B-boys!

I've been holding back on these for a while...click the image to see more!

This shoot was for the cover of Revista Caminos' January cover.

Thanks to Wicked-Fx (the b-boy crew) & Hector for putting together the shoot...it was a lot of fun...and was my first "official" shoot in my new town (valley?)!

Enjoy...and don't forget to click the image or here!

Freeze...or Else...

When life was good...before they chose the wrong path...

Goals...climbing mountains!

So I have some goals coming for the new year. One of those goals is climbing to the top of Wagner Butte in the Spring (right now, there's a bunch of snow up there...so that's not happening quite yet)!

Climbing Wagner Butte is only part of my goals...it's like a practice run. My main goal, for this summer, is to climb Mt. McLoughlin...when it clears up enough, I'll post my own pic!

And by the way, for my Florida friends, it is rainy, windy, and very cold today...and getting colder...sigh...

Bowling...and such...

We went bowling today at Lava Lanes...it was fun...haven't bowled in probably decade or so...and the two little boogers got to bowl for the first time!

Due to the holidays, I'm home a bit more...so, it's been interesting observing my 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son interact. They have such an interesting bond. They are very close...they're like glue (ACTIVE glue)!

For those who know me well, know that I have several brothers and sisters...but none are my 100% "full blooded" siblings...hence, I really didn't grow-up with any of them but maybe for 3 or 4 years...and my brother and sister from my father...I never grew-up with them at all! So it's been interesting watching this sibling bond...watching how much they care for each other...and the little reservation they have for getting in each other's "personal space" (I have a lot of personal space!). It's just cool seeing that bond...

So that's been my holiday gift...and bowling!

My daughters bowling shoes that she temporarily inherited...enjoy!

FYI: I bowled a miserable 126...???

Happy Holidays & a few facts...

Read below the pic...some cool stuff!

We've been in Oregon for 3 months...so I'd like to share a few facts about Southern Oregon:

- Most people think we're crazy that we moved here from Florida...or they say, "I could never live in Florida." Mosquitoes and Humidity seem to be the major detractors...and something about alligators eating people?

- University of Oregon vs. Oregon St. University (the Civil War?) seems to be quite as intense as Florida vs. FSU &/or Georgia!

- It doesn't rain here much...it rains more in Florida!

- The sun does shine here...at least in Southern Oregon...we've had like 7 days straight of scattered clouds or better!

- The winter is mild...40's & 50's...but I still miss a 70 degree day...and may not see one until late May...or June? Pray for me!

- It snows...a lot...but only if you live 6,000-7,000ft. high up in the mountains...we live at about 1,800ft...we've only seen snow once...and it was fun!

- Everyone drives a Subaru...including us!

- Vegan is not weird!

- Every time you go to a bar, you'll need to learn your beers all over again...they love microbreweries here...me - good ol' Rolling Rock will do the trick!

- And that is not my Snowmen fixture...it's the neighbors...hope they don't mind???

Happy Holidays...enjoy!

I wish...

A couple of months ago I (uh, Chase) bought my wife (& kids) this Subaru Outback...it's so cool...the best All Wheel Drive in the industry, climate control, moon roof, heated seats, & a remote car starter!

But I wish I could do this! (Hint, Hint...)

Now I need a 7 passenger Tribeca!

Rip City!

Who said the Sun doesn't shine in Portland, Oregon (I did?).

The family and I took a road trip to Portland to visit with my sister & brother-in-law. We hit up Ikea, had breakfast at the Tin Shed...and the brother-in-law & I went to the Trailblazers game (which I am using as my official initiation to Oregonian-ness)!

Here's the Sun playing right outside my sister's apartment window...it's the evidence that miracles do happen - the Sun shining in Rip City!

Talent, Oregon Art Walk+Wicked-fx

From the small town of Talent, OR & their Art Walk!

Featuring Wicked-fx

Sponsored by Brad Linnell & Revista Caminos

These Photos will be a part of a photo piece I'm doing on Talent...surprise...surprise!

Tease...Talent, OR

7 Up Your Thirst Away...in Provolt, Oregon!

Not too long ago it was "7 Up Yours." But way long ago it was "7 Up Your Thirst Away." Sounds like Sprite's "Obey Your Thirst." This was seen while driving through the Applegate Valley...if you want to buy this building contact Russ Garceau at 541-956-5540??? Consider that a free plug!

Adapting...

It's been about 3 months since we moved to Southern Oregon...and there's been a lot of adapting. We went from a 3 bedroom house with a lot of closets, a 2 car garage, and a nice backyard......and now we live in a 2 bedroom condo, with 3 measly closets, a parking lot, and zero yard! I sold my lawnmower, my work-out bench, and now trying to figure out what to do with my TV (it's too BIG...& it's not really that big)!

One of the first things we had to deal with is where to put my office...and with no spare room, the living room area had to be the place. But in order to make it fit, I had to make a custom made desk...a very narrow desk...3 feet high (to keep 2 year old hands off the goods)...2 big doors that hide all of my files, most of my gear, and other miscellaneous. So below is a pic of my new office...I'm pretty proud of it...I don't build things very well...I hate precision cutting (don't have the patience)...but I think I did well...and I had to adapt!

Perhaps I will go into the business of making custom desks for photographers...much like Gary Fong does with his Tupperware, or Jessica C with her bags, or DJ with his websites......(I hope you got the sarcasm...?). Anyway, enjoy my workspace...it's efficient...and saves space for the rest of the living room to be a living room...

Views like this make adapting easier!

Wake-up!

It's been a minute since I've blogged a video...but I feel it's appropriate. Sometimes it appears the world thinks that all Americans are warmongers...it's what the media pushes on both ends...and things like this video never make CNN, Fox News, or Al Jazeera...so people continue to have those false impressions. We're all at fault. For example, my twitter, Facebook, & blog seem to make me appear single...or half married...and sometimes I hold back info because I really don't want my family's business all over the WWW...but on the downside, I create an image that isn't truly honest of myself and my life...and can make people wonder (so for the record...I'm married...with 2 children...I live at home...with them...and spend a good deal of time with them...even tried ice skating with my daughter...which was a FAIL...I coach a 7th grade basketball team and occasionally my family will attend the games!). So lesson learned...be careful how you present yourself...plenty of people are watching you...Wake-up!

Also, Common's verse in this song is SICK! Enjoy!

Wicked-fx Crew

I did a little Breakdancing shoot for a local magazine here in the Valley (Medford, Phoenix, Talent, Ashland)...this was my first official shoot here in Oregon...and scouting was key...and hard. When you live somewhere for 9 years you know where are the cool spots are...but I've been in the Valley for 2 months, so I had to do some seeking! Here's a few pics that I know won't make the cover of the magazine (horizontal shots don't't work well with Mags)...and they're quite not "breakdancing" but I don't want to spoil the fun...enjoy!

Mortal Combat meets Beat Street...

The Remix...

Sometimes Remixes are bad...I hope this one isn't...

Back in the game...

I know...it's been a while...been kind of busy...still busy..relocating 3,000 miles is busy...but I'm going to start knocking some dust off of these cameras...

This is a little sample of a project I'm working on...Talent, OR...

Refresh...

Every once in a while we need change...

Five Points & Family!

So let me rewind 3 or 4 weeks back...I'm in LAX in the middle of a 4 hour layover (which isn't terrible in LA standards)...and I get a phone call from Marlene (pictured below) wanting to book a shoot for the next day...she knows I'm going to be in Florida for just about 35 hours. PROBLEM...my gear is in Oregon...SOLUTION...I call Kathryn Brown...I ask if I can use her 5dII...she's so nice and let's me pick up the camera at midnight moments after I land in Jacksonville...I take a 50mm...a 16-35mm just b/c I like a 35mm...and that's all...no lights...no nothing else!

So I present to you Marlene and family...they live in Five Points...I'm a Nikon guy, so I had to hustle to make that Canon work for me...it did! Enjoy and thank you Kathryn!

Mt. Shasta...my view...from Oregon!

This is my view driving into town. I have to drive up a gravel road for 8 miles...whipping and winding through the mountains...the reward is a view of Mt. Shasta...

My Florida friends, this place is beautiful...but despite all the beauty, I miss a lot of things about Florida...mainly my friends...I'm kind of lost here...

My wife is still in Florida...so I have only a few days to find a rental before the family joins me here...and it's been a struggle. I thought I had a nice place...but the following day someone put an offer to buy the house that I was approved to rent...I can't beat that...so now I'm scrambling to find a decent house to rent....

I haven't found any photography community here....which scares me...I hope there's a need for a photographer here??? But...at least I have the view below...and I haven't sweated yet...the weather is great! Enjoy!

Dawn...commissioned!

One more local (Jacksonville, FL) blog...to fulfill a promise! This is my good friend Dawn...she was my co-worker when I worked at Duval County Public Schools as a Social Worker. Recently, Dawn was commissioned...the ceremony was at One Ocean . Dawn will now be "Social Working" for the military (after she survives boot camp!). Enjoy!

Fan, Shoes, Super 8, & the Money Shot...

Big NEWS!

Yes, the picture below is terrible! This is some of my first "works" and that blown out thing is the Sun! And the orange clouds=Cokin Tobacco Filter...and then there's some oversharpening...and for some reason I shot this at f/10...1/30 of a second...hand held...I don't remember using a tripod...but that's not the point of this blog entry...I have much bigger news!

This is where I'm moving to! Ashland, Oregon! I know...some of you are upset...some are mad...and most don't care...and every other photographer in Jacksonville is happier b/c now there will be one less photographer to compete with...but I just wanted to make an "official statement." I will be leaving Jacksonville on September 13th...which is super soon! I'm going to miss everyone here...but for the past 5 years my wife and I have discussed moving...and then after a few trips to here and there, we decided Oregon was the place for us!

Follow me on twitter or FB...the links are on my blog (to the right of the image below)...I'm going to be offering a special last minute deal. Alright everyone...thank you Jacksonville...thank you to all of my friends here who helped me out so much...and photogs, pop that bottle of champagne...now there's only 399 wedding photographers in the city!

Lime Leaf!

Lime Leaf...my favorite Thai restaurant in Jacksonville...check'em out!

And if you haven't noticed by now, I like shooting everything!

Rewind...to 1980 something!

Last night was crazy FUN! Here's a few shots from our 1980's shoot...everyone rocked it out awesome! Big props to Hair Stylist Ronny King for staying the whole night...we shot in the rain...everyone was gyrating...and Ronny was right there...the whole time! Massive thanks to Linsdey for the make-up artistry...and Kim Barry for putting the whole thing together and taking care of the wardrobe. And another Big Thanks to Jason at TSI for letting us use the venue...good vibes everyone...good times...enjoy!

Contributions by:

Wardrobe Stylist: Kim Barry

Clothing: The Clothing Warehouse

Hair Stylist: Ronny King (904) 356-4140

Make-up Artist: Lindsey Sims

Car: Laura Griffis

Location: TSI (Thank you Jason and Marlene!)

Models:

Tyler Hill

Kyle Davis

Kim Barry

Joey Thate

Veronica Dame

Katherine Bush

Megan Cosby

Marlene Gandoza

Laura Griffis

Assistant:

Kathryn Brown

The Blyden's

This is Ajah and his family...Ajah has been a good friend since I first came to Jacksonville in 2001...he's the owner of Positive Irations Reggae Shop...904-306-9637...enjoy!

MOCA+Contemporaries=Canadian Mist...Mistology!

The blog title says it all...to learn more about the Contemporaries click here!

Catherine+Mini Cooper...

Catherine and the Mini Cooper...and her sunglasses!

Another fun shoot...and then we all hung-out Lomax Lodge (go there...you must)!

Contributors:

Catherine - as herself

Carmen - brought the Mini Cooper & drove my truck while I road in the back!

Tracey Simmons - Make-up Artist & Hair Stylist (904.803.0055)

Rachael Shepherd - Assist

Marcos Ayala - My father...thanks for entertaining us all!

And for the photogs who are curious...every shot was taken with my trusty 35mm prime lens at f/2.o...and I used God's light (the Sun)...and some of the buildings around did an excellent job acting as reflectors!

Julie!

During my long stay in Chicago, I had the opportunity to work with Julie Larsen...here's a few headshots and portraits from our shoot...enjoy!

Sandy

Bonsai!

Still in Chicago! Here's a few pics from our trip to the Chicago Botanical Gardens...bonsai!

Enjoy!

Save Africa!

This past Friday I had an opportunity to document the Save Africa Global fundraising event at the University Club...the motto for the night was "sip and tip." Good times! Check out this video to learn more...

Enjoy!

Walking...walking... and more walking...

The pace in Chicago is pretty fierce...no, it's not quite like NYC...but it's fast...people are on a mission...like they're going to beat-up their little sister's boyfriend for being an ass...and they're usually connected to some electronic device! So as I patiently looked for interesting people who didn't mind being bothered, I noticed how people's gait, mannerisms, and shoes hinted into their personality...or their present crisis...so I started shooting from the hip...here's a few successful attempts...don't get caught shooting from the hip...you might get beat-up like that bad boyfriend...enjoy!

A little something from Chicago...

Heather (First Coast Weddings)!

Fun little shoot with Heather Canada (First Coast Weddings) at the The Clothing Warehouse...thanks Kim!

Sarasota...

During my trip to Sarasota, I took a few moments to sneak a few photos...Sarasota has changed...it's not a retirement community anymore!

Check out this storm/sunset from Nokomis Beach...the storm was over Sarasota...

A whole...entire wedding!

Yup...I am out of my mind! Photogs, I am posting an entire wedding (minus a few shots out of consideration for the bride). To this day, other than Kathryn Brown and Robert Hill (who I have 2nd shot with a few times), I have never seen another photographer's entire wedding. I have even paid a photographer for a consult and asked if he could bring an entire wedding so that I can see where my work stands...he didn't do it! So I'm doing it...grade yourself (you most likely will score higher)...or for brides to be - you can see that I'm pretty consistent (I hope). Get your dancing shoes...boogie on down to the two and half minute wedding! Enjoy!

An Entire Wedding! from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Fast Graduation!

Don't you wish all graduations were this fast...the 40 second graduation (the 34 second mark is the best)! Congratulations Bree!

And if you are wondering...this was shot with my 24mm 2.8...at 2.8...1/100 of second...& 2000 ISO...no tripod (apparently)...no post processing (straight out of camera)...and very little regard for photographic quality...it was done for plain FUN!

Enjoy!

Fast Graduation! from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Rickolus!

You know that feeling when you have to keep a secret...a good secret...a good secret surprise...that's what it's been like the last few weeks for me...so finally, I show you (the world) a picture of Rickolus that will be used to promote his new album, Youngster...you can buy it here in July! And you can check another photo here !

Enjoy...this took a lot of work from Curtis (thanks for the set-up and infinite amount of dry ice)...Hubbard, for helping me out with the lighting...and Rickolus, for being patient and holding that heavy as heck accordion!

Vacation is so Refreshing!

I just got back from my vacation in Virginia (a day in North Carolina)...it was Refreshing! We spent most of our time in my parent's log cabin in the mountains of Virginia...with no TV, Internet, or Cell Phone Signal! Here's one of the sunsets...enjoy!

Cool stuff...

It's neat seeing your own work published...it takes a lot of work...and that's where my personal projects come into place...you dictate what kind of work you want to do...and you meet people...people who become friends...and friends that look out for you!

The first picture was for Florida Realtors Magazine ...and that's my friend Mabel Nunez that I met while I was taking Video Production courses...and then we reconnected while working on a personal project...and then she gave my info over to Florida Realtors Magazine!

The 2nd picture was for the cover of EU ...which I've received a lot of love for!

The 3rd picture was also for the EU...an article on artists who are "Off the Grid"!

Work hard...it pays off...and be human...be nice to people...it's the right thing to do...and it naturally pays off too!

Here's my favorite from Mabel's shoot!

Heide & Quentin's Wedding!

Here's a little preview of Heide & Quentin's wedding! It was a sweet day for the two...surrounded by families and friends!

Thanks to the following vendors:

Tanya of Southern Charm Events

Michal May (Make-up Artist) - 786.390.0066

Judy's Cakes

Susan at A Fantasy in Flowers

Julie & Blake's Wedding!

Yesterday I documented Julie & Blake's wedding day in St. Augustine! I think everyone had a good time...I had a good time...I don't think I've ever witnessed so much dancing!

Thanks to all the vendors for making my day a bit easier.

Church: Cathedral Basilica

Venue: White Room - Shannon is the best!!!

Hair & Make-up: Debbie's Day Spa & Salon

Cake: Piece of Cake

Flowers: Liz Stewart - Good seeing you Tiffany!!!

DJ: Jay Rock

For photogs...and for everyone...I break my weddings into 3 parts...Preparation (hair, make-up, details, & getting ready)...the Ceremony (plus formals & portraits)...and the Reception. This keeps me sane (joke)...and it preserves a good pace in my mind...it's a psychological thing...but it works to my advantage! So I posted 2 montages..maybe next time I'll post 3...enjoy!

Preparation/Ceremony & Portraits

The Reception!

Thank you Yuliya for your help!

Ron Rodriguez!

This past week I had the blessing to photograph one of my favorite persons ever...Ron Rodriguez...you know, Ron Rodriguez & the Repeat Offenders! Ron had a gig at the CW Studios. Thank you CW for being so kind to let us shoot the whole show with a white background! Check here, here, and here for some other cool photos from the day...and check the images down below...on guard!

Arlington Expressway...

Random thoughts:

The MMA shoot (a few blog posts down) is no longer my most difficult shoot. Try taking 7 joggers on Arlington Expressway...have them jog across the expressway...photograph them...and nail it.

The hard part about shooting on Arlington Expressway...constant traffic...

The hard part about shooting 7 people running...variables...composition variables...not much I can actually control...

The hard part about shooting 7 people running on Arlington Expressway...safety...I now have ulcers!

Why would I photograph 7 people jogging across an Expressway...Arlington residents (including children) do it quite often...even to the death...it's kind of far to have to walk up to Arlington Rd. to cross the expressway...hence, this is my sarcastic way of telling the city to build a crosswalk!

By the way, I learned something new about a month ago...and it came in handy today...I used the back focus button on the back of my camera...makes things easier in these situations...

Finally, never shoot...I mean photograph...7 people crossing an expressway...trust me...don't do it!

I mean, finally, the top left image...and the 2 below it, will most likely be used for my series of Public Service Announcements...

Thanks to the jogging crew for putting your life at risk...sort of..it was for a good cause...and thanks to Richard for helping me out!

Fundraiser!!!

Changes: Instead of auctioning a print, I will be doing a silent auction for a 2 hour photo shoot...bids will start at $75. The shoot will include your images on disc!

When: Wednesday, June 2nd

Time: 5pm-9pm

Where: Suite 106...inside the Landing...see you there...

Extra: From 7pm-9pm - $10 donation=portrait on the spot, including a print.

Greetings everyone! Thanks for stopping by to read my blog! This is a really important blog post...so keep reading!

This coming Art Walk I will be doing a LIVE shoot to raise money for Compassionate Families! About 4 or 5 years back, I did quite a bit of collaborative work with Compassionate Families...so I am very familiar with their services...and they were one of the best agencies I had a chance to work with! Compassionate Families is a non-profit agency (but very, very grassroots) that works with families (especially children) that have lost a loved one due to murder. You can read about them here.

This is the deal...you need to come and show support! The live shoot will be based around the theme of diversity...but that's all I'm going to say, b/c I don't want to spoil the surprise! After the shoot is over, I will post process the images right there on the spot...and my goal is to have a large print on display before the end of the night!!! That print will be auctioned off...100% of the proceeds will go to Compassionate Families. Additionally, once I've completed the post processing...around 7pm...I will be doing portraits for a $10 donation...and you'll get your print right then!

Follow me so far? Cool! Another thing...this one is for up&coming photographers...even hobbyists! I'll be offering 4 days of "don't call it a workshop" thingy. The thingies will be broken down into 4 subjects....shooting manual, composition, lighting/lifestyle shoot, and post processing! Each subject will be about 3-4 hours...it's very fast pace...very hands-0n...and I promise you'll have some practical skills at the end of each "session". The cost is minor...and 100% will benefit Compassionate Families. So what's the cost? A $60 donation! If you want to give more, then I won't stop you! (You'll need a DSLR and a Nikon camera...ok...just joking...but a DSLR is necessary!)

The event will take place during the June Art Walk...that's June 2nd. The location will be Suite 106, which is inside of the Jacksonville Landing (it's one of the Off the Grid galleries). Joey Thate and Kim Barry have been super awesome letting me use some of their gallery space...and they will also have some of their work up...I suspect surprises from them too!!! The shoot will start at 5pm...and around 7pm I will start photographing whoever wants photos of themselves!!!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 904-338-3901 or at ezra@ezramarcos.com

And if you want to reserve your spot for the "don't call it a workshop" thingy, you can contact me now...or reserve your spot at the Art Walk!

Hope to see you there...and they do too (Kim & Joey on the scooter)!

Mixed Martial Arts...

This past Saturday I was asked to do something I have never done. I was asked to photograph a night of MMA bouts. If you know me, follow me on my blog or whatever social networking tool is out there...then you know I'm not much of an advocate for violence. I understand the skill needed...and the respect these warriors have for one another...but I don't get any joy or adrenaline rush watching people pound each other. Regardless...I shot the event...b/c it's hard for me to turn down something that's new to me...and b/c I knew it would be a challenge...and I like challenges (now I sound like an MMA fighter).

With that said, it was a challenge. Friday night was the weigh-in...and there were way too many grown men in one room...so needless to say, the set-up wasn't great...I knew I wouldn't be able to create any memorable images...so I quickly set-up a make shift studio in the hallway of the hotel. I used their dark window curtain as a backdrop (I was running short on time and had very little space...so using my backdrop was not an option). I used 2 flash units on a stand...one with a soft box...one bear. The soft box was directly to the left of the fighters...and the bear flash unit was 20 degrees or so to the right of the fighters. I then quickly grabbed a few guys to see if they wanted pictures...and they did. And then with their images on my display screen to use as an enticement, I was able to photograph most of the guys...and even a few guys that weren't fighting! A few of those images are below.

The night of the fights was pretty chaotic as well. This was definitely the most challenging shoot to date...harder than any wedding I have ever shot! The problem was no one could direct me as to where I could shoot from...and all I knew is that I couldn't shoot from practically anywhere...it seemed. To make matters worse...it was a cage fight (which is normal for MMA). Additionally, they had this 2-3 foot platform coming off the cage, so you couldn't shoot through the "gate" holes. Regardless, a few minutes before the fight, I found a spot with limited views...but it was a spot that didn't interfere with the judges or any other officials. The first fight was an experiment with lenses. I learned quickly that my 35mm prime and my 70-200mm lenses were the tools for the job. 35mm got the wide shots...especially if they got really close to me...unfortunately, the gate links are visible in most of these shots...but the 70-200mm was good for reach...and the shallow depth of field nearly dissolved the gate links! That was my experience...a massive learning experience...and I got my adrenaline rush when I realized I did capture some very notable images!

Click here to see a slide show of the night...there's no place for these images on my blog...and perhaps you might not want to see the pictures...which I can totally understand...for those who click the link, enjoy...sort of...