Hello there faithful blog stalkers......the time has come for this blog to lay rest and make way for the new photo blog of The Digital Orange Photography by Mike Cunningham.
Update your bookmarks (apple+D on a Mac and Ctrl+D for PC's) to:
http://thedigitalorange.com/blog
This blog will remain up and serve as an archive for all previous posts.
Thank you to all who stop in and visit [insert awkward cyber side hug from Mike]. You rock the house.
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Truth is I'm gearing up to launch my new website and blog. Stay tuned, as I hope to have it up and polished this week.
In the meantime, enjoy a tasty treat from Saturday night's Dodgeball tournament.
Thank you Sam and Jared for being awesome and representing so well from the Cobra Kai DoJo. Does fear exist in this DoJo? NO SENSEI!!
My buddy Andy was kind enough to lend me his new Canon 5D Mark II on Saturday. Me and a few friends took advantage and shot a little film to promote an upcoming activity in our ward.
Do whatever you can to get in front of a computer with speakers and turn it up loud. The quality of the HD video from the 5D is unreal. I totally want one...
Check it http://vimeo.com/3666084
I decided to tote along the 'Ol 5D to my attorney's 2nd 29th birthday party. Good times.
All images are straight out of the camera. In camera B/W at 3200 ISO, 50mm lens wide open at 1.2 - yummy
Big shout out and Kramer Boo-Yah! to my sis Lauren today on her day of birth. She is incredible. We are only 18 months apart and have become bestest of friends over the years. She doesn't like me taking her picture unless she's got the nephews in the photo.....so this is the best I've got.
Dear Sis, I promise to do some Glamour Shots by Deb next time I'm home. Please begin gathering supplies for the shoot. We will need lots and lots of really dated make-up, some lame outfits, and of course - lots of hairspray for some intense Utah hair.
Happy Birthday - Love ya tons.
Oh, and I went down to the beach last night and took these for you. You really can't beat a California Sunset.
So I have this mild obsession with our street sign. Not sure what it is, but every time I pass by, I'm drawn to it. This evening a went for a different look. I set the white balance to tungsten to properly balance the street light and let the rest go wild. I like it.
More tungsten white balance....
Now white balance back to cloudy
Summer is officially over. Boo. I guess I'll just have to get the snowboard ready for winter :)
I've never used real studio strobes before on any of my shoots. And let the truth be known...it's no walk in the park. I was quickly humbled and gained a new appreciation to a whole different side of photography. Instead of trying to find great light - you create it (well at least try in my case).
My friend Ryan has been in Huntington Beach for the past few weeks and brought down all of his lighting equipment from Utah. He's got this stuff all figured out. Be sure and check his stuff out. You may even run across an incriminating photo of yours truly....
Here's Ryan doing his due diligence...
What a tender Filipino
I dedicate this one to many-a-night killing it at Barro's Pizza and Filiberto's. Long live Mesa and the Toro's. HB is a better place now thanks to the arrival of this guy.
Lo and Behold....I give you the fashion Diva of CA. Lacey kills it round the clock with her style.
Don't ask about this next one....just know that I am random - very random at times.
Come to the Spin class at 24 Hr Fitness on Warner and you might see these legs...
That's right...it was time for a "Blog Job." I didn't do much really, just a little nip tuck and a new banner image. And since I'm really vain, I thought I'd post a huge picture of me :)
Thanks for taking these Dre.
There's a bit of a story to these photos. You see those are original and authentic Oakley Frogskin sunglasses. Yup, pretty bad a@! I know. They were the first pair of sunglasses I ever bought and I've had them ever since. They cost $50 back then and I mowed a bunch of lawns to get them. A true prized possession.
Contrast that story of hard work to present time. You see I have a new watch in the third pic (I have a major watch fetish) that I didn't do a darn thing to earn - well except file a tax return last year. There was no mowing lawns in the hot sun, or saving my pennies in a jar for this fine Man-ccesory. Nope, just an honest wage worker with a valid social security number and a pulse. I think it's safe to say times have changed.
Big shout out to President George W. Bush and his stimulus package!!!!! I am indeed stimulated by your economic stimulus measures Mr. Bush. Thanks for the wrist-wear that be captivatin'!
To see these guys!!!!! Can't wait to build massive sand castles with my nephews and take them to Disneyland for their first time!!
Happy Memorial Day Everyone.
...is the greatest little guy ever. Today is his 4th birthday. It's amazing to me what children can do for a family. He is the first nephew/niece/grandchild on both sides of the family and I have noticed a dramatic improvement in everyone's relationship since he came into our lives. Perspectives change and life nows seems much more meaningful. We're lucky to have him and I'm proud to be his Uncle. Happy Birthday Will!
These are a few I took of him over Easter when we were all in Utah at Grandma's house.
Will and Andrea (his fabulous mother) have a routine they do every time Will puts on lotion...here he is going thru the motions.
This last pictures cracks me up every time I see it. Will's little brother loves to hang out with him. Here they are chillin on Grandma's bed watching some Curious George.
I just had these photos printed and mounted for the downstairs. Let me know what you think.
They were all taken within two blocks of my house in HB.... sure do love this place.
The greatest street in HB
The Birdman is always chillin at the beach looking for ladies
David Hasselhoff hangs out here quite often. He's actually a very nice guy when he's not drinking.
I had to beg him to drive Kitt down from the Knightrider set to nab this shot of him
28 years ago today, my second mother was born. Her name is Lauren and today is her birthday. Sure glad I have ya. Happy Bday Sis. Love little brother
Here's a few highlights from my trip home to Utah for Christmas.
So I arrived a few minutes early for my flight so decided to jump out and grab a quick shot of my favorite airport in the world. If you've never traveled through Long Beach Airport, you're missing out. No where else can you show up ten minutes before a flight and still have lots of time to catch your flight. 
This is my brother in a Glass Case of Emotion
Will's birthday is actually in April, but he loves to blow out candles....so we thought we'd put a few in the Egg Nog cake Mom and Lauren whipped up. I love this little guy. Oh and the cake was incredible.
My sister thinks that every child needs a picture covered in chocolate.....although I agree, I think it's a bit on the weak side for the level of chocalate-coverdness.
Mom snapped this one of me on Xmas morning.... do I look greasy? Yes, 48 hours without a shower :)
Shot from my back porch on Christmas day. I don't remember the last time we had a Christmas this sweet in Utah. It snowed about 10 inches at our house. The canyon you can see in the background is Little Cottonwood Canyon.
This was Grandma's (Little Nance's) gift to the boys...
Me and my brother and sister used to terrorize each other in one of these Cozy Coupes when we were younger. Good to see Mam is keeping the tradition going. The boys already started fighting over it after about 5 minutes.
I love Will's face on this one, and the fact that his airplane is on the roof.
Sister in Law is the coolest... The Patron Saint of the Buddies :)
I miss you guys already :( Travel safe.
Today is my mother's birthday. She is a real hoot. She is cooler than ten Star-Belly Snitches. Should you ever have the privilege of meeting little Nance, you'll understand how rad she is. Happy Birthday Ma, see ya soon.
Here's a pic I took of her on my compact camera while we were in Prague two years ago.
I guess you could say it's become a bit of a tradition at our house (The Villa) to do a Christmas Card every year that leaves you feeling super awkward and slightly uncomfortable like a tight pair of pants. Well, this year I think we have a good one for ya. Under the direction of Lord Bradshaw III (Pete) and myself, we crafted this little ditty as a tribute to the Brady Bunch. We like it. We think you should all copy it, and save it as your desktop wallpaper... I mean it is just that good people.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope your lives are just awesome, because that's how it should be.
27 years of complete Awesomeness. I'd like to salute my good friend Jeremy Thueson, M.D. on this fine day. Here's to you big guy.
I'm sure 2pac and Biggie are rollin' over in their graves just to throw you a peace sign.
Greetings and welcome to my new photo blog. I'm very excited about sharing my work with you and hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.
For my first post, I would like to give a shout out and thank all of those who have been an inspiration to me and my photography thus far in my life. Thank you all.
***Please bear with me as I learn the ropes of all this web crap. Look for my website soon***
(Envision me cracking a champagne bottle on this post in your head, or cutting a giant ribbon with some crazy huge gold shears) Welcome, and I hope you will visit me often.
First and foremost to Little Nance, who happens to be the world's greatest mother and was quite the little artist back in her days at the ol' BYU. I know all of you out there are thinking..."well actually my mom is the greatest." I hate to break it to you, but you're wrong. Little Nance is the coolest and always will be. If that offends you, that is your choice - get over it.
Big thanks to Tara for being my first model.
To Amy... for helping me "find the light"
To Lindsey Forrest, a great friend with an eye for style and class
To the infamous Burton Burton for all his graphic skills and vision
To my home - Huntington Beach
To my best friend Cody Treese
To Andrea "Dre" who's constructive criticism has opened my eyes, and to Pete who has an eye for light.
Please note, although adorable in this photo, they are not dating
To Kris (or Gollum as I call him) for giving me the confidence to go out and shoot weddings
To Ammon and Becky for approaching me about doing their engagement shots
**This was the first engagement photo I ever shot**
To Dave and Caroline for my first wedding shoot
