George Schultz

I love Deborah Solomon's interviews. If there is one ritual I partake in, it's going for a Sunday coffee and reading Deborah Solomon's Q&A in the NY Times Magazine. So, I was thrilled to photograph former Secretary of State and politico George Schultz, and doubly thrilled that I was able to squeeze in a headshot of the historical figure.

Time Mag photo essay on Female Vets

In the July 12, 2010 issue of Time, I had the opportunity to work with Crary Pullen (Photo Editor) and Kira Pollak (Director of Photography) on a story about Female Vets. I'm currently working on my own video edit from my time spent with Shiloh Morrison (pictured below) on her profound story. In the meantime Time.com ran a great photo essay from the assignment with June Moss.

See the photo gallery with more of June's story on Time's website:

some favorite outtakes

Most of the images of June are on the photo gallery, here is a quick peak

Medicinal Marijuana - Environmental Portraits

Frankford High School, Philly

While on assignment at Frankford High in Philadelphia for AARP, I fell in love with the JROTC students across the hall from Ms. Stephenson's (aka Drill Sergeant Culinary Arts teacher extraordinaire) class. Here are some faves.

VII The Magazine

VII Agency has launched a new online Magazine (produced by Scott Thode). The first interview piece with Ashley Gilbertson gives powerful insight into the photographer's journey and process that led to the NY Times Mag photo essay on deceased soldier's bedrooms. First I thought just finding out Ashley is a dude was interesting, but the multimedia piece offers even more depth to the already spectacular stories, proving a great way to integrate video. I hope there is a market to sustain this and other similar endevaors. They are the stories of our life beyond the headlines, and I can't get enough.

SF Art Commission Chain Reaction Show

Opening Reception: Feb 12, 5:30 - 9pm

Structured like a chain letter, ten arts luminaries influential in the San Francisco Art Commission Gallery’s past were each asked to select one artist to be in Chain Reaction 11. The ten selected artists were then also asked to choose an artist to participate in the show, and finally the third group of artists each chose a final artist to be included. Following the chains of artists chosen by artists will provide a glimpse into what we find most compelling about current Bay Area visual arts production.

My Tupac inspired 33"x43" portraits will be on view in the City Hall space.

Locations and Hours: (All three SFAC Gallery exhibition spaces) 401 Van Ness, W-S 12PM-5PM 155 Grove St., 24 hour store front viewing and City Hall’s Ground Floor, M-F 8AM-8PM

This is Not a Weave

Growing up in a hair salon I would often find a safe place to wait for my mom to finish her up-do's, perms and "sets." That safe place was usually under a blow dryer, looking through magazines. Since then, I've always been attracted to heat, magazines and hair. So, last month, when I was getting my groove on in a crowded club and felt hair in back of me, near my thigh (?), I turned around to check the goods. And booyah, there was my next subject - with hair down to her calves, Jenny Mesoga. The sweetest young lady who not only posed in the freezing cold for a strange photographer who has a fascination with hair, but also climbed that tree in her 3 inch heels (of course my favorite was the simpler one). Now that is true collaboration.

Art and Life

I am so impacted by the work of Lejon Loggins who is addressing the way too ignored issue of so many young people dying in Oakland with his powerfully created "Not Just a Number" obituaries.

Close-up: Robyn Twomey at The Luggage Store

What a completely unexpected and gracious review.

If I can continue the rest of my life leaving a trail of this impression behind, with photography or otherwise, I'll be satisfied.

Close-up: Robyn Twomey at The Luggage Store

And yes, I am deeply "star struck by the mystery of human radiance."

Don't Gimme No Bammer Weed

On the heels of the Obama administration's memo to end the raids on marijuana dispensaries, I'm sharing a story I did for Fortune Magazine on medicinal marijuana in September. The pioneers in this game are such political mavericks. Stephen DeAngelo (Harborside Health, Oakland), Richard Lee (Oaksterdam), JoAnna LaForce (Farmacy, LA), Robert Jacobs (Peace in Medicine, Sebastopol) and Irvin Rosenfeld (federally recognized patient, FL).

Check out the Photo Gallery:

And extra special shout to the patients, like 19 year old Jordan who is fighting Lukemia. Jordan already has a hard enough fight with cancer. He can live just a bit easier knowing he doesn't have to fight for his medicine too.

Assignment: Medicinal Marijuana, Fortune Magazine

Photo Editor: Scott Thode

Photo Assistants: Ricardo Richey and Ha Huynh