This year, I was humbled from the cons this business can provide. Each event I do goes beyond needing to make a living, it’s what defines me. If I’m going to make this work, the goal is to capture each event from my perspective and do it well.
I’ve built some good relationships and can hope it’ll grow throughout 2024 and beyond. Also, I really hope for those who are checking out this blog can draw you into hiring me and/or support my business via donations.
Without further ado, here’s my 25 favorite photos and the stories behind each of them.
Lack of Sleep, Still Need to Be Creative
Personally, I had the idea of going with the Punch-Drunk Love effect when capturing a young person doing wall climbing. The reason behind the title is because I only had a grand total of three genuine hours of sleep. I had gotten back from Southern California not long before working an event at the REI in Seattle. Somehow, I wasn’t spent energy wise and got through it.
Nocturnal Getaway
Since the Busch Light Clash began racing at the LA Memorial Coliseum, it’s been a tradition to wake up super early and eat at Canters. It’s the very restaurant Guns ‘N Roses performed decades ago and HAIM’s album cover of Women In Music, Pt. III took place. I consider eating there as therapeutic before seeing a golden hour sunrise at a beach nearby.
This year, I brought my camera and try shooting the famed sign outside the restaurant. Sure, I could’ve made it more brighter, but compared to where I was in February to now is different. If I can remember to eat there in a couple of months, I’ll hope to recreated with the entire thing appearing.
Cue the Saxophone
If there’s one takeaway from this building, this used to be a movie theater during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Now, it’s a book store in the vibrant Ventura Boulevard.
I went there in April 2022, but I didn’t brought my camera. Fast forward to August 2023, I made sure to bring it with me and explore the venue properly. Granted, I did this while waiting for my meal to be ready at a restaurant a few blocks away, but I figured this was the time to do so.
There’s only one line I can think of and it’s during the third verse of HAIM’s “Summer Girl” — “Walk beside me, not behind me.” By the way, this is the very building that appeared in the music video.
Like That One Shirt Says
Purposely, I ranked this photo at 22. As the photo title suggests, one particular shirt fits the bill. The shirt I’m referring to is “A Lot Going On At the Moment.” Pay attention at everyone in the image and you get the idea why I made a Taylor Swift reference. Beer festivals is a whole different vibe, especially during October on a rare hot 80-degree afternoon in Seattle.
A Venue Has Its Tales
A bit out of my element, but I wanted to capture the community college logo just as a volleyball serve was about to transpire. It’s a bit neat to highlight something, but illustrate its surroundings. Due to my scheduling (arena sports production gigs) and feedback troubles between multiple schools (not Edmonds by the way), this was the only volleyball game I ended up doing in 2023. I’m definitely going to fix that in 2024.
The Tradition Continues
I’ve always wanted to explore Venice Beach and I was finally able to in February. Sure, not the full experience but when deciding which beach I wanted to see a morning golden hour, Venice was my top choice.
Ever since 2019, whichever race I’m covering to kick off the year, I set a day to see the sunrise and it’s become my favorite tradition. It began in Daytona Beach, but since Los Angeles is now the first race weekend since 2022, Southern California has become the new traditional spot.
Personally, I like going to the beach during this time period because it’s peaceful and I get to see a beautiful golden hour to kick off the day. A true symbol of the year truly beginning.
Bloody Balloon
I attended a fundraiser event for a good friend of mine, who had reopened her gym before Halloween. During the event, there was a kid having a ball and captured him using a fake bloody knife attempting to balance the black balloon. No, it didn’t pop but it made for a neat picture.
That Damn Bird
At some point, I’m going to remember each bird I find. Not right now though. But like last year, I love capturing photos of birds with the goal of not causing a fuzz. If I do, they’ll leave and defeats the purpose of bird photography! There’s always something about birds that fascinate me.
Unleash the Dragoness
Earlier this year, I came back into the import scene and noticed this MX-5 RF Club underwent cosmetic changes since 2021. The colors of the flowers and dragon was now yellow instead of pink. But what decided to go for here is get a ground level shot of the car and was satisfied with the final image. It’s a neat car for sure!
Two Wheel Showcase
To be blunt, the final days of the Month of May was rough. One day I may discuss about it, but not now. Probably not ever. Anyways, one of the few pluses was seeing the AES 500 Parade which takes place the day before the Indianapolis 500. As a sucker for anything with a motor, I loved this two-wheel tilt image. You must consider an adult managing a mini car and to pull it off is amusing to me.
Some Down Time
In the closing hour of the annual Tacos y Tequila Festival in Spokane, all of us felt the mood to enjoy the music. A volunteer certainly got the memo and it was one of the more memorable nights of 2023.
The Game of Flag Football
Flag football brings a certain passion that I’ve enjoyed over time. More so when teams are fighting for a spot in the championship game where any catch is crucial to the outcome.
A Clear Reflection
Before the fire smoke saddened the spirit, Carnation had nice and clean weather conditions. It’s neat seeing zero clouds and you can see the reflection underneath. It’s a simple outdoor shot, but I love picturesque scenic on a summer afternoon.
Sunday Night Music
The evolution of Farones Del Norte USA has been amazing. From closing night one in 2022 to closing the overall festival, this group know how to get the crowd going. So much so, they performed outside the stage. It was in that moment where I felt confident in capturing outdoor night shots.
80 Degree Social Gathering
In early October, Seattle had a couple of days where temperatures reached 80+ degrees. Despite being warm, it was rather cool afternoon as the sun was slowing winding down, but the folks coming to Ounces for the annual Oktoberfest were creating memories.
“You Know What It Is”
Wiz Khalifa had a nice performance during the Busch Light Clash Halftime Show. Sure, he’s not always my cup of tea, but as long as I can capture great images of the music performances, I don’t mind.
Let’s hope NASCAR doesn’t get Morgan Wallen, who isn’t nominated for a single Grammy Award, in February. That’s what I like about the musical acts in the Clash, the acts aren’t country and it should stay that way.
A Romantic Advantage
A little spark don’t hurt, especially when friends support each other in front of a large crowd. In this scenario, friends competing for who had the sexiest costume. No matter the outcome, their friendship remain strong!
Reflections Real Big
Another creative shot I pulled off was capturing a rim near a placed mirror on the pavement. It’s what I love about import shows, I can be creative with the shots in a group defined by creativity.
Breaking Ankles: Figuratively Edition
A key play during the Cascade Flag Football Championship Game was 15 seconds of the receiver breaking tackles and avoiding the defenders. An amazing drive that really stood out of the games I’ve shot photos.
A Soulful Silhouette
I’ve grown to love capturing these shots during dark settings and colorful lighting. We need more of that in music performances in my opinion. Events like the Refuge Outdoor Festival brought that magic in capturing this image. It’s a unique shot to go for during a mellow Saturday night in the outdoors. More so when the music provides incredible messages.
Enjoy the Silence
A play-in on Depeche Mode’s classic from the 1990 album Violator. When I saw this flower down and out in the Santa Monica Pier, I couldn’t help but think about the album cover. It has the resemblance and it was planted in the sand. Over time, it would stay up and figured I should just take a picture of the flower before the waves kept crashing down.
A Smile Worth A Thousand Words
Tough June and July it sure was for me. In fact, the whole summer was tough all across the board.
However, if there’s one positive I can say about a hellacious period, it’s this flattering photo. During the Seattle Cascades’ team clinic, a young kid was playing frisbee with his father. The joy on the kid’s face is everything you need to know about why it stands out.
Air Folklorico
I enjoy a great Hispanic event and folkloricos are no different. The moment I captured this shot, I knew it was a contender of top photo of 2023. Just two images stood out much more and it boiled down to aesthetics and things looking sharp.
A Haunting Awakening
I thought I couldn’t find a way to top one photo from last year’s Halloween Creeptacular, but I can safely say this can rival it. Everything from the lighting to the sharp visuals made it flawless. It’s bold, haunting and creative. Need I say more?
Un Baile de Chicas de Verano
A silhouette of two summer girls putting on a dazzling routine in Spokane isn’t easy. It requires patience to capture such shot and that alone is the main reason why I consider this as my favorite image of 2023. Having it in black and white made it better because it’s visually pleasing to the eyes and nothing beat this image that didn’t involve motorsports.
As another tumultuous yet unique year is coming to a close, I hope you follow my journey in 2024. Any amount of donations will really help keep my business alive going forward.
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