Favorites of 2015

I didn't get to shoot too much this year, and if I did, it's usually at the combi. Still, I always enjoy taking my gear to the combi, because you never know who's going to be there. I did get to shoot some events this year, Combi Classic, Amtec, Van Doren Invitational Girls, and Exposure. I'm always grateful to be able to get a media pass at events, even though I don't have an outlet besides social media. I did get to some other places besides the combi, so here are my favorites for 2015.

A Lonny Hiramoto interview is coming in 2016. I shot this one for the interview, but when we didn't get it done, I posted it.
Vans Off the Wall Skatepark // Huntington Beach, CA // 1/3/15

Just a session with three of the best girls in vert skating. Allysha Le, Julz Lyn and Lizzie Armanto. Just messing around with lights and angles. Caught this one of Allysha inverted. Everything worked out well on this one.
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 1/13/15

Lizzie was out with a couple injuries this year. This one was early on in the year, so she was healthy. Always an inspiration to shoot with Lizzie.
Tony Hawk Industries // Vista, CA // 1/27/15

Amtec. This was the first time I saw Jack Winburn skate. His bonelesses would make Jeff Phillips smile. Overhead booster.
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 3/7/15

Lizzie having a chat with Neal Hendrix and Packy Fancher off camera. Allysha keeping her Snapchat updated.
Tony Hawk Industries // Vista, CA // 1/27/15

There is also a plan to interview Daniel Cuervo in 2016. His story is a good one.
Magdalene Ecke YMCA // Encinitas, CA // 2/13/15

PLR, Paul-luc Ronchetti flying high and fully extended. This session included Jimmy Wilkins, PLG, Pontius Björn, Marcelo Bastos, Mimi Knoop, Chany Jeanguenin, Mitchie Brusco and Simon Tabron.
Tony Hawk Industries // Vista, CA // 2/19/15

After the super session at Hawk's, I met Mimi Knoop over at Alex Road skatepark. She wanted to get this ollie off the hip. It got a little dark by the time we got the shot, but I think it came out great. Art direction by Mimi.
Alex Road Skatepark // Oceanside, CA // 2/19/15

CJ Collins is one of those kids with a natural gift for skateboarding. He did some big things this year and I am stoked on his success. This no comply is from Amtec
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 3/7/15

When you see Neal Hendrix in a backyard pool, take lots of pictures, because it might not happen again for years. Haha. I invited Neal to Bellmar's pool. He was stoked to come ride it for the first time. Not a very easy pool to get used to, but being the vet who has ridden his share of imperfect transition, he adapted and threw up this sweet egg.
Bellmar Skate Ranch // Garden Grove, CA // 4/4/15

This kid. Tristan Rennie makes the gnarly look easy. As a fellow Badlander, he makes Salba proud, and will blow minds with some crazy lines in the hardest backyarder. Over the gap no hander.
Bellmar Skate Ranch // Garden Grove, CA // 4/4/15

Skate date. Tristan and girlfriend, Mikayla Sheppard do an up and under
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 4/6/15

Always stoked, as well as my kids, when we get to go up to Woodward West. (Thanks Neal Hendrix) I went to shoot a vert and mega ramp camp with Elliot Sloan. This is Asher Bradshaw, the only one to clear the gap and successfully land an air.
Woodward West // Tehachapi, CA // 4/11/15

Rob Mertz continues to rip to this day. Stellar backside moves at the combi. Behind him, you can see Remy Stratton and Salba.
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 5/8/15

It's the Pool Party and among the few way overhead flyers is Austin Poynter. He's been doing these for more than a few years now, and the crowd still loves it.
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 5/14/15

I skated with Ivan Federico from Italy a week after the Pool Party. He missed the finals, but he's got a great style and can land some pretty heavy tricks. In addition to this judo, I shot a kickflip bodyjar from the square to the shallow hip into the round, but I liked this one better.
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 5/22/15

Tate Carew has no fear. He also did a lipslide over the 8 foot gap. Here he pulls in a crail with precision and nerves of steel.
Tony Hawk Industries // Vista, CA // 7/17/15

Alana Smith, the young powerhouse from Arizona, guides in a back d on the Thrasher bank at the Van Doren Invitational.
Van Doren Invitational // Huntington Beach, CA // 7/28/15

One of the best sessions of the year. Christian Hosoi's 48th Birthday party at the combi. If he had pulled this right away, MRZ and I would not have got the shot. I was able to move my lights around and get in a good position, and thank the Lord, I got the shot.
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 10/5/15

Also during Christian's birthday session, Mr. Eric Dressen. Any year I can get a shot of Eric is going to be a favorite of mine. Power and style.
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 10/5/15

"Head to the floor don't collect that though. You better huddle up cause the beat's so cold" Nora Vasconcellos over the hip with the tune of WTF playing in her head.
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 10/21/15

Since I took this photo, I think Kiko Francisco has added another 6-12 inches on his backside ollie. Amtec is coming up and Kiko is ready.
Vans Skatepark // Orange, CA // 10/31/15

For Exposure 2015, Amelia Brodka and her team put on the biggest event yet. Girls from all over the world came through to compete and raise money for charity. Elyse Clouthier was ripping. She has a Northwest style, even though she is from Wisconsin. Fully dipped into a smith at the Cardiff clover.
Encinitas Commuinity Park // Encinitas, CA // 11/7/15

It's not a giant stair set or some gnarly rail, but this backside flip of Vanessa Torres rounds out my 2015 favorites because of the year she's had. Finding sobriety and grabbing 2nd place at the first Girls division of Street League is an epic year. I'm super stoked for Vanessa and I'm looking forward to where skateboarding will take her in 2016.
Encinitas Commuinity Park // Encinitas, CA // 11/7/15

december 31, 2015

favorites of the year