HALLOWEEN AT PARAMOUNT

Halloween! No matter what your age, it's that one day of the year you can dress as the sleeziest, silliest, horrific, most out of this world getup on the block and get away with it. I remember when I was much younger I used to have a costume birthday party because my b-day was so close to Halloween. Having been brought up in a "theatrical" household, I of course always had the best costume because my mom worked for the family business, Teener's Theatricals. My bubby and zadie ran the business for over 50 years and though this quick blurb will never do it justice, it was quite the place. Lines around the block come Halloween, people begging to get in before closing time to rent from the best costume shop in town - make-up, dance wear, masks, fabrics, more make-up, props, you name it, they had it and if they didn't have it, they'd make it for you...that was always my grandfather's motto.

So when a bunch of the assistants in our creative group decided to dress up today, it was definitely a photo opp. And would you believe that Jordan Weiss (he's the one in he beanie hat) dressed as yours truly! Some good stuff all around. I tried to switch up the set ups best I could with the short time we had, everyone rushing to get back to their desks to close up shop, but some good group shots, action, and fun looks. Anyway we had a blast. Check em out!

And Andrea and Natalie, I'm sorry we missed you guys...

SYLVIE RAIN IN OJAI

It's been a special few days with my family. Amanda had booked a night up in Ojai a few months back for my birthday weekend and it was finally upon us. I was excited to head to one of our favorite places on earth - weather turned out to be a bit crummy but we managed for the most part. For you photog geeks, I bought a new 85mm f/1.8 a few weeks ago and I was excited to put it to use. Though most of the time, I had the 24-70mm f/2.8 on the mount which is my go to lens...frickin love it! Nice and fast and versatile.

Anyway, we took Little Syl went on her first trip to the pumpkin patch at Boccali's. Bobby, we weren't able to work in a strawberry shortcake but we did have a ton of fun. Just ask Syl what she did Saturday night...oh she'll tell ya. She literally changes before my eyes every day - it's wild! So I've been playing around with making these quick cutting, almost stop motion looking short videos, to try and capture Sylvie from moment to moment. Check out the latest and let me know what you think.

PERFECTION!

Need I say more...

I STILL HAVE A SOUL - short video

Not often enough do I come across something with enough heart and soul that truly inspires me - stories that are about the human spirit, that bring out the best in what we as people are capable of. This short video came to my attention yesterday, and was blown away at the just the amount of emotion it evokes - that if you want something bad enough, if you want to make a change in your life, you will stop at nothing to get there...it's powerful stuff. I love how it plays with the expectation that when you meet this character you've already formed an opinion about who he is, but by the end of the story, it turns out to be something completely different. As well, the underplaying medley only strengthens that emotional drive that is breathtaking. Anyway, check it out...

HBO "I Still Have A Soul" from Paradise Square Films on Vimeo.

BEHIND THE SCENES

I never got the opportunity to post these back in August when Amanda, Sylvie, and I had some family portraits taken by the talented photographer Heather Kincaid. Heather is brilliant and if you haven't had the opportunity to check out her site, please take a few minutes to look around. She has an editorial, photojournalist, and fashion style all rolled into one that I absolutely adore.

http://www.heatherkincaid.com/

Anyway, here are a few behind the camera of my beautiful wife and daughter that I snapped with my Leica.