Enjoy The Journey

Be The Light

2011-04-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

This short film of Racheal's recovery after her spinal injury is a look into her spirit and determination during the first stage of her new journey. She is an inspiration and continues to amaze us all.

Please watch/share and be the light. More about her story at:
http://rachaelsrecovery.blogspot.com/

A film by Campfire Creative
Filmed + Directed by Guru Khalsa
Produced + Edited by Dugan O'Neal

Through my documentation of this story and others like it I have become in love with the power of film and video and am 100% on board with the Platypus Movement of stil photographers going to video.

***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 6445 Carmel 93921***

***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************

Wedding Season Finale

2010-10-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

With some quiet moments and a few loud ones too, this years very busy wedding season ends. It ends on a high note at Gayle + Toben's magical Autumn ceremony and reception in Palo Alto, California. Congrats to you both!

Wedding Season

2010-08-12T12:25:00.001-07:00

With summer upon us and the fall season at around the corner wedding season is in full stride. I have been enjoying photographing and filming weddings. Celebrating with couples in Carmel, Sacramento, San Francisco and even Ireland has been a treat. It is such an honor to help create and capture these memories that will be cherished forever.

Looking forward to creating more wedding photography and films through the fall and launching the new Weddings by Guru website this winter to go along with my new logo designed by Damon Anderson.

Costa Rica + Walking Tree

2010-07-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with www.walkingtree.org to document a Discovery program for two weeks. Walking Tree Travel guides 15 high school students through 2,3 and 4 weeks programs to foreign countries where they experience the culture, language, and the views while traveling around the country as well as doing a homestay with local families and doing a service project. All photos can be seen here with password: costarica http://walkingtree.smugmug.com/ ... enjoying the journey!

Aging in Isolation

2010-05-21T07:26:00.000-07:00

I recently journeyed to Co. Clare, Ireland with Justin Weiler and John Murillo to explore the effects of aging in isolation and how the community is combating this problem. Kathleen Ryan was one of the older people we interviewed. She has lived alone in a small house for two and a half years since her husband went to live in a nursing home. He past away a few months ago and now it is just her.

Some of the biggest challenges she faces revolve around getting food and social stimulation. The local Family Resource Center that helps her get groceries and attend weekly social functions of tea and learning opportunities is facing budget cuts and may soon not be able to help her with these things. Without them it will cost her 35 Euro ($50) to get a taxi to do just about anything as there are no buses where she lives.

Kathleen was one of many older people facing this isolation in Co. Clare and all over the world. Discarding the stories and wisdom of the older generations is not unique to any one place and is one of the biggest cultural mistakes of our day.

http://www.kilrushfrc.ie/

Aishling + Paul Maloney

2010-05-18T11:08:00.001-07:00

Aishling and Paul were married in Spanish Point, Co. Clare Ireland on May 15th. I flew out to document the week with my teammates Justin Weiler and John Murillo. Here are two quiet moments from a loud week of music and laughter that the short film we shot will reflect. Edits coming soon.

Ireland Update

2010-05-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

Half way through the Ireland adventure and it has been great thus far. We have been filming loads of footage and have two more big days coming up. Interviews tomorrow and a wedding on Saturday. Found some time to return to my roots and create these two still images. The poet, Padraig Huagh and the seashore in Galway. Enjoy the journey.

The Aleron Trio

2010-04-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

A few random images from my shoot at Ocean Beach with the talented trio, Aleron.

Lost and Found

2010-04-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

I have been sifting through all my wedding imagery recently to edit a portfolio for my new website that is being created called Wedding By Guru. I stumbled across these two off beat gems from two weddings i photographed last year. Love finding old lost images like these.

YWCA Nurse Partnership Program

2010-03-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Dallas, Texas to help create a 6 minute film about young mothers that are part of the YWCA's Nurse Partnership Program. The program helps at risk mothers by assigning them a nurse that makes house calls throughout the unplanned pregnancy and the first year of the child's life. The program ensures a healthy start to a new life by teaching the mothers about nutrition and health for them and their child as well as educating them about other programs that will help them aspire to a higher standard of living. I worked with Justin Weiler, Josh Bray and Steve Deitz on this project.

14 year old Angelica with her son Sebastian in front of her parents home.

Natural Skateboards en Colombia

2010-01-31T08:34:00.000-08:00

I traveled to Colombia recently to shoot a short film for Natural Skateboards. Of course I created a few stills along the way of the many amazing people in Bogota, Melgar, Ibague and Coello. MORE HERE: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157623515585330/

and check out some polaroids here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157623183395837/

Ecuador + The Andean Collection

2009-11-29T16:06:00.000-08:00

Last week I returned from a 9 day trip to Ecuador. I spent time in Quito, Otavalo, Sosote, and Crucita documenting three amazing artisan families that collaborate with The Andean Collection out of NYC. We did interviews, portraits, and a couple fashion shoots. The focus was to create marketing content for The AC in order to help boost sales which in turn will help reduce poverty and send kids to school. More to come soon. http://www.theandeancollection.blogspot.com/

Kara+Rob

2009-11-09T10:20:00.001-08:00

I photographed Kara+Rob's engagement photos last Saturday in Golden Gate Park. I just relaxed and hung back as they just kept laughing together. The giddy couple are getting married on June 12th 2010 in Sacramento and after spending the afternoon together I am very excited to be there documenting their wedding day.

Frank Esapda: Photographer+Friend

2009-11-06T19:39:00.000-08:00

I first met Frank 8 years ago when I was 19. I saw student after students creating the most amazing black+white prints down in the darkroom at school. They would come out of the darkroom and look at their test print in the light and then head into the adjacent classroom with a questions marks in their expression. A few minutes later they would emerge with a smile on their face and confidence in their step as they strode back into the darkroom. The unifying factor in all those smiles and great prints was Frank Espada, the advanced black and white teacher. I took his class the following semester and not only did he teach me how to print the right way but he guided and nurtured me to grow as a well rounded photographer and human being. I am not the only one who has a story like this as Frank has touched the lives of many of his students over the years. We all say, "THANK YOU FRANK!!" Please check out some of his pure and inspiring imagery at: http://www.frankespada.com/

NYC

2009-10-31T00:38:00.001-07:00

Went to NYC for the first time this month. It was great to explore a new place, meet tons of new people and see some old friends. I look forward to returning for fun and fotos in the future.

California Road Trip Shoots

2009-10-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

I took a little road trip with a couple friends last week and had some fun and captured a few images along the way. First set is an aspiring model in the dunes of Marina. The second set is a father and son at Pismo Beach after surfing on the son's birthday.

Craig + Lisa

2009-10-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

I photographed Craig and Lisa's wedding at the historic Carmel Mission. After the serene ceremony the couple took a stroll on Carmel River Beach and I tagged along. Celebrate.

Nathan Smith

2009-09-09T10:51:00.001-07:00

Nathan Smith is an artist. He eats, sleeps, and breathes the stuff. I created this portrait of him in front of a mural he painted in his art studio in the Mission District of San Fransisco. The mural, called Projection Reflection, is being painted over today to create a blank canvas for something new.

Bonita Barcelona

2009-09-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

I captured these images last April in Barcelona when I went to Europe for the month. After 4 months of other photography adventures and travel I finally found time to edit through some personal work from my time in Barcelona. I loved walk around and get lost and search for images and life in this city. More at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157617700245490/

Bicycle Coffee

2009-09-02T21:49:00.000-07:00

Some of my close creative friends are starting this Coffee Co. So I created some images for them to help out. Check out what they do at: http://www.bicyclecoffeecompany.com/welcome.htm

Jerald Jones

2009-08-27T09:50:00.001-07:00

More from my portrait shoot with Mr. Jones at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157622035345343/

Courtney Casas

2009-08-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

I photographed the very creative Courtney Casas at the Three Gables Estate in Pebble Beach. More from our 30 minute impromptu shoot here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157622156008300/

Jeff + Jenny Guggenheim

2009-07-27T12:13:00.001-07:00

I was hired to film a wedding rather than photograph it for the first time last weekend. While motion pictures are great I couldn't help to grab a couple stills while documenting the amazing day in Bend, Oregon. More at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157621739449433/

Costa Rica

2009-07-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Too tired from this amazing trip with WALKING TREE TRAVEL (www.walkingtreetravel.org) to formulate words about the experience so I will leave it to just a few images to do the job. PURA VIDA...

Justin + Jenna

2009-07-01T09:06:00.001-07:00

Justin and Jenna Weiler were married on The Ilse of Man in the Irish Sea. I was flown out there to document the entire week and there are many more pictures of amazing memories here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/collections/

The Real Coi: Chef Daniel Patterson

2009-06-11T09:36:00.001-07:00

I photographed Daniel Patterson chef/owner of the popular Coi Restaurant in San Francisco for the London Financial Times. It was a bit of a rushed shoot because I had to get the images uploaded ASAP so they could go to print the next morning in London but it went well. The article the images go with is written by Patterson and talks about the changing patterns of ingredients from imported goods to locally grown micro-crops. Thanks to Damon for assisting me on the last minute shoot.

2009-06-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

I flew up to Seattle last week to photograph some images for Microsoft/Exposure. Microsoft was launching there new search engine 'bing' and set up some sweet lighting on the Space Needle and grounds. They shot a huge beam into the sky and shot me up 85ft to shoot the massive LED logo. Good times.

Flying with the Tuckers!

2009-05-12T10:36:00.000-07:00

After returning from a month of shooting in Europe I thought returning back to California would be dull and I was dead wrong. Hanging out of a plane making images was the perfect way to get over my jet lag. I photographed Eric and Sean Tucker doing their thing with the rest of the Collaborators team in Central California. In between the two photo sessions Eric took me up and we pulled some G's. Then he gave me the controls and coached me into my first barrel roll and loop in the sky... Roller coaster are lame. More images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157617963392963/

Janelle Monae

2009-03-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

I photographed Janelle Monae last week for Sony Playstation/Exposure @ 1015 Folsom. The event was great and Janelle put on a hell of a show! more at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/

The Veronica Connor Chronicles

2009-03-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

This morning around 10am after a late night I grabbed my new camera, some air soft guns and a friend and played with light by the window. This is what came of the freestyle photo shoot.

Rachel

2009-03-13T00:10:00.000-07:00

I created this image as a personal portrait for Rachel. She wanted to capture where she is in her world right now and evoke a sense of power and purity in her portrait. We ended up with a few piercing images of this phoenix rising. More at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157614806245326

The Beast Master

2009-03-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Created for The Beast Master's album cover. The Beast Master aka Lucien Shapiro is a modern day renaissance man picking up paint brushes and microphones to express his journey. Check him out here: www.myspace.com/theonlybeastmaster

Help Us Get To Jail: Old Skool Cafe

2009-03-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

This is the proposed future location for the Old Skool Cafe (www.oldskoolcafe.org). The former police station (with jail cells still in tact) is a fixer upper but boasts huge potential for the future of the cafe to continue their work in helping at risk youth aspire. Please visit www.oldskoolcafe.org to learn more about the OSC and to see more images http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157612650353206/

President Obama

2009-02-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

I photographed then Sen. Obama at a large fundraising event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco Ca. last year. It was the largest in history of it's kind to date. He gave a great speech, got paid, and left happy on his way to becoming our President.

Many Styles

2009-02-23T09:08:00.001-08:00

Editorial and documentary portraiture are the foundation of what I do and the foundation of photography.

They are the first thing that people grab when they are running out of their burning home. They are your best memory of your best friend. They inspire the most human of emotional responses and serve the most important of anthropological studies.

They are my passion in photography. Many more at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157604276097449/

FOG CITY WRESTLING

2009-02-23T09:03:00.001-08:00

All I can say is I was never a fan until I saw it live. A MUST SEE! From little Lucha Libre to 400 lb. giants Fog City Wrestling is entertainment at it's best. More at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157604270321950/

Hawaii: America's Timeshare

2009-02-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

Hawaii isn't all palm trees, pineapple plantations, and pleasures. The beauty there is hard to see past but once you see the real skyline of America's Timeshare you too will weep for a lost paradise. More at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157603792960409/

Adam + Laura

2009-02-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

Adam and Laura were married at the private family estate in Carmel. More at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157605992849498/

Mike + Raquel

2009-02-23T08:18:00.001-08:00

Mike + Raquel were married at the Carmel Valley Ranch. More images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157606755554188/

Fighter Portraits

2009-02-23T08:08:00.000-08:00

"What! You mean you could have been shooting all the fights with your camera pressed against the cage and you just hung out in the locker room instead?!"

Yes. See images for details. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157604270267236/

GAINES vs. LAWSON

2009-02-23T08:05:00.001-08:00

An epic battle between Marcus Gaines and Eric Lawson. More at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157604274579057/

SF Culture

2009-02-23T07:58:00.000-08:00

I photographed these during an Alley Party in the Mission. More at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157604275912693/

Archana + Ciaran

2009-02-22T08:40:00.000-08:00

Archana + Ciaran were married at the Swedenbourgian Church in SF, Ca. More images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157613087878671/

Blair + Shawn

2009-02-22T08:35:00.000-08:00

Blair and Shawn were married at Pasadera in Monterey, Ca. More images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157614102522250/

Nate + Natalia

2009-02-22T08:28:00.000-08:00

Nate + Natalia's wedding in Carmel Valley, Ca. More images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157612577889121/

Old Skool Cafe

2009-02-18T07:52:00.000-08:00

The Ladies and Gentlemen of Old Skool Cafe. The OCS is a youth run supper club where at risk youth receive direction in learning life changing skills and confidence. Check them out and get involved at www.oldskoolcafe.org

Tornado Rider Band

2009-02-16T21:40:00.000-08:00

From an editorial shoot with Tornado Rider. These guys rock out and you can check them out at: http://www.tornadoriderband.com

1. Rushad and the Riders Scott and Graham at Ocean Beach SF, Ca.
2. Tornado Rider being of life in the Bison Land of Golden Gate Park
3. Rushad in his urban land of 'Snee' SF, Ca.

More images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157612647351987/

Jolene Rust

2009-02-16T21:37:00.000-08:00

An editorial shoot with Jolene Rust. She is a rare beauty and has a voice to match. Jolene recently performed with Micheal Franti and Spearhead at the newly renovated Fox Theatre in San Francisco.

Eva Sinotte

2009-02-16T21:15:00.000-08:00

An editorial shoot with Eva. Nothing like hanging off a ledge at 7am on a brisk winter morning in SF for a good photo. Eva is a talented actress in LA and has worked on multiple fun projects including the ABC show Ugly Betty and the Oscars.

My First Love

2009-02-16T18:57:00.000-08:00

Growing up along the California coastline I fell in love with the places where the land meets the sea more than anything else in my world. Where the crisp water slides across the shifting sand whisking it away to it's infinitely temporary resting place. Where no shells are needed.

I remember rolling down the Ocean Avenue dune in Carmel and family outings to Monterey Beach as a child. When I got my drivers license I would cruise by the beach religiously before high school and park at 8th St. to watch the swell roll in. I have countless memories of perfect moments that all revolve around the sea. I lived in Hawaii for 6 months last year and surfed almost everyday. Sunsets that melted the sky as my friends and I go silent in awe have been a staple of my happiness. Sometimes when I am in the ocean I laugh at how all encompassing and absolutely impressive it is.

The ocean has always been the love of my life and for 8 months I have neglected it. Somehow I did not surfed, bodyboarded, or swim in the ocean once in 11/12 months in 2008. Because of my current long distance relationship with the ocean I have discovered other passions in life that have distracted me from the sea (nothing like swing dancing though). Over the years photography, cycling, and the ukulele have all become affairs of mine. I love them all but they are no substitute.

I do not want to ignore her any longer or find other things to distract me from this passion. I want to experience the ocean everyday. To wake up to her and let her rock me to sleep.

An Early Start

2009-02-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

The crew was painting this truck when this kid strolled past with his family. The kid couldn't stop looking at the artist painting. In his youthful curiosity he asked if we knew who's truck it was and if it was ok to do? Seeing as he was with his family I told him that normally it is not ok but we know who owns the truck so it is cool. His mother interrupted me and said, "Don't tell him it is not ok!" So the guys asked him if he would like to try. His eyes lit up like he was about to ride a roller coaster as he asked, "Can I Mom?!" She simply said, "Of course," and off he went with the classic double hand style with mad thumb control.