Until now, I was not familiar with Charlie Dée and now I’m really wrapping my arms her music.  It’s totally introspective like Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell.  A delicious veritable cornucopia of colourful melodies, meaningful lyrics and the gentle, lingering vocals of Charlie Dée.  How perfect is that!  What I also thought was interesting was when I looked up Charlie Dée’s website and there was a lot of reference to Joni Mitchell – who was one of the first artists that came to my mind.  Too cool!

I saw on her website that Charlie Dée will be touring this fall, so with a little luck, she would be coming to Southern California.  Or maybe DJ Tiësto would come to Southern California and she could make a guest appearance.  Similar to when Tori Amos performed with BT for BT’s hit song; Blue Skies.

Before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer that is on the bleeding edge of amazing 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 DJ Tiësto’s remix of Charlie Dée’s “Have it all” for the West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week.  Also, I couldn’t just give you DJ Tiësto’s remix, but also the original version by Charlie Dée… AND… a special treat too.  If you wanted to really kick your West Coast Wednesday off properly, I’ve included an hour long  mix from DJ Tiësto too.

Sit back, enjoy your favourite morning beverage and don’t just have an awesome West Coast Wednesday for yourself, but make it a totally positive one for someone else too – cheers!

2 People Love This!

Good morning from Huntington Beach, California everyone!  If you’ve been following my Tweets & Facebook updates last week, you would have been watching how my calendar lately seems to be more than gnarly, but epic (which both Katherine & I are so totally thankful for!!!).

Within a 24 hour period last week, I went from looking forward to being able to catch up on blogging and deliverables to practically non-stop shooting with more back-to-back 21 hour days.  Now I’m sure you’re just as excited to see some of the now approaching a dozen shoots that I’m behind on as I am to share it with you.  But hey!  I’ll take a crazy calendar any day of the week than the opposite as any other small business owner would.

So… back to what happened last week.  Within 24 hours, one of my couples was asked to submit video about their wedding day for WeTV’s My Fair Wedding with David Tutera – which I gladly helped them out with.  I was asked by a an editor that I know that runs a local Laguna Beach newspaper to cover the Pageant of the Masters celebrity gala hosted by Mario Lopez along with 2nd shooting the Shrinky Dinx (Sugar Ray with lead singer; Mark McGrath) with a friend of mine.  Talk about a head-spinning situation!!!

Well needless to say, for starters – Saturday was a 21 hour day kicking off with a meeting at Mr. P’s Espresso (The BEST coffee this side of London BTW) in Huntington Beach with D’yonne & her fiance; David for their wedding in August 2012, then the Pageant of the Masters event & the shoot at the Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa for Shrinky Dinx.  I don’t have much to share just yet with you from either of the two shows, but I wanted to share a quick self portrait I did with Mark McGrath rocking our Oaks & Wayfarers after the AHMAYZEENG performance – as you can see above.

Now when I say the word; AHMAYZEENG – it is encompassing of all aspects of what I would expect from an out of control show that they put on.  Everything from a mosh pit that I was brutally abused in and loved every minute of it to get the money shots, to the killer vocals & music that kept up with the raging crown in the Tiki Bar.

I won’t tell you too much about it just yet as I don’t want to spoil the full write up I’ll do when I share the photos, but I think that the two videos that I’d like to share with you for today’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week will do just fine.

The first video is the promo for the Shrinky Dinx’s performance I photographed on Saturday the 28th at the Tiki Room and the next one is a killer video and song off the Lemonade & Brownies album by Sugar Ray that I totally & completely LOOOOVE.

Some of my favourite songs that are on the Lemonade & Brownies album by Sugar Ray are:

• 10 Seconds Down
• Iron Mic
• Rhyme Stealer
• Mean Machine (Everyone was bummed they didn’t play Saturday)
• Drive By (My Favourite on the album!)

If you’re a fan of some of the new Sugar Ray & would like to see what their really amazing roots are like, I highly recommend you checking them out.  You won’t be disappointed!

But before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer that will take a beating risking broken bones, bruises & camera gear to get the money shot at all costs, 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 Sugar Ray in “Iron Mic” for the West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and the promo video for the Shrinky Dinx show that I photographed in Costa Mesa on Saturday night.

And, don’t just have an awesome West Coast Wednesday, but make it a totally positive one for someone else too – cheers!

PS, I want to give up much thanks for my friend; Kyler for asking me if I would like to shoot the event with him and to the big man upstairs for providing the opportunity for that to happen.  As I’m sure you may know by now that I am in a sick & twisted love affair of the music industry, x-sports & fashion industry.  The raw break neck amounts of energy, the never-ending boundless and no boundaries creativity and the tolerance/acceptance for other creatives of all corners of the earth in those three industries are such a huge part of me and what I excel in.  In fact, I love it so much & miss it so much that I’ve got the itch to get back into it again!  So be prepared to see more music, fashion & sports entering my body of work in the near future.  It’s going to be a WILD ride again!!

PSS, As of this morning, I actually will have some time this week and weekend to get caught up on some blogging along with deliverables.  But anything is possible & that could change in the wink of an eye!

Be The First!

My life with Duran Duran goes wayyyyyyy back to the 80′s.  So when I woke up this morning at 6:45 a.m. after going to bed at 3:00 a.m. it was no surprise to wake up with some music on my mind.  Except this morning, I woke up with one of the best bass lines & bridge lyrics in my head.

During this uber-busy summer that I’ve had, I actually have snuck in times here & there to chip away at the book; Wild Boy (My life in Duran Duran) on my iPad by Duran Duran’s original (and former) guitarist; Andy Taylor.  I thought I knew a lot about Duran Duran, and a lot of things I suspected about their career as rocks stars were confirmed in this book.  Like the over-indulgent lifestyles, the our of control schedules and hard work & the close relationship that the band had.

Then there was one thing that really stuck out that I had forgotten about and that is that Duran Duran is not only one of the most over-looked bands of our age, but they’re one of the most over-looked Grammy Award Winning bands of our age.  Crazy!

Combine that with the powerful and at times haunting lyrics of Simon Le Bon and I honestly don’t understand why they’re one of the most over-looked bands of our age.  To quote a really cool late night TV host; Arsenio Hall… “Things that make you go hmm…”

So the Duran Duran tune that I woke up with in my noggin is New Religion off the Rio album.  John Taylor’s bass lines on New Religion is by far one of the sickest movements for music.  He’s all over the place!  And Simon Le Bon’s haunting and sexy lyrics are so inspiring that at times I’ll find myself humming them.  In fact, I’m sharing the lyrics with you in this posting before the West Coast Wednesday Video.

But before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer that is stuck in the 80′s with 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 Duran Duran in “New Religion” from the Sing Blue Silver video of their 1984 tour for the West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and I’m sure you guessed who the photo is above.  It’s Simon Le Bon at the Universal Amphitheatre.  I photographed them for Inline Skater Magazine back when I was shooting XSports & a lot of rock bands and that photo is truly one of my favourites.  Not to mention I think it’s married perfectly with New Religion too.

So go ahead & sit back with your favourite morning beverage, enjoy the video, sing along with the lyrics and don’t just have an awesome West Coast Wednesday for yourself – but make it a totally positive one for someone else too – cheers!

New Religion
By Duran Duran

I’ve been now sauntering
Out and down the path sometime
Come on, it takes me nowhere, which I knew
Faces everywhere pulling grins and signs in things
Telling me not there, man, it’s no go
Don’t go there boy

I need a reason
I can’t think without one now
Too much learning got to show
Call it treason
Maybe catch her, don’t know how
Too many things, too much to know

Bring my timing in, seagulls gather on the wind
Lady screaming, lady leave me out
‘Cause sometimes people stare
Coming down, electric chair
And steaming crowds they gather and they shout

Don’t know why this evil bothers me
Take another chance boy, carry the fight,
You can take him if you’re fast
So why is he trying to follow me?
Didn’t I say if you’re holding on
You’d be laughing at the last
How many reasons do they need?
I get along fine with them friends of mine
But you have to make a choice
I might just believe this time
You’re singing out of tune but the beat’s in time
And it’s us who makes the noise

I’m talking for free, I can’t stop myself,
It’s a new religion
I’ve something to see, I can’t help myself,
It’s a new religion

Okay, my reasoning might be clouded by the sun
But someone sees the departmental lie
You know this peacetime jabbing fist in stabbing knife
Only get one look before you die

Don’t know why this evil bothers me
Take another chance boy, carry the fight,
You can take him if you’re fast
So why is he trying to follow me?
Didn’t I say if you’re holding on
You’d be laughing at the last
How many reasons do they need?
I get along fine with them friends of mine
But you have to make a choice
I might just believe this time
You’re singing out of tune but the beat’s in time
And it’s us who makes the noise

I’m talking for free, I can’t stop myself,
It’s a new religion
I’ve something to see, I can’t help myself,
It’s a new religion

Gotta take pay the saints ‘n sinners
In regulation hats ‘n scarves ‘n things
Walking in formation down the lane,
They carry their cross, make a church bell ring
Army majors pull a mean cool truth,
There lying in a swimming pool
Searching for the undeniable truth that
A man is just a fool

Don’t know why this evil bothers me
Take another chance boy, carry the fight,
You can take him if you’re fast
So why is he trying to follow me?
Didn’t I say if you’re holding on
You’d be laughing at the last
How many reasons do they need?
I get along fine with them friends of mine
But you have to make a choice
I might just believe this time
You’re singing out of tune but the beat’s in time
And it’s us who makes the noise

I’m talking for free, I can’t stop myself,
It’s a new religion
I’ve something to see, I can’t help myself,
It’s a new religion

So if you caught up with my Tweets & Facebook updates last Wednesday, I shot out to Pechanga in Temecula in Rio to catch Billy Idol live in a totally intimate theatre out there (I was told the theatre only seats 1,200 people) for a birthday gift to myself.  Well I have been totally dying to share a few snaps & video clips I shot with my iPhone 4 & Olympus P&S (Katherine had my G10… So sad!) and have a few that I would love to share with you today to accompany the West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week.

Billy Idol flat out killed it last week.  From bringing a fine-tuned band, to introducing a brand new song; “Scarred For Life” to bringing one of the absolutely best guitarists with him that he originally toured with; Steve Stevens.  “Scarred For Life” is so new, the stage hand brought out a music stand so Billy Idol could ensure he had all the lyrics correct.  Now that’s what I call bringing it out in the raw to the fans!

Speaking of bringing it out to the fans — Billy Idol NEVER lip-synced any part of his performance.  Which to me is what it’s all about.  It would be like me showing up to shoot an event & plugging in previously shot photos.  In my opinion, a true performer can sing, dance, and do everything that they set out to do.  Not hide behind the excuse that they’re a performer.  Bah!

Some of my favourite songs that Billy Idol & crew brought down the house with were:

• Rebel Yell
• Blue Highway
• Ready Steady Go! (Generation X)
• Dancin’ With Myself
• White Wedding (partially a capella!)
• Mony Mony!

If you’re a fan of Billy Idol & he’s coming to a city near you, I highly encourage you to take the time to go have a blast.  He was signing autographs for the fans during the concert in the front row, singing with fans in the front row & overall put on one flippin’ amazing performance.  It’s so worth every dime for the ticket!

But before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer that is on the bleeding edge of rockin’ 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 Billy Idol in “Eyes Without A Face” for the West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and my slide show of some photos & videos I shot too.  And, don’t just have an awesome West Coast Wednesday, but make it a totally positive one for someone else too – cheers!

PS, profanity alert at the end of my slide show.  Just sayin…

1 Person Loves This!

Good morning from Huntington Beach, California everyone!  This week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week is a double feature for you.  I have one song, by two very different artists.  BUT!  What’s very unique about each one is that although they’re on different ends of the “musical graph of style” – they’re very similar in the controversial arena.

First, there’s Limp Bizkit.  Now this is a band that was seriously out there breaking down all sorts of barriers when they came out.  Fred Durst & company rocked arenas at all corners of the earth & their take on what they did was; “If you don’t like it, then you can $%*@ off!”  I even had the rockin’ pleasure of being one of two photographers allowed in to shoot their performance in Hollywood back in the 90′s for Inline Skater Magazine.  The photo above was one of my favourites that were published in the magazine from the event.  Some of the other photos weren’t appropriate for the magazine as they had strippers on stage with them that were a little over the top, but they loved them nonetheless and used a couple.

(Side Note:  I took some heat for the stripper photos as my girlfriend at the time was in the audience felt it was inappropriate to photograph that part of the show.  She didn’t quite see that as a photographer, I was there to document the event for the magazine.  But, I was there to do the my assignment to the best of my abilities.)

Then there’s George Michael.  George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley crash landed on the music industry in the ’80′s with Wham before he went on to become a HUGE mega star with platinum albums and performing with the likes of Sir Elton John.  Unfortunately, George Michael’s career took some setbacks over the years, but from what I’ve seen – he continually does his thing.  Whether we agree with it or not.

As I know and I’m guessing pretty much everyone knows, that to do your own thing (whatever it might be) will sometimes experience some setbacks, frustrations, disappointments, and sacrifices.  But in the end, we need to look ourselves in the mirror for all of our faults and all of our qualities that we possess.

For me, I know that a. I’m not perfect and b. “screw the pooch” and fall flat on my face on a regular basis both in my personal life & professional life.  BUT!  I have zeal and I’m tenacious with constantly doing my best to improve myself in every nook & cranny of my being.  Who I am and what I may stand for & how I go about it may not be the right way for everyone or for me at times, but it’s a journey through life that makes my life my own – unique only to me.

On this crazy path that is my life, there are times that I need to have faith.  Faith in art & music, faith in my relationships and faith in God.  The latter is the most difficult for me and I struggle with it daily.  During my life I have realized that it has something to do with being an abandoned kid & a child of the “Modern Dysfunctional American Family.”  But!  I still do my best to chart a good path in life and practice tolerance and acceptance.  Even if it is at times against all odds (not the Phil Collins song…) and against what mainstream opinion of people may be of me, my life, my actions & behaviours or my business.

So for this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week, I chose “Faith” by George Michael and “Faith” as a cover song by Limp Bizkit.  Both songs are the “same”, but unique and individual on their own.  I’m guessing when Limp Bizkit did the cover, they had to have faith that their audience wouldn’t turn on them for covering George Michael.  And, vice-versa for George Michael being recognized as a potential sell out, allowing Limp Bizkit to cover his song.

Before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer that is on the cutting edge of amazing 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 Limp Bizkit and George Michael in “Faith” 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, A colleague of mine: David Jay Tweeted the following just a little bit ago:  “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life. – Winston Churchill.”  How “kismet” is that tweet to come up while I’m typing this for you!

Fortunately, I have a small freedom to be able to share my creative mind with you not only in my photography, but also through art & music.  The latter being something that I do my best to discipline myself and share with you on a weekly basis.

The song that came to mind for this type of feeling is U2′s; “Where The Streets Have No Name.”  The lyrics are from a handful of some of the most creative minds in the world. I mean really… this is poetic:

I wanna run, I want to hide
I wanna tear down the walls
That hold me inside.
I wanna reach out
And touch the flame
Where the streets have no name.

On U2′s website, they have a succinct and eloquent bio of their background that really drives home their story in just 3 short paragraphs.

“In 1975, four teenagers from Mount Temple School in Dublin gathered in a crowded kitchen to discuss forming a band. The drum kit just about fit into the room, the lead guitarist was playing a homemade guitar, the bassist could barely play at all and nobody wanted to sing. Over thirty years later, Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. are still together, bound by intense loyalty, passionate idealism and a relentless belief in the power of rock and roll to change the world.

In a epic journey that has taken them from the clubs of Dublin to the stadiums of the world, U2 have sold over 130 million albums, been number one all over the world, revolutionized live performance, spearheaded political campaigns and made music that defines the age we live in.

From the anarchic days of their Seventies punk origins through their Eighties ascent to superstardom with the epic rock of The Joshua Tree, the dark post-modern ironies of Achtung Baby in the Nineties and their 21st-Century resurgence as rock’s biggest and boldest band, this is a tale of faith, love, drama, family, birth, death, survival, conflict, crises, creativity . . . and a lot of laughter.

Told with wit, insight and astonishing candour by the band themselves and manager Paul McGuinness, with pictures from their own archives, U2 by U2 allows unprecedented access into the inner life of the greatest rock band of our times.”

And, I love what U2 share’s on their site about their music is quite powerful too.  “The music of U2 has always been about heart and mind, body and soul. Down the years the band have successfully thrown a spotlight on the work of key campaigning groups who are trying to make the world a better place.

From Amnesty International and Greenpeace through to DATA, ONE, (Product (RED) and the Chernobyl Children’s Project, U2 have used benefit concerts, songwriting, public campaigning, special visits and fund-raising projects to promote a range of charities and activist communities worldwide.”

Before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer that is on the rocking edge of amazing 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 U2 in “Where The Streets Have No Name” for the 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!

Now when I think of Nachos & Newcastles (which I’m sure you know are one of my absolutely favourite snacks), I’m usually thinking of some really great music that will accompany it.  Fred’s in Huntington Beach happens to play a really awesome collection of music and as I mentioned – serves up some yummy Nachos & Newcastles.  When I was there last week with my good friend; Kenneth from Morry’s, they happened to have some Guns n Roses blastin’ over their sound system & it inspired me to feature Guns n Roses this week as we enjoyed our happy hour meeting.

I’ll even be at Fred’s again later today meeting up with my good friend & client; Stephen Arnold from F & C Creations to go over the photos from his shoot we did on location in Huntington Beach.  You might remember his amazing artistry with my Family Ring!

Where am I going with this?  To be honest, nowhere significant really.  LOL!  But quite simply put — I can tell you that Guns n Roses + Nachos + Newcastles = a very cool mix of a delicious snack for the summer & some amazing head-banger rock-n-roll.

So for this week’s Nachos & Newcastles inspired West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week, I chose “Sweet Child O Mine” by Guns n Roses.  When I shot Jennifer & Andrew’s rehearsal dinner and all night rockin’ karaoke party at the El Galleon on Catalina Island – “Sweet Child O Mine” and “Paradise City” totally brought the house down.  Yeah!

Before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer that is on the rocking edge of amazing 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 Guns n Roses in “Sweet Child O Mine” for the 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!

The song is “Everyone Nose (All The Girls Standing In The Line For The Bathroom)” by N.E.R.D. and I totally dig the rawness, fun and how they don’t take themselves too seriously in the video.

N.E.R.D (No-one Ever Really Dies) (stylized as N*E*R*D) is an American rock, funk and hip hop band. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were signed by Teddy Riley to Virgin Records as a duo, The Neptunes. After producing songs for several artists throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the production duo formed the band with Shay Haley as a side project of The Neptunes in 2001. N.E.R.D’s debut album, In Search Of…, sold 603,000 copies in the United States and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was also awarded the second annual Shortlist Music Prize. The band’s second album, Fly or Die, sold 412,000 copies in the United States and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

In 2005, N.E.R.D ended their contract with Virgin and disbanded. Three years later, the band reunited under Star Trak Entertainment, a subsidiary of Interscope Records established by Williams and Hugo. The band’s third album, Seeing Sounds, sold 80,000 copies in its first week.  Can we say… sahhh-weeet!!!

This year, N.E.R.D announced the release of their fourth studio album entitled Nothing, which will be released on September 7, 2010. The first single from the album, “Hot-n-Fun” featuring Canadian recording artist Nelly Furtado, was released on May 18th, 2010 to iTunes.  I think that they’ve definitely had their share of ups & downs – but seem to keep coming up stronger & better each time they overcome a speed bump in their path.

But before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this Orange County Wedding Photographer that is on the bleeding edge of delicious 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 N.E.R.D in “Everyone Nose (All The Girls Standing In The Line For The Bathroom)” for the 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!

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.

Some people have told me that my hair tends to be a copy of his when I spike it up a bit and from time-to-time you’ll hear me blasting his music out of the official EP Mobile; Rio (My Mini Cooper S Clubman).

You probably know who I’m talking about & if you do – then you know that the rocker himself — Billy Idol is the feature of this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week.

Here’s the first bit of Billy Idol’s bio from his website.  I think that it really starts to sum him and his brand up quite well…

“Rock stars come and go, but Idol is forever…

BILLY IDOL remains crucial to rock ‘n’ roll. His style, charm, charisma and bravado transcend trends and time. Where would rock music be without him? Would it look the same? Would it sound the same? Who hasn’t chanted along to “Rebel Yell,” “Mony Mony” or “White Wedding”?”

And speaking of White Wedding, I think that it would be the perfect song for such a crazy fun and busy wedding season that I’m having.

So there ya have it!  This week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week is going to be White Wedding by Billy Idol.

But before you check out this week’s West Coast Wednesday Video Of The Week and you’re thinking… Hey – I’d really like to get to know this 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 Billy Idol in “White Wedding” for 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!