, “Daddy… there is someone in the backyard! Can you call the police? I want to go to a hotel to sleep.” “Hotel…” I groggily question, “Why a hotel?” Got to love the imagination of childhood, “It’s safe there,” she says. To the window I go, and with the support of barks from our intimidating Yorkshire and Scottish Terriers, I yell to our well-walled […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

The table turns on me this afternoon when I find myself the interviewee. An occurrence that catches me completely off guard in exposing me to a glimpse of the emotions that must be felt by those I approach. And the greatest of these emotions are two: Empathy and curiosity. Empathy because I know how hard it is to approach a stranger and curiosity for obvious reasons. But in this unexpected sidewalk solicitation, there is a humanistic calm. A feeling that […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

I get into a sidewalk discussion with a couple of unknown neighbors. Denise (not pictured) digs the 365 project, “You should interview my sixteen year old son, he always has something to say.” Five minutes later, I’m standing at the door meeting her the young and brilliantly outspoken Daniel. I’ve often said, “The future is in good hands,” and Daniel is at the front of the pack in supporting that notion. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, Daniel is not only […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

I had no idea that today is a solar eclipse, and it’s crazy that I did not know about it. It’s not that I’ve been a slacker or overly focused on self or materialistic things. And I promise you that I’ll not publicly beat myself up or launch into an overly emotional or self-analytical throw up in blog form. That would be too self-absorbed. I’m just exposing my mind fart as a symbolic reference to the distractions of modern living, […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

I’ll be completely transparent in letting you know that I am still recovering on my sleep and family commitments from the two long days of effort that our word challenge of Thursday required. Yet needless to say, and even though I’m prioritizing family time today, I do so with the accompaniment of my 365 camera backpack, an appendage that my family has now learned to love and to accept in our everyday life. To quote my beloved, “You better go […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Only blocks from my house I run into Joe as he crouches under a car, repairing it radiator. He is on a side street… looks intimidating… and leaves question as to if is friend of foe. I approach him, grab a curb seat beside him, and we embark on a most pleasant perspective. I quote Joe in entirety. But before I leave you with his advice, I give you a personal finding, one that I have grown to cleave unto […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Three days ago you met artist Mardy, “It’s Scary, It’s Uncomfortable, But It Keeps Me Alive.” It that discussion we talked about the Canoga Park Art Walk. The next day I said hello to my new neighbor, Rachel, who stirred us to have a conversation on the idiom of water seeking it’s own level, as it applies to human attraction; a topic that in a way, is being proven true with today’s 365 experiment. And then there is the lovely […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Three digits of summer weather drive my daughter and I into an indoor shopping center for a bit of cool air and frosty beverage. And fearing the spirit of mall commerce, plus my kids need for more stuff, I wander no deeper than the entryway in guard of retail hades. We decide to leave, and upon exiting, we run into one of my daughter friends and accompanied by her mother, they offer us a combined excursion of said mall. An […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“The problem with people today… Things were created to be used… and people were created to be loved. And, we are loving things and using people. The biggest thing the planet is missing is respect,” Todays new neighbor turned Rachel speaks out. Rachel is relatively new to California. Who, along with her significant guy and a girlfriend, moved into my neighborhood, only a short two weeks ago. Often I speak of the importance of getting to know our neighbors, and […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“Never give up on your dreams and passions,” Mardy tells us as I speak with him while he paints a window. “I know that’s a little cliché, can I elaborate?” he asks. “Please do, we’d love to hear more,” and we’re off. “It’s all about honesty…” Mardy starts, “’…. It is the best policy in all situations. Like when looking for a job, so many people say ‘lets say this… or lets say that.’ What about if they say the […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

I’m a little soft-hearted at the moment. Thoughts of my daughter race through my mind as I write the entry. I ask that you be patient in your reading, soon I will reveal the reasoning for the soft emotions I am feeling as I type. Emotions that reeling after leaving a doctor’s appointment in which I soothed the teary eyed fears of my injection fearing young girl. We exit the medical complex and as my kid and I walk to […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“You can interview me but I want to remain anonymous, just call me ‘The Student of Paz (peace).’” And in respect to my newfound friend, we’ll honor his wishes in calling him “The Student” from here on. Outside Casey’s Tavern we meet and united we stand for thirty-minutes of meaningful conversation. Until tonight, The Student was an unknown shadow in the streets, and after approaching him as he took a breath of fresh air walk from the tavern, I am […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

I’m proud today, not puffed up in any accomplishment of my own, but in that of my nephew Aaron (not pictured), USC graduate with a Master’s Degree in Architecture. It a big accomplishment and accompanied by many departmental awards he has finished as one of the top in his class. Post the ceremony we are invited to a hosted lunch to see the works of the graduates of 2012. Equally proud families cluster in groups, all sharing tales of educational […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“Please don’t make me think about the future…!” long pause “…bottom line, the people are too complacent and I just want them to wake up!” Chimes Tasha, spokesperson for the self-titled “Patio Rats” in their nightly gather at, yes, I’m here again, Starbucks. My philosophy this evening: “Sit down, shut up and listen.” And with hot chocolate in hand, that is exactly what I do as I review my day, one that has literally been a historical and political feast. […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

It’s a hot, still aired and brightly sunny as I seek refuge, perching myself on a set of shaded bleachers that overlook a field where my heat-loving daughter is blissfully enjoying her soccer practice. Shakes my memory back to my Las Vegas days of youth, and of my baseball practices in similar weather. I have this theory: “All people are born with a limited amount of hot weather credits. Credits that are theirs to use when, how and where they […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

The scene: King Arthur and his nights have approached the French castle, and upon the Arthur’s claiming of the castle, the French guards react. Standing upon the top fortress’s wall and with broken French accent, they proclaim, “I don’t want to talk to you no more, you empty-headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries.” You don’t frighten us, English pig dogs. Go and boil your […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Late last night I receive a phone message, recorded at 10:47: “Yeah… I believe I’ve got the right number… this is Cowboy Bob… a friend of your 365… and you can call me back at this number, 000-000-0000… and I should be somewhere up near Platt all morning… I’d like to meet up with him maybe like 1 or 2 or 3… somewhere in that area… just have him call me sometime about noon or so… OK” I know exactly […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“People are getting crammed closer and closer together, you start to realize that people are more dependent on people. I don’t know if they will realize that soon enough,” answers street performer Lou, a native Californian, regarding his observations of people. It’s 9pm and the sidewalk is just starting to get busy with weekend traffic. Center to its building-up energy is Lou – quite, respectful and full of music to share with all who take time to stop to listen […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

In life we have two choices: “What is the most important thing to have?” “What is the most important thing to lose?” Questions that Ronnie leans on in navigating his life decisions. “I came to the United States in 1978 when the revolution started in Iran and as I was accepted to college,” Ronnie introduces himself as we sit for a mall chat. An entrepreneur, Ronnie is the owner of two Subway sandwich stores. But in the telling of his […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

In a small park far away from persecution, in a community unaffected by hunger and thirst, and with a group of families who in most respects have led a life not in need of the basic necessities, is found a spring of compassion. A fountain of humanity that pours forth via no means of engineering or powered by any aquifer; but, rather an unstoppable source of outreach that flows through the minds and efforts of a special group of children […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Two days ago we met veteran of the streets, Pappy. What I did not let you in on was the fact that we were not alone. With us was John, not homeless, but on the fringe of living on the streets. Today, I catch up with John and have the privilege to tell a little of his story. “My fall is temporary and it’s very humbling,” John starts off. “This is not me. I’m a former professional, even a future […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

What I’m loving about 365 is the open forum it is becoming. And with it, my wish for all who are traveling with us on this journey of friendshipping is that we are all-absorbing the unique perspectives from so many individual people. All people, who in one-way or another are mostly living under the radar of public exposure; it is this fact that many have commented. 365 is about real people… people as they are and speaking for what they […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“I used to have no remorse for anybody. I’d do anything, anytime… and with no questions… They called me suicide. I’m not that person anymore,” Pappy introduces himself to me as he exposes the reason for his change of life, “You have to faith in god.” An x-rider from a serious bike gang, Pappy openly spends a few hours with me today as I run into him outside of a local grocery store. “I was not a good man and […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

I’m going to make today entry quick and simple, it’s my wife’s birthday and after 232 days of co-marriage to 365, I feel it only fair to be as brief as I can in my writing today. Yet to be too brief would also be unfair to my new friend Casey, whom I meet during a short neighborhood stroll. In four beats, here is how I meet her. Beat One: Walk with wife to visit a family friend. Beat Two: […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Every year there is an American tradition that has happened since the dawn of modern education… That tradition: The High School Prom. A night where young men rehearse they’re gentlemanly conduct (they better) as young ladies are escorted to a fairy tail evening (we pray) in their practice of social graces. And behind every elegantly dressed teen, there is a mother, or a father, or other mixtures of family dynamics. Tonight is that very night, and I find myself smack […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

I’ve never told you about my Las Vegas days. Born in the UK, raised in Vegas. Sort of makes me a civilized, and mostly retired, creature of the night. For many years I had a thriving studio in “Sin City (BTW: I prefer it’s greater title of “The Entertainment Capitol of the World”).” And from the very first day of having a driver’s license, at sixteen years old, the music scene along with its accompanying nightlife was no stranger to […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Rafael quotes Anne Rice, “While you are here nothing matters except to love and to learn.” “Life has its ups and downs…” Rafael references as part of his outlook on life, “… I’m curious, it gets me into trouble sometimes, but it’s been a lot of fun. As long as we are doing something we love in our life…as a job or hobbies or whatever, it not only gives us happiness, but it also tends to bring awesome people into […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

It’s not often that one of our new friends takes the time to promptly email us their words. And, today is just one of the instances. With that, it would be completely wrong for me to edit or rewrite in any way. So without further delay, the written words of today’s stranger turned friend John. “I think one of the things in life that we should seek out is a measure of balance.  Now I believe there are many different […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

She says as she walks by me with a dismissive and antagonistic look, as if I am non-human and transparent, “Your a photographer… that’s nice.” And this is only the front end of a barrage of knee buckling and similarly harsh rejections. Then there’s the guy on the bike, “A photographer! Hah! I’m sorry! The world sucks that’s all I have to say, I’m not interested in sharing my thoughts (Well he kind of did).” I loose count of the […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“I’m talking to you because you spoke to me.” TJ greets me with a welcoming presence. I speak often of walking the world with chin up and eyes open to the people around us. And today, the table refreshingly turns, where in a project in which nine times out of ten I am first to link eye contact with the people around me, TJ beats me to the punch when he recognizes my daughter and I within a park filled […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

If you read yesterday’s entry, you know where I am today. If not, here is a brief review. It’s Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday and I am in Poway California at the over fifty-five apartments in which my Mum resides. Think of Mum as a busy British bee, and me, basically the token male, helping to host an honorary tea party that Mum has decided to sponsor. In your visualization, picture a group of 90% retired ladies, all of whom have, […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

The tea party is tomorrow. Not a reenactment of the Boston occurrence that led to the eventual separation of the America from its tax burdening British hierarchy, but a simple little afternoon luncheon that my Queen’s-English speaking Mum is conduction tomorrow at her San Diego residential complex, honoring Queen Elizabeth’s II sixtieth year on the throne. My wife, daughter and I have arrived a day prior to the function in our support of her event. We are delighted by the […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Another Santa Monica shoot day in the can and the thought of stopping to again wander the coastal streets feels a little expected. The sun has dropped, my eyes are drooping, and even with the car-pooling companionship of production assistant J.C, my communication tool set is starting to shut down after a full day of studio directing. I convince myself that the beaches will be full and route our return home along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). A disillusioned idea for […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“My wife and I just want to help people. We are all capable of amazing things if we stop judging and lashing out and learn to trust each other.” A killer quote from a very interesting and word frenzied artist, Charles, friend of day 222. “I was born in 1980 and other than being a bit Bi-polar, and I lived in a pretty normal suburban neighborhood. My dad was a roofer and a reserve cop, and he taught me the […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“Appreciate all that we have because we never know what is going to happen tomorrow.” – Stranger turned Friend, News Broadcast Producer, Susana. As affirmative as an appreciation can be, and to be perfectly blunt, I will be the first to confess that at some of the darkest times of my life, appreciation was the last concept in my mind. I suppose that is part of human nature and a fact of life. At times I tell a joke, “Remember […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

Here we go with today’s 365 entry, journal style. Hanging out at the park with today’s stranger turned new friend MC, whom I run into while sharing in the fathers ritual of, “my kids are playing on the jungle gym, time to chill for a minute.” With one eye guarding his playing child and the other leading in our conversation, MC expresses a few thoughts of advice, observations and concerns. In no particular order: “The world is a difficult place […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling

“When I was a kid people where concerned about the oceans and natural resources. We were taught about nature, the importance of the animals on the earth and how we needed to be careful to not allow any species to become extinct.” At forty years young, basketball player and hobbyist on-line sneaker seller Chris is an advocate for progressive thinking. A disciplined athlete he lives by the creed of coaching legend John Wooden, “Do not let what you cannot do […]

Categories: 365, Documentary, Fine Art, photojournalism, Portraiture, Story Telling • Tags: documentary, fine art, photography, photojournalism, portraiture, story telling