Last saturday i spent some time with my friend Jeff Lefever (who is an amazing fine artist & photographer) at “the Shack.” I’ve been needing some shots of myself for my new website etc…

I definitely have more empathy for anyone in front of the camera, it’s a lot of work! Especially when the photographer makes you jump up in the air about 50 times. Well, here are a few shots from the day…AND…my new poster. It’ good to laugh at yourself. “hey i am serious, but…i do like to party.”

I visited my friend Adam Watts, today. I had his wedding album finished, and i wanted to drop it of to He and Natalie (both amazing musicians). Unfortunately, Natalie is out of town, however, i did get to spend some time in his new studio, which is UNBELIEVABLE!. Adam and Andy have a production company called Red Decibel Productions. These guys are the real deal. Check out their site and see some of the songs they have written & artists they have produced. Most likely you’ve heard something they’ve written. I photographed Adam & Natalie’s wedding last year and it was beautiful. I wish I had a slideshow of their wedding. It was held at Waverly Chapel. I love that chapel, it’s rich with detail, and feels like you just entered Europe….in Santa Ana.

Here are a few shots of Andy & Adam at their studio….

This morning i had the privilege of hanging with Joe, great friend and wedding photographer. Joe and i met about a year and a half ago at Leather Craftsmen (the best wedding album company!) and i’ve been truly blessed to have him as a friend. His Birthday was last month, and we were unable to connect, so i took Joe to the infamous Harbor House for a large omelette and crummy coffee. It really was, the least that i could do. Soon i will buy Joe a large Yacht, but for now, just a good breakfast & some QT will suffice.

check out a few shots, a lil’ note to Joe, and the shot from the Rim Rock Workshop. Also, check the Rim Rock posts

Here’s to you Joe!

Jonathan Salas is a young solo artist based in Texas. We met up in downtown and shot for about an hr. and a half. It was a good time as always, and we got some good stuff. (at least i think so) Here’s to you Jonathan and your career! here’s a few of my favorites….

We spent the past week in Austin with some good friends of ours, the Clarks. I’ve been through Austin in my days of rock n roll touring, but never had the chance to really enjoy it. It really is an amazing town. It doesn’t feel like Texas to me. It is diverse in culture yet the people still testify to that “down home, warm, Texas folk.” So after being there a week and seeing all that i was able to see, i figured i’d mention a bunch of the places we visited…in other words, welcome to the brief, “Tosti Touring Journal.” Here are some photos from the week and the places that we went.

P.S. if you’re ever downtown on 5th street on a friday night, make sure that when you try and stop someone from driving home drunk, they aren’t a drunk 6’5″ Marine, who wants to pounce on a 5′ 10″ italian photographer.

Austin is about style, freshness, and quality. So, when in need of going to market, make SURE you stop in to the Central Market. Oh my gosh. Now I love whole foods, trader joe’s, and wild oats, but in the tradition of “going Big in Texas,” Central Market makes our CA. markets look like a fruit stand on the corner. Oh and there’s a cool little park just outside of it where we all played for a bit.

This one says it all!

The produce….Perfecto!

a little time in the park is good!

Make a stop to the Monument Cafe in Georgetown. Almost all organic, classic diner.

Ruby peeking over the tub

Faith thought it would be a good idea to attempt smashing her birthday cake in Brady’s face.

The Dance floor at QUA is an aquarium.

OK, if you’re going to attempt to be a cover band to one of the most amazing bands of all time,

be careful, cause those are some large sun glasses to fill mr. Check out fado on 4th St.

Faith was brought up to the stage for her birthday, at Pete’s Dueling Piano bar. “Good Ol’ Texan entertainment.”

Make SURE you stop by Rudy’s BBQ! It is essential to a proper understanding of Texas.

Sophia is a proud to be a Texan (for the week)

Don’t mess with the girls or their “sause”

This one is special to me, 1. because it is a beautiful combination of “old and new”, &

2. because our sweet Christmas card is on the left.

I have spent most of the month traveling, which has been amazing. I’m currently in Austin, TX which is an amazing, lively, eclectic city. While I’m here, I’ve been working my way down the trail of a little over 3,000 images that were shot in Mexico. The Trip to Oaxaca was incredibly pivotal to my life. Connecting with these coffee growers & their families, was wonderful. They are a beautiful people, with a story that will remind any of us that we have been given so much, like a toilet that flushes and button to push that warms our houses. There are so many more images to come, but i wanted to post a few from a village called Ixtepec. It is up in the mountains of Oaxaca, with about a four hour drive up a coarse, unpaved mountain road. I won’t say much about the photos, at least right now, i just hope they say something about these people. Though they don’t have lawnmowers or running showers, they are a clean, proud of their town, people.

More to come and as always, thanks for stopping by I hope these photos will inspire us to support the work of growersfirst.org and to look out for people around us who are in need. Someone, today, close by, needs your love.

i’ll do my best to keep these images coming and please, let me know your feedback!

I came home late last night from Oaxaca, Mexico. I have never experienced anything like it. I saw the poorest of poor & yet they are so content with what they have. As i photographed these beautiful little children, families, their environments, i couldn’t help but be so grateful for my family, carpeted floors, running water, and i don’t have to spend about 6hrs each day walking and chopping wood so that my family has a warm fire to cook meals. I will be posting photos of my trip over the next week as I edit them. I shot about 16hrs each day,  earning me over 3000 images. I wish my words could express how amazing it was, i think the photos will help me out.

I am SO grateful for my wife Alli, whom i’m celebrating 7yrs of marriage today!!!

Here’s a little shot of us outside today with one of our wedding photos. January 14th, 2001 there was a serious party happening. Our Ceremony was held at South Shores Community Church in Laguna Niguel and our reception was at pelican hill country club. J Sterling Productions entertained with their timeless, amazing orchestra.

Thank you to all our family, friends who celebrated that day with us!!! Your support of our marriage through the years has been literally, Holy. We love you all!

And now, i will say goodbye and go spend the evening with my lady!

ciao

I attend a small church in Laguna Beach and we as a church have decided to impact a small region of coffee growers and their families in Oaxaca, Mexico. We have been supporting Growersfirst.org for the past several years, sending teams of people down to seek the needs of the families and meet those needs in a sustaining manor. Myself and about 7 others are going there this week to seek out ways in which we can help with the medical needs that they have in these small villages. My main focus is to document the trip and create some “commercial” images for Growers First for their website, brochures, etc. but i’m sure i’ll be doing other things that i can’t even imagine right now. I have heard that the Oaxacans are amazing people, i can’t wait to connect with them. warning: i might blog about this trip for the next 3 years, i’ll try not to, but i haven’t been on a trip like this in years, and i am expecting great things!

These photos below were taken about a month ago at halobrand.com amazing, fine, coffee. My clients from last year, all recieved a gift of their sumatra blend & a chai tea that is a vacation for your mouth.
My good friend David Sager works there and has educated me immensely on the 2nd most traded commodity in the world, coffee. He also introduced me to a great documentary Black gold, check it out!

i’ll be back next sunday, and i’ll make sure to post some photos as soon as possible!

I had the pleasure of photographing Connie & Scott’s wedding on November 18th at Casa Romantica in San Clemente, Ca. Connie and Scott are an “all world” couple. “All World” means: amazing, fantastic, true, definitely in love, all-around joy to be with, connect with, and photograph. Thank you for your hospitality, and your family is amazing, love you Sam! Make sure to look out for the cigar bar, which was a fun interactive touch.