Immersion
Sometimes you just have to brace yourself and jump into the water. It doesn’t matter if your eyes are closed or if your face hits first. It’s unimportant if you’re scared or have never tried that thing before. What’s most significant is that you do something rather than nothing at all.
You may have no clue what inspiration or morsel of wisdom lies just beyond your doorstep waiting to be picked up and put to use. None of us do, but that’s the beauty of it.
If your confidence is low – it doesn’t matter. If people tell you you’re not good enough – it doesn’t matter. If you tell yourself you’ll never get there – it doesn’t matter.
Can’t jump in the water? Put one little toe in, even when it’s excessively cold. THAT is what matters.
If you are intimidated – do one small thing. If you think you don’t have the proper education – do one small thing. If you don’t have the money or means to accomplish it – do one small thing.
Don’t listen to the bullshit that follows your impulses. That first inclination, that’s you.
Do it for yourself. Do it for the world.
From Photo To Video
I have taken many photos for Los Angeles indie rock band The Active Set. Recently they set out to film their next music video, and their director Lior Molcho approached me. He was a fan of a shoot I’d done with Matthew Stolarz (singer) called “After Hours” and wanted to use the visuals. He asked me to help art direct the video as well as do makeup, and I jumped right in. The result is the video for It Multiplies.
Bloody Brilliant!
I had seen Charlie Capen previously as a vampire and knew I had to do a shoot with him. I wanted to capture a sense of immortality and was pleased to have one of the sexier vampires in town as my model.
Charlie is what I consider a gem in this town. His talents are so diverse that on his creative path he simply can do no wrong. Originally from San Francisco, he ventured to Los Angeles to follow his destiny to greatness. His belief in art creating needed change and wholehearted investment in his craft has set him apart from many, and is awe-inspiring to say the least.
One of his more incredible projects is a short film he co-wrote, produced, acted in and even wrote a song for called Three Things. I was fortunate enough to be the on-set photographer. It was chosen for several festivals, including the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Visit the trailer here.
Charlie Capen continues etching his mark around this town. And that’s what I like to see. Here is the newest project he is working on.
After Hours
Night time is really the best time to work. All the ideas are there to be yours because everyone else is asleep.
- Catherine O’Hara
It was just the two of us and a black makeup bag. It was really late and I was a little concerned to start at that hour, but he insisted we do. At that moment we excitedly claimed the night to ourselves and in silence and near darkness, while the rest of the city slept, we were up creating our art. It was quite liberating and inspiring. We worked until the sun came up. I guess that is a pure example of why life can sometimes be so exciting and unexpected. You have the freedom to create whatever you want, at any hour. I really believe that each one of us has something extremely beautiful and unique to offer and I love seeing each individual I shoot blossom into the most incredible piece of art to share with the world.
