I spent two days visiting American Kickboxing Academy. Two days of torrential rain, in one of the biggest storms to hit California. Our day started at 5am with the pilot telling us we were in for a rocky flight. I was soaked before I arrived to pick up my rental car in San Jose. My assistant Stevie, looked at me when I arrived back to pick up all our equipment and laughed. I was shooting portraits of Cain Velasquez, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, Josh Thomson, and Daniel Cormier for Fight! Magazine. When I met “Crazy” Bob Cook the trainer, I had to ask why “Crazy”…he is quiet and focused. He used to drive three hours to get to the gym, and crazy sounded better than determined! Over two days I watched these fighters go hard, and train together. Every one of these guys has a distinct personality, so the mix is interesting. Josh “The Punk” always has a grin and a sassy comment. Daniel Cormier was on the 2004 Olympic wrestling team, and is making the switch to MMA, from coaching wrestling. Cain is a super intense guy, he just radiates it. Mike Swick looks like he belongs on the cover of Men’s Health, and Jon Fitch is the easy-going guy. The gift the rain gave me besides wet sneakers for two days, was amazing window light, not something we usually get in sunny California. A special thanks to all the guys at AKA and to Heidi for making it all come together!
for Fight! Magazine. He had just had a new baby and asked me to shoot photos of him with his baby. Gavin was 6 weeks old and the sweetest little baby. What was immediately clear was the special bond already between father and son. The whole time Tom held Gavin he either slept at total peace, or smiled. You can see Tom transformed into this amazing loving person before your eyes when Gavin is near. The magic that a child works on our lives never ceases to amaze me. I was so honored to have been asked to take these photos.
