MIGHTYKILLERS®

a7rii

POINT

Travel.Comment

The California coast line is something else...

Throughout all my years of living on the west coast, I can’t seem to get enough of what it has to offer. From the mystical Redwood forest to the scenic HWY 1 shoreline, the west coast has it all. And Point Reyes is no exception to that. 

Recently, I took a trip through this national park to just get out of the house. I didn't have any where in particular that I wanted to go, nor did I have a time schedule I needed to meet. It was relaxing to wander around with no agenda on what would end up being an epic day. The afternoon sky was bright blue without a cloud in sight, this might sound like a picnic in the park, but for a photographer it’s exactly the opposite. Shitty light conditions like this tend to make pictures blown out and boring, but these are the challenges I always look for. Always testing yourself in a multitude of different environments is what pushes you past your comfort zone. 

But sometimes even I get frustrated and stop shooting. I think its natural to take a break and even refreshing at times. Always stressing about getting that perfect shot is not what shooting means to me. When I’m able to put down the camera  and soak in the views is when I can truly begin to appreciate everything. You begin to reflect on everything thats going on in your life; all the good and the bad. You appreciate all of the positive things you may have otherwise overlooked when something has you down. It’s these moments that I remember the most when I look back on all my adventures. The pictures are always an added bonus. 

UNTITLED

Travel.Comment

Life can be overwhelming at times, and everyone needs a place to unwind. For many this means going out, hitting the gym, or spending time with loved ones. But for me I've always found the outdoors to be my escape. 

There's something about being outside, especially during the winter months that’s calming to me. I've always been drawn to it ever since I was a little kid, and as I grew older the attraction never faded. In my early years, family day trips would grow into snowboarding expeditions with friends, which have now turned into solo adventures in the same place. From the fresh powder lining the beach to the still clear waters of Lake Tahoe, this is where I found myself this past weekend. Reflecting on everything.

As I near the intimidating age of 30, I can’t help but to think back on all that has happened and that’s going to happen. You begin to realize that your family and friends are getting older with you, and as more time passes you being to appreciate what you may have taken for granted at one point. You appreciate that they are all finding their own path, and you look forward to the new experiences ahead. You look back on past and current relationships as you search for growth. Have you grown as a person? Whether it’s in my relationships or in my career, growth is something I’ve always found myself reflecting on the most. I think it’s important to ask yourself this difficult question, "Are you growing?" If not, what are you changing so you can grow? I’ve got a friend that always tells me, "Each passing moment is a chance for change." He really believes it, even got it tattooed on his chest, and honestly I didn't get it at the time. But maybe after all these years he knew something I didn’t... until now.

With the sun setting and the golden hour slowly turning into an incredibly underrated blue hour, I snapped a few more pictures and started to pack my things. I wish I could say that some huge realization hit me and everything was all of a sudden as clear as the lake, but lets be real that shit doesn’t happen. Instead, I left feeling a little calmer knowing that everything I’ve been doing these last few months would pay off eventually. 

Staying hungry to achieve your goals is half the battle; the other half is waking up every day looking to eat. 

CREATIVE COLLABORATION

Events, Lifestyle, Travel.Comment

It's rare these days to come across a company that truly believes in your vision, let alone is wiling to help you achieve that vision. Typically if there is no monetary return than the likelihood of a helping hand is slim. However, like with most things there are certain exceptions to this case, and Duarte Inc. is a prime example of that exception. Having built a reputation as masters in the art of visual storytelling, Duarte has become a powerhouse with a client list ranging from ESPN , former Vice-President Al Gore, Shiseido, and many moreIt's an honor to have such dope mentors guide us as we find our own voice within visual story telling. 

At first we had trouble trying to decided which MIGHTYKILLERS story we wanted to represent. We wanted to include all aspects of the brand our audience has come to know and love, but at the same time we also wanted to shed some light on things you may not of known before. We wanted this story to not only be a reflection of our past but also a look into what we have planned for the future. Simply put, like a pair of Royal Jordan 1's this story needed to be timeless. 

This creative collaboration didn't simply happen over night, but after many months of office meetings and countless emails we decided on our final story. Through trial and error, what seemed like disagreements at the time were just the opposite; instead healthy creative criticism on both sides. As a creative, its easy for constructive criticism to be perceived as a negative insight; however, its the true creatives that look at this criticism as a positive and a chance for growth. 

Stay tuned.

Night Adventure in Seattle

Urban, LifestyleConnor SurdiComment

It's been a while since I have gone out for the pure fun of shooting at night...I think it's been because I've been in a slight funk with my photography and personal life but tonight was definitely needed. But I saw a quote the other day that said... "The only way out is through." and that really struck home for me.

I recently just sold my 5D3 and upgraded to a Sony A7Rii and I think tonight was a good test run. Lots of shadows, lots of highlights, levitating photos, etc. And to sum it all up, it did the job quite well! It's a big change coming from using Canon for 7 years. The buttons are very different and menus are way different. It's a learning curve but the only way to learn is to keep shooting! 

Rachel joined me and was my model for the night. Being as she's behind the camera 99% of the time...I think she did a pretty damn good job.