Here is a sneak peek of a recent engagement session. It was a great day to shoot - even though it had rained of the 3 or 4 prior days !!
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This past weekend there was a special class that was only for the women. Since Heather has been training lately, this was right up her alley. Many of them showed up in their pink GB Gis (Heather being one of them) to train hard and learn more. Heather is getting MUCH better at sprawling and is getting better at sinking in a killer armbar from her closed guard. Afterwards, they all enjoyed a a nice breakfast of fruit, yogurt, juices and some bagels. The training was really great to see but the family-like gathering of all the women was a VERY COOL site. They do not know it but these ladies are helping to pioneer this great art, they are the future… FOR REAL !
One last thing… Here is a shot that Jordan took of Grace… he asked me to entertain her while he nailed this ! He is getting good!
WOW….
I am amazed at the generosity of my friends Luca and Marcelo at Gracie Mag. They have been able to make my photos the cover of 3 of the last 6 issues, and I could not be happier or more proud. This recent cover was a blast to shoot. I arranged to work with Marcelo and Joey Nonaca one weekend but we had rains recently and the otherwise sunny, easily photographed Southern California outdoors was covered in gray. So, we decided to get together for a late lunch to discuss logistics for the shoot when we were completely surprised with a magnificent sunset in San Clemente. The magazine wanted something that showed the California lifestyle and BJJ. We shot up and down the pier and this was the result. I have been looking forward to this magazine ever since I was given the assignment.
Thank you Marcelo for taking the time out of your schedule. Joey was just awesome! He was a great model :) Thank you Luca and Marcelo. Thank you Professor Flavio Almeida for being the person that introduced me to Gracie Barra and the BJJ Lifestyle.
You can take a deeper look at the upcoming issue here.
Today my brother left to return to South Carolina. He was supposed to leave yesterday but (lucky for me, not so lucky for him) his flight was canceled. This gave us another day together :) I was happy to have him out here with us. He was able to train some BJJ, shoot cool guns, spend quality time on XBOX Live, and chilled out watching some movies. He was able to catch up with Heather, Jordan, Aunt B, Uncle Craig, Criffiter and meet his new neice !!! It was a relaxing time all together even though I had grand plans for us. I wanted to do a little BJJ roadtrip to show him the Gracie Barra academies from San Diego to Ventura but we simply did not have the time, and the holiday schedules of many schools got in the way. I miss him a lot but I doubt that I miss him more than his son back in South Carolina.
Thanks for taking your vacation time out here with us Brother !
Uncle Craig invited us out to the Borro Canyon Shooting Park for a little “guy time”. We lined up filled water bottles, pumpkins, clay targets, paper targets, golf balls, cans, and rocks just to blow holes in them. We had a great time out there and were treated to a bunch of nice weapons. We had an AR-15 with a red-dot sight, a Dragunov, a FAL, and some vintage rifles. We also shot some handguns. Scott is pretty handy with the pistols where I have an edge with the rifles. We would have had some HD video had the camera been charged… sorry 
the view on the way out… we are driving on the 71 here.
203 rounds for the AR-15s
Scott
Scott with the AR-15
Craig
More of Scott fiddle-farting around
The scope on this AR-15 was a bit tricky, you had to be in a specific spot in order to see inside… plus, it would focus and zoom. It was sweet when I could see through it
Scott with the Dragunov
Craig firing an AR-15
We even had some time to bowl
This is our little test construction worker… he did not last long at all
Down the scope of a Dragunov
Scope adjustments for the Dragunov
I was firing, Scott was marking my targets
Time for handguns…
Scott is the champ !!!
Busted clay target
Today after church, we went to the Block at Orange to meet our friends for a birthday party at Dave and Buster’s. We had a nice meal and some fun in the arcade, Happy Birthday River, but you don’t look a day over 11 ! Just prior to going in, I was asked to snap a couple shots of the family, and here are a couple of my favs. After the lunch, Jordan and Joseph went to the Vans Skatepark… I shot some video there, but I need to edit it.
Jordan sporting his new shirt and making a goofy face (Thanks Jared and Anita for the cool shirt!!!)
Serene being… well…. serene. Oh, and cute
The whole family
I was invited to take photos at the 5th Annual Giardini Christmas Party here in Ladera Ranch. It is a gathering of about 20 or so families that join together over some drinks, appetizers, dessert and gifts being handed out by Santa and Mrs. Claus. This was the first time I have been to a party like this (I know, I am sheltered) but it was a real fun time. The family invited Heather, Grace and Jordan too! Very kind, thank you Rhonda!
Anyway, I brought some fluorescent continuous lights to keep things simple and I just shot away. I was told that everything went very smoothly and that they look forward to including us again next year. We all had a great time, which is easy to do when you are surrounded by plenty of nice people!
Now, for the photos:
Gracie belting out a YAAAAWWWWWN
The Poeschl Family
One of my favorite spontaneous portraits of the night…
And the guests of honor, these people are simply GREAT! They come to homes and events as the Claus Family as a ministry…. they have such love!
Santa’s last delivery… done at last.
You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.
You know someone. I guarantee it.
I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $1000 worth, to be exact. Whether it’s canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.
Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $250 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?
The rules:
* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
* The nominee must reside in Southern California. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.
* You must e-mail me the full story : pesh@edenphotography.net
The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve — get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!
Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.
With love,
pesh
Want to nominate someone in another state? Check out http://givingisawesome.com/ to find participating photographers in places other than Southern California.
Just like the weather here today, he is a little moody….. This photo is my first entry into a 24 hour photo contest called Mission 24.
Here are a couple photos form the trusty old iPhone…. sorry for the quality but they were not allowing cameras in, oh well. I brought my son Jordan and we were surprised by Babalu with FRONT ROW seats ! Thanks Professor !
The fight started well standing but Babalu shot in to take Southworth down. They spent a good bit of time on their feet though and late in the first round, Babalu cut his opponent with a solid left elbow. It turns out that Southworth’s injury was too much for the doctor to allow him to continue. The crowd was upset but the decision has been made and all the hard work by our friend Babalu has paid off, he is now the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. From what I could hear (it was loud in there), our professor mentioned his students in his post-fight interview, I think it is cool that he keeps us in his mind as he is out there in the ring.
We should see him back at the academy after a visit to Brazil with family. When he returns, I am sure he will continue to teach while he prepares for his upcoming firht with Matt Lindland in January. We look forward to your return professor!