Be The Light

This short film of Racheal's recovery after her spinal injury is a look into her spirit and determination during the first stage of her new journey. She is an inspiration and continues to amaze us all.

Please watch/share and be the light. More about her story at:
http://rachaelsrecovery.blogspot.com/

A film by Campfire Creative
Filmed + Directed by Guru Khalsa
Produced + Edited by Dugan O'Neal

Through my documentation of this story and others like it I have become in love with the power of film and video and am 100% on board with the Platypus Movement of stil photographers going to video.



***Any donations can be sent to Rachael Short at her P.O. box 6445 Carmel 93921***

***************You can view Rachael's photographs at www.rachaelshort.com***************

Wedding Season Finale

With some quiet moments and a few loud ones too, this years very busy wedding season ends. It ends on a high note at Gayle + Toben's magical Autumn ceremony and reception in Palo Alto, California. Congrats to you both!

Wedding Season

With summer upon us and the fall season at around the corner wedding season is in full stride. I have been enjoying photographing and filming weddings. Celebrating with couples in Carmel, Sacramento, San Francisco and even Ireland has been a treat. It is such an honor to help create and capture these memories that will be cherished forever.

Looking forward to creating more wedding photography and films through the fall and launching the new Weddings by Guru website this winter to go along with my new logo designed by Damon Anderson.

Costa Rica + Walking Tree

I had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with www.walkingtree.org to document a Discovery program for two weeks. Walking Tree Travel guides 15 high school students through 2,3 and 4 weeks programs to foreign countries where they experience the culture, language, and the views while traveling around the country as well as doing a homestay with local families and doing a service project. All photos can be seen here with password: costarica http://walkingtree.smugmug.com/ ... enjoying the journey!

Aging in Isolation

I recently journeyed to Co. Clare, Ireland with Justin Weiler and John Murillo to explore the effects of aging in isolation and how the community is combating this problem. Kathleen Ryan was one of the older people we interviewed. She has lived alone in a small house for two and a half years since her husband went to live in a nursing home. He past away a few months ago and now it is just her.

Some of the biggest challenges she faces revolve around getting food and social stimulation. The local Family Resource Center that helps her get groceries and attend weekly social functions of tea and learning opportunities is facing budget cuts and may soon not be able to help her with these things. Without them it will cost her 35 Euro ($50) to get a taxi to do just about anything as there are no buses where she lives.

Kathleen was one of many older people facing this isolation in Co. Clare and all over the world. Discarding the stories and wisdom of the older generations is not unique to any one place and is one of the biggest cultural mistakes of our day.

http://www.kilrushfrc.ie/

Aishling + Paul Maloney

Aishling and Paul were married in Spanish Point, Co. Clare Ireland on May 15th. I flew out to document the week with my teammates Justin Weiler and John Murillo. Here are two quiet moments from a loud week of music and laughter that the short film we shot will reflect. Edits coming soon.

Ireland Update

Half way through the Ireland adventure and it has been great thus far. We have been filming loads of footage and have two more big days coming up. Interviews tomorrow and a wedding on Saturday. Found some time to return to my roots and create these two still images. The poet, Padraig Huagh and the seashore in Galway. Enjoy the journey.

The Aleron Trio

A few random images from my shoot at Ocean Beach with the talented trio, Aleron.

Lost and Found

I have been sifting through all my wedding imagery recently to edit a portfolio for my new website that is being created called Wedding By Guru. I stumbled across these two off beat gems from two weddings i photographed last year. Love finding old lost images like these.

YWCA Nurse Partnership Program

I traveled to Dallas, Texas to help create a 6 minute film about young mothers that are part of the YWCA's Nurse Partnership Program. The program helps at risk mothers by assigning them a nurse that makes house calls throughout the unplanned pregnancy and the first year of the child's life. The program ensures a healthy start to a new life by teaching the mothers about nutrition and health for them and their child as well as educating them about other programs that will help them aspire to a higher standard of living. I worked with Justin Weiler, Josh Bray and Steve Deitz on this project.

14 year old Angelica with her son Sebastian in front of her parents home.

Natural Skateboards en Colombia

I traveled to Colombia recently to shoot a short film for Natural Skateboards. Of course I created a few stills along the way of the many amazing people in Bogota, Melgar, Ibague and Coello. MORE HERE: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157623515585330/

and check out some polaroids here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157623183395837/

Ecuador + The Andean Collection

Last week I returned from a 9 day trip to Ecuador. I spent time in Quito, Otavalo, Sosote, and Crucita documenting three amazing artisan families that collaborate with The Andean Collection out of NYC. We did interviews, portraits, and a couple fashion shoots. The focus was to create marketing content for The AC in order to help boost sales which in turn will help reduce poverty and send kids to school. More to come soon. http://www.theandeancollection.blogspot.com/

Kara+Rob

I photographed Kara+Rob's engagement photos last Saturday in Golden Gate Park. I just relaxed and hung back as they just kept laughing together. The giddy couple are getting married on June 12th 2010 in Sacramento and after spending the afternoon together I am very excited to be there documenting their wedding day.

Frank Esapda: Photographer+Friend

I first met Frank 8 years ago when I was 19. I saw student after students creating the most amazing black+white prints down in the darkroom at school. They would come out of the darkroom and look at their test print in the light and then head into the adjacent classroom with a questions marks in their expression. A few minutes later they would emerge with a smile on their face and confidence in their step as they strode back into the darkroom. The unifying factor in all those smiles and great prints was Frank Espada, the advanced black and white teacher. I took his class the following semester and not only did he teach me how to print the right way but he guided and nurtured me to grow as a well rounded photographer and human being. I am not the only one who has a story like this as Frank has touched the lives of many of his students over the years. We all say, "THANK YOU FRANK!!" Please check out some of his pure and inspiring imagery at: http://www.frankespada.com/

NYC

Went to NYC for the first time this month. It was great to explore a new place, meet tons of new people and see some old friends. I look forward to returning for fun and fotos in the future.

California Road Trip Shoots

I took a little road trip with a couple friends last week and had some fun and captured a few images along the way. First set is an aspiring model in the dunes of Marina. The second set is a father and son at Pismo Beach after surfing on the son's birthday.

Craig + Lisa

I photographed Craig and Lisa's wedding at the historic Carmel Mission. After the serene ceremony the couple took a stroll on Carmel River Beach and I tagged along. Celebrate.

Nathan Smith

Nathan Smith is an artist. He eats, sleeps, and breathes the stuff. I created this portrait of him in front of a mural he painted in his art studio in the Mission District of San Fransisco. The mural, called Projection Reflection, is being painted over today to create a blank canvas for something new.

Bonita Barcelona

I captured these images last April in Barcelona when I went to Europe for the month. After 4 months of other photography adventures and travel I finally found time to edit through some personal work from my time in Barcelona. I loved walk around and get lost and search for images and life in this city. More at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodojo/sets/72157617700245490/

Bicycle Coffee

Some of my close creative friends are starting this Coffee Co. So I created some images for them to help out. Check out what they do at: http://www.bicyclecoffeecompany.com/welcome.htm