Goodbye 2011

He's just eight years old, but the economic woes of 2011 were rough on him too. He has been living in a rescue mission on skid row in Los Angeles with his father and two siblings, they are hoping to move into their own place some time in January. His dad is doing what he can, applying daily for jobs and staying hopeful. This little guy is also doing his best, getting good grades in school, and talking about attending USC or Stanford in the future, and I'm rooting for him to make his dreams come true. At age 8, the interview bored him, he was tired and just curled up into the chair after a few minutes. I think I can say almost all of us are hoping for a better future, best of luck in 2012 to everybody!

Venice Skate Park

The fog rolled in this afternoon at the skate park in Venice ©Jonathan Alcorn

December Wedding

Photographed a wonderful couple's December wedding for the VOWS section of the Sunday New York Times. Kramer Morgenthau and Tracy Fleischman had their big day at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles.

Pier Sunset

People gather on the edge of the Venice Pier to take in another spectacular sunset on Dec. 28, 2011 ©Jonathan Alcorn 2011

Venice Canal Paddler

Her name is Mary Jane, a Venice local OG, she seemed like a real character, watched her stand up and back down on the board nearly in slow motion, all in perfect synch

Santa Anita Opening Day in the Infield

©Jonathan Alcorn 2011

Skid Row Christmas - Los Angeles Mission

Thousands of people attended the Los Angeles Mission's Christmas meal service and toy giveaway today in the skid row area of Downtown LA.

Low Tide at Venice Pier

Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban - Portrait Session

Last week, I had a portrait session assignment with billionaire Mark Cuban to illustrate a story in the Financial Times by Matt Garrahan. Mark is a very cool guy, and when I brought up the subject Lamar Odom being traded to his Dallas Mavericks he lit right up.Apparently he rarely sits for a portrait because he is constantly on the go, so it was a nice opportunity for me. The shoot took place in a hotel room in Manhattan Beach, I was hesitant when I first saw the orange carpeting and furniture, but as always you make do with what you get and his publicist emailed me to say they really liked the shot. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d7e0f5c4-2719-11e1-b9ec-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss#axzz1gvIEwl9O

Sunday Morning in Venice

 I took a little spin around the neighborhood this morning, here's a sample of things I saw

Canal Apt Xmas Tree

Occupy Port of Long Beach Protest

Marina Del Rey - December 9, 2011

Playground - Venice Beach

Occupy Foreclosures

Ana Casas Wilson, who has cerebral palsy and is also a cancer survivor, at her home where a press conference took place to announce the protest of the foreclosure on her property by banking giant Wells Fargo. The protest was with the help of Occupy protesters and other supporters in South Gate, California on December 6, 2011