The Immediate Future!

The next two months will bring a heavy focus on architecture and business development. Our business has decided to expand into other areas including a new addition, wedding photography. Our goal with this business is to keep it diverse and have fun with what we do. Diversity is not only beautiful in life but Photography!

Latest Endeavors

It has been a while since our last post; life has been beautifully busy! The trip was a great success and returning home was met with a long to do list. We spent the last two weekend shooting events for two wonderful groups. Our first weekend back, we donated our time and shot a large benefit for Paul MItchell Systems, Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation, Larry King Cardiac Foundation, and Fran Drescher's Cancer Schmancer. The event started with a rapid fire portrait series with four portrait stations each with a celebrity. Guests came and had the opportunity to take one shot with each of the celebrities. It was probably the quickest photo we have ever taken. Time was of the essence. Photos were then captured of all the festivities that followed. The night was a great success and it was a wonderful feeling to be able to help them raise money which this year totaled over $900,000; a great amount of money for these charities.

This past weekend we shot the Circle of Care Foundation Fundraiser. The event was great and was able to raise a great deal of money to benefit this group that helps so many people in need. We shot stills and video of the entire event and space and met some wonderful people. We happened to bump into Leeza Gibbons two weeks in a row and discussed our desire to dedicate some of our time to working for these non-profits. She is an amazing sweet person who has a genuinely large heart.

Back in the USA

We landed safely back at LAX with feelings of withdrawal and rejoice. Our trip was without a doubt, one to remember. Thousands of images taken, many miles walked, and total satisfaction.
We quickly began processing additional images and adjusting back to life in Santa Barbara. The weather here has been great and very hot.
You can see images from our trip in the travel portfolio section on our website.

Last Taste of Amsterdam

"Suddenly waking up, Sergio rolls over amidst his dream to ask, what time is it? I replied, shit, it is 10:53 (knowing our shoot was at 11am)" With that story behind us, we were on scene and on time and as always prepared. A few hours later we had returned to Dam Square where we had met our model Stephanie. We had a great time working with her and enjoyed the last bit of sunny weather. There was a great deal of attention pointed at us during this shoot as we progressed through the red light district, down alley ways, and along the canals. It was a great jump off to our morning. We then returned to a local pub where we met a couple people from the states. They were a fun bunch and we enjoyed a few laughs.

As the afternoon passed on, we realized we had yet not eaten and therefore began our search for food. Our search ended with two doner schwarma filled with all the fix-ins. Two hours later... we then proceeded to the shop with the "best bread of my life". Unfortunately, she was closed and we left without bread. Immediately, we began walking towards the Anne Frank house. We entered with great expectation and respect. Although there was great history presented and information about the story and life of Anne Frank, we left not as moved as we would have thought. However, we do feel that it was a memorable experience and one that should not have been missed. The night ended with another doner which again was quite delicious.

As a the day came to rest, we realized our Amsterdam experience would soon be put on hold. This city has shown us its best side and given us perfect weather. The people, the sights, the sounds, and the smells have left us fulfilled till our next visit here. Amsterdam showed us another side of the world and a society that although differed very much from ours, functions perfectly well.

Tomorrow is back to London for two nights before our safe return home. We will see you soon!

The Gift

Today was yet another memorable and rewarding day. The morning started with a load of laundry as it had been just over 10 days of traveling since we left LA. We grabbed a quick Chinese noodle dish as we waited. The light was beautiful, the air a bit warmer than yesterday, and everything was going quite well. In chatting with a local, they explained that today had been the most beautiful and best day they ever experienced in Amsterdam and that comment made me immediately smile. Not only were we experiencing a great city but with the pleasure of having record weather. We shot several restaurants and eateries while exploring Amsterdam. Again our feet took us everywhere, constantly immersed in everything around us.

Our appreciation for this city has developed into a firm relationship and people welcomed us in every which way. Today went perfectly from the view from the front of our hotel to the last look down the canal before we headed in. Today's gift came twice in the form of food and spirit. We stopped into a little bakery to take some pictures and ended up walking away with the most amazing bread/pasty creation that I have ever eaten; and I have eaten a lot. It was a raisin load bread with a huge amount of raisins lined with a fig and almond spice center. We quietly devoured this loaf by the nights end. Just two doors down, we photographed some Italian pasta which turned into an exceptional dinner.

Yesterday, we had met this lovely girl at a coffee shop and luckily tomorrow we will have the pleasure to shoot a fashion editorial shoot in Amsterdam. We are both very excited to capture beauty in face of beauty. What we thought would be a short walk turned into a long expedition with an intermission for a bier. The walk took a good part of two hours and again opened us to new areas of the city that looked nothing like what we had seen. Every corner looked like a different country. Countries noted include, Beijing, China, London, England, Paris, France, and San Francisco, CA. Many paces later, our relief came as we approached our home base in the red light district. Today was a gift for us in many ways and we hope that we can pass on this gift to others!

Amsterdam by foot

Another day of adventure and exploring. Amsterdam yet again treated our eyes to a spectacular show. The weather was perfect, the air calm and cool. We continued to see the inner workings of the city and look beyond the typical tourist point of view. We interacted with locals and foreigners and with every interaction we walked away with something new.

Amazing Amsterdam

Amsterdam has definitely grown on us and today's weather was perfect. We spent the day walking around new areas and continuing to explore the sights and sounds of Amsterdam. Peaceful water ways, blue skies, beautiful trees, and a soft breeze followed our every step. Boats gently cruised down the canals and people road their bikes and walked alongside. We listened to performers sing alongside outdoor cafe's and a man spit fire in new ways. The highlight of today came as we were crossed over a canal. A man on a small boat cruised to the foot of the bridge and armed with horns and a variety of instruments played the most beautiful and soothing music, stopping crowds of people in their tracks. For a few moments, we heard nothing but his instruments and felt the breeze across our bodies. Today was a great day!