Monthly So Cal Off-Road Run

dude I do photography for a living and I'm also terrible at remembering to get photos when on a trail, lol. I totally understand. When I'm wheeling I want to focus on the trail and what's in front/around me, I don't like to stop and focus on taking photos and videos. Some people really have a knack for doing that on the trail but I just never have.

 

do tell! I've been known to make an exposure once in awhile.

 

Laurel Lakes is a fun trail. Probably the first "real" off-roading I'd done.

 

Yup, I suck at it. It has to be someone who has no problem just sitting back and watching the group. You can't spot, you can't make sammiches, you just take pictures. I'm not that person. I'm either driving, spotting, or dealing with Jeepers on the trail that are being dicks.

 

Freelanced doing commercial work for several years after school but for the last 4 years I've been working full-time for a clothing label with their US headquarters in Pasadena. Photography-wise I shoot all their product stuff for e-commerce, social media photos, advertising campaigns, etc.

They've scaled back operations quite a bit since January though so it isn't as fun as it used to be, but it's a solid gig. Freelancing was fun but I just couldn't get comfortable with the ups and downs of the job opportunities. We have a photo studio at work and do everything in-house here

 

me too, but the driver does most of the work not always the tires lol


sorry shane hahaha
For all you guys who dont know shane that well....FYI he hates to have to be winched. So im rubbing salt hahah

 

My wife and I tried going up there last year in May but there was still a massive wall of snow blocking the trail to the lakes about 2 miles in, so we had to stop and camp at the campground in the meadow/valley area below the trail. Was still really beautiful there and a great camping experience, got rained on and snowed in a bit that night (we were solo so it freaked me out a little but we were okay). I love that kind of dispersed camping, but next time I'd like to be able to get up to the lakes that everyone talks about.

I have to try and do it though sometime soonish...the wife being preggo and all we don't have much time before these kinds of trips become fewer and far between for me

 

Everyone, Tim is very proud of two things.

A) getting to use his winch and B) getting to use his winch on my truck.

For some reason, Tim always makes it through obstacles and I get stuck on rocks. I’m now accepting spotter applications.

 

He's cheating with his front locker

 

Awww come onnnnnn...

It's always tough especially if you are leading... It's always kinda been my thing to do photos and trip reports after so comes easy for me most time the time. Basically, get outta the truck grab camera. Try not to eat shit on while holding said camera hiking up the trail..... and shit I can spot and make a hell of a sando aswell...lolz

 

Oh, right! Make that 3 things. He loves when he gets to use his front locker. Such a big smile when he gets to push that button.

 

Its worth it. Very pretty area, both the lake and the drive in.

 

Too cool. Sounds like you have a solid foothold there, kudos. How did you find your way into photography? Freelancing *shudders* that pays less than busing tables. Landscape is my hobby/vice. I don't produce for sale, so photography is more personal torment and self-inflicted financial depravity (the tacoma build isn't helping). I can totally get the "non-picture taking". I get grief about it all the time "why aren't you taking pictures with your big camera??" "ehh...want to enjoy the scenery and remember it?"

 

But then I dont get to use my winch hahah. I did take you a little wide but you were driving it yourself mostly lol.

But points A. and B. Are very valid. One day I will start a thread with pics of your truck hahah

I only had to push the button once lol




Tim talks ton of shit hahahha

 

I’d be proud, yet embarrassed to say the least.

“Shane’s collage of poor line choice and Tim’s winch recoveries.”

This one was a mixture of the two. We made it through the actual obstacle with ease and I was navigating without a spotter not realizing the rock that snuck under the axle.

 

THIS is the hardest part for sure

 

Dude you killed it through that obstacle, i didnt see that rock that grabbed you either. 2" to the passenger and you woulda cleared it. I pulled you about 1 ft. and you were free

 

Fify