First and foremost, the straightforward photo, although still cast-able as a business-type, or perhaps "best friend" role. Very confident and engaging. 

The cool, calm, and ever so present attorney look. 

How about a sexy, intimidating, confident business woman, or CEO? 

I say YES!

Lastly, our favorite of the shoot, I'll call it the "artist" look. 

So next time you're thinking of getting your portraits done for the acting industry, think about who you are trying to portray. Sure, you can portray yourself, but until then, you want to let casting directors know that you can look like the "Law and Order" attorney they're looking for, or perhaps the street thug that "Hawaii Five-O" is casting for (which they do so often BTW). 

Bring your "A" game, be prepared and have fun! 

And with that, I leave you with this photo I took of my nephew the other day:

Hmmm... but can I cast him as an attorney though?... 

Thanks for stopping by! 

For me, the week was spent preparing for the annual Grateful Crane Ensemble's Christmas show in Torrance this past weekend. Couple that with a headshot shoot of one my friends, include a Cold Tofu show, and yet another two holiday parties, and that makes for one busy week! 

So, that being said, here are some images from the week. 

During rehearsals :) 

I wish I was small enough to do this still! Aydin, one of our cast members during rehearsals for the show. Cool hat BTW.

What the holidays are all about - laughter and good friends :) 

Finally, here are a few images of my session with my friend Rumi. Fun times!

One more Christmas show to perform in this week, and then it's "smooth" sailing until X-mas, well, until two weddings before the year ends.

Have a terrific week everyone! Happy Holidays!

First off, hope everyone has recovered from the great wind storm of 2011! As you all know or saw, everyone, and I mean everyone on Facebook posted a photo of a downed tree in their neighborhood the days following "windogeddon" (or "windpocolypse"). Sad that some of those trees we're so used to seeing are gone now, but I guess it's Mother Nature's way of cleaning house - with upwards of 70-80 mph blowers! I'm glad that we're through it and if you're reading this at home, your power is back on, which as usual, is a good thing. 

For me, life went on as usual despite the strong, gale force winds. So much so that on Friday, I was finally able to photograph my good friend Carin's headshots that she had twice previously had to postpone due to unforseen circumstances. Great times! A big thank you to Carin, and her uber awesome make-up artist Amber Rae for helping out with the shoot. Here are a few photos from our session :)

Thanks for a fun session Carin! 

Saturday was spent with our Cold Tofu family at our annual X-mas party and gift exchange. Great times all around, with some pretty interesting gifts given (the "White Elephant" variety). I walked away with a multi-tool that some "donated" from a wedding party they belonged to. I know this cause there was a special thank you note still attached to it from the bride who gave it. Uh, thanks, BTW. 

Here are a few scenes from the night's festivities. 

Have a great week everyone, and get your shopping done already!!! :) 

Happy Wednesday everyone! Well, I'm sick again, probably due to this weird up and down weather. 

Anyway, just wanted to post a few fun shots of a recent headshot session I did with my good friend, musician/composer/musical director/awesome improvisor extroadinaire, Marc Macalintal! We had a great session, filled with some awesome images, but I decided to post the fun stuff here today. Why not? :p

Lastly, I've also included a few more from my fashion shoot with Jully. Enjoy!!!

Sly devil!

"Okay, now act like you just won the lotto!"

"Just a little more to the left..."

Fun times Marc!!!

Thanks again to Jully L. for being my model :) Enjoy the rest of you week everyone! And stay healthy!!!

 Next Gen 3 himself, Jerome James Palma.
BTW ladies, he's already taken.



A pensive moment.



This one was posed on his part, his take on Rodin's "The Thinker" I think.



Kinda looks like he's looking at my watermark. Sorry.

First off, last week began with a terrific headshot session with veteran actor Joseph Cardinale, the father of a friend of mine from my Movement for Actors class over at the Edge. Joseph has been an actor now for 30 plus years, and has done everything from film, TV, musicals, theater, you name it! It was a fun and enlightening session listening to Joe, about his experiences, his life, how proud he is of his children and grandchildren, and life in general. A huge thank you goes out to both he and his daughter Tina for allowing me to photograph him for future roles! We got a lot of great shots, and I'm certain he's going to have a hard time choosing which ones to use!

Friday I had the unique opportunity to photograph my good friend Ele Keats for a personal project. Superb, sensual, provoking, enticing, sexy, alluring, teasing, beautiful photographs that you guys won't be able to see! Sorry! They're for one dude only, and that's NOT me! Maybe if we're lucky she'll let me post a few, but for now, all the images we created are for her cool boyfriend Jason - what a lucky guy! Enjoy the photos you two, and thanks to Ele for asking me to create them with her. Oh, and thank you to my art director, Cindera Che, and our terrific MUA Christine - you guys rock! Would love to do more work with you again!

On Sunday, I met up with my next bridal couple, Mike and Sandy who has so graciously asked me to photograph their upcoming wedding. I know Mike from my high school days, and from photographing his big sister's wedding back in 2008. They have asked me to photograph their big day and I'm so excited to do so! What's even more cool is that these two have been going out for 10 years now! Wow! You go guys! Can't wait  :) Here's a quick photo of them:

Finally, the reason why I also entitled this entry as "Life in general" (aside from mentioning it in the opening paragraph) is that yesterday, Monday, I visited my Tita Becky (aunt in english) in San Diego who isn't doing so well. I hadn't seen her in about four years, ever since my grandmother died. Seeing her again after all these years was great, and quite frankly reminded me that sometimes we let our own lives "get in the way" of spending time or seeing those who mean something to us. I have to admit that I am guilty of letting these years go by without having seen her, and it truly is something I regret. As she lay there, her spirits were  up, talking, and sometimes joking as I have always known her to, ever since I was a kid. Her mind as sharp as ever, yet her body battling for its survival. You never know what life will throw at you, what lies around the next corner, or what tomorrow may bring. But what I've learned is that people don't usually give up; they don't fault you for not having seen them in a while; every moment counts, and that there are always people there to help you even when you don't think there are any. As my aunt battles through this disease, I am comforted in knowing that she is surrounded by people who are there to make sure she gives it her best shot, regardless of the outcome. 

Paraphrasing "Ferris Bueler" - LIfe goes by really fast, and if you don't stop and look around, it'll pass right by you. The lesson here is to stop, take a deep breath, look around, and cherish what you have, cause sadly it won't be here forever, but the memories you keep of it will, and should you honor each moment, then these good times will never leave or pass you by. 

Thanks for stopping by everyone. And have a terrific week :) 

Look at that smile :)



See, happy baby :)



He's only 3 mos. old btw. He's a big boy.



He was like this the entire time!



Love babies' expressions!



Looks like a Gerber baby doesn't he?



Here he is with my cousin, his mom, Rondel



And for all you budding photographers out there, here was my set-up.
Simple, yet effective.