Scroll down to view more photos.

I had the sincere privilege to have been hired by MEChA de UCLA to serve as the photographer for their 43rd Annual Raza Grad, a student-run commencement ceremony catered to the UCLA Latin@ community.

This year was extra special as it was the first time they hired someone (me) to do head shots for every single graduating student! See them here: <https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.555423454576130.1073741827.552152634903212&type=3>. It took six Saturdays to complete the head shots, and it wouldn't have been possible without the countless volunteers that organized the logistics for it. Although it was a lot of work and very difficult managing teaching and my own coursework, I had a blast doing it and I met so many great people. It was great being able to see so many of my former students graduate too, and taking their photograph was something special. I can only hope they hire me again next year!

Scroll down to view more photographs. 

Amo a América.

Scroll down to view more photos.

In May 2014, I was hired by the newly-created Department of African American Studies to photograph the 2014 African American Studies Commencement Ceremony. Only a week before the event I found out that Dr. Angela Davis would serve as the keynote speaker! 

It was a beautiful event, full of dancing, singing, and of course, the conferral of B.A., M.A., and two doctoral degrees! I had fun participating, and I was practically alone with Dr. Davis and other faculty (including Dr. Robin Kelley!) for about an hour before the ceremony. I was there with them as they changed into their doctoral gowns, and we (of course) discussed politics...

Scroll down to view more photographs.

Scroll down to view more photographs. 

Scroll down to view more photographs.

For many people, the wedding day represents the most important day in their life. Photographing such a day, then, is no small feat!

Scroll down to view more photographs.

Scroll down to view more photographs.

Of all genres of photography, my favorite is street photography. There is a thrill –– an adrenaline –– associated with hitting the streets and trying to capture life as it happens around you. Living in Los Angeles –– in Koreatown no less –– has been the ideal home for me.