1. Alright so first of all, give us a little information about your self, how old are you, where are you from and where are you at the moment?

I just turned 28 & I am currently living in Encinitas, CA. For those of the readers who don’t know Encinitas is a small suburban town in northern San Diego county & I’ve pretty much been here for my whole life.

2. When did you first pick photography up and what was your first camera?

I think it’s safe to say I picked up photography in high school but it wasn’t until college where I really started getting more of a serious interest in it. My first camera was an Nikon EM that was given to me by a friend who just had it lying around his house. 

3. I see you’ve been going big with your photography, having stuff in The Skateboard Mag, Transworld Skateboarding, Thrasher and Color Magazine. What helped you become as successful as you are now?

Haha, I guess you could say that. I believe it came down to being persistent with the magazines. I sent them so much stuff all the time & I was lucky enough to get pointers from editors here and there so that in conjunction with shooting all the time, that helped me get where I am. Knowing the right people to shoot with helps too. I have been lucky enough to have some of the kids I grew up with go somewhere with skating so that just worked to my advantage. Oh yeah, being at Black Box has helped out a bit as well.

4. So is photography your full time job?

It is, I’m solely responsible for all of the product imagery to come out of Black Box minus our new acquisition, Insight. I also help shoot things for the web here and there. Every now & again I’ll go out and shoot skating with dudes too.

5. What’s in your camera bag?

Nikon D300 (with vertical grip), Nikon FM2N, Nikon AF 2.8 24-70mm, Nikon MF 1.8 50mm, Nikon AF 2.8 fisheye, Pocket Wizard transmitter & receivers, Sunpak (I’m still living in 94′ lighting! haha) & Nikon flashes, Holga, Lomo action sampler, misc cords, Wein optical slaves, Quantum turbo batteries, Minolta light meter…..hopefully that covers it all ; )

6. Who are your top 5 go-to skaters when you need to get a photo taken?

I can only think of 3, hopefully that is ok. I’m going off this just because they are my friends and are for the most part productive individuals. Chris Troy, Jordan Taylor, & Alex Schmidt, 

7. Where is the most amazing place skateboarding has brought you? (Skate trips etc.) What was it like and what did you do there?

I can’t say I have been anywhere especially rad for skating; however, I have been on a few Black Box trips in which have brought me to SF, AZ, & the Salton Sea (be on the look out for this one in an upcoming TSM)

8. Tell us, what’s it like shooting with some of the best skateboarders on the continent?

It’s still kind of surreal. I still get nervous when I go out with dudes who skate for Black Box companies, especially when it’s been dudes like Jamie Thomas who I have loved when I was younger and prior to working at BB It just feels that there is more on the line with them. Then you have dudes like Chris Troy that i go out with and it’s not nearly as big of a deal since he has been a friend of mine for quite some time now. A lot less pressure with your friends. 

9. What is your favorite photo you’ve ever taken and what’s the story behind it?

This is a tough one, I’m gonna have to go with this photo of Anthony Meier I shot on 35mm film years ago. 

Not much of a story behind it really behind it although I can tell you it’s 35mm film cross processed, printed with a sloppy border. it’s of a friend (so that’s always more fun), & it reminds me of Misled Youth…..that time period anyways. It was one of my favorite videos when I was younger and it just makes me think of that time. Oh yeah, it was starting to rain at this point too so it’s a good thing he made it when he did. Rad trick, style, & process,

10. Any plans for the near future? (Vacations/Skate Trips)

Nothing for the immediate future. I have some dudes I’m stoked on shooting lately so I’m just gonna do my best to keep busy with them & hopefully get some stuff out there since i have been under the radar lately.

11. So to end things off, what advice would you give to young photographers/skaters who are up and coming?

Shoot a lot, develop your craft & or style. Be persistent & don’t get discouraged. Shit like this doesn’t happen over night.