Esquire Photography

Good morning from Huntington Beach, California everyone!  I’m back in from San Diego spending the 4th of July holiday with Katherine at the Hotel Del Coronado and wanted to share a special song of mine with you that I heard when we had America’s Got Talent on the tele the other night.

Since I seem to without intentionally doing it – be on a bit of a British Invasion lately.  And it just so happens that today’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1997, the group comprises Chris Martin (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass guitar), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals, other instruments).

If you’re familiar with the names of the guys in the band, then I’m sure you’ve guessed that I’m referring to Coldplay.  I looked up a bit of information on Wikipedia about Coldplay & there are so many facts about them that would explain why I totally love their music and their messages in their lyrics.  Check this out…

Coldplay’s early material was compared to acts such as Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, U2, and Travis. They achieved worldwide fame with the release of the single “Yellow“, followed by their debut album, Parachutes (2000), which was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The band’s second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), won multiple awards, including NME‘s Album of the Year. Their next release, X&Y (2005), received a slightly less enthusiastic yet still generally positive reception. The band’s fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008), was produced by Brian Eno and released again to largely favourable reviews, earning several Grammy nominations and wins. Coldplay have sold over 50 million records worldwide.

Since the release of Parachutes, Coldplay have drawn influence from other sources, including Echo & the Bunnymen, Kate Bush, George Harrison and Muse on A Rush of Blood to the Head, Johnny Cash and Kraftwerk for X&Y and Blur, Arcade Fire and My Bloody Valentine on Viva la Vida. Coldplay have been an active supporter of various social and political causes, such as Oxfam‘s Make Trade Fair campaign and Amnesty International. The group have also performed at various charity projects such as Band Aid 20, Live 8, Sound Relief, Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief, and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

With that just being the tip of the iceberg about Coldplay, I think that the perfect phrase for their accomplishments would be; Wholly Nachos & Newcastles!!!

The song that I’ve chosen for this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week is; “Fix You” & it’s performed in Glastonbury.  I think one of the biggest reasons this song is resonating with me is that with the hurdle of losing a friend during my IRS audit for my previous tax preparer’s numerous horrendous mistakes.

And, the reality of taking my business over the pond for the 2012 Olympics or moving to London seems like a rapidly fading ember of a dream as England has made it nearly impossible.  With the new point system and as I don’t have $1/2 million dollars in liquid cash or know someone that has that amount of money and the ability to be a guarantor of Esquire Photography.  It is increasingly becoming more & more difficult to pursue something that I have known all the way down to the root of my soul is supposed to happen.

I’m sure that the haters that would read these thoughts that I’m sharing with you would be relishing in it with resounding “I told you so’s!” or the same nastiness that was expressed about the McTographer idea that I had to help inspire photographers to be original & get away from sameness.  But the sad thing is for them is that instead of bowing down to their hate, I will continually tilt against the windmill of life to work towards realizing my dream and promoting individuality, freedom of expression and being a positive influence.

As I have said before, there are two very powerful quotes that I live by & believe in…

“Pain heals, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever.” — Keanu Reeves, in the movie; The Replacements

“A Man Can Change His Stars.” — The late Heath Ledger, in the movie; Knight’s Tale

But as Einstein pointed out… for every positive force, there is an equally matched opposite force working against it.  I just need to work harder & smarter to make it happen.

But before I present you with this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this passionate Orange County Wedding Photographer that is on the bleeding edge of fashion, music and videos, feel free to contact me anytime.

I’m available just about 24/7 via Twitter, Facebook, the form on my contact page, or the old fashioned phone as well at 888.ESQ.PHTO (888.377.7486) or 562.225.5915.

So without further ado, I give you Coldplay’s live performance of “Fix You” in Glastonbury for today’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week.  And, don’t just have an awesome West Coast Wednesday, but make it a totally positive one for someone else too – cheers!

PS, I also want to say thanks for spending time on my website as I journey through this crazy life of mine.  I hope that my work, my passion and my travels will inspire you to go out and make this world and yours a better place.