Every 15 Minutes....

*** PLEASE NOTE ALL PHOTOS ARE OF A SIMULATED CAR CRASH. NONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS WERE INJURED***

I was fortunate to work on the City of La Mirada's Every 15 Minutes program once again. I first found out about the program in 2001 and actually had more of a role in the program. This year I was asked to photograph the recreated traffic accident while it was being filmed by Jeff Cole Productions. My photos will be mainly used in City brochures.

For those of you not familiar with Every 15 Minutes, it is a program usually sponsored by a local municipality and a local law enforcement agency. The purpose is to discourage teens from drinking and driving. They usually schedule the program around prom, but this year it was interesting in that they used a scenario of teens coming home from a regular party. Working with the kids is the best part. They really get into the roles, do not complain about the cold, uncomfortable situations (and heavy make-up), and really feel strongly about the program.

So here is the synopsis before we get to the photos. Basically students are picked for the program and they work on filming a short movie showing them in a life-altering scenario. It starts with their everyday life, the party, the car crash and the aftermath. The students are taken out of class the day before the presentation and held at a local hotel, away from parents and friends to truly simulate their loved ones being gone. It sounds a little cheesy, and the presentations usually start out with kids joking around and being kids, but by the end everyone is silent and emotional.

Anyways, I feel strongly about the program (actually anything that reduces drinking and driving is cool in my book), plus Marlene and I started dating after working on the 2001 program, so it is a little sentimental. This year was really awesome because she was asked to do the FX make-up and we were able to work on the program again. She did an fantastic job (lots of FAKE blood!) The funniest thing was to come home and find she had purchased a copy of Fangoria magazine for ideas!

Well here are some photos. I only included one gory one so you can see Marlene's work.

*** ONCE AGAIN PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS NOT A REAL ACCIDENT! ***

Briefing for the Scenario
Marlene applying some last minute stage blood before the Cameras rolled!

Robyn & David....

I don't think that David heard much of the ceremony! Okay he had to since he knew when to say I do, but my point is that his eyes instantly locked onto Robyn as she came down the aisle and they never left. She had him in a trance and it was awesome to watch both of them just be in love! I wanted to start counting how many times he whispered to her, you look so beautiful! This is why I love shooting weddings!

After spending some time with them on their engagement shoot, I found Robyn and David to be funny, relaxing and all around great people. Their day at the Brocktonian Manor in Riverside was spectacular. It rained hard on Friday, it was cold on Saturday morning, however the sun came out like magic during their ceremony and showered them in warmth. A good sign I would say!

They rented a killer Benz for the getaway car, we shot at a old filling station, the food was to die for and they were showered with lavendar by their family and friends as they left. Does it get any better? We are honored to have been part of it. Thanks guys!

Jenny & CJ .......

She makes things beautiful with light. He makes you want to watch DVD's over and over. Together they lit up their day and made everyone want to watch only them. Their day at Calamigos Ranch was spectacular. All the little details worked out and they were surrounded by awesome family and friends.

I, however, almost missed the first kiss (technically the second) because CJ picked up Jenny and spun her around and around. When I pointed this out to CJ, he replied, "hey when you have uncontrolled passion, that's what happens!" Well said CJ, well said.

When I first met CJ and Jenny, they immediately struck me as two people who shared an entire life together. Integrated souls, but with that fresh, passionate love we all hope for. I know that feeling because I feel like I've known Marlene my whole life, but yet I still get that wierd feeling in my stomach when I see her after an absence!

CJ and Jenny, you guys are special. I hope you like the samples, the best is yet to come!