As you can probably guess from the name, the fund-raiser was a bench press lift-a-thon and these guys put up some serious weight. It was nice to see a lot of familiar faces. I have photographed a lot these guys before when they played sports in high school. Despite the June rain we got, the day went on great on these guys went to work. A special thank you to Darrel Lutz for putting all this together and letting me part of it along with all the business who sponsored the event:

MASS Training 510-284-7252

Watson’s Realty 510-505-0223

Championship Fundrasing 888-CHAMP-30

Man vs Gym

Tomas Vick Catering 510-557-9063

Kat’s Screen Printing & Embroidery 510-791-7949

Scott Lutz Construction 925-321-1768

Scott Machinery

Zazi Trading

The Cleaning Authority 510-656-0142

Here are a few pictures of the day. To see the complete set, please CLICK HERE and visit our Facebook Page.

Here’s a quick group picture of all the 2011 WHS baseball seniors. I would like to thank all the parents who purchased images and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them. If you would like to share any of the pictures, all of the parents who got pictures can find them on our FACEBOOK PAGE – CLICK HERE and please feel free to tag the photos. Unfortunately I was only able to cover the final game and couldn’t get images of all the players. I mainly tried to focus on the seniors. However, if any parents are interested in action photos, collages and/or portraits for next year please contact me so we can plan ahead early and do a lot more. I absolutely love covering sports and creating portraits at WHS. You can view samples on my portrait and sports website – CLICK HERE

After we got done with City Hall, we headed over to One Post Street and arrived at the McKesson building. Both Dan & Ngoc used to work there & that’s how they first met. We headed straight to the roof top for a stunning view of the city & to catch some nice cool, fast, screaming San Francisco wind! We also took a picture or two =)

Right after that, we quickly made our way to the Montgomery Street Bart Station and had only a few moments to get some images before a mob of people hit the BART station. This was a real special place for Ngoc & Dan and even though we literally only had about 2 minutes to create an image, I wanted to make sure we got something really nice.

Not only are they super fun, but Ngoc is also a huge San Fransisco Giants fan and she wanted to swing by AT&T Park because the Giants were playing the same day. Swinging by AT&T Park was super fun and all the Giants fans were thrilled to see a bride wearing a Giants jacket. Some of them even wanted to take a picture with them!!

While roaming around the front of the Giants Stadium, we happen to run into Ashkon! He was with Vinny Minton from Imperial-Video and they were filming footage for the video “Feeling Like a Giant”!! At the bottom of the blog post I posted the video so you can check it out if you’d like. Dan & Ngoc both made it into the video!!! I’m also there for a second or two as well!

After AT&T Park, we all went to dinner and ate some good food at Original Buffalo Wings. They had great food with great prices as well. While we were all eating & hanging out for bit, I took some pictures and made this portrait of them.

As the sun was setting, we headed over to the Palace of Fine Arts and created some more images.

The next place we were planning on going to was the Legion of Honor. However, while we were driving there I noticed how stunning the sky looked and knew it would be like that for only a few more minutes. I couldn’t pass up creating this image so we ended up pulling over and were able to create this image just in time before the last of the day light in the sky gave way for the moon. A minute or two later & the entire sky would have been pitch dark!!

Speaking of pitch dark, this image was literally taken in the dark! Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden was our final location. This image took a while to setup & create being that everything was dark and I had to light everything. Thankfully throughout this whole day I had an amazing 2nd shooter & assistant with me, Sara Atkins! She helped me setup for this image (well, she also helped me out the entire day too) and I had her light the entire windmill in the background. The image you’re seeing is actually a 35 second exposure and it’s only 1 frame. It’s not a blended collage or an HDR image. Once we got done creating that image… we called it a night and dropped off Ngoc & Dan back at their hotel.

Here’s everyone that made everything you’re seeing here possible. From right to left is our lovely newlywed couple Dan & Ngoc, congrats guys!!! Then yours truly, and my good friend/2nd shooter/assistant for the day, Sara Atkins! THANK YOU SO MUCH Dan & Ngoc for letting me capture this special day for you guys and letting me do what brings fulfillment to my life and what I love most. And thank you Sara for all your help and hard work. I could not have done any of this without ALL you guys.

We took A LOT more then just 17 pictures the entire day. So I put together a slideshow that better shows how the day went along as it unfolded. Please check it out & I hope you enjoy.

And at last!!! Here’s the Ashkon & Bailey – “Feeling Like a Giant” – OFFICIAL VIDEO!!!! Keep your eye out for us there =)

As Andre Ward arrives to King's Boxing gym, his day pretty much starts with answering a bunch of questions from the media.

I really have to give him credit because answer a bunch of questions can’t be easy when you’re trying to get a good workout in and trying to focus on your goal. Being able to stayed focused and deal with all the media is a true talent in itself. He also always carries himself with class and is very transparent. Despite all his current success, he’s also a very down to earth and humble person.

Here's a view of Andre facing some of the media

Andre's promoter Dan Goossen sits next to him as they both answer questions

As Andre & Dan were answering questions, Andre's trainer & God Father Virgil Hunter (Right) and Charles King owner of King's Boxing Gym (Left) also answers questions from the media.

As always, one thing that's constant about Andre is that he's always in a great, positive & determined mood and brings a smile. Even when he has to answer a million questions!

On top of dealing with the media, Andre's always happy to autograph things for his fans.

Once he was done with questions from the media, he started his workout. It began with him jumping rope.

Watching boxers jump rope is really something else. They do it so well and make seem so effortlessly that it makes you want to start jumping rope!

YES!! I had to get a close up of Andre jumping over the rope and of his shoes. I know Andre takes great pride on how he looks and one of the details he notices on people/other athletes are the type of shoes they have on. So I had to get a close up of his clean kicks!

Andre switched from a regular jump rope (left) to a heavier one (right)

After he finished jumping rope, he climbed into the ring and began shadow boxing

So, I had to include this picture not only because I think it's cool, but you can also see me on the right =) I was temped to crop myself out but I left it as it is

Yes, I would say he's ready for the fight. Let's go SOG!

Once he was done shadow boxing, he hit the mits with Virgil

After hitting the mits, he went on to the floor to ceiling ball

He ended the workout with hitting the speed bag. Again, boxers make it seem so effortlessly! But that's only because they pretty much put in a lifetime amount of work doing it.

I love the two quotes that were near Andre while he was on the speed bag. They certainly hold truth for him and I personally get motivated from witnessing his determination in person. I love hanging around people who always push themselves because that type of attitude and behavior is contagious and makes you want to become better. I also strongly believe in photographing people with the respect they deserve. That's one of many reasons why I always try to push myself creatively.

and that pretty much concluded the media day. I really look forward to covering his fight which is just around the corner.

They tied the knot at the San Mateo History Museum and we did an engagement session a few weeks earlier at Lake Elizabeth in Fremont. Here’s few pictures from their engagement session & wedding day. Heather & Chris, congratulations and thank you so much for letting me document your wedding and capture a small fraction of your amazing lives.