Family photo shoots at the beach are my favorites, because they are such a natural place for kids. They laugh and run and explore with such glee. They get sandy and wet and in the end cold and ready to go home, but before that the smiles are wide and plentiful!
California has such amazing beaches. They are so much a part of our lifestyle. El Matador is one of my favorites. If you drive past all the flat rolling sand of Malibu you arrive at El Matador. It has huge rock formations and caves. The sky was the most amazing colours of pink and blue.
I was on assignment for Fight! Magazine to shoot Brazilian mixed martial arts star Anderson Silva. We sat and had lunch and talked before we shot our photos. I love the opportunity to get to know someone before we work together. Anderson is shy and sweet. He paused to say how lindo(beautiful) the little child was next to us. He was missing his own kids back in Brazil. I asked him what drives him, what is the passion behind his fighting? He said his body is so perfect for the sport, he was designed to be a fighter. He makes it looks deceivingly easy. We ended up shooting on the roof of a nearby building. My assistant Stevie is the best. We were lowering equipment down fire ladders to set up for the perfect spot. Anderson laughed, smiled and danced, which was so wonderful to see on the rooftops. There is a moment in a great shoot where the person you are shooting forgets about the camera and just is who they are. I love that moment…..it is the sweet spot. I got a hug and a kiss on my forehead from the middleweight champion, Obrigado Anderson!
I love El Capitan Canyon. It is the perfect get away. Cash and I head up there twice a year just to refresh and unplug. It is past Santa Barbara in Goleta.They have cabins with big fluffy beds and safari tents with the same. The beach is across the street and has some of the most beautiful water colour skies.We sit around the firepit at night and roast marshmallows under the stars. I have passed on the fine art of peeling the marshmallow in layers.Cash brought his Ukulele and our neighbors loved it! We always finish the trip with a great hike up the hills and come home feeling shiny and new.www.elcapitancanyon.com
