While working on a personal project this weekend, I ran into my old gear. It brought me back to where my love for photography started and how much it’s changed.

Toward the end of 2001 I was living in L.A. and realized I didn’t want to continue my career in animation. I decided I needed to go back to school to explore my creative options. Before venturing off to Boston to get my degree, I bought this Nikon FM2. Although I was majoring in Design, I found myself gravitating toward the photo department and spent a lot of time in the darkrooms.

Looking at my old stuff reminded me of all the hard work and fun that took place in those darkrooms. There is something to be said about the confidence you build in your self when you can shoot with a fully manual camera that only needs a watch battery to help you meter. Even if the battery fails, you don’t need it for the camera to function. As old as this camera gets, I don’t think I can give it up.

My buddy Joel had not performed in front of a crowd in a while and was a bit nervous. So what does a supporting friend do? I show up with my camera and get in his face throughout his set. Well he showed me, once he got on stage the performer within took over and Joel put on a solid show. He even had the between-song-talking thing down.

The Smiths enjoy the boating life at the San Diego Yacht Club, so we decided to start our adventure at Shelter Island where we found some fun arches to play under. Then after some wandering we found ourselves at the Japanese Friendship Bell where Bo showed me a move he likes to do to the baby belly.

The sun was coming down pretty fast so we took a quick drive over the hill to Sunset Cliffs. Bo and Stacey were troopers as they endured some tough shots that required them to almost look directly at the sun as it reflected off the ocean. Finally Bo showed me one more fun grooming tip. It was a quick and hurried photo session but these two were so fun it didn’t feel like work at all.