BLOK BEATS: Mike's Shooting Playlist
Our newest Blok employee, Mike, turns it up while he’s photographing! Check out his custom playlist that he listens to when he’s in the studio.
More About Mike:
• Favorite thing in your closet right now: My Sneakers!
• Best piece of advice you’ve received: As he thinketh, so is he
• Favorite movie ever: 6th Man
• Astrological sign: Aries
• Biggest strength: Personality
• Biggest weakness: Stubbornness
• One thing you need every morning: Breakfast
• Who’s your biggest inspiration: Mom Dukes!
• What does music do for you: Inspire, Motivate, & Energize
• When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur: When I graduated from college
• What’s it all about: Vision & Vibe
• Favorite cocktail: Tequila & Lemonade
• Favorite food: Tacos
• Favorite midnight snack: Twizzlers
• Describe yourself 10 years ago in 3 words: Still learning a lot
• Where do you go to relax in the world: The couch
• You’re having a party, what song do you kick it off with: Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill or Big Bank by YG
• What do you love about photography: Bringing visions to life
• Favorite subject to photograph: People
FOLLOW ALONG FOR MORE CURATED PLAYLISTS:
Community over COVID-19
Blok Studio will be closed for the month of April in order to comply with Gov. Ducey’s shelter-in-place order. We’re taking these measures to help protect our community, both our clients and our employees. Nothing is more important to us. Full refunds will be given to all existing appointments. We know that the Phoenix creative community is resilient, and we are looking forward to serving you again as soon as it’s deemed safe.
It’s through these unfortunate times that community is vital and supporting each other is even more vital. We’ve listed a few helpful links below that explain the recently approved CARES Act. This bill gives us small businesses and freelancers more resources to survive through this uncertain time. Things such as freelancers, gig workers, and contractors being eligible for unemployment benefits, forgivable business loans, and payroll tax deferral. Please read through the information below and seek professional counsel when necessary.
AROUND THE BLOK. VOL. 18 - Erick Cedeno
Spend a few minutes with Erick, and you’ll see it’s evident he’s passionate about cycling, community, and culture. So much so that he created Bicycle Nomad, a brand dedicated to inspiring dreamers and riders. He’s traveled all over the world by way of bicycle, his most notable journey being the Underground Railroad, a historical ride from New Orleans, LA to Niagara Falls, NY. Erick also owns Bicycle Nomad Cafe, located inside The Velo. It's known for its delicious coffee, foods and serves as a landmark for cross country riders passing through. The day we met at the cafe is when I was introduced to Siwei Zhong, a cyclist on his way to completing a 7-year long ride around the world. Erick allowed him to stay at the cafe to regroup and continue his journey. It was an honor to be around such an incredible person, the passion for what he does is inspiring. We’re happy to feature him on this install of Around The Blok!
Tell us about yourself?
I’m Erick Cedeno, born in Panama and raised in Miami. One of my favorite hobbies is to travel the world by bicycle and engage with people and nature along the way.
Why do you do what you do?
Bicycle travel feeds my curiosity and my soul. Bicycle Nomad was created to inspire and motivate people to travel by bicycle and see what I have seen; love compassion, kindness from people.
What benefit does art provide to society?
Art builds community. At the Bicycle Nomad, art is essential to the brand’s mission statement to promote cycling and community through art, photography, and film.
What’s your advice to others chasing their dreams?
We have one life to live. Live life with no regrets and follow your passion.
What is your biggest inspiration, and why?
Seeing people traveling by bicycle. Using their bike as a tool to discover themselves, their communities and their world. Engaging with nature and people.
When you think of home, what comes to mind?
My wife and my community in Phoenix.
Member Spotlight: Brad Olson
We sat down with Phoenix-based commercial photographer and Blok member, Brad Olson, to talk about his journey as a professional photographer and his advice for establishing a long photography career.
How long have you been a professional photographer? How did you get into it?
I have been a full-time photographer for about 10 years, prior to that I worked in video production. When digital cameras became comparable to film cameras, I was really attracted to still images, especially once I learned Photoshop and its capabilities. I found the immediacy and creative control when working with digital images very appealing.
What was your first camera?
My father gave me my first camera. It was a Nikon 35mm film camera and a simple ‘kit’ lens.
Do you have any advice for how to make it as a photographer long term?
I think that you have to first decide if you are an artist or a business. If you are a photography business, you need to develop your clientele and continue to bring value to your services. Now more than ever, everyone is a photographer to some extent and as a commodity, images are very abundant. From a business perspective, it works best with a narrow and deep niche. Find a very specific type of photography and then become great at that one thing. If you are an artist, you need to have a highly desirable and unique style that attracts a market - and then a whole lot of luck.
What’s your photography niche?
I primarily shoot commercial images within the fashion industry: look books, e-commerce, catalogs, fashion editorials and advertising campaigns.
How has having a Blok Membership helped you build your business?
Having a professional studio environment to bring clients into and work comfortably in is a huge asset. Blok Studio has been great in making sure the studio is inviting, clean and ready to shoot.
What’s your favorite thing about the Blok Membership?
One of the best things about Blok is the online scheduling system. It is super easy to check availability and schedule time. And with the Blok Membership, there’s no minimum hourly booking requirement so if I just need to get in for a quick 1 hour session, I can do that.
Best photography advice you've ever been given?
Train your eyes to be more critical. It’s simple enough to learn how to use your camera and lighting, but none of that means anything without a critical eye.
Interested in becoming a Blok Member?
The Power of a Picture
Blok Studio was built with the idea of community in mind, and it has always been our mission to give back and inspire others to do the same. At Blok, we know the power of a photograph and the impact it can have on a person’s self-image and confidence. That’s why we are excited to have recently teamed up with St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) to provide complimentary headshots for Fast Track, a one-day seminar program created by SJW to help less fortunate men gain the resources they need to build their careers.
SJW has been helping homeless, low-income and other disadvantaged people become self-sufficient through quality employment opportunities for over 30 years. The people SJW help are the ones who want to be in the workforce but may not have the necessary knowledge or tools available to them. SJW works to help individuals secure quality employment by offering a variety of resources, including resume preparation, mock interviews, communication tips, internet access for job applications, professional clothing and bus passes for interview transportation.
With SJW’s Fast Track program, they take it a step further by working with local businesses to give these men additional resources. The people who participate in the Fast Track program start their day by getting fitted for a suit they can wear to interviews, often the first suit these men have ever owned. Throughout the day the participants get a crash course in resume writing, interview strategies and a LinkedIn seminar to gain insight on the digital world of employment. LinkedIn brings along the visual aspect of the job hunt, where companies now can put a face to a name when looking at a person’s online profile. That’s where Blok Studio comes in.
“Wow, I have never seen myself look this nice in a photo before, I can’t believe that’s me. I think this photo can definitely help me get a job. ”
“I’ve never had my headshot taken before. It doesn’t seem like thats me. I’m hoping this leads to better employment opportunities. ”
The power of a headshot can go a long way with employers. It gives a personality and a face to their profile. It makes them a real person and not just another application. We were thrilled to offer our photography services to this cause, especially when we learned that a professional headshot can increase the chances of employment by 36 percent. With this information, we knew the best way for us to help the participants was by providing them with a professional image they could use for their resumes and profiles. In this digital age we often take for granted services like photography, but for many individuals this is still an unaffordable luxury. We wanted to change this for the Fast Track members. Our crew set up a full headshot station, complete with viewing monitors so they could see their images instantly. We photographed 10 members going through the program, and each of them were hesitant to step in front of the camera. Many of them were either shy, uncomfortable, or wanted to “get this over with”. Before we started shooting we would break the ice with an introduction and a conversation. We then would pull reluctant smiles out of each one, with a few jokes or light hearted remarks about how we won’t let them leave without at least one shot of them smiling. Once we got the shot, they would walk over to the monitor to review their images. Each of the 10 gentlemen would stare at their image on the screen. For every single one of them this was the first headshot they had ever had. Seeing themselves on the screen, they had a new air of self-determination and hope. The look in their eyes is hard to put into words, but that’s what a photograph is for, right?
Through this experience we learned about the real impact a photograph can have on a person’s life. We work with photographers and models every day, but when these men got their first professional headshot it brought a new meaning to what we do. We realized how much we can help people with the skills and tools we have. Each one of these men were so grateful for the opportunity Fast Track and these photos are going to give them. An opportunity to make a change and take control of their life. We are so proud to be a part of their journey back into the workforce.
We can all help in our own way. It doesn’t always mean donating money or clothes, sometimes it’s your time or services. These are our community members, our friends and neighbors. When we can help individuals grow, we can help our communities grow.
If you would like to help St. Joseph the Worker with their mission please go to their website for volunteer opportunities!
AROUND THE BLOK. VOL. 17 - Paris Stanford
For this month’s Around the Blok, we have Paris Stanford. This is a unique ATB as Paris is a professional MMA fighter. Our features extend beyond the traditional classifications of art and what it means to be creative. We are all artist of our lives and creativity is the tool we use to develop the best possible experience we can have. A huge thank you to Paris for taking time out of his schedule to sit with us and to Fight Ready for allowing us to occupy their facility for this feature!
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Paris R. Stanford III.
I was born in Yuma, AZ, on Christmas Eve 1982. As far back as I can remember, I always recall having a deep appreciation of solitude, using my vivid imagination, and strangely, I’ve always felt drawn towards martial arts. There’s something about disciple and order that has always resonated with me. I grew up a sensitive kid that never liked confrontation. But, like some of the characters in my favorite kung fu flicks, confrontation always seemed to come my way. In fact, most people that knew me from childhood are shocked at what I now do for a living.
My father was a U.S. Marine from New York and my mother, whom he met at an embassy in the U.K., was originally born in Jamaica. Not long after meeting, they would move to Arizona. I was one of a handful of black kids in my neighborhood and at my school. For me, this meant growing up not looking like your peers, which at times lead to being picked on or treated poorly. Not just by my peers, but also authoritative figures, and other adults I was supposed to entrust to teach and protect me. My upbringing, in many ways, showed me how important it is to be able to stand up tall and fight for yourself.
I learned that to survive, you must be strong not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. This eventually set me on a journey that would lead me to become a professor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Fight Ready MMA and fitness and a professional MMA fighter.
“I learned that to survive, you must be strong not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually.”
Why do you do what you do?
I enjoy teaching people new things and pushing them past their current belief system. In doing so, I find that there is a mysterious being that is locked within us all, waiting to reveal itself. One can develop themselves exponentially from the experience of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts alone. Teaching gives me a great sense of purpose and meaning in my life.
What benefit does art provide to society?
Our society has become one in which the average person is more stressed out and frustrated than ever. We all need an outlet, somewhere to vent and purge ourselves of all the daily negative energy that society can offer us. To speak exclusively on BJJ for a moment, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu consists of a great community of people that are focused on challenging themselves to become better. Community is something that is lacking, and I feel it is essential to have. Before sparring with someone, (or rolling as we call it in BJJ) it is challenging to tell, beyond the color of the belt, of course, the skill level of the person across from you. This serves as a constant and great reminder to never judge a book by its cover. In BJJ, you’ll find yourself on the mats with people from all walks of life. People that you otherwise may never fraternize with. It doesn’t matter about your social class or how much money you have. On the mats, we are all equal.
What’s your advice to others chasing their dreams?
Don’t expect it to be easy. In fact, try not to expect anything. Expectations that aren’t met can seem as if they’re a landmine, placed subtly on the pathway to your dreams. Many unforeseen situations and circumstances are inevitable on the journey. Always keep your head up and move forward. Hope for best, but you must always be prepared for the worst. Don’t ever expect anyone to believe in your dream more than you. It is your dream for a reason. Always remember your “why”!
What is your biggest inspiration and why?
Jesus is my greatest inspiration. I think if Jesus came to this earth, lived as a man, was perfect in his life, and was still crucified, then when would I ever think that everyone is going to always love me? In some regard, we all have a cross to bear. Because of the teachings of Jesus, I have learned not to be so down when difficult and unfavorable situations arise. All things work for the good of those that love the lord. I believe that my steps in life have been ordered by God, so it is important for me to travel in the direction that I feel I’m being pulled. The more that I choose to walk with faith, the less burdened I feel by the perpetually unknown.
When you think of home, what comes to mind?
When I think of home, the first thing that I think of is belonging. We all yearn to be somewhere we are loved and accepted for whoever it is God made us to be. Home is somewhere you can safely rest your mind, body, and spirit. No matter what it is I manage to achieve on this earth, I feel as if there will always be a giant void inside of us all. You can attempt to ignore the feeling and cover it up with any and everything on this planet, but the feeling shall remain. I believe that it is only after this life, when we return to wherever it is that we come from, shall we truly be fulfilled, and truly be home.
AROUND THE BLOK. VOL. 16 - Vincent Chung
The art exhibit Linear Notes was the first time I heard about Vincent Chung. The moment I saw his work, I knew we needed to have him as our next Around the Blok artist. Originally from New York, Chung came to Arizona to complete his BS degree at Arizona State University. Since being here, he's been gaining significant attention in the local art scene. You can view his work at the Mountain Shadows Resort gallery until August 31st and keep up with him on Instagram at vincentkchung. We're gracious to have Vincent sit with us for this segment of ATB!
Tell us about yourself?
Well for starters I am originally from New York City. I moved around quite a bit as a kid, spent a short moment of my childhood in Brooklyn then moved to Manhattan. I grew up mostly in the lower east side, and I think this played a big role in my life on becoming the person I am today. When you ask New Yorkers about the lower east side, you get the grit, you get culture. You get neighborhood kids with big goals and dreams. I always grew up around art and design. My mother was a seamstress who worked in factories, mass-producing designer dresses, and freaking sports jackets. My father was a furniture maker and a phenomenal artist. He’s what I call a traditional artist, always drawing up birds and animals to the detail. He had to give up his creative side to provide for the family, my brother, and I. The moment I realized that, I always told myself to never give up on what I want to do. I mean, you ask my friends, when I say I want to do something I will, by any means, make it happen even if the idea sounds crazy or even impossible at the time. Getting into art was not easy for me. My family are immigrants, and being a first-generation born here, you’re often told to pick up something sustainable; like being a doctor or some job that involves being in an air conditioned environment when its scorching hot out. I always loved working with my hands, and that was something I wanted to pursue even if it just meant to get by. My father always told me health over wealth. For me, creating art is something that allows me to help people see the truth.
Why do you do what you do?
I’ve always loved the potential of a narrative in a painting. You’ll see in my work that I sew textiles together, whether its canvas, linen, or dyed fabrics. To me, that is my way of telling a story, because every piece is done at different moments; with different emotions, perspective, and energy. Almost like a hands-on visual journal that ultimately becomes this bigger picture at the end. But you know, it's hard to accept that your intentions don’t exist anymore the moment you show a piece for the world to judge. My work tackles several topics like emotional impact over time. I’ve always studied how colors affect mood. Something I've recently been experimenting and documenting is how these visuals and colors trigger my viewers' memories or get them to think about what they believe. They start to create a story of their own, and I just find it fascinating.
What benefit does art provide to society?
The era we live in now is far different from the period I grew up in. In this modern age, the digital age, we are all drawn to these technological devices in our hands. I call it the age of instant gratification. When we see something we’re not drawn to, it's so easy for us to swipe to the next screen or move on. So in my work, I confront this matter by exposing materials and mediums in their imperfect ways that begin to draw nature of the materiality to the foreground. People are so drawn to perfection that we often forget to celebrate the imperfect, something that drives us to be better than we were yesterday. I hope my audience see these imperfections in my paintings and change the way we value labor in today’s era.
What’s your advice to others chasing their dreams?
It’s cliche to say do not give up. Few of my friends showed me this commencement speech given by Jim Carey. Don’t quote me on it but it went a little something like this... You’re going to fail. You’re going to fail at what you don’t want, so why not take a chance at doing something you love? Do not be afraid. Often times we expect the rewards now and if not tomorrow, but who knows, maybe you’ll make it in a week, a month or even a year from now. There are so many people out there with the same dreams, goals, and aspirations as you and every day you are not working towards your dream, someone out there will beat you to it. All you really have to do is take it one step at a time but most importantly.. make that progress, take that new step every single day. It is not easy, and it’s never going to be easy. I will give credit to today's’ digital age on its’ capabilities that allows us to share content so easily. Just share it with the world. We’re all going to create or do something that doesn’t fill our satisfaction. Whether you’re creating bad or good work, you’re making something; and that something will make you better the next go around. Take advantage of modern technology, go reach out to your idols on social media or whomever you’re wanting advice from or do work with. The worst that can happen is you don’t get a response, makes it so much more satisfying when you make it.
What is your biggest inspiration and why?
My family, my friends back home, my friends here, who’ve become my surrogate family. Also my dog! I love my pup, Stella. She’s a great studio buddy. Everyone I surround myself with is so talented in their craft, and that drives me to continue creating. In a way, they’ve become my muse, and I thank each and every one of them for their continual support.
When you think of home, what comes to mind?
Home has a lot of different meanings. When I think of home, I think of good company, good food, family and great friends. Arizona and New York City are both my homes. I do miss the constant police sirens and people yelling out in the streets. After all these years I’m still getting used to the crickets at night. I’m just grateful to have people who support me with what I am doing. Makes it easier to call both these places my home.
BLOK BEATS: Berly's Styling Playlist
Our summer intern and shoot stylist, Berly, likes to chill out while she is pulling looks for shoots. Check out her custom playlist that she plays when pairing clothes together:
More about Berly:
• Favorite thing in your closet right now: My neon multi-color Falcon W Adidas sneakers
• Best piece of advice you’ve received: If you get, give. If you learn, teach
• Favorite movie ever: Oh boy! It’s a Disney movie, Dumbo
• Astrological sign: The friendly goat: Capricorn
• Biggest strength: Perfectionist
• Biggest weakness: Sensitivity
• One thing you need every morning: Warm lavender tea
• Who’s your biggest inspiration: Maya Angelou
• What does music do for you: It’s everything, I love discovering new artist everyday
• What’s it all about: Being kind and humble
• Favorite cocktail: Blueberry Basil Moscow Mule
• Favorite food: Oh it’s cheesy! Pizza!
• Favorite midnight snack: Chocolate ice cream
• Describe yourself 10 years ago in 3 words: Creative, Dreamer, Curious
• Where do you go to relax in the world: Clear night sky with millions of visible stars!
• You’re having a party, what song do you kick it off with: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson
• What do you love about styling: I love that it begins with an artist who created a design and made it come to life for someone to wear. Styling gives me the freedom to pair one artist’s work with another artist’s creation to complement one another and create something new.
• Favorite thing to style: A timeless vintage piece!
• Something people don't realize about styling: It’s an oasis for a clouded mind.
Follow us on Spotify for more curated playlists:
BLOK BEATS: Wyatt's Shoot Playlist
Our studio coordinator, Wyatt, loves to groove while he shoots. Check out his custom playlist that he listens to when he’s in the studio.
More about Wyatt:
• Favorite thing in your closet right now: Right now my favorite piece of clothing would be my salmon pink short sleeve button up with these cute little cacti on it.
• Best piece of advice you’ve received: Don’t waste your time only thinking about the negative in life. Life is too short.
• Favorite movie ever: My favorite movie has to be Looper by Rian Johnson. That movie got me interested in film and how movies are made.
• Astrological sign: I am a Capricorn Sun with a Virgo Moon.
• Biggest strength: I like to think my biggest strength is my ability to become friends with just about anyone. I love interacting with different people and making connections.
• Biggest weakness: I overanalyze and overthink things a lot.
• One thing you need every morning: I always need an hour of just peace and quiet where I can have some coffee and plan my day.
• Who’s your biggest inspiration: That’s a tough one. I draw a lot of inspiration from a lot of different people, but my parents have always been role models for me.
• What does music do for you: Music does a lot for me. Sometimes I use it to just relax or I’ll use it to motivate myself. I use it a lot while shooting and editing to keep going. I also love how music can incite so many different emotions. One minute you’re vibing to some Steve Lacy in the studio and then the next you’re racing 90 mph on the freeway jamming to some Gideon.
• When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur: I didn’t really know I wanted to pursue being an entrepreneur until last year. I loved the idea of creating what I want and being a part of something different every day. I also thrive in a collaborative and creative environment.
• What’s it all about: Just being happy, humble and enjoying what you do every day.
• Favorite cocktail: I love a good Old Fashioned.
• Favorite food: Pizza. Pizza has always been there for me.
• Favorite midnight snack: I try to be a good kid and not have sugar late at night, but sometimes that Cherry Garcia calls to me.
• Where do you go to relax in the world: My hideaway is in the wonderful city of Estes Park, Colorado.
• You’re having a party, what song do you kick it off with: Caroline by Amine.
• What do you love about photography: I love lighting a scene and seeing the final result. It’s such a rush to put in the work and bring your vision to fruition. I also love the collaboration with the subject to create the perfect emotion.
• Favorite thing to photograph: My favorite thing to photograph is definitely people. I love interacting with others and seeing their reactions when they see themselves on the screen. The emotion and the energy that you get when two individuals are creating art together is so much fun.
Follow along for more curated playlists:
AROUND THE BLOK. VOL. 15 - Andrick Aviles
I’ve known about Andrick for years but never met him personally until recently. I would see portraits of him and his tattoo work through the blogs and feeds of mutual friends. The amount of detail he illustrates in his tattoos is a fascinating aspect for me. But his story is even more inspirational, from tattooing people in his home as a migrant from Mexico to owning one of the premier shops in the city. His client list includes athletes such as Amare Stoudemire, Adrian Wilson, and hip-hop artist such as the Game. You can catch up with him on his Instagram. It was an honor to meet and chat with Andrick, and we’re happy to have him as our next guest for Around the Blok!
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
Hello! My name is Andrick! I was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and raised here in Phoenix, AZ. I love tattooing, long walks on the beach.....just kidding. No, but I really do love tattooing. I started tattooing when I was a Junior in High school, and I had no experience or any apprentice experience at all. I would practice on all of my friends, including my Art teacher Ms. Hansen in class. Yes, I tattooed her in class. I am naturally introverted, so I never spoke much, but I expressed myself with this medium and other forms of art. Nothing has changed.
WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?
I love anything that has to do with design and creating something from nothing. Having a blank canvas such as a panel, skin, piece of paper, etc. and creatively generating something that wasn't there before really inspires me. Art is everywhere, and creating keeps me alive.
What benefit does art provide to society?
Art provides healing and freedom. With art, anything is possible, and anything can be created; because it is limitless, it helps society to dream. Also, for many, art is an escape from their day to day to enter a world full of possibilities which provides a sense of healing and liberation. Those that are marginalized in our society do not have a true voice that is often heard, and for them, I can include myself in this as well, art has given us a voice to tell our own stories which in return gives us a sense of empowerment. We need more of that in underrepresented communities to uplift each other, that is why art is so important.
What’s your advice to others chasing their dreams?
Just do it! Stop holding yourself back. Stop overthinking and making excuses. There is never going to be a perfect time to start, so start today. My advice is to go sober and stay clear-minded because it is important to take care of your body. Also, listen to your intuition and don't over think what anyone else has to say, this is your life, not theirs.
What is your biggest inspiration and why?
My family. My parents are the most hardworking people I know, and they never give up. My siblings are all artists, and they are all creative in their own way, as well as express their art differently. I love that we all help each other with ideas and encourage each other to keep creating. Their support and creativity have lead me to where I am now.
When you think of home, what comes to mind?
I'm really big on family, so to me, being together with them feels right. It doesn't matter where we go, I always feel at home with them.
