The Man Cave.. (My little home away from home)

Every other Friday after a long days hard work, I look forward to one thing! Getting a hair cut. Not because I can't go another week without one... Or because I look ridiculous with long hair (Maybe I would look good with the "Fabio" look)... But because I'm in love with the experience my BarberShop offers me. I know everyone's seen a movie or t.v. Show where there's a barber shop involved, and everyones either talking about sports, rumors, life, etc... and just having a blast! Well, Pacific Barbers is a place where you'll get all that plus more! It's actually my only little getaway spot where I am greeted with a brewsky, I get to converse with old high school buddies, and I get the best hair cuts money could buy. Located in the heart of Santa Monica (Wilshire and 5th st) you can breath in that fresh beach air as soon as you put your car on Park and step outside. First thing you'll notice as you enter their door is the vintage yet modern look and feel of the place and the oldies but goodies playing in the background. Adrian and Art (business partners/Barbers) do a great job of making you feel welcomed wether it be your 1st or hundredth time entering the shop.
On our previous visit Josiah sat through his first hair cut without sitting on my lap and without crying. As Adrian put that booster seat on the barber chair and Josiah climbed up right after, I knew my little boy wasn't a baby anymore... (almost made me shed a happy tear :-)
On this last visit I decided to bring my camera along and snap a couple of pictures to share. Here's my version of the shop as seen through my lens... Enjoy

Josiahs first hair cut without sitting on daddy's lap 

2012 Santa Monica High School Grad Portraits at PAL (Police ActivitiesLeague)

I just received my invite to attend my 10 year High School reunion. So you know what that means.... It's time to get on a diet!
When I was in High School I used to always attend PAL after school and enjoy the tons of activities they had to offer. I remember racking up all the balls at the pool table and learning how to perfect my "8 Ball, Corner Pocket" finally to try to impress the cool kids... The Several mile long marathons we used to train for running down the streets of Santa Monica, and let's not forget to mention free movie premiers, Ice Skating, and field trips to theme parks we always did on a weekly basis.
This place holds a really special place in my heart! It kept me out of a whole lot of trouble in my rebellious teenage years.... I always wanted to pay them back some way, some how. Well, what better way than to revisit and capture the smiles of the current "Rebellious Teenagers" that are there now (J/K on the Rebellious part... or not :)
Thanks to Don Condon who's been super awesome through out all these years, we set up a Time & Date to capture today's youth the day before their big graduation day. It was the first time they had unpacked their caps and gowns and were feeling the enthusiasm of THE BIG DAY just around the corner.
Here are a few pictures I captured... Enjoy!

Culver City High Graduate! (My wife Martha Gratuated from Culver High so had to give them a shout out too)

10 years Later and still feeling young... Shout out to the CLASS OF 2002 and everyone who graduated High School.

Remeber kids.... Be Cool & Stay in School!

(Is that still a cool thing to say to kids these days? Eeek... Stay Swag)

Meet Valentin, Ana and their 2 children

I get into my car, check my rear view mirror as I back up out of the drive way, and I'm off to meet Valentin and his amazing family at the Santa Monica Pier. This photo session was a long time coming as  we were supposed to meet several months ago for Ana's maternity session. Things happen for a reason and I believe that it was destiny for us to meet on this special day. Why was this day so special you may ask??? Well, On this special day Valentin makes Ana his wife! Even though I really had limited time on my hands... I just couldn't find it in my heart to tell them I couldn't capture their special day. So they traveled from Buena Park to Santa Monica to meet with me (and I'm so glad we did). The love these two shared was off the rector scale and their children were pure angels. Love can't be smelled or physically felt... but you could really see the LOVE this family shared for one another. It's memories like these that will be treasured for years to come and when the kids grow up and ask "Mommy, Daddy... Why are we wearing fancy clothing at the beach?" They could explain how that day was so special because it's the day they made a promise to one another to love each other unconditionally... FOREVER.