University of the Pacific Men's Basketball

Do you remember Michael Olowokandi? Did you know he played ball at Pacific? I didn't either until I saw his #55 jersey hanging in the Alex G. Spanos Center's wall of fame. I recently photographed the Pacific Tigers men's basketball game against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos during some good ole Big West Conference action. In totally unrelated news, I also found out that there was a hole in my radiator during the drive to Stockton. Enjoy!

Autographed Sneakers, NBA players.

Most of the sneakers I photograph are running and jumping up and down on hardwood floors. But these...these were a little bit easier to direct. The cats over at The Mars Reel tracked down a few players who traveled the country dazzling basketball fans during the NBA lockout. John Wall, Brandon Jennings, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose all put Sharpies to sneakers on their signature shoes for Mars Reel giveaways. I just had to sprinkle some light on them.

Eric Forcey for State Tech Magazine

Late last year I took a long trip down to Hanford, CA...home of lots of dairies and orchards. It's also home to Eric Forcey who serves as the city's IT manager. When I first arrived to the small town south of Fresno, a heavy fog was lingering. I didn't think it would bode well for the shoot, but I ended up using it as a bit character in the photo along with some leafless walnut trees. Shout out to Adam Allen who scouted locations and helped me out during the shoot.

Read about Eric's remote IT management here. You might learn something!

Full Contact, No Pads: Part II

Just in time for this weekend's Super Bowl. Read this out loud in your best John Facenda voice.

25 fearless weekend warriors arise from their slumber each Saturday morning thinking about the grit of the trenches and the glory of the end zone. The hallowed gridiron of Sutter Middle School has become caked in mud where flourishing blades of green grass once lived. The participants trudge through. Eluding defenders while working with less than solid footing is not an easy thing. They reach for anything they can get their hands on. Loose shirts, baggy shorts or a single lock of dreaded hair. The chase is on and the pursuit is fierce as each team grinds out a slow pace to victory. No pads? No matter.

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.