Walnut Shot Blog Spot™

Blog? O yeah I have one of those. Wait, it’s gone. Now its back, weird. Well lets recap whats been. A few months back I went to New Orleans for my brother in laws latest project, Empire State. Always wanted to “go down south” and there I was right in the heart of it, the bayou baby. Watching a movie in the making is interesting, so much work involved. What seems like a bunch of crazies running around with heads cut off is actually precisely planned and well organized chaos. Got to meet The Rock, kicked it with Liam Hemsworth onset, and said hello to the lovely Miley Cyrus. More recently I had a gig shooting behind the scenes for Oliver Peoples 2013 campaign. It was awesome with tasty catering and one of the hottest models ever. O yeah Ray Liotta was there too but he stops by the house just to kick it anyways so no biggie. Did I mention the model? Bar Paly O my goodness, so beautiful with a warm presents and truly genuine smile. Bar kept giving me the sexiest looks… Well I’d like to think they were directed to me personally but know it was the camera in hand. Plus my first two-page spread in The Skateboard Mag featuring Mr Meza. Had a shoot with JJ Thomas for his beverage sponsor Marley’s Mellow Mood Tea which they ended up funny editing. Its suppose to be a life size cutout of JJ used for in store display so keep your eye out. It was fun to catch up with an old friend and do a little work at the same time. Finished a Checking In interview with Cyril Palmer for Typical Culture. Ill be posting new photos in my portfolio before long now that the website is back up and perhaps unveil a new layout soon. Lots of good stuff happening and much more to come in 2013.

Enjoying this role, no attachment to anything, just observing the experience, feeling everything unfold, and sharing it with you.
(more…)

NKLA or No-Kill Los Angeles recently shot a commercial in South LA were I got the chance to capture behind the scene photos and watch events unfold during the day. NKLA is a coalition of increased adoption and spay/neuter efforts throughout the Los Angeles area led by Best Friends Animal Society. It’s certainly a big issue I see while free-ranging around the greater LA areas so its nice to partake in such a helpful cause. Production was top notch everything scheduled and executed to a T which shows in the final product. The piece was written and directed by Dito Montiel featuring 1st time actor Shakir Johnson.

SEE THE COMMERCIAL HERE

People are always telling me, “shoot something other then skateboarding.” I do… Well sometimes.

The Mosley Tribes 2012 campaign is complete with the final edition catalog and look books printing now. I saw a sample and its awesome. A large collaborative effort from so many gave it a diverse LA vibe. I had a great time working with everyone involved. MT people were laid back and made it easy to get everything done smoothly. They wanted a magazine layout and feel to the catalog which is cool because I also got to write a little as well. I will shoot different subjects as a photographer other then skateboarding with failures and achievements but none will ever be as rewarding as any skate/photo adventures I embark upon with friends. This year I plan to broaden the horizon, keep my third eye open for any big opportunities, and find a lesson learned in every good or not so good situation. Photography like Life and everything else is all what you make of it. Cheesy is good, but not so much its fattening too.

December… The year is almost done? “WTF,” kids be sayin’. Does this life coaster only go faster each year? Well thats good I was wondering when things would pick up. Not all my yearly goals were met but several other opportunities brought new challenges and rewards. I just finished shooting a portion of the Mosley Tribes 2012 Campaign. I worked with Victor Garibay who embodies South LA art/skate lifestyle along with Indio Falconer Downey representing a West LA musical/PCH vibe. Two other photographers shot 3 more subjects so I can’t wait to see the finished catalog, counter cards, and anything else printed. I love looking at something I helped create that isn’t just pixels on the computer screen. Something you can touch, carry and share is so cool. Recently The Skateboard Mag posted a Fresh Crops featuring 10 of my photographs. Thanks so much to Austin Mayer and the rest of TSM staff who have helped me I really appreciate it. Then to top it off as if it needs mentioning your boy Meza printed large and hot in Skateboarder Mag.

Not much ever needs to be said about Oscar. He kills it, you see that. His actions speak for him and his smile tells the story. He’s always on that good trip so its non stop fun whenever O is around. Meza’s got some big things coming shortly so stay tuned. Until then here’s a little slice of Meza Mania.

(more…)

A few months back I was arrested for trespassing. That’ll happen when your having fun searching for personal freedom. 40 hours of community service never served just signed off… gotta love the process. I’ve barely touched my blog this year, been trying to find new outlets for my photos. Contributing to friends blogs, websites, and a small number of magazines is most satisfying right now. Some call me a photographer, I’ll take it. I wish I was but really I’m just having fun with it. What I’d like to think is I can be anything I choose to project myself as but I’m not that cool yet. Honestly, I just enjoy hanging out with unique people. Being involved with friends, gathering content, and sharing the experience… Isn’t that what it’s all about? So here are some not so new but still recent photos to help make up for lost blogging.

(more…)

2011 has arrived and with it brings new opportunity for us all. January has been a good start with my first print in The Skateboard Mag, a page in the Active 2011 calendar, along with my first print exhibit at Typical Culture’s 2nd Anniversary party and the month isn’t done yet. I believe our subconscious outlook on life can help shape the environment we find ourselves in. Right now I look forward to seeing what the near future holds and hope my work continues to progress. I’ve been invited to go to Park City next week for the Sundance Film Festival and know I will be inspired by the eccentric people as well as the different projects premiering. Being part of something bigger then yourself is what makes us stonger and this year I plan on doing just that. Thanks to everyone who has helped me get this far, lets keep moving FORWARD.

Follow Oscar as he warms up for the get down.

(more…)

This past week has been productive with shooting skate photos. Wrapping up multiple side projects and taking part in Typical Culture’s last minute throw together DIY Week has left me beat and dirty. I like it, its nice. My lungs are full of dust and I also have a freshly flesh grated right hand as I slowly type this. With a different DIY spot features each day this week TC brings you seven articles showcasing the hard work of some creative skaters out there. Sometimes the skateparks and street spots just don’t do it . . . Sometimes you have to Do It Yourself.

Get the full story HERE.

Made it up to LA for my third Vans DTSD. Last year they mentioned it might move to New York and I was so bummed. As far as contest shooting this is it, DTSD is a step above the rest. The obstacles are designed by the skaters and it’s held in the middle of Paramount Studios city streets. Everywhere you look seems to be real cityscape until you peer behind the props and see gutted buildings with insane lighting equipment sprawled about. During a previous DTSD I saw Heath lurking in the darkness and this time I spotted Crabman from the tv show, “My Name Is Earl.” If people like this are showing up to a skateboarding event . . . well I’m sure you get the picture. Vans DTSD is badass!

(more…)

Oscar tells us about PHX Am and working in Lil Wayne & Eminem’s music video… Plus tons of photos.

(more…)

”We’ve clocked almost three seasons of Built To Shred together and by the looks of these photos, we’ve got some more work to do. So sit back and enjoy the interview with one of my favorite party crashers…” Jeff King

Miles Wood Typical Culture interview

I recently met up with WELCOME mastermind Jason Celaya to check out the 3rd release of new graphics and shapes. I would like to tell you how awesome WELCOME is but the message wont convey. You’ll never know unless you experience it for yourself. Their origins are shrouded in mystery and the graphics seem to be even more mysterious. Each board carries with it unknown mythical powers and this ain’t some Harry Potter nonsense. Their concept and style are reflective in everything WELCOME touches, they just ooze creativity. I love WELCOME cause they’re all about the good times. At first glimpse you’ll be struck by the awesome freak-character artwork and left staring into these stimulating color schemes. And the curves… You will love these beauties I assure you that. So why is a small no name company like WELCOME turning heads? Cause they’re doing their own thing. In a world full of monkey see monkey do, WELCOME speaks for itself.

The digital shop is up and running so peep the goods, fill up your cart, and share with your friends.
WELCOME SKATEBOARDS

(more…)