Shooting Nights.

Night Shooting; Night Two.

Its all in the lighting. Everything is fully dependent on the lighting, Oh, and how steady you can hold your hand. Mind you the temps in Chicago, by the water, isn’t nothing to play with. However Night Two was a success! I am learning to appreciate the types of photos that are captured, when there isn’t a expectation in mind. Unfortunately all the minutes for night mode videos, are too dark. Way too dark, but its alright, we’ll continue to work on that. I also gave time wrap a try, and whoa! I am shookth! I only recorded three seconds, but in those few seconds I see what I can make happen and I am so excited.

PS. I’ve been keeping an open mind when editing and y’all!! The possibilities have me so super giddy. I’ll set them for the World’s consumption tomorrow!

Good Night, Tristan J.

state to state

I’m back in Chicago, Got in two days ago? three days ago? Chile, IDK, I can barely keep up with the days of the week, but I am back home. Didn’t meant to spend two weeks in New York especially since I barely took enough clothes to last. So trust, I was out here, hand washing everything, everyday! I left Chicago with high 70’s weather, I return to the high 40’s! Gawd! Please remind me why I love this city so much? Sigh! Living in Dallas spoiled me, cuz now I am NOT ready for these cooler temps so early into the fall. Sunshine, please Save ME. I won’t even mention the rain!

Also, Amazon is a Hater! I was supposed to receive a package today, hence me coming home, and guess what wasn’t ready for me? Yup, My damn package. I had plans to fly elsewhere, but I guess Chicago, missed me too!

Tristan Jonez

Shower Thoughts

This weekend I watched Boomerang with Eddie Murphy, and I can’t remember if I’ve ever seen it in full. Over the years, I’ve seen bits and pieces but to sit down and focus? Nah. For all of us, there are movies we’ve seen that have shaped our mindsets, wether right or wrong. ‘Pretty Woman’ was that movie, that I’m sure I had no business watching, but it shaped certain opinions I have about love/sex. Boomerang was that movie for my best friend Jeff, he STILL has his strong opinions about a woman’s feet.

If you’ve never seen the movie, First, GO AND WATCH!! Secondly, here’s my shower thought. Unfortunately it took for Marcus, hurting Angela’s feelings BEFORE she bossed up, quit her former position and took an opportunity being a Boss with another company. However in the notion of Bossing up, she changed the things which made her unique, that first shot when we are being reintroduced to Angela, she could almost be mistaken for Jacquline. Who’s Jacquline? She’s the woman who role reversed it on Marcus, and caused him to truly reevaluate his behavior, but not before letting it be known what her boundaries and intentions were. Jacquline had to repeatedly verbalize to Marcus how far she was willing to go, how much she was willing to share with him, and yet, every time he could he would challenge those boundaries. (Eye Roll)

Jonez.

All American S2E5

My eyes started welling up as I was writing the title. Shit. What an incredible episode, brilliant and emotional writing I equally love & hate entertainment (shows/books) that make me cry. Pulls the emotion out of me. Makes me identify with what’s being portrayed. And yes, I know, that is what marks the making of good show … one where the audience can identify with. But fuck.

These are the times where I wish on a million stars that I had a mother to vent to. A person who’s sole job was to be there for me. To comfort me, and right now, I need it.

I’m adding the CW television show, to the list of motion pictures, I will NEVER Rewatch, Seven Pounds is at the top of that list.

Jonez.

State to State

This Weeks Edition of State to State is brought to you by the City of NY. I was/am here to celebrate my nephews Eight Birthday on October 4th, and babyyy, we had such a great time! It’s always an experience when you put five different personalities together, but there wasn’t an argument in sight! I flew in from Chicago the morning of, then an aircraft, train and bus ride later, Shorty was in Harlem, ready to slide up to somebody’s brunch, but I stayed focused.

First up, bowling … which I’m not as good as I would’ve loved to be. Shit, I was using the wrong fingers to hold the bowling ball so there’s that. Fun Fact; I’ve been bowling twice ever in life!

Next, a private party for my nephew which included confetti cake and mini carrot cake cupcakes. He was surprised by our cousins, who came through. Such a super fun time, and the birthday boy throughly enjoyed himself!

Tristan Jonez

One Thing.

There really should be something said for folks who are able to do as they please … without regard for ANYONE else. I used to be embarrassed when folks would say things like, “well you only have you to be responsible for”, or “You should be lucky you don’t have any kids”. Like it was a bad thing I didn’t have children, or was only responsible for myself, Listen! It’s not a negative at all, In this day and time, it’s a blessing.

Y’all better stop sitting around, wishing you had someone else’s life. Someone else’s responsibilities. I thank the stars above that my life doesn’t look like, what I THOUGHT I wanted. There’s such a light in being who you are. Such a weightlessness to truly walk as the person you are supposed to be. Does your life look better now than what you wanted?

Jonez

Muse-ical

So y’all already I LOVE Musicals! Oh em gee! The music paired with movements, and dance and visual storytelling. Just pinch me! If I could sing well, I would do all I could to perform in them ALL! I’ll be the first to admit, I was sleeping on Hamilton, the musical. I had heard a bit of the reviews, but no one clued me in on the music! OH EM GEE! Since its television debut, I’ve listened to at least one or twelve songs, everyday. The last time I played a musical to this length was “Rent”. My niece hates that movie because of me, which is such an unfortunate tragedy. However I still listen to “Rent”. Fun Fact; Alphabet City is one of my favorite neighborhoods to take a lazy stroll in the summer.

Although we are still dealing with ‘Rona Virus, I am hopeful I’ll have the opportunity to see Hamilton, the musical live on Broadway. If I had a choice of being in “Rent” or “Hamilton” I think I would chose RENT!

Tristan Jonez.

Via The Car

Its such a tragedy when you do not have a whole photoshoot, and the only photos you have are the four selfies from the Car. Well, YALL gonna get this photo and this fashion! This is one of my fav labels, Scotch & Soda! Bonus, its a set, however I didn’t wear the shorts that come with. This shirt is giving me upgraded pajama chic, but it was versatile to either lounge on the couch, or catch a first class flight to the beach city of your dreams. Such a comfortable but fashionable piece of clothing. Are you a fan of wearing clothing that could be mistaken for upscale pajamas?

Jonez.

Rose Garden

Ive always been a lover of nature, there was a time when I thought I was a photographer for Nat Geo. I would be like there’s a spider, well let me take out my camera and capture it. Ha! I was like alright, pose, let me see you, twirl, stop, move there, etc. I know the insect would be like this fool is crazy, let me scurry on out of the way. I do the very same when I find flowers. I HAVE to take the time to adore, and show my appreciation for them blooming as they have.

While in Portland, Oregon, I went to the International Rose Test Garden, where they actually work to create new types of roses. I am a bad blogger, cuz I took the time to write NOTHING down, but in my defense, I took incredible photos. Surprisingly you are able to walk in the grass, of the garden, and have photoshoots and picnics, while taking beautiful photos. Do you have a favorite color rose? Mine is anything with touches of purples.

Tristan Jonez

Birth-Day

This year my 34th birthday was spent in Havana, Cuba! Can I just tell you how much of a magical place Cuba is? It is better than anything you can picture, and I can not wait to go back. So I stayed in an airbnb, which in Cuba is called casa particular, with a family. I had a room/bathroom of my own. I did opt to do breakfast in-house, which included fruits, coffee/tea, juice and eggs. On the morning of my birthday, the family, presented me with a slice of cake lit with a candle, I even wore a crown … over my bonnet. The memory makes me smile!

After the breakfast celebration I started my day off at the capital, to center myself and decide on where my time would be spent. I walked toward Old Havana, and ended up at the Museo del Arte colonial. A beautiful museum near Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana in the Plaza del Catedral. It would be the only museum I would visit while in Cuba!

I started the tour navigating on my own, but when I walked to the second story of the museum I was joined by a tour guide. And guess what, It was like having my own personal docent, who happened to give me the tour in Spanish, and I was actually able to follow along. MY tour guide even took my photos, and made me pose, it was an amazing experience. Definitely made my birthday even more memorable.

But Wait, Did someone said Salsa…

Tristan J

trigger warning

Thats what folks need to start posting PRIOR to uploading something that will trigger us all. Sharing and Resharing a video or a photo, of the death of a Black man, cant be healthy for us, especially for Black folks. Although I might have been fully sane to begin with, I’m In a weird space between loosing or keeping my sanity. When I close my eyes, I can not get the imagery out of my head. I never want to become accustom to the death of Black folks by the Police. NEVER!

These past few days have been so heavy, its hard to want to get out of the bed. However in spite of a global pandemic and racial uprisings/liberation, you still have to find a way to continue on. Since I am not physically joining the fight, Ive donated to the Freedom Fund so I can financially assist those who are. Violence seems to be the only language they understand, so speak fluently!

Power to the People!

Tristan Jonez