FAQ’s
Where are you from and where are you going?
I’m from Northern California. To be exact San Jose. Where I’m going… I have no idea, but I’m enjoying the ride!
When did your discover you love/passion for photography?
I took my first roll of film in 6th grade, took photography in 7th grade had business cards by 8th grade and at that point I knew I was gonna do this for the rest of my life. I love what I do and do what I love!
Who was your first concert?
That would be the legendary Return To Forever with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola and Lenny White in April 1976.
What kind of cameras do you use?
I’ve used them ALL in the last 40 years… everything from 35mm to Polaroid to 6×7 and now digital. There isn’t a camera or system I have NOT tried. My main camera now is a Hasselblad H1 w/Phase One P25 back. Simple and easy!
What photographers inspire you most?
Since I was a kid I always worshiped the BIG 3… Richard Avedon, Irving Penn & David Bailey. Everything they did just made sense to me in every way. Simple, honest, real and great! Their art will last forever and that says everything. These days the photographers I admire most and look at… Richard Avery, Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino and Nobuyoshi Araki. Sad to say, most photographers and photography is pretty boring to me at this point. Everyone looks the same cuz they all use the same gear. Everything is done in post and thats OK, but it makes for a bit boring.
How did you get Pearl Jam to let you direct your first video with them?
That’s a long story, but the short version is this… I was shooting them a lot that year also hanging out with Eddie Vedder a bunch. I always wanted to direct and I told Eddie this one night before a Soundgarden show in Seattle. The next day after I sobered up, I asked Eddie if he and PJ would let me direct a video for Jeremy? He said yes, but said he had to ask the label, management and the band. They all said yes since I was paying for it. We shot for two days, the band was SO nice and supportive. Everyone had a great time and to this day if I run into anyone who was there… They all say the same thing… Two of the best days ever! To this day I’m SO proud of my first step into directing and I was lucky to have a great band to work with. I feel the video captured the band at their best and Eddie’s passion just shines! They never officially used it, but I never cared. ALL I wanted to do was prove to everyone and myself that I could direct. I think I did that.
What are you most proud of?
Simple… I’m still creating after all these years and doing my best work now! I’ve never lost my passion for my art. I’ve never stopped believing in me. I’ve never given up no matter how difficult life has been. I’ve always pushed myself to get better and never settle. Most of all I’m grateful for everything and everyone!
What was your worst photo shoot?
I get asked this a lot. There are three that come to mind… First, New Kids On The Block. They were annoying and out of control. Second, Stan Ridgway (Wall of Voodoo). He was a miserable fuck! Third, shooting a couple LA Dodgers for a couple magazines. I hate the Dodgers with a passion and going to Dodger Stadium for two days in a row almost killed me. BUT I still wore my SF Giants hat!!!
I noticed you do not have a lot of new musician/band shoots. Why is this?
Well… the music industry is NOT what it once was. The budgets shrank, the music got bad and I got bored. I do miss the shows, the tours, the musicians, the friends and the drugs. BUT those are the good old days and I refuse to live in the past. I’m proud of my past and the music work I did, but I’ve moved on to bigger and better things.
Last, what do you want now?
WOW! That’s a tough one, but I will keep it simple. I want to be healthy, keep creating, keep learning, keep growing and most of all get better in everything!!!
