I am always grateful when a client chooses to work with me again, and Waveform Electric has trusted me with several photography and drone video projects throughout the Monterey Peninsula, as well as making their team headshots and family business portraits! I was extra excited when they contacted me about a drone project in the Aurora Del Mar area of Carmel Highlands, as I had actually daydreamed about this specific area in the past, so to get to see it in person (it is a gated community so you cannot just go there) was a daydream come true, ha! Waveform wanted drone video of batteries they installed in a garage, and a shot going from in the garage up to the water view. This was a challenge on several fronts, starting with how to get the exposure to be bright enough for the garage, but not totally overexposed for the water and the sky. Then, it was a very tight space with trees in the way and getting any continuous shot smoothly takes a lot of concentration. After a couple of tries, I was glad with the continuous shot I was able to get for them and confident it was the best possible given the conditions and circumstances. Thank you to the team at Waveform for continuing to choose me as their drone pilot and photographer!
You may recognize Tim and Anna from a surprise engagement drone video and photo shoot from last December (check out the drone video). They returned to the Monterey Peninsula area for their wedding party reception and asked me to be their photographer again which I gladly said yes too! Their family and friends all traveled to Monterey to celebrate with them. Tim and Anna wanted a photo with each and every person, so I had the guest list in my pocket to make sure we did! In between those group photos I searched for candid moments to capture, before making a group photo with everyone (see above). Then it was time for speeches that were very personal, very emotional, and made me emotional as well to hear them and it was truly special to be invited and included in their celebration. Tim and Anna have been so kind to me since the beginning of this photo journey together last year. Congratulations to you both, and thank you for letting me be a small part of the story.
A New Construction Client, Already Three Shoots In
I really appreciate returning clients. This new client was an exceptional case because I had three right in succession! By the time I left Carmel, I had already completed multiple shoots for AA Construction Company. Though they were all in progress job sites, each site offered its own unique opportunity for creating photographs and aerial drone photos to highlight how AA Construction builds its own client projects and to show their team and crew in action. In particular, the framing stage made this visit especially visual. Walls were beginning to define the layout, workers were measuring and fastening structural components, and the shape of the building could be understood from both inside the site and above it. My goal was to create photographs that documented the progress accurately while also showing the people, physical effort, and craftsmanship behind the build. Thank you to Andrew and Mandi for choosing me as their new construction and job site photographer and drone pilot!
Even after nearly 3 years of living in Pacific Grove, there are still big surprises for me, like, the Pacific Grove Senior Living building is the largest building in PG! I had been in it once before, but this was the first time properly inside for the 100 year anniversary. It was a special event for me from the start, due to the company I had, the reason for that first prior visit, and then the chance to not only photograph a ribbon cutting like I have done many times before for the PG Chamber, but to talk with and listen to the residents and hear their stories. I love to hear stories and thank you to the residents that share theirs!
Monterey Car Week is one of my favorite times of the year as a photographer and car enthusiast. Remarkable vehicles arrive from around the world, but the week is not only about the shows and auctions. It is also a rare opportunity for owners to photograph their cars against the coastal scenery and distinctive settings of the Monterey Peninsula. Some clients need complete, accurate photography for an upcoming auction listing. Others simply want memorable photographs of a car they enjoy, recently purchased, restored, or brought to Monterey for this special week. Whether the goal is practical, personal, or a combination of both, I enjoy creating a photography plan that fits the car and the owner.
Photographing the Preservation of History at Asilomar
Photographing this ribbon cutting was especially meaningful because Asilomar Conference Grounds has continued to bring me back for corporate and community events over the past two+ years. This time it was for a ribbon cutting celebrating the Historic Preservation Center where the craftsmanship of the grounds are preserved, from windows to architectural features. Before the actual ribbon cutting, I made a series of group photos and was asked if I was ok being on a ladder as they wanted a high up perspective looking down into the preservation workshop itself. I joked that I am more athletic than the average photographer so no problem to shoot from 10+ feet up! (see the BTS photo below) There were then a series of speakers from Asilomar Conference Grounds, the California State Parks system, and the mayor of Pacific Grove also all talking about the history of the place and what it means to preserve. Then it was on to the lively ribbon cutting! Thank you Alex and Crystal for continuing to choose me as your event photographer for Asilomar Conference Grounds!
Trusted With a Special Race Car in a Remarkable Setting
I was excited to get contacted by Bonhams again to photograph another local car here in the Monterey Peninsula area that will be listed at the upcoming Laguna Seca Auction during Monterey Car Week 2026. And, it was not just a car this time, it was an actual race car! Then the location was not just any location, it was outside a private hanger at Monterey Regional Airport! This combined to allow me to make car auction photos unlike any others I had done before. It was great working with Jim, who took care of this race car for the owner for 20 years. The race car is so light, we never started it up to move it. Jim and I were able to easily push it to turn it around as needed. Thank you to the team at Bonhams for continuing to choose me as a local Monterey car auction photographer and to Jim for his help during the shoot.
