michael berger | blog

Day at the circus—Kenya team fundraiser

2010-07-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

Here are shots from a fundraiser shoot where models and photographers raised funds for a team going to Kenya.

FWA Photo #2

2010-02-08T18:19:00.000-08:00

Thousands of photos get sumbitted to this site out of England everyday. FWA chose my photo on February 02 to be the photo of the day. This is my second photo chosen this year and second in two weeks. Here is the link:

http://www.fwaphoto.com/#/2010-02-02//

Nicole+Rain

2010-01-21T22:53:00.001-08:00

FWA Photo

2010-01-15T16:38:00.000-08:00

Thousands of photos get sumbitted to this site out of England everyday. FWA chose my photo on January 13 to be the photo of the day. Here is the link:

http://www.fwaphoto.com/#/2010-01-14/

Reeves.

2009-12-26T19:25:00.001-08:00

Thursday morning walk.

2009-12-18T10:56:00.000-08:00

I traveled up north to attend my uncle Kenny's funeral. Beforehand I took a walk around my uncle Dennis' dairy at 6am. It was foggy so I was hoping for some cool light.

A few of my favorite things.....

2009-12-11T21:59:00.000-08:00

MFA.

2009-11-06T23:13:00.000-08:00

Here are a few shots from a project I am doing for my Master of Fine Arts studies.

New Shoot.

2009-10-28T20:33:00.001-07:00

Here are a few shots of friends of the family.

Colleen.

2009-10-25T22:24:00.001-07:00

Here are shots of our friend Colleen.

Isaac.

2009-09-18T21:11:00.001-07:00

Here is a senior portrait I shot today. Great location.

Self.

2009-09-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

My friend Jeff had diamond club seats for the angel game where I had a couple of sodas. I don't drink caffeine so i was up all night...and bored. With the studio set up from a shoot today i decided to try the new remote and play with some lighting techniques....

Nicole on Gray

2009-08-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Here are more shots of Nicole we set up on gray. Thanks Nicole. Enjoy.

Nicole

2009-08-23T18:22:00.001-07:00

Here are shots from an impromptu photo shoot in a dressing room using natural. Nicole is also an extremely talented young actress and singer. Just a natural in front of the camera.

Isaac.

2009-08-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots of Isaac. An extremely talented young man. So fun.

Ron

2009-08-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here is a shoot with my brother Ron. I don't condone smoking but it is part of his personality so I had him bring the nails. He is not a huge smoker if there is a difference. After my wife and kids, Ron is my favorite person in this world.

Kaycee

2009-08-05T22:55:00.000-07:00

Amanda

2009-08-05T22:47:00.001-07:00

John Helms

2009-06-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

John came over for a couple of hours and we just messed around. My neighbor's friend brought his bike over.

This week.

2009-06-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots done in the last couple days. I am enjoying my summer off and hope you are too.

A day at the races

2009-06-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

Today I drove up to Glen Helen to shoot Jeff's daughter Tianna race in Nationals. It was cloudy and breezy therefore a perfect day to shoot some racing.

Connor

2009-06-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

I am shooting headshots for a few folks and shot this one before we were set. I liked how only his hair was in focus and the light was a little high at this point.

Hayley

2009-05-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots I took of Hayley. She needed some headshots and then we headed for the tracks.

Peter Pan

2009-05-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

Here is another shot from the Peter Pan session. This is a very good wig. She is a very good actress who becomes her characters.

cbudesign. the outside

2009-05-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

Here is the second installment of the video spots we are doing.

Peter Pan's Hook

2009-05-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

I took this shot yesterday for C.A.T. of Corona's production of Peter Pan open soon. Visit www.catcorona.org for showtimes and tickets. A great show for all ages and great production quality...no cheese here.

Walter's Mercedes shot

2009-05-08T01:23:00.000-07:00

For my MFA studies I built this image using a shot taken at Walter's Mercedes.

cbudesign. the inside.

2009-05-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

Buddy and Ingrid's Wedding

2009-04-12T09:48:00.001-07:00

Here are shots from Buddy and Ingrid's wedding I took yesterday. Had a great time with very nice people.

cbudesign | class of 09

2009-03-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Here are shots of cbudesign seniors. I only got to work with them for one year but they have worked hard and I have enjoyed them.

cbudesign.

2009-02-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

Here is an email campaign that just went out. It is a page from the cbudesign brochure that is at press right now.

Raymond Gregory CD

2009-01-18T22:04:00.000-08:00

I dropped off the art with Raymond today. Here are a few panels. He wanted something clean so I tried to stay out of the way of the photos we shot earlier.

San Francisco.

2008-12-30T20:23:00.001-08:00

This shot cost me lunch....best $5 I have ever spent.

Uncle Jack, our host.

My love (s).

Grandma Cookie.
Uncle Dick and Aunt Virgina

We just got back from a few days spent with Uncle Jack in San Francisco. Great Time. On the way home I stopped for gas around Los Banos and family members from Portland Oregon saw me. They were on the way home from San Diego. What are the odds of two people heading home to different states in different directions meeting at one gas station at the exact time...not planned. It really lifted my spirits during a long drive home.

Main Campus

2008-12-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

Here are some shots from Sunday at the main campus.

Danergous Church

2008-12-20T23:34:00.000-08:00

This is a campaign I just finished...movie poster theme. Great message.

Sonya.

2008-12-20T23:13:00.000-08:00

Shot Sonya tonight. She is on staff and was at The Vibe tonight. Very nice people tonight, great time. The lighting was from a Christmas lights and a little inconsistant but I get to shoot her again tomorrow with daylight and should get better results.

The Vibe.

2008-12-20T23:00:00.001-08:00

I shot The Vibe tonight and it was a rockin', wonderful service.

Eastvale.

2008-12-14T23:37:00.000-08:00

I had a busy day at a church today then off to the mall for my daughter's party.

Jan.

2008-12-14T22:23:00.001-08:00

South Campus

2008-12-10T23:23:00.000-08:00

Here are a few shots from the Sunday shoot. Very nice people. Very gray day.

MFA

2008-12-08T21:25:00.000-08:00

I attended my Master of Fine Arts Degree program orientation tonight and grabbed a few shots of the parking structure.

geetars.

2008-12-06T15:30:00.001-08:00

Ted.

2008-11-29T19:25:00.000-08:00

While spraying guitars and hanging out I invited my good friend and neighbor Ted Gregory over to shoot for a bit. Ted is a thumping bass player and just a sweet man.

Chalmer.

2008-11-29T19:06:00.000-08:00

Today I sprayed a finish on the neck and guitar that my buddy Chalmer Lumary reliced for me. I had the light kit set up so I got shot of him while we sprayed.

AfterEffects.

2008-11-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

Love Well @ CBU

2008-11-24T23:23:00.000-08:00

My students from the design club photographed, designed and produced this video. I introduced Frank Zuniga to AfterEffects, Jenny Lee designed a beautiful logo, Enoch Kim had great shots to work with that he matched to currrent students. It is very satisfying when you see a project come together from the students. Enjoy.

Scrooge!

2008-11-17T21:17:00.000-08:00

Cole just finished up a run of Scrooge. What a great play! We have such a great time with his plays.

Mini Field trip

2008-11-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

I took the photoshop class out to shoot around one day to mix it up a bit. We hit the pool and I just had to shoot a shot or two. Even professors get to play.

In His Image...from the archives

2008-10-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

I was zipping thru my travel drive that I haven't touched in years and found these "In His Image" images from a photoshoot my class took on its first day. We set up the background in the middle of the campus and started taking shots.

BC!

2008-09-29T21:15:00.000-07:00

We are doing mugshots for the cbudesign brochure coming up. BC, a rookie professor at cbu like me, did me the favor and had his shot. Looks like a rockstar to me, or a future design prof.

Micah!

2008-09-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

One of my immensely talented photo friends is Micah Escamilla. She is in Canada at photography school and by the looks of these two shots she is learning a thing or thousand. These two shots transport me to a trip I got to take to NASA and witness something very few do, the flight of amazing aircraft in an isolated environment. These photos are my new favorite shots....maybe ever. And now they are my favorite screen savers ever!

Logo work.

2008-09-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

In past two months I have worked a few logos, here are a few.

I designed this logo for my new job as head of the design department for California Baptist University. I am looking forward to developing a premier Christian design program and working with the students to develop their skills.

This logo is for a Saturday night service at a local church.

This logo is for a month long series at the church in which it existed as video, banners, posters, postcard etc.

Another month long series playing off the hit tv show...

The Vibe.

2008-08-24T00:04:00.000-07:00

I took these shots of theVibe. A Saturday night service here in Corona. I have been doing design work with them too and it has been an answer to prayer as I start heading up the design program at CBU this month.

Harvest 08.

2008-08-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

My friend Zack a student from cbu shot as well.

Karen, a co-worker and friend from cbu found me from the crowd.

From the rafters of the stadium I heard "Mike! Mike!" my friend Bryan and family found me walking by.

Last night I helped my friends Tom Householder and Trever Hoehne shoot the Harvest Crusade at Anaheim Stadium. What a thrill! With my photo credential I traveled the stadium bowels and field to cover the event. I didn't spend a lot time getting stage shots because as you can imagine they were covered. I was looking for the gap shot so I walked from corner to corner. Enjoy. Greg was great and after weeks removed from Chris's death both he and Jonathan were courageous.

Raymond Gregory.

2008-08-10T00:34:00.000-07:00

I had the great fun of shooting Raymond Gregory, a great singer, songwriter and amazing guitarist. He lead worship at our old church and now at our new one. He has a new cd coming soon which I hope to design for him and a new song coming up in a movie. We did this shoot in my garage. Enjoy.

Dinkey Creek.

2008-08-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

Not sure what I am more proud of, my three fish or my three chins.

This photo is me, my cousin Steve and brother Ron on the right.

My first trip to Dinkey Creek was when I was 13 years old. Every year members of my extended family have made the trip. I took 10 years off but the kids like going now so I make the 5 hour drive. It is great to spend time with the family. Hiking, fishing, you name it, no cell service...great fun.

Chris Laurie.

2008-07-27T18:24:00.000-07:00

I just got home from camping where I was without cell service for a week. While coming down the hill Cole was frustrated by all the texts coming from my inbox as my phone found a signal. I didn't bother looking at them figuring I would caught up Monday morning. When I got home Krista gave me the news my friend Chris Laurie was killed in his station wagon I told him he "looked good in", he would have looked good even in a xterra.

He is gone. 33. This world on a string. Now he is in Heaven and Jesus is enjoying his laugh.

Heaven just got the one of the cooler, nicer guys you ever hope to meet. His daughters won't even get to know him.

God, thank you for Chris for a little while....I know your will is perfect, but this hurts.

Happy birthday America

2008-07-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

The long weekend brought great fun with family and friends. We had family in from Texas, San Fransico, Fresno and made trips to Carlsbad, Yorba Linda and Huntington Beach. We swam, ate, visited, heard friends perform acoustically and enjoyed the mild weather.

Rooly Sunglasses

2008-07-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

One of the cooler companies I have been working with is Rooly Sunglasses. I have designed their site and worked them on other projects. Rooly sunglasses are worn by elite athletics. Jason Giambi wears Vatican by Rooly Sunglasses. Rafael Furcal wears Partial by Rooly Sunglasses. There are even photos of Derek Jeter wearing Rooly Sunglasses. Terrance Trammell wears Rooly Sunglasses. Josh Cox wears Rooly Sunglasses, the list goes on and on. Check them out at http://www.rooly.com

Great Grandma Dorothy

2008-06-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

To test the service called Blurb who make books from your photos I pulled a bunch of photos of my Grandma Dorothy who is now 83. Somone took some great shots and they are now little jewels that I can pull up of my brother and I. I will let you know how Blurb books turn out.

Grammy & Papa Chuck

2008-06-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

We headed to Grammy's for the day on took photos of all the grandbabies then headed to the beach.

CBU. 2.0

2008-06-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

In August I begin another chapter in this journey. I will teach at CBU where I worked as Director or Creative Services for two years. I am excited about building a program that will prepare the students for a life in design.

I sat in the courtyard in 2003 when they dedicated the new building and remember distinctly a feeling that I would "be here", so when I made the move the to the CD position I thought "Wow God! You did it!". However, I can say too that when I left last year that my stay didn't live up to that feeling I had in 2003. So this a my chance to live to up to that feeling, or promise, if you will.

I am excited about the opportunity to make a Kingdom Impact, arming these students with skills and experiences to help them hear their inner voice, their core, and their purpose on this rock. And I believe that when their skills no longer prohibit them from realizing this purpose that they will in turn glorify and sustain God's word in a relevant manner to their society...which will be far beyond my time on this rock....

So keep an eye out for the CBU Design Dept.

Hog.

2008-06-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

My friend Courtland of ten years and I met out at Hemet for some business when on the way back we goofed around and got a few shots of the hog. I have been looking at way too much Hoehne-ography.

Travis Ryan.

2008-06-14T12:43:00.001-07:00

From time to time you get to help someone out AND you get to work with friends who are really talented in the process. When the occasion arises you jump at it. Just recently I got to help Travis Ryan (a student of mine, only because he needed extra units to graduate) put together the CD package for his forth-coming project. The look of the package is more about Trever Hoehne's (a student of mine, not because he needed extra units, he was good to go the day i met him) photography than anything I did which was lay the text out and not get in the way of photography. But that aside, it was fun working with the both of them. Look for the CD at his website, http://www.travisryanmusic.com.

A Live Wire Award

2008-06-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

Cole just finished up the spring performance of C.A.T's (Christian Arts Theater in Corona) The Jungle Book. He was the bad guy and ate it up. The part allowed him to go into the audience to adlib. As a parent it was an edge-of-the-seat-moment when you wonder if he is going to say something that will moritify you, but he is a pro and was very funny. The directors did not want to feed him words and let him go. On one occasion a troop of girl scouts was in attendance so he walked out to sniff "man cub" and sniffed the air to sly, "I smell girl scout cookies!". Nice pull. I got a pretty good laugh from that. He also won the "The Live Wire" award for the performer "you couldn't take your eyes off". Am I a proud papa? You bet.

K1 Speed Zone

2008-04-28T00:15:00.000-07:00

I took these shots over a year ago for K1 Speed Zone in Irvine and now I am beginning to see billboards and banners around town. The radio spots are now featured on my favorite sports talk station where I keep up with the Lakers. Here are the shots.

Latest Projects

2008-04-26T23:40:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the latest projects I have been working on.

This is a shot of Judy Copenbarger that I took at an event she set up. We shot video to go with this which will make a great package for her.

Click graphic above for animation. This animation is for Uniloc.

This graphic is built for Uniloc and is targeting game developers to sell them Physical Device Fingerprinting.

Photographs, Memories and the Sink.

2008-03-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

One of the cool things about being "dad" are the memories that can rush back to you in an instant. They might have not even been that big of deal when you were going thru them but are so much sweeter when they breeze thru.

I have been going thru my digital files and found these scans of my daughter being bathed in the sink and sleeping. These were pre-1oD and were shot with my old AE-1.

Product.

2008-02-23T16:24:00.000-08:00

I took this shot for N2 eyewear, really cool sunglasses.

No Cal.

2008-02-23T16:19:00.000-08:00

Tyler and I spent a couple of days shooting a wedding and caught this guy in the parking lot. Lawson and Laura Moore shared lunch with us and listen for a few minutes to this guy invite them to a church event they wouldn't be in town for....true kids of missionaries. I got a chuckle out of it and at the same respected his screws to engage strangers like that.

Road Trip

2008-02-16T01:12:00.000-08:00

Today Tyler Hoehne and I traveled to Los Banos and Chowchilla US of A and visited my unlce Dennis, aunt Darlene, cousin Susie and 500 cows. We are up for a Mary Pryfogle's wedding to shoot it for her. I brought Tyler with me so I didn't blow her wedding, he is a ringer.

Thanksgiving.

2007-11-22T19:32:00.000-08:00

This year with family traveling we are enjoying a quiet day and shooting our Christmas family photo. And here it is.

The OC is fair is open on Tuesdays

2007-08-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

It turns out the OC is open on Tuesdays and closed Mondays. With that information in hand we headed to the OC and went to the fair. One thing I have learned about the fair is not too be fooled by the great smelling food — it is a lie.

"Toym te gow Ow-fie"

2007-08-06T21:28:00.001-07:00

It is finished. And what a time was had by all. 9 shows, 25 cast members, 1 director, 1 dancer director, 1 music director, 1 customer, 12 tech folks, 1 line, 4 words..."Toym te gow Ow-fie". My Fair Lady is done and it is back to life, being dad and husband. I hope I am a little wiser, a little lighter in my way. I hope I don't stop singing show tunes in the shower and don't stop hearing the kids laughing and singing with Dad. To the cast and everyone involved with My Fair Lady, thank you for a thrill.

Dick Petit.

2007-07-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

When I asked Dick Petit if I could marry his daughter, he paused, and then simply said, "You seem like you are a level-headed young man. Yes, you can marry my daughter." That was it. I didn't think much of it at the time. I had my ring, my clearance from the tower and I was good to go. It wasn't until years later after building a few "very" straight brick walls and hanging some very straight pictures that I realized just how important the concept of level was to Dick Petit. It was then that I realized that Dick had imparted to me directions on how to love his beautiful daughter for a lifetime. His directions, as I have to come know them: Keep it level, keep it true, and by all means, stay the course.

You see, Dick was the perfect father-in-law. He didn't like to give advice...even when asked for it. He didn't mess in our affairs. Dick liked to use moments to share information and if you were lucky enough to be within an earshot and grasped what he was saying then you were blessed.

It was a day like any other day. Dick and I were on a porch swing watching Cole, his grandson, who was running around when he says, "I don't know if I appreciated my kids as much as I appreciate that little boy." Now I know what kind of father he was so I know not loving his kids is what he meant. In his simple way was giving a young father simple directions to love his boy for a lifetime. "Keep it level, keep it true, and by all means, stay the course."

The date was July 21, 2006. Krista was off doing opening night for Brigadoon at the theatre in Corona and I was pulling kid duty. At about 9:15 I got a phone call and I just knew. I just knew. The officer on the other end told me that "Richard Petit died" and that I was to come to the house. I stood there for a moment. Then, walked over the kids, leaned over, hands on knees and told them that "Grandpa Dick just died and I need to be Grandma Cookie". Telling Cole that his biggest fan has left this earth was the hardest thing I have ever had to do...for about a half an hour.

When I got to the house I was instructed to get Krista and bring her to the house. Now, officially the hardest thing I have ever had to do. When I got to the theatre I walked around back where I met Cyndi Monroe and told her the news. Krista came out from the middle of the production I didn't have to say a word. She knew right away. It was in my eyes. She lost her biggest fan.

We have had rough days in the last year. Some tears. Very fond memories and moments where we think "Dick would have loved this party, or this parade, or this music." The pain is mellowing into moments and memories. All I can do is move forward, "Keep it level, keep it true, and by all means, stay the course."

My Fair Lady.

2007-07-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

This summer I wanted to get in on the fun that both Cole and Krista have had in plays put on C.A.T. of Corona and in turn help support them. Sooo, I bid $500 to win a part in the production of My Fair Lady opening on July 21. I have made a few new friends and really had a great time learning parts and discovering just how much work goes into the productions.

July 4, 2007.

2007-07-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a parade down Main Street to conjure up feelings of family and patriotism. July 4th has feeling all it's very own. BBQs, fireworks, hot weather and parades down streets that every other day of the year you are driving to get somewhere on give it a feeling that transports you to time when you were a kid huddled on some curb to see the floats.

Today we huddled on a shady curb to watch Cole march in support of 101 Dalmations, a production he will be doing in a couple of weeks. Great fun had by all.

Poolside.

2007-07-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

Poolside. It has become a mantra of mine over the last month. Working from home and tempatures sweltering over the 100 degree mark mandates that I spend quite some time well, you know, poolside. I would love to say it is all fun and games, or that it has been relaxing, but no, there have been swim lessons, deadlines and that little tiny voice in my head that says this is too good to last. I won't lie, there have been lunch breaks of swims in the middle of the day—during a work day no less—that for the last 18 years would have seemed impossible.

On June 1, 2007 I gave up my position at CBU to pursue a position working for a company in Irvine, another in San Diego and the prospect of working from home. It has been easy transition—to say the least. I have a nice set up in my office, the work is right up alley and the people are great. I can look out my window overlooking the pool and listen to the waterfalls.

The family is doing well. Krista is busy keeping things going. She hates the heat. I don't think she liked the idea of me working from home but I have made a conscious effort to stay out of her hair.

The kids are great and also enjoying the pool and being poolside.