Launch Sacramento 2012 at Cesar Chavez Park

This years Launch Sacramento event was a week long emersion in many aspects of what the Sacramento area has to offer in art, fashion, architecture, and MUSIC!  Alright, well some of these bands are not from Sacramento but there rocked Cesar Chavez Park. There were tons of great things to see all week long, I'm bummed I didn't get to more of the events including the Fashion show which seemed like a successful evening. 

Backyard Mini 2012

A few months ago, we got the opportunity to take apart and move a really nice mini ramp. Unfortunately, it was at the demise of a local skateboard shop. None-the-less we were the proud new owners of a well designed and maintained mini skateboard ramp. It looked like I was in for a really exciting winter season of skating, instead of snowboarding due to the lack of snow in the Tahoe area this year.

After about a weeks work, we had the ramp disassembled, moved, and reassembled in our backyard. We had to do some somewhat major changes to the backyard like fencing in two coveted off street parking spaces to make it fit but hey, where would your priorities be?

Soon, I was relearning all my old tricks from back in high school. I don't try to keep up with the kid shredders that come over to skate it, but I am thoroughly enjoying this thing in my back yard.

We are currently planning a contest jam, and looking for a few good sponsors who want to promote skateboarding, loud music, BBQ'ed meats and other various forms of entertainment.

Contact me through email if you'd like to be a part of the contest or would like to contribute in any way. kevin@kevinfiscus.com

ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT (c)2012 KEVIN FISCUS PHOTOGRAPHY

View website here: www.kevinfiscus.com

Santa Cruz to Big Sur Bike Ride 2011

I finally got to finish the video of our recent ride to Big Sur via Santa Cruz by bicycle. We had a blast! Great weather and the scenic California Highway 1 made for a spectacular trip. It was also my introduction to longer bike rides. It really makes me think about the next one, Lake Tahoe to Bishop going down California Highway 395 would be awesome.

So I had a few video options while out on the bikes, but I think the most used was the Go Pro Hero camera because it was able to fit in the side pocket of my back pack ensuring quick access at almost any time. Next was the brand new Canon G12 with the improved high def video that really surprised me. The quality of footage from the Canon G12 is stunning. Then finally, I had my Canon 7d in the back pack because you never know when you'll need a bit more power. I only busted that thing out a few times.

The weekend was capped off nicely by climbing down to Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur to jump through the waterfall that hits the sand and flows right into the great Pacific Ocean.

Sacramento Skimfest 2011

This year I attended the Sacramento Skimfest held annually at Paradise Beach. The first time I saw this event was five years ago and I can say it has come a long way even in that short time. Now in it's 15th year, it is the longest running flatland skim boarding event and is seen as a model around the globe. This contest attracts riders from all over the US and also Canada and New Zealand. Read the full write up by Brian Kniveton over at Inland Skim Movement.

This was an opportunity to self assign a video project for myself. I shot the whole thing with my Canon 7d with a 70-200. This is the same combo I use to shoot family portraits and almost everything else. Did I just mention family portraits? Christmas is coming.

Wind Project (Full Video)

Hold on to your butts! 

In collaboration with Andrew Nixon we created some wind action in the studio of SCC.  The wind idea came to me while riding my bike through downtown Sacramento.  I saw a motorcyclist on the other side of the street, beard parted straight down the middle with half his hair going over one shoulder, and the second half over the other.  I immediately thought I could recreate that energy in a studio setting, and just needed to find the right delivery system for the wind.  After trying a few different options we settled on the trusty leaf blower. 

After the first day of shooting, the response we received from the teaser video was very inspiring and loads of folks wanted to participate.  I wanted to see the expressions caused by a short blast of wind in the face.  I felt like it was impossible not to react in an interesting way.     

Andrew Nixon shot all the video using a Canon 5d mkII and we think the footage is pretty exciting.  The still shots were made using Profoto lighting taking advantage of the built in Pocket Wizard, with a Canon 7D. 

After many hours spent sifting through nearly 200 gigs of media we present the wind project. 

Enjoy it in full screen format in HD.

You can see more of the still images on my website:  www.kevinfiscus.com

Wind from Andrew Nixon on Vimeo.

Krush Boutique

I had the opportunity to work with Krush Boutique at the Fountains in Roseville.  Here is a couple favorites from the shoot.  Stay tuned for more and a little behind the scenes video brought to you Brian Kniveton.

All styling done by Krush 

Hair - Cristina Razumorsky

Model - Shanna Artishek

All styling done by Krush 

Hair - Cristina Razumorsky

Model - Falicia Crane

Clarence "Clansy" Sutton

I had a fortunate encounter meeting Clansy out on a job somewhere and had to ask if I could photograph him.  It turns out he has maintained the beard for over fifteen years, and has many running relationships that stem from his unique look.  The versatility was clear when we started shooting the standard Wind Project shots. 

What is fitting about this project is that the idea of someone's beard being blown around was what started the whole thing.  I saw a guy riding a motorcycle with half his beard over one shoulder, and the other half over the other shoulder. 

I have never had the feeling of completing a project until now.  There have always been more shots to get or more shots that are still in my head.  I will post more of the regular wind shots to my website when I finish the editing and processing.  

After running through a few scenarios with the blower, clansy recommended switching to a black and white look with minimal lights.  What a great idea that was, I love when you can collaborate with someone and produce killer results.  

Wind Project teaser vid.

Andrew Nixon is a good friend and talented multi-media producer. He is helping me with a promo video about the Wind Project.  He has made a small teaser video you can check out right here.  

Stay tuned for the new video and more photos released soon.  

More PhotoBooth Madness

A friend called me recently and told me his ex-girlfriend was hiring him to shoot her wedding. It sounded like it could go very badly or extremely bad.  She wanted me to do a photobooth at the venue and really treat it more like a studio shoot instead of those cramped little boxes. After meeting with the bride-to-be I thought the whole affair was going to be a blast, she was really laid back and ready to have fun. 

Kieth Slagerman is the friend I mentioned, he does great photography in a number of genres. He took these shots of me as I worked with the guests to get the most ridiculous pictures I possibly could.  

2010-11 season begins!

Here's wishing everyone a safe and fun season up in the Sierra resorts and beyond.  I will be up as much as I can to bring back shots of freinds and strangers. If you have an extra ticket to your favorite mountain, why not bring this guy.  I promise to snap shots like this one of my buddy Danny doing turns out of bounds at Heavenly. 

WIND PROJECT continues!

We are having a lot of fun with this project and have been getting a great response.  

I appreciate everyone who is making this project possible.  Andrew Nixon rules for making a sweet promotional video .  And all the models rule for being so trusting.

Here are a few more:

WIND PROJECT begins!

Fellow photographer Andrew Nixon and I are teaming up on what should be a super fun project.  He is creating a sweet video promo for the whole project.  There are a lot of serious topics to cover in the world of photography and I don't remember ever tackling such a fun concept.  My aim is to make really engaging dynamic portraits and laugh a lot.  

Check out the quick video:

WIND PROJECT Kevin Fiscus

  

Folsom Fam Jam

Went out to Folsom Bike Park last Friday with freelance writer Josh Staab.  The 2010 Folsom Fam Jam was packed with pro and some riders as young as fifteen. The event included a competition for big air and best trick.  

Ryan Shine of Folsom took home $300 for the big air competition clearing 21 feet.  Another rider, Ryan Wood took the honorary best trick prize, but paid a painful price for it.  Read the full article over at Wrecknation.

Wedding at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, NV

I recently photographed a beautiful wedding at the Hyatt Regency in Lake Tahoe.  It was a casual event with a short ceremony and casual dinner and drinks on the lawn overlooking the gorgeous lake.  While the four piece string group played softly, we were causing quite a stir with the most successful photo booth yet.  For some reason the photo booth is hit or miss, either guests really embrace it or they don't participate at all.  For two solid hours we had a line going and everyone was having a blast.  

Groom and the Mother of the Bride.

Bride and one of her good friends

I feel like the booth is a great way to get everyone participating, and sometimes it is difficult to get meaningful pictures of all the guests.  This way everyone can come over in their own time and not worry about getting their picture taken while they are stuffing their face.  

The whole idea behind the booth is to get fun, engaging shots of wedding guests in a semi controlled situation.  This way, when a spontaneous moment happens, it can be captured and remembered as such.

Another cool thing about doing this set up is people really get to become creative, they can express who they are in front of the camera. 

Some get wacky, others just stare straight ahead.  When someone gets up to bat and they are stiff, or unimaginative, I provide a bit of creative inspiration. 

These guys were awesome, I love when they come back for more rounds!

 The most important thing is to show a different side of the many guests.  I try to make everyone comfortable enough to let loose.  

Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe, CA

I recently got up the hill and spent the day with some good riders at Squaw Valley.  They all happen to be good buddies and it was a great way to end the resort riding season. They are couple journalists, and a few shredders, check out the full write up on their blog here.

Drew lives in South Lake and was able to meet up with us at Squaw Valley.  I'm glad he did because he charges and we got some great shots.  

Wallner has been trying to get me up to Squaw all season and I'm bummed it took so long.  I have been fantasizing about terrain like that at a resort for a long time.  I can't wait for the next POW day.  Why it took me nearly five years living in Sacramento to finally go is a mystery.