Ben Harper!

I'm really not sure if I'm allowed to show these pictures on my blog...b/c the venue had me sign a paper that stated I could not use the images on my website...well, this is my blog...not my website...hahaha! So, Mr. Harper...if your secret investigators snoop out my blog, I want you to know, I really won't profit from this blog post...I mean, perhaps a local band will ask me to shoot their show at some ratty venue...and they will compensate me with unbelievable exposure...as they say...(that's my sarcasm coming through)!

Unto the show....this was one of those nights of "firsts". First, I have never seen Ben Harper live! This was the first time I attended a concert that had assigned seats...and this was the first time I shot a concert!

Thanks to EU and Rachel Best Henley, I was given the opportunity to shoot the show...well, a very small part of the show. The deal is, I had a press pass...a photo press pass...and I could only take pictures for the first 3 songs...and from 2 assigned locations. But it was totally worth it! Thank you Mr. Harper for a good time!

So here's a few pics from the show...I hope everyone is enjoying "the unexpected" that lands on my blog. My blog is like a Cracker Jack's box...it comes with surprises!

Another Massive Slideshow!

Here's all the shots from the Retro shoot a while back...I think it's over 700 frames...again, you can see the shoot in progress...the minor adjustments...and the ridiculous amounts of repetition!

A few things that I've been thinking about:

If you really want to do something or make something happen...

You'll figure out a way to do it. You can't wait for someone to do it for you...you can't wait for your lucky break...it doesn't typically work that way! You have to do it yourself...and then naturally, you'll align yourself with the right people and they'll keep an eye out for you. But it's your passion that will make you succeed!

You have to work REALLY HARD! I mean...REALLY, REALLY HARD!!!

Create your own path...don't copy-cat someone else's path...it won't work...there's too many differing variables!

Don't expect overnight success...that's rare...

Be ready to drop everything you're doing at any given moment to further your progress in whatever you are trying to pursue...and if you are mentoring someone...then you should be super ready to drop anything that's happening to learn more!

Be inspired! Look to someone else (whether online or someone in person or even someone historical) that's doing/did what you want to do...look at their great work...their achievements...and be inspired!

Don't become stagnant...go back to being inspired...your progress should be ever-evolving!

Don't think whatever you are doing is great...there is someone always better than you...way better than you! If you think your work is the best...you will become stagnant...and full of yourself...and no one likes that!

With what was mentioned above...respect your work...enjoy your gift...don't beat yourself up thinking you'll never be that awesome lawyer that all lawyers look up. Respect your achievements within the proper perspective.

With what was mentioned above...again...do learn from your mistakes so that you can improve!

This one is specifically for my photog friends...aspiring photog friends...newbies (which includes me), etc...

You don't need anyone to teach you how to use your camera...or how to use Photoshop, Bridge, or Lightroom...really!

You CAN teach yourself! Grab your camera manual...google something...buy a used Scott Kelby book (his books will teach more about photoshop than you'll ever need to know)...play with the buttons on your camera...read some super outdated forum post...grab your flash or studio strobes...wait until sunset and photograph your friends...or that neat, interesting person you met last week...make mistakes...think about how you can fix your mistakes...look at Chase Jarvis' website or Nick Onken's...and then go out with your friends and try photographing them at sunset again....bring your strobes...and improve...this how you will really learn!

This is for everyone...you have to have PASSION...if you're pursuing whatever you're pursuing to make more $...blah...wrong reason! You need to be passionate...whatever it is that you are trying to do, needs to be pumping in your veins! It needs to be an Organic Pursuit! If you can't live without being a doctor...then you have Passion...and you will be a doctor (hopefully focusing on prevention and holistic approaches)!

Enjoy the slideshow!

The Clothing Warehouse collab shoot from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Eco-Friendly Fashion Show!

This past Thursday was a first...I photographed a fashion show...typically not my thing...but if it's Eco-Friendly, then I think I can manage!

The fashion show was a collaborative effort. Aura Salon, Aveda, Violet, Sunrise Surf Shop, & Whiskey River put it all together!

What's up with this collage???...today I was putting up a ceiling fan...and it was so technical, so I think this was my subconscious trying to break free from the regimented feel!

A Day in the Life of the Grimsley's Slideshow!

As I promised...the Grimsley's slideshow! This was from a full day of shooting...a real life shoot! I hung-out with the super-cool Grimsley family and documented their day! If you're interested in "A Day in the Life of Shoot," you can get more info here!

Enjoy! And check out the Macs...it's a Mac family!

Music By Ziggy Marley - "I Love You Too".

A Day in the Life of... from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Cars!

Lately my blogs have been pretty diverse...so here's another...a direct result from my 1950s Retro Shoot. Johnny Angel's Diner has these car shows on a routine basis...so the owner asked if I could snap a few shoots...and here you go! My favorite car is the white & turquoise station wagon! I also got to ride in a souped up Mustang...which only gave me acute anxiety!

Enjoy!

A day in the life of...

During my family sessions, I try to create an environment that will help the family be themselves...to help the family interact with true emotions...but this is always difficult to achieve within a two hour window...in the middle of some park. So I decided to offer "A day in the life shoot" (which should be on the website very soon). A day in the life is exactly how it sounds. It's me living with your family for a day, documenting the things you normally do! It's a photo-documentary of your life...it's really REAL!

[Segue]

Yesterday, I got to live with the Grimsley's! I got there in the morning and caught breakfast and the kids watching Saturday morning cartoons...we walked the neighborhood, went to the Riverside Arts Market (RAM), watched a soccer game, went bowling, played outside, watched TV, ate dinner, cleaned up......ok, you get my point...I really did live with the Grimsley's!

Here's a few shots from the day...I should have a slideshow soon so that you can experience the entire day...enjoy!

Tanya of Southern Charm Events (& family)!

This past Saturday I hung-out with Tanya and her family (by the way, Tanya is a wedding coordinator...visit here )! Tanya's family gathered for the holiday weekend...the kids had an Easter egg hunt...and the rest of the family did what families do...talk, catch-up...oh, and eat!

Here's just a few pictures from the day...enjoy!

The Briefcase Part 2

First...another big thank you to today's participants - Amanda and Marc...and Wardrobe Stylist - Danielle Dyer...and Jerome and Angel...who helped out...thank you!

This shoot was a part 2 of this shoot.

A few things here:

1. Left the shoot not knowing if I captured what I was going after...and it stressed me out...I suppose this is a good feeling...but I don't like it...I hope this is the last time!

2. Stuck to a plan...wish I could have deviated...but as us photogs say, I'm running out of good light...or as Marc told me...we're chasing the sun...

3. Marc Boese is my professor who got me into photography...pretty cool that he became a participant...another full circle connection...

4. I sold my 17-50mm lens...hence I can't get super wide...hence, Angel let me use her Nikon D700 for the "jumping over me" shots...bad move...now I want to go full frame...

5. I want Profoto lights too...I hear they're good for action photography...

6. I think I'm done with running shots now...but I'm still wanting to do a BMX freestyle shoot...and breakdancers...hit me up, if you're out there!

Enjoy!

The Clothing Warehouse...straight off my website!

Flash Required to view this area.

E-Motion by Kim & Joey!

Yup...this is one of those ironic shoots that ends up on my blog. It was inspired by this Norman Rockwell painting/picture...and this video by Charlie Winston .

I think this was the hardest shoot for any of my participants (I think that's the best word for anyone volunteering to be in any of my personal projects). Kim & Joey have a pretty peaceful relationship, so they really stepped out of their comfort zone...but they did an awesome job! Additionally, I have over 5 years of work experience in the Domestic Violence field...so at times, I felt a little out of place.

Thanks to Daisy (Hairstylist) of Oscar & Lula's

Enjoy...but not too much!

See, they do really love each other!

Photogs: If you've been reading my blog for the past 3 months or so, you've noticed there's a lot of movement in my work. I guess I'm super intrigued by the energy given off when people are moving. As people, we naturally move a lot...that's why we have legs, arms, muscles, etc...

Even if we're in a situation where we have to be still, we people find a way to be doing something (i.e. on the cell phone in your car...tapping your feet in that boring staff meeting...bobbing your head in your work cubicle...). So for me, at the present moment, it's fitting for me to catch people in motion...doing things that may be real...yes, I actually have seen a woman & man fight outside...on several occasions...except it usually involved a car...not a scooter...

Micah Lifestyle!

Another cool shoot...thanks to Micah...who by the way, is a friend of Mark Hubbard - the center of my Social Life.

Photogs: This shoot was full of much experimentation...some were real failures...like taping my camera to Micah's board while he chased his board...if you saw this picture, you'd have no clue what the heck was going on! But that's how it goes...you win some, you lose some...here's a few winners!

Enjoy!

From Chi-Town to Florida!

I was thinking about this drawing...and then I realized that this thing is an artifact! It was drawn during Easter Sunday...1993...94ish! This drawing for some reason is really special to me...I've kept it through high school (it was my folder decor)...it survived college...and even went to work with me for 5 or so years! My cousin, Camilo, drew this while were in church. Our aunt Michelle dragged us to church on Easter (I was up in Chicago visiting during Spring Break)...and I remember this might have been only the 2nd or 3rd time that Camilo, my other cousin, Pablo, and I were together at the same time (it's so rare that all 3 of us are together at one moment???). During the church service, Camilo started to draw my name...and then he gave it to me...just like that. For whatever reason, this drawing has followed me around...but unfortunately, I haven't been a good cousin...I haven't talked to Camilo in a few years...shame on me...I think I'm going to send him a letter.

Check out this blog Camilo Cumpian and an old website. Pablo...if you read this...did you start Camilo's blog?

Enjoy my cousin's Easter Sunday art work...no, we were not listening to the Pastor...sorry Michelle?

Here's the back of the drawing...I guess this is what the sermon was about...

Marilyn Monroe Soiree at the MOCA!

Saturday night, MOCA had an event to celebrate the Marilyn Monroe exhibit. The event was a fundraiser for the MOCA's educational programs. I was given the honor to photograph the event...which I thank the MOCA for asking me...and it also keeps me in par with my goal to do some type of charitable event every other month!

The night was fun...and exciting...I think everyone smiled when they saw the food! Music was great as well. Trae Gurley kept the dance floor moving! And I got to meet some awesome people like Emily from Studio Orange...she does great work!

Thank you MOCA for the good time...thank you Rebecca!

Click here to visit the online gallery...you will need a password...it's on the card I handed out that night...

Enjoy!

Photogs: Lighting...the old fashion way...on camera lighting...that was the only way to capture the night. I shot with my Nikon SB 800...everything manual...and no diffusers tonite. I didn't feel like dealing with that one piece of tupperware that you put on your flash unit (you know which one I'm talking about)...way too cumbersome and protruding...especially when there's a few hundred people!

Erin & Matt's Wedding!

This past weekend was super busy...and I wrapped it up with Erin & Matt's wedding! They had an awesome Sunday wedding at the Garden Club of Jacksonville that incorporated a few Jewish traditions. And as you can tell from the montage below, everyone was living it up and having a good time!

Hair & Make-up: Beauty Lounge: 904-387-7850

Wedding Planner: Tanya of Southern Charm Event Planning

Florist: Susan of A Fantasy in Flowers

And as more often than not...thank you again to my friend, Jerome, for assisting!

Enjoy!

Photogs: I lit the reception hall with 3 Nikon strobes mounted on light stands. When I light up a venue, it always depends on how the room is set up (you want your lights out of the way)...typically I shoot with 2 strobes on stands...but this place is pretty big! So Jerome and I created a "triangle like" lighting scheme. Each strobe was pointed at a 45 degree angle towards the center of the room. Now it's up to you to capture people partying and having fun!

Ashley & David!

Meet Ashley & David! We met in St. Augustine and hung-out for a few...can't wait until their wedding in May! These 2 were awesome. They know how to rock out in front of the camera! Photogs...this is a perfect example of me having about 15 concepts...and then giving your subjects enough room to be themselves while achieving your conceptual goals! With that said...make sure your "clients" like your concepts...if not, save the concept for your friends...or a model...???

Enjoy!

Thanks Jerome for helping out again!

Bruce Gilden...what do you think?

I saw this video today...and until today, I have never heard of this photographer...Bruce Gilden. As I was watching this video and Bruce's approach...I almost fell out of my seat. I thought that one lady, at the beginning of the video, was going to have a heart attack! Regardless, when I was done watching it, I wasn't sure how to digest this thing. As the night progressed...I realized something - this man takes his trade VERY SERIOUS...and that I do respect.

It's kind of funny, because if I tried to pull off something like this, it would be totally unethical...but when I watch him do it...it seems fine...and I'm ok with it. He's doing it from some where deep within...he's trying to find something there...so I guess that's not so unethical. Goes to show how ethics are sometimes...just depends on your perspective...where you're coming from. Check out this video...what do you think?

By the way...google Bruce Gilden...get some info on him...pretty cool...

Retro shoot video!!!

Mark Hubbard cut this video from our shoot this past Sunday. This will blow you away! Thanks Hubbard...absolutely, ridiculously, awesome!!!

Enjoy everyone...

50's from Mark Hubbard on Vimeo.

Fun Retro Shoot!

Today was a total blast! For the past 4 months, I've been thinking about this shoot...and about a month ago I started putting the pieces together...and here's super minor teaser (because I'm saving the best for another time...for The Clothing Warehouse - who provided the clothing...thank you Kim and Jim)!

This shoot was a massive undertaking...like I said, the concept came up a while back...but the action started about a month ago. Unfortunately, this past week, things started to NOT go as planned. Due to a schedule conflict, I lost my vintage car...and a few other's were unable to attend. So I had to scramble to put the pieces back together...and little persistence paid off!

First I want to give a super thank you to the Northeast Florida Antique Auto Club for responding to my e-mail. Within 24 hours (this past Friday) I had a car...in fact, I had 2 cars! Thank you Judy and Ralph!!! Secondly, I want to thank Johnny Angel's Diner for letting us in their diner...Owner, Salem, gave his blessing about a month ago!

Thirdly, I want to thank the talent, the stylists, and my assistants...some came with little notice...some committed a month ago!

Credit goes to:

Michal May (Make-up Artist) - 786-390-0066

Sonia Garza (Hair Stylist)

Danielle Dyer Tyler (Wardrobe Stylist)

Jerome Esperar (my good friend and assistant)

Katelyn Vonfeldt (fellow photog and assistant)

Mark Hubbard (good friend and videographer)

The wonderful "models" are:

Calder Yates

Eric Main

Sandy Haltiwanger

Catherine Faulk

Adam Wittekind

Jack Twachtman

Everyone did a great job...thank you for your commitment, your patience, and your sense of humor!!! Enjoy!

The Crew!

Crystal!

I got a hang-out with Crystal Floyd...an artist...but not the snobby kind...she's so down to earth (she has a real sweet spirit). We shot for a little over an hour...at 229 Hogan St. These shots below are in 229's retro elevator...it looks like it belongs in one of those art deco buildings in Miami. Thanks Crystal!

Oh...here's a little experimental thing...it views like a trailer...sort of leaves you hanging...sorry...perhaps I will do a full featured version...hmmm....

Crystal... from ezra marcos ayala on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Emily's b-day celebration at the Underbelly!