Roxanne Saldana (Stardust)

You might know a group called Daft Punk, but if you were really paying attention around the turn of the century, you’ll also remember a group called Stardust, which was comprised of Thomas Bengalter (Daft Punk) and Alan Braxe. Ultimately the duo was responsible for the so-called one hit wonder, “Music Sounds Better with You.”  However, what a lot of people don’t know is that they weren’t a one hit wonder. While Virgin was willing to pay them 3 million dollars to create an album, they declined. I take this as a true lesson in aesthetic in any artform; quality over quantity–sometimes having less just equates to higher impact. And Stardust, I guess, knew what they had and that’s all they really needed. Why muddle it with an album of filler?

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Only 4 of these glistening shots exist. Most of the time, I do shoots in clusters in respect of making the experience worthwhile for everyone involved in the shoot. Typically, prior to the largely planned scenarios, we’ll attempt these mini shoots before or after lunch where I’ll only take 10 or 15 exposures. Somehow, these little mini shoots continue to be really captivating, despite their nature to be relatively less planned.

Roxanne Saldana (Soul Sessions with the Aquatron VX-33)

Push up the fader
Bust the meter
Shake the tweeter
Bump it – Well Well Well…

–Erykah Badu, Bump It

In the spirit of our last set– not to mention, contrary to the garish custom wannabe hip hop skater garb, tall white tees, and overdone d-bag hipster stylings  invading even the most quasi-creative minds in America–please allow us to demonstrate what street wear could, and should be like.

Hmm…What could possibly accent a vintage, working (complete with indicator light, mind you) Aquatron VX-33? Well, will an alluring lass relaxing to all her favorite songs in an Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair do? In my opinion, absolutely. Shout out to BJ for once again allowing us to use his home, and the furnishings that make up his sanctuary, for creative productivity. Shout outs to Hellagant and Blacksheep Vintage  for designing a very savage women’s top, Roxanne’s boots, and to Ivy caps all around the world. Be sure to check out the set HERE.

Roxanne Saldana (In and Maybe Around the Fillmore)

My Top 5 MCs include The Roots, Common, and Mos Def. I definitely enjoy Slum Village, and when I’m done dabbling in different kinds of Acid Jazz and Bossa Nova, I like to relax to the musical likes of Res, Raphael Saadiq, and Groove Theory. But the music, while I love the vibrations they bring, is beside the point.

While music definitely holds its own when it comes to playing with the proverbial heart strings and stimulate the intellect, the visual statement that many musicians bring (e.g. fashion and style) carry just as much of an impact. Because of that, it’s not hard to find folks of like mindedness as long as you pay attention’s to how people present themselves.

I usually like to be involved in the assembly of the wardrobe used in a shoot, but that wasn’t quite the case for this one. Here’s Roxanne Saldana, who clearly understands the Neo-Soul Aesthetic. HERE’s our first set.

Give Thanks

Small set at Thanksgiving with the homies. A very small handful HERE, but I enjoy them. On a personal note though, it was especially cool to see Winnie and James around.

Kristin Moya (In Faith)

I liked doing this shoot because I felt like it went contrary to some of the stereotypes that revolve around people of Islamic faith. Kind of like Rick Steve’s trip to Iran, and how that dispelled some of the imagery brought upon by American media, but not as serious.

Kristin Moya (Autumny)

Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park. Click HERE for more.

…and no, I have never seen Twilight.

Kristin Moya (Congratulations!)

Congratulations to all of those who manage to continue to strive for higher learning in a time where the world as we know it, may seem on the verge of structural implosion. Kristin Moya graduates this December from San Jose State University with a degree in Health Administration. It looks like the universe decided to celebrate her achievements as well, as although it rained holy hell yesterday, today we were blessed with so much Bay-shine we couldn’t help but drop by Ocean Beach. The rest of this particular set is HERE. Photo assistance provided by the lovely and talented Tracey Felix.

What the Eff/Heck is a Lensbaby?

 

Jazz on Fillmore around the Japantown area.

Typically, I have better things to do (and post, for that matter) than showcase the experimentals, but I must say, where as its’s not the cleanest composition, I am proud of my colorwork.