Ty Lawson for Dime Magazine

While in DC for Capital Punishment, I photographed Ty Lawson in his Maryland "crash pad". The lockout was still going strong and Lawson was soon on his way to Lithuania, but not before he participated in the most anticipated lockout game of the summer. Shouts to Dime Magazine and shouts to Ty Lawson...good dude.

Go get #67 with Kyrie Irving on the cover. I've had photos in back-to-back issues of Dime so far...hopefully we can keep the streak going.

Full Contact, No Pads

Who does this? A few guys I played basketball with earlier this summer apparently do.

The weather here in Sacramento has taken a turn for the worse. With highs of 55 (I know, frigid) and the sun still setting pretty early, the outdoor basketball season has been over for a while now. But the fellas have moved on to another outdoor activity. Full contact, tackle football with no padding to speak of. Of course a few of the guys came prepared with mouth guards because heaven forbid you get a busted lip or bite your tongue.

Although people were wearing running shoes, pajama pants and 3XL t-shirts, these guys were playing like they were in full uniform. They were live blocking, lowering shoulders and hitting receivers who dared to go over the middle. No thanks.

I like to indulge in sporting competition, but this is something I'll gladly remain on the sideline for. Luckily, there weren't any major injuries on the playing field at Stanford Park. I do hope that they all have insurance...

On Tour with Michelle Rhee and Kevin Johnson

Michelle Rhee, former Chancellor of DC public schools and her husband Kevin Johnson, current mayor of Sacramento have become the ultimate power couple of California's capital city. The two, under the banner of her education reform non-profit Students First, have embarked on a tour of California to have a 'conversation about education'. And I had the privilege of documenting the first stop in San Diego.

Michelle got a lot of love. People clamored to talk, touch, take a photo and share their individual education stories and ideas. KJ didn't get as much. I, however, was plotting on how to get revenge on the well documented Hakeem Conqueror. Go Rockets.

Monterey Trail Mustangs - 2011 Season

After 5 games and many more practices, my 2011 stint with Monterey Trail Mustang football is complete.

I settled into my home away from home in Elk Grove, CA August 2nd, exactly one month after I relocated from DC to Sac. I reached out to a number of high school football programs in and around Sacramento looking to continue my interest in documenting the sport at this level. Soon after my initial feelers, I got a call from head coach, T.J. Ewing. He thought my work was pretty cool and said he'd love to have me come out. So I did.

The coaching staff was awesome and the kids were an excellent bunch of hard working, determined and accountable young human beings. Although the team finished 4-6 and missed the playoffs, it was great to document their journey. Enjoy and see you next season!

Check out a larger gallery here.

Goon Squad Classic

Last night I went down to the campus of UC Davis, not to cover some kids getting pepper sprayed, but to shoot the Goon Squad Classic charity game hosted by Donte Greene and featuring an assortment of Sacramento Kings. The funny thing about charity games is it's all dunks and 3's until the end of the game when it's close and someone wants to win. This particular contest went into overtime and ended with a 167-164 score in Greene's team's favor.

Some NBAers in attendance: Donte Greene, Tyreke Evans, Jimmer Fredette, Isiah Thomas (this one, not that one), Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Demarcus Cousins, Matt Barnes and Hassan Whiteside. Add this game to a long list of exhibitions that have transpired in lieu of the lockout. At the very least, proceeds from the game went to charity. Hopefully we can get down to some real NBA action come Dec. 15th. Shout out to free t-shirts. Everyone loves a free t-shirt.

View Gallery Here

Brett Dennen

Barefoot Wine sponsors beach rescue projects throughout the country where they entice volunteers to pick up trash during the day with a promise of a free wine party/concert later in the evening. Great idea if you ask me, especially if you're a fan of the person playing the live show. In this case, yet again, I didn't know who this person was.

Brett Dennen, a musician hailing from Northern California (hey!), brought quite the crowd to this clean up party. He's a super, laid back, guitar wielding musician who actually walked barefoot along the banks of the Anacostia River (def not recommended). After I shot the concert, I was able to get a free copy of his newest album , Lover Boy, and played it loudly in my car through the streets of Georgetown. It's a good album.

Later that night, I went to a bar with a few of my friends to watch the Heat v. Bulls playoff series. Guess who's music was blasting from the jukebox? Surprise, surprise. Shout out to Pep.

Sally Wilson of CBRE for Eco-Structure Magazine

Sally Wilson is the Global Director of Environmental Strategy/Senior Vice President at CBRE whom I photographed for Eco-Structure Magazine. Check out the article here.