HOW THE SHOT WAS DONE: GRAVEL ACTION SHOT WITH TRAIL BUTTER
This wasn’t a “set it once and done” shot…
I wanted this shot to feel real and not staged or overly polished - just the kind of moment that actually happens on a ride. Reaching into a frame bag for a snack is something every rider does, so the goal was to capture that action in a way brands could use in their marketing.
Here’s how the shot came together.
THE CONCEPT
The idea was simple: a tight, dynamic photo showing a hand grabbing a Trail Butter pack from a bike bag while rolling.
I wasn’t going for a static “product placed in bag” shot. I wanted motion and the feeling of being on the trail. Something that communicates function and use, not just appearance.
This kind of imagery is what I’m aiming to create more of for brands - product moments that are believable.
THE LOCATION
I used a local trail that I know well and can safely ride multiple times. That was important, because this wasn’t a one-pass setup. I rode the same short downhill section repeatedly until I got the framing, timing, and motion blur dialed in.
Knowing the trail let me focus on the shot.
CAMERA MOUNT SETUP
The camera was a Sony ZV-1 mounted directly to the bike using a SmallRig arm and clamp.
To make the camera mount stable:
I filled a water bottle with foam
Inserted a wood dowel inside (and let it dry over night)
Clamped a SmallRig arm to the dowel
Angled the arm so the lens sat just beside the frame bag
TRIGGERING THE SHOT
Since I was riding downhill, I couldn’t physically press the shutter on the camera.
Instead, I used a wireless remote in my left hand. Each pass down the trail, I would:
Ride into the trail
Reach for the bag naturally
Trigger the shutter at the moment of the grab
It took several runs to get the timing right so the hand and product looked right in the composition.
DIALING IN THE EFFECT
One of the key goals was subtle motion blur in the background while keeping the hand and product readable.
This wasn’t a “set it once and done” shot. I rode the section many times, reviewing between runs and making small adjustments. After a few test passes, I settled on a balance that kept the hand sharp enough while allowing the trail and background to streak slightly.
That small amount of blur is what makes the image feel alive instead of frozen.
WHY IT MATTERS
For brands, this kind of image communicates something different than a studio shot. It’s the difference between showing a product and showing how it actually fits into a rider’s experience.
That’s the direction I’m continuing to push my work - setups that are spontaneous and believable.
The shot!
SNOWSHOEING IN VANCOUVER
We went snowshoeing for the first time in Vancouver up on Seymour Mountain in North Van, and it ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip.
Even when I’m technically on holiday, I can’t really turn off the part that looks for new things to shoot. This time it was all cold, quiet, overcast, and white. No dramatic light, no big colors.
It was a great workout too. Way harder than it looks and definitely satisfying moving around the mountain on foot instead of on a bike.
I didn’t go up there with a “project” in mind but that’s often when the interesting stuff happens.
VANCOUVER’S HASTINGS & MAIN
Viewer discretion is advised.
These photos were taken around the Hastings and Main area of Vancouver, a few blocks that is known for some of the city’s most visible and complicated problems. Heavy drug use, homelessness, mental health struggles, and everyday life all goes on within feet of each other. Sometimes literally on the same sidewalk.
I wasn’t there with a point to prove. This was more of a walk with a camera, documenting what’s happening in plain sight. Some moments felt tense and others strangely calm.
Most of these images were shot on an iPhone 17 Pro. A couple were taken with a dedicated camera, but the phone felt appropriate. Quick and unobtrusive. It allowed me to work without turning the act of photographing into a production or a spectacle. Just observation.
This isn’t meant to romanticize the area or sensationalize it. There’s nothing glamorous about what’s happening here, and there are no easy answers. It’s simply a photos of a place that carries a lot of weight - socially, politically, and emotionally, and a reminder of how close these realities are to everyday life.
VIDEO: THE PALM CANYON TRAILS
A short film I shot and edited for my YouTube channel, Ride OC. I'm drawn to the look and feel of 1950s documentary and instructional films - that mid-century aesthetic keeps finding its way into my work. These projects let me experiment with production techniques and color grading while keeping my video skills sharp.
ALASKA: GLACIERS & MOUNTAINS
Alaska has been on my bucket list for years - glaciers, mountains, and that northern landscape. We cruised through Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, took a train deep into the mountains, sampled incredible seafood, and spent time with native artwork and totem poles. I shot everything - landscapes, wildlife, small town scenes, whatever told the story of the trip.
ISLAND TIME IN THE BAHAMAS
A family trip to the Bahamas with a stop in Nassau - soaking up the laid-back island pace and capturing beach scenes, street life, and the easy rhythm of island living. The relaxed vibe made it easy to keep the camera out and just shoot what felt right. A few favorites from the trip.
COZUMEL & CAYMAN ISLANDS
A trip through Cozumel and the Cayman Islands with a camera.
A quick trip through Cozumel and the Cayman Islands with a camera - capturing local color and whatever caught my eye along the way. The early morning light on the boat between islands was amazing, and Mexico’s flavors and energy never disappoint (tacos and tequila - ‘nuff said). These are some of my favorites from the trip.
