Gnarle

I apologize for not posting in awhile. A lot of changes have been going on. I quit Costco so I could get back to focusing on my career as a photographer/cinematographer. It's a big transition that I'm taking head on day by day. I have a lot of cool stuff lined up for the next few weeks.

After my last day at Costco, I wanted to take a few days to hang with my crew in LA. I have a few different shoots for my stay up here in LA. I just did the summer line of girls tees/tanks for my friend Eddie's clothing line, Gnarle.

Here are a few photos of the gorgeous Alison Simmons and one of Eddie and myself. Note *this was the beginning and end of my modeling career. Eddie and I shot a behind the scenes video of the shoot. Keep yer eyes open for that! xoxo

Chem Sleds

Most of you know I hyperextended my knee back in January. Even then, I wasn't surfing that much. Lately I've been paddling a softtop 8'0. It's been good rehabilitaion for my knee. Today was the first time in almost 6 months that I surfed a shortboard. My knee felt good. I put in well over 2 hours in 2 sessions today. I then hit up my good friend Ian who has been in the industry for years. He set me up with a Chemistry 5'10 Flashpoint. Chemistrys are my board of choice for around here. I've had a 5'11 Flashpoint before, but it was just a hair too much board. This board just feels so good. Forrest is coming down this weekend and we're going to shoot. Stand by for new clips. Shoots

Trog Hunter's In Town

4  years ago my bradda Forrest Troxell moved out here from Maui to attend Channel Islands. I'm so happy he recently graduated, because now we can get back on track and take over the world. Forrest is one of my favorite humans on this earth. He is artistic AF, he SHREDS water, and he's next level funny AF! Everytime we get together, we do something super fun and we always come up with a project to create. Another thing I just remembered is the past 3 times Forrest has visited, I've been injured so we've been able to capture him ripping the waves. Here is a screengrab from this mornings clips. We're going to keep getting clips and creating shit. We're going to send Digornio another sponsor me video so maybe this time we'll get picked up. Stand by for updates...

 

Tunes

Here is some music (videos) I've been digging lately...

Ready For Summer

Feliz Cumpleanos Brooks from Russell Spencer on Vimeo.

Homeless Homies

A couple weeks ago I gave my homie Alex his first 35mm camera which is cool because he's been beyond psyching and eager to shoot. We did a day trip to San Diego to hang with the homeless and get some portraits. This is the film he shot from that trip, all manual settings. Needless to say he's getting the hang of it. All photos shot by Alex Lopes.

People Water

The good homies from People Water stopped by Taya's to hang out for a bit. It's always a pleasure seeing these guys when they come into town. They run an awesome program helping the less fortunate get a clean glass of water, something I know I definitely take for granted. Check out their site to find out more. Here are the homies Cody, Bronson, Jeff, and Taya.

Nike Lowers Pro

Here is some Fuji Velvia 100 I just got back from the lab. X processed, no photoshop. This was all shot at Lower Trestles last Thursday during the Nike Pro. Some of the courteous profiles are; Blake Kueny, Christian Fletcher, Roy Powers, Dane Reynolds, and Gabriel Medina. On a side note, I've known Blake for about 4 years now and I've watched this kid mold into one hell of a videographer. From handling all the TWS web shit to running Jordy Smith's site and now filming John Florence's every move. Blake has definitely gone above and beyond and showed extreme work ethics which is now paying off. You can check out his work here. My favorite is probably the 2 of Dane and Gabriel Medina signing autographs for the groms.

SD

A few days ago I went down to 16th street in San Diego with my friend Alex. Alex recently took up photography and I gave him one of my old 35mm cameras to start shooting with. It's cool how psyched Alex is on photography. We both had film that we wanted to shoot so I figured downtown SD would offer some opportunity for some weird city shots. In the few hours we were there, we got to buy some homeless people lunch and coffee, witnessed a drug deal, and watched San Diego Police clear out an entire homeless occupied block. Everyone that let us take their photograph, was also very eager to tell us their story. It was an interesting and very humbling day to say the least. Here are a few I got back from the lab. All shot on a Hasselblad 500cm with a 80mm 2.8 using Kodak TMax 100 and Fuji Velvia 100, no photoshop. I hope you enjoy...

Danielle Donn Look Book

Here are my favorite ones Danielle Donn's lookbook shoot.

Kodak Or Something

Every time I go to LA, I stay at my good friend Taya Rogers' place in Manhattan Beach. Because I was taking care of all my knee stuff up there, my latest trip lasted about 2 months. If you follow my blog, then you know that I shoot with Taya a lot. Being a very successful model and actress, she has had plenty of time in front of the camera and has taught me a lot when it comes to shooting models. Basically at this point, we've developed an amazing friendship and it's almost like a brother/sister relationship. We joke around talking trash on each other, but it's just that much more comfortable shooting. Anyways, one day we were hanging in the living room and she surprised me with this lunch bag she found in the fridge. It was FULL of 35mm and 120mm film she'd forgotten she had. Taya, being the amazingly generous person that she is, gave me dibs on whatever I wanted. I don't know what film this was, I think Kodak 400, maybe 800 with how grainy it is. Here are a few from 1 night in LA with Eddie, Taya, Buck, Josh, and Danielle. I hope you enjoy.