Santiago de Compostela Church

I'm just beginning the process of sorting through the myriad of photos I shot at Andrew and Gina's wedding. Note to all church architects... please design your altars with a huge hole in the ceiling above it. Wedding photographers everywhere will love you.

Don't Smile!!!

Some of the best photos happen when people aren't smiling, like this picture of my sad little Daniel, taken by my wife Carri. I try not to tell people to smile or "say cheese!" Sometimes it's necessary, but a good natural expression is usually better than a fake smile. Don't you just wanna say, "Don't be sad! Come inside for some cookies and milk!"

Evel Knievel

Here's a photo of myself, Evel Knievel and Mat Hoffman. Evel was the original extreme sports hero. I met him in 1992 at a bicycle trade show. This was the first time Mat met his hero Evel (look at Mat's smile!), and that relationship would later produce a line of Hoffman/Evel BMX bikes as well as a life long friendship. This Saturday at 9:00 PM EST a tribute to Evel will air on national TV (check your local listings). I have the honor of being part of it, as they are using some of my video footage of Mat riding his huge ramps. Go Evel!

Making Dogs Mad!

Sometimes my wife doesn't believe that I'm a happenin' dude, so I need to remind her with this ad from a 1988 BMX magazine. Yes, I've officially had my 5 minutes of fame, I can go back to sleep now. Click to enlarge and read the text, it's funny. Gotta love those art directors and their creative little text-writing minds. Ever since this ad came out my good friend Erick Bartoldus (aka Big E) asks me, "What are you doing today, making dogs mad?"

Michael and Taylor's Engagement Photo

I love this picture!!! Click to make big!

Here's me!

This was taken in 1998 by Wes Bentley of Far Reaching Ministries. I was doing a story on the persecuted Christians in the area (Marial Bai, Sudan). Wes and I went up a river in a speed boat to a village where white men had never been before. The children were running from us, it was great! They have boogey-man bedtime stories that talk about the "white ghosts", so in their little minds, white people = ghosts. It was cute. After they realized I'm not a ghost, they pretty much wanted to watch every single thing I did, including take my camera gear out. Like my waterproof cowboy hat?

Sudan Gun Bike

Here's one from a while back, taken at a dirt airstrip near Nyamlell in South Sudan. Take a closer look at his bicycle frame. Yes, that would be a machine gun strapped to his top tube.  You just never know who you're going to meet in the middle of Africa. I wonder if he was ever in the X Games? He'd have a good shot at winning. 

Kristi and Damon Bingham

Carri and I spent New Years Eve in Pasadena this year, at the wedding of Damon and Kristi Bingham. Damon is the manager of some very well known sports personalities, including Mike Tyson. Kristi (formerly Kristi Burks) is an up and coming actress with roles in Bruce Almighty, Bringing Down The House and Love Don't Cost a Thing. In addition to having very cool jobs, they are also some of the nicest people I have ever met.







Kristi and her flower girls/fairies.






Many of the Bingham's out of town guests stayed at a hotel about 20 minutes away from the ceremony site. They didn't want their guests to deal with traffic and the possibility of getting lost in the crazy Rose Bowl parade crowds (the ceremony was near the parade route), so they hired a bus to transport guests between the hotel, ceremony and reception. Sure beats a taxi! (continued...)

Muhammad Ali (Bingham Wedding pt. 2)

Damon Bingham enters the ceremony. In the pews we have two of Damon's close friends, Muhammad Ali (seated, right) and Assad Ali (seated, left). Assad is Muhammad's son. Damon's other friend Mike Tyson (seriously) wasn't able to make it. No pressure for me as a photographer, just deliver the photos and I won't get beat up.


Damon wanted a close up of his ring, so I went ahead and got one of Kristi's as well.


Kristi and Damon exit the ceremony as family and friends bring the love.

PMCA (Bingham Wedding pt.3)

Kristi and Damon had their reception at the Pasedena Museum of California Art. This is a great venue for artistic/creative types (obviously). The art gallery gives guests a chance to expand their horizons as the bride and groom take the required family photos after the ceremony. Nothing like a great distraction to keep guests from getting bored!


Centerpiece.



Damon and a guest show off their New Years stogies.


Kristi's matron of honor speaks her mind during the toasts.

Howard Bingham (Bingham Wedding pt. 4)

From a photographer's point of view (get it?), Damon and Kristi's wedding was awesome. They were so nice to work with, the night went great, everyone was in a great mood, celebrities were in the house and it was just plain fun. But the thing that really made the night for me was the presence of this man, Damon's dad, Howard Bingham.



If you're not a photography or boxing enthusiast, that name might not mean much to you, but I'm here to tell you that it should. Howard Bingham is THE MAN. He photographed Muhammad Ali's entire boxing career. Ever see a great photo of Ali? There's a good chance that Howard took the photo. He is the only photographer ever to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. As a photographer for Life, Look, Time, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, People, Ebony and other international magazines, Howard Bingham documented many of the most important events and personalities in contemporary times, including the civil rights movement. Man, what an honor for me to be the photographer at this family event!!! I have no idea why Howard's son chose me to shoot his wedding, I'm sure Howard knows a ton of great photographers, but hey, who am I to argue? : ) What a cool night!

New Years Kiss (Bingham Wedding pt. 5)

Kristi and Damon Bingham celebrate as 2007 rolls into 2008.