Endangered Species Protection/Birthday Party Event

Big Life Foundation was what my friend Donna’s mind when she wanted to celebrate her 50th birthday, so she planned a Safari theme birthday party as in sort of trial-run party for a fundraiser for Big Life Foundation in  May 2013.
私の友ダナが50歳の誕生日会パーティーを考えていたときに、来年の５月に行なう予定のビッグライフ財団の募金活動の試しパーティーをと思い、サファリテーマの誕生日会パーティをやってみようと試みました。

Big Life Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of Africa’s wildlife and ecosystems founded in September 2010 by photographer Nick Brandt in urgent response to the recent dramatic escalation in poaching across much of Africa.
ビッグライフ財団は、アフリカ全体で最近の密猟が劇的に上昇したことに緊急対応で写真家ニック·ブラントによって2010年9月に設立された生態系の保全を目的とする非営利組織です。

Donna and her animals (girls) are getting ready to perform.
ダナと彼女の動物たちが演劇の準備

Show time!!　ショータイム！！

All kinds of “animals”.　いろんな “動物” がいます

Monkey makes move on a sexy tiger. 　お猿さんが虎をナンパ中

We also did “Wall Of Fame” session of these animals. Wall Of Fame (WOF) is a fun photography service sort of like deluxe version of prom photography that let you be whatever and do whatever you wish.  Yes, you can say it’s the prom photos on steroid as in “anything goes”, and is always a big hit at events such as corporate parties, holiday parties, birthday party and of course wedding receptions.  Just explore your alter ego, and be formal, semi-formal, informal, funky, spunky, cool, goofy, sexy, cute, pretty, DMV-ish, wild and crazy.  We can shoot singles, groups, brothers, sisters, family and more!  It’s definitely a fun time for everybody!  Simon Cowell says, “Get your freaky Paula Abdul on” (or not).

Penguin

Birds of Paradise

Tigers

Cat

Zebra

Tourist

Cowboy

Monkey

Cheetah

Tribe man

Sexy cat

Eventually thirty-six of these animals will make into a 20×30 poster. (Samples below – Creature Series)
Hip Brazil – Summer Solstice 2010 / Santa Barbara, California

Renaissance Festival / San Luis Obispo, California

SBJPG/Santa Barbara Japan Photography Group
Big Life Foundation

So, we’d like to make next fundraising party (May 2013) into a largest annual celebration. It is a time for activists, donors, volunteers, and all animal supporters to gather and send messages and stop those who kill animals for profit. Anyone interested in assisting with this year’s celebration should contact Donna Fertig (donnafertig@facebook.com) or at ‘phone number’ or by email.
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Michael Jackson 3rd Anniversary

I went up over the San Ysidro Valley to Michael’s (ex) Neverland Valley Ranch where he once called home.  I was going through a tough time on my own that very day, my tear that day was not only for Michael but also for my own.

I arrived early enough no one was there just yet.

Many personalized messages to Michael were around the property’s gate.

Also messages on the wall.

It looked like bunch of kids from a small school were here too.

A message was carved in a rock.

These two sisters flew in from China for this.

Mary from LA having a small picnic.

More people started to show up.

A small local TV also showed up.

It was a good visit for me.  I rarely do such things.  I know that that period of time for me had a significant personal meaning than just the death of the greatest entertainer  of our time.  I think I knew what it meant that day.  Thanks Michael, and rest well.

Mary also showed me her production of Michael Jackson Short (2 min) Movie.  If you like to check it out here.

Rising Opera Stars Performing Art

I can’t remember how many times I said “WOW” internally while I was listening to several young opera singers perform at the Granada Theater this afternoon.  It’s a part of OPERA SANTA BARBARA’s free concert at noon series.  Just simply amazing!!!  (Thank you Granada Theater and Opera Santa Barbara!)

This is the main theater inside of the Granada; however, we were gently directed to a smaller more intimate theater on 2nd floor for this afternoon’s performance.

 

Drag in the Funk Zone!

When I saw a drag show for the first time ever at a local bar many many and many moons ago, it made a quite an impact on me.  She dressed like Madonna and lip-syncing to one of her song (now I can’t remember which song that was).  I knew she was a dude, but she looked soooo good and danced very well up on the stage that I had to go back stage after the show and tell her she was an excellent performer.  I think I was hoping to see Madonna-like person back there, but I found a little Mexican dude without his wig and makeup half off sitting at his makeup table and said to me “THANK YOU” with very low male voice (thus, lip-syncing). I was heart-broken right there right then.  I think it was my first time and the last time that I felt like I was watching a woman perform, not a drag queen.  SBJPG was there to photograph the event.

Drag in the Funk Zone was a drag show last weekend at THE PUB in a little artsy fartsy section called “Funk Zone” in Santa Barbara.

If you like to see more images from this event, click here.
More info on SBJPG/Santa Barbara Japan Photography Group

Ventura Music Festival (Local Rock Picnic)

SBJPG covered a music event Local Rock Picnic (Teenager Music Festival) last Saturday afternoon.  It’s a part of Ventura Music Festival.  So many talented kids.   http://www.venturamusicweek.com

Local Rock Picnic was a music, art  and community event in Ventura

All ages and animal friendly event

Plaza Park, Downtown Ventura

The man behind the event: Brain Parra (c) and his team

SBJPG/Santa Barbara Japan Photography Group

Tony & Melissa’s 60th Birthday Party

Fraternal Twins Tony and Melissa have celebrated their fabulous 60th birthday party with their close friends and family at Arnold’s Cafe, Santa Barbara, CA.

My assistant Martin covered Wall of Fame* portrait session for me.

                 Wall of Fame Portrait Session

                 Wall of Fame Portrait Session

Wall of Fame Portrait Session

To view all 328 images, click here (will be available after 11:00AM Monday February 27th)

What is Wall of Fame? 
Wall Of Fame (WOF)  is a photography service sort of like deluxe version of prom photography that let you be whatever, do whatever and anything goes.  Yes, you can say it’s the prom photos on steroid and is always a big hit at any events such as corporate parties, holiday parties, and of course wedding receptions.  Just explore your alter ego, and be formal, semi-formal, informal, funky, spunky, cool, goofy, sexy, cute, pretty, DMV-ish, wild, crazy, single, group, brothers, sisters, family and more!  It’s definitely a fun time for everybody!  

Help Portrait 2011 Santa Barbara (Video Clip)

SBJPGメンバーのキップホルコム(Kip Holcomb)は、ヘルプ肖像写真2011年ビデオクリップを制作しました。僕自身は計画していたほどに準備ができていませんでしたが、このイベントは成功したし、かなりの数の家族を幸せにしました。もう一人のメンバーボブ マギー(Bob McGee)は、今年のイベントの制作担当をしました。www.sbjpg.com
Our member Kip Holcomb had produced Help Portrait 2011 video clip. Although it wasn’t as ready as I thought it should be, it tuned out to be a successful event and made a quite few family happy. Another member Bob McGee was in charge of producing this year’s event. www.sbjpg.com

豪が鹿児島ロックする Go Does Kagoshima

SBJPG / Santa Barbara Japan Photography Group

今夜はライブハウスだあ〜〜〜
坂本豪、鹿児島をロックする。今夜６時３０分

Prepared yourself to be rocked hard tonight in Live House SPEED KING with Go Sakamoto, he will rock and knock your pants off. Hang on to your panties, ladies!
SBJPG

SBJPG – Monitor Calibration & 1st Thursday

As I was heading to SB Library last night for SBJPG‘s Monitor Calibration Day I drove by a group of people doing something artsy at the intersection by the SBMA.  I had about 45 minutes to kill so parked my car few blocks away and walked up to the crowed.  ”Uh, this is one of those 1st Thursday thingy, isn’t it?” asking for a confirmation from no one particular.  I had a camera with me (what?) and what else was supposed to do??

Studying her Life line

Erica shows off her leopard shoe                                                                   Photo by Josey

                            To some people she was a fortune-teller, was a yoga lady,                                                   a performer, and to me she was a Gypsy Lady although                                                       she described herself as “Power Thing”.

Phony gypsy from Japan                                                                               Photo by Camille

Mama Camille, Camille and Gypsy Lady

I forced them go “Yes, Kenji!!” with pokemon fist action

Visual Arts & Design Academy of SB High School

Calico* shares her vision with the world.  SB High senior

*                                                                                *                                                                               *

I eventually got to my meeting at the library.  Jon and PJC tackled their calibration issues of their monitor

Jon’s HDR work sample

SBJPG – MINI LECTURE SERIES: Stock Photography

SBJPG’s first mini lecture series on Stock Photography took place last night with our member Henrik sharing his knowledge and experiences of shooting for Stock. An original 60-minute mini-lecture extended to 100 minutes.  Then, even more talk on stock photography in casual setting of Dargen’s Irish Bar with some food and few beers afterwards.  It was fun, and could have been a good stock photography setting :)

Henrik prepares his materials

Henrik Stock Photography Info
dreamstime stock agency
shutterstock images

Also, my friend and a shooter Jon sent me a very useful link for this occasion. Thanks Jon!