#localsonly🐻

Been wanting to start a new personal project for some time now. Get back to writing and updating my blog as well. But no idea really kept my interest, that is until I saw a post, of someone hanging a California flag in their office. It got me thinking of how much I love it here. Having travelled to 48 countries, I'm asked where I would like to live quite often. My standard reply is, I love California, this is home. For so many reasons. 

Not many places in the world do you have the variety of life that we do here in California. I can surf and snowboard in the same day. Some of the worlds most famous cities are all within a relatively short drive. I have another country 2 hours south. I can be in the mountains, desert beach and city all within 2 hours. We have perfect weather 300 days a year. The list could go on and on. But  don't want to have you here reading a novel. So i'll get to the point. 

One main thing I love, is that California is such a melting pot of people. I myself being born in Mexico city, yet coming to Orange County at the age of 1.  I feel its so rad to be mixed among so many different types of people, personalities and cultures. Even more so now, shooting portraits, I meet a variety of California natives to new residents, all with their own story to tell.  One way or another we always end up talking about some of our favorite places and things to do here. So I searched the internet for a Vintage California flag so that I could incorporate into a portrait and share some of the awesome excerpts  from a few natives and new comers with you.

One rule, they must live here. Project #localsonly🐻

To help me kick it off,  the lovely, Jess Harbour 

"San Diego will always have my heart, but the sunsets and beaches in Laguna are a close second. I've traveled to 33 countries but I'm always happy to come home to California" (click the image to be taken to Jess's IG and add her) 

The Last Free Place - 52 Project - Week 9

This past weekend, Brittany and I decided to head out to the Salton Sea and surrounding area for a photoshoot. We had plans to make several stops; Joshua Tree, Salton Sea, Bombay Beach, an oasis, and Salvation Mountain. We decided to head to our furthest destination first, a little town called Niland, Ca.. 4 miles outside of Niland lies a decommissioned military base now known as, Slab City or "The Slabs". A place I knew nothing about two weeks ago.

Slab City is a"snowbirds" campsite in the Colorado Desert in southeastern California used by several thousand campers, many of them retired. They use the site during the winter months. Its a bizarre stretch of area also filled with tweakers, eccentrics, army vets, hippies, Artists,  and a few just plain fuckin weirdos that have moved to 'The Slabs' to learn how to live off the grid and to be left alone. The camp has no electricity, no running water, no sewers nor toilets, and no trash pickup service. Many campers use generators or solar panels to generate electricity. Supplies can be purchased in Niland. But they really love it if you have beer or cigarettes for them. As I learned trading a few cold ones for directions to a man named 'Two Horse Jack' located next door to East Jesus.

The entrance to Slab City is easily recognized by the colorful  Salvation Mountain and where we began shooting. Salvation Mountain is a small hill approximately three stories high which is entirely covered in acrylic paint, concrete and adobe and festooned with Bible verses. It is a project of over two decades by Leonard Knight. While there we were invited to a painting party from a young girl, listened to another girl sing a beautiful song in one of the small caves and a polaroid was taken of us from two other girls we chatted with. Following some shooting in the campsites of Slab City, we realized our day was quickly passing us by and that we most likely wouldn't be making it to any of our other spots we had in mind. We still had  ideas of what we wanted to do at the slabs. Like take photos inside in an abandoned trailer. This is where "Two Horse Jack' would be of help.

East Jesus is an experimental, sustainable, habitable, art installation located in the Slab City area. There is no religious connotation in the name East Jesus – it's a colloquialism for the middle of nowhere beyond the edge of services. In early 2007, Charlie Russell left his job in the technology industry, packed all his belongings into a shipping container sent to a trash-strewn field, and began to surround his two art cars with the sculptures that would become the foundation works of East Jesus.  Made from discarded material that has been reused, recycled, or repurposed, East Jesus encourages visitors to imagine a world without waste in which every action is an opportunity for self-expression. East Jesus is a living, growing, and ever-changing artwork that embraces the varied voices of the thousands of contributing artists who have added to the installation. The people here are so nice and inviting, Jack took me into his home and shared stories of different murals on his walls from guests from all over the world had painted for him as a thank you for letting them stay at his site. He let us to shoot in and around his home. The people who we met at East Jesus as well, gave us a small tour of the grounds and let us shoot anywhere we liked.

More pics of our shoot on my Instagram: reallysortofamazing

If you're looking for an off the beaten path day adventure, I highly suggest the road trip. I look forward to my next visit.  Check out their site for more info: East Jesus

I'm coming to visit! 52 Project - Week 2

This past weekend, my friend Mal flew in from Canada. Mal and I met 2 years ago in Budapest, Hungary, on a day walking tour through the city. The next day and a half we did what most travelers do, we followed it up with more sights, a few bars, randomness and getting to know each other. We swapped emails then we were off on our separate ways to new cities and adventures. We stayed in touch afterwards and a few weeks ago I received an email that said,"Hey, Im coming to visit!" "Sweet! Finally! " Mal brought her friend Krystle with her and I tried showing them a fun OC / SoCal experience. Newport, La, HB, Hollywood, Knotts Scary Farm, Venice, Rainbows, Triangle square, Roscoes, Laguna, San Clemente, a hike, party night, party day, paddle boarding and even some surfing lessons. They met several of my amazing friends and genuinely had an amazing time (i hope).

Along with awesome memories, my travels have blessed me with so many amazing friends across this beautiful world from different cultures, religions, and ages. We all found common ground to build long and lasting relationships. Next year, I’ll be traveling to France, to go to a wedding of people I met in London. I love the randomness of it all. There is so much out there if you choose to seek it. Think about how much you limit your life by only experiencing what may be in a 100 miles radius. Your future best friend, wife or husband may be out there.

Appreciate the world beyond your doorstep.