Sean Slavin Photography

Rain break

sean — 2010-01-22T10:51:23-08:00

There was a small break between storms yesterday evening. Took the girls for a short walk around the harbor. The wind was howling and the ocean was foul but the sun peeked out at the right times and the jetty was filled with looky-loos.

Big rains always flush all kinds of unpleasant things into my playground. The stuff you can see is worrisome enough. The real worry for me is always the stuff you can't see. Needless to say, I won't be getting in for a surf anytime soon.

Puddle jumping

sean — 2010-01-20T12:46:30-08:00

It's always the smallest simplest things that bring incredible joy to children. Puddle jumping is one of those things. Why? I don't know but I'm learning that it falls into the same category as stopping to smell the roses. There's no better way to revert to your childhood as jumping in puddles.

As I mentioned yesterday, it's raining cats and dogs here. The sound is most unpleasant. All that meowing and barking. All that rain means lots of puddles. Lots of big puddles.

Before the rain actually started, Bec and I promised the girls we'd go puddle jumping. A couple of days ago, we did. The results were fantastically wet and muddy but as I just mentioned, it's the simple things that have the biggest, and most lasting, effect.

Post-storm wanderings

sean — 2010-01-19T20:51:57-08:00

Crazy day here in SoCal. I was working at home. Just after lunch, Dillen came sprinting up to me with words falling out of her mouth at a million miles per hour. Once I got her RPMs dialed back, I found out we were under a tornado warning. Tornado warning? Here? No way. It was for real but I had to chuckle since the warning message being broadcasted was telling everyone to get in their basements if a tornado actually touched down. Basement? In SoCal? Come on.

Much to my chagrin, no tornados appeared. The girls failed to understand my disappointment and I failed to explain it to them. Just an enormous amount of rain, wind, more rain, more wind.

As the rain fell outside, the kinetic energy inside went up and up. By 3pm the girls, and the puppy, were vibrating. Containment was becoming negligible. By 4, they were literally bouncing off the ceiling. Jackets. Shoes. Dog. Leash. Camera. Down to the harbor to run the wiggles out. We got to the harbor and the energy was released. The girls left leaving Bec and I in a swirl of shock waves.

Bec was kind enough to let me wander behind and took off to catch the girls. A fog lifted. My head cleared. And I fell into a groove. I didn't need a lot of time. I knew what I was after. I didn't shoot much, just wanted I needed to satisfy the craving.

The Artist

sean — 2010-01-18T20:39:36-08:00

My father. Rediscovering a lost passion. A rediscovery brought on by granddaughters who asked a simple question, "Will you teach us how to draw?"

Fading

sean — 2010-01-10T20:31:55-08:00

Swell started to fade a bit today. Headed back out to the same spot I've been the past few days. I had it basically to myself except for a couple of spongers and some pelicans. The quiet was nice. Meditative.

Still firing

sean — 2010-01-09T20:44:41-08:00

Same spot as yesterday afternoon. Felt slightly bigger but it could have just been the dropping tide. There's nothing like standing in chest deep water looking up at a 12' wall about to dump on your head. Fun times.

It's crackin'

sean — 2010-01-08T21:08:04-08:00

Yesterday afternoon, as I was running along my favorite stretch of beach, I realized that was going to be a great spot for the swell that was supposed to arrive today. As I headed out this afternoon, I wasn't sure if things were going to be working but a quick glance down the cliff was all I needed. It was working and working good.

I spent about an hour or so swimming around with the camera. There was quite a bit of water moving so staying in the "sweet" spot sometimes felt like an exercise in futility. Not all was lost and I came out with a handful of keepers to share.

Dropping Tide

sean — 2010-01-02T20:10:44-08:00

Headed this afternoon on a tide that was dropping fast. The blue moon is making things a bit funky. Found some grinders near the house and the spot worked for me for just over an hour. More time than I needed and I was just starting to get the shivers as I was getting out. Weather was absolutely stunning today and a very small part of me feels bad for those buried under the snow in the mid-west and on the east coast. But only a very small part.

Down the Street

sean — 2009-12-29T12:11:21-08:00

This morning was again an unexpected gift. Shining sun, blue sky, small crowd, falling tide and the pleasant shock of sub-60 degree water.

Elfie

sean — 2009-12-26T21:38:11-08:00

So, Bec and I have been together for almost 12 years now. Through all of them, not a day has gone by where we haven't talked about getting a dog. First, we ~~argued~~ discussed about the size, shape and breed. Second, we tried to figure out timing. Then the girls started appearing. Finally, about a month ago, we decided that now was as good a time as any.

For the past few years, we've been taken by Leonbergers. Bec's mom has one and the girls had all fallen in love a long time ago. Bec found a breeder and we got things organized for a special delivery from Santa.

The last thing that the girls found under the tree yesterday was a note from the big man in red himself. He told them that he had a special gift that didn't fit on the sleigh and we would have to go to LAX to meet an elf who would deliver the gift personally. Dillen was totally floored and vibrated with excitement. Roxy, slightly less interested because there were princesses under the tree. Piper, smiling as always and just along for the ride.

This morning, we headed north and waited. And waited. And waited. The girls were agonized.

But once it hit them as to what was happening, the turnaround didn't take very long. Instantaneous would be about right.

The car ride home was rather uneventful. The girls received their first whiffs of puppy farts which had them in stitches most of the way.

Once we got home, Elfie staked things out, took over and immediately became Piper's new best friend.

Dillen and Roxy made sure to show her all the details of both the front and back yards.

She's a beautiful dog. Very mellow and already so good with the girls.

Best Christmas gift ever.

Evening at the Ranch

sean — 2009-12-26T21:02:16-08:00

A couple of years ago, my father and step mother moved from Laguna Beach to a ranch in a canyon just past Cook's Corner. It's a beautiful property and the more time I spend there, the more time I spend looking for icons. Here's a few from sunset last week...

From the Water

sean — 2009-12-21T10:58:12-08:00

Wow. That felt good. Really good. It's that feeling when you've been away from something for so long and just say "To hell with it, I'm going". It takes a few minutes to get back in the groove and then things just start to flow. Your body remembers where it's supposed to be, what it's supposed to be doing. Everything goes on auto-pilot and you're immersed in the moment.

I haven't had a swim with the camera in many moons. I wasn't expecting much this morning but what I found delighted me. I'm very rusty and my timing was a bit off but I do have a few images to share.

Did I mention that felt good?

Brussels

sean — 2009-12-19T21:20:19-08:00

Every now and then, I get off the plane in a city I've never been and instantly feel at home. There's a vibe that just appeals to me. Sometimes it's so strong that I feel like I should pack up the family and ex-pat. Back in April of this year, I was in Brussels for a 10 day work trip and it was one of those places.

I stayed in the city near the old quarter. I walked. I rode the metro to my office. I integrated as best I could given the language barrier. At some point, I just felt like I belonged, so much so that strangers started asking me for directions. It let me work in a way that I hadn't felt before. Taking a momentary step onto the cheese road, it felt as though I had broken out of a shell.

I've taken what I learned on the trip and applied it to all of my current work. My eye has definitely changed. What I see and what I look for have definitely changed.

I wanted to post just a few images from those 10 days but I can't. I've just got to give you the whole gallery. Hope you don't mind.

Brussels

Siblings

sean — 2009-12-19T20:46:15-08:00

Every now and then I'm afforded the opportunity to step into the shoes of my previous life. Today was one of those opportunities. I've known this family since their beginning. Watched the growth of their family with new additions. Watched the growth of their children. It truly is an honor.

The thoughtful one...

The spunky one...

Together with their new sister...

Their parents better hang on. It's going to be one hell of a ride.

Next to this building...

sean — 2009-12-09T20:41:07-08:00

You are insignificant. The sheer size of it makes it look impossible. Reality doesn't actually sink in until you place your hand on the cool stone. History seeps into your pores. A moment. An inhalation. Back to the present.

The Köln Dom.