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Who is Steven Sanchez?

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From time to time, we like to highlight people in the Fresno area who are doing cool things. Today, meet Steven Sanchez, a man with many talents, including photography, videography, and writing.
 
Steven is sharing with us a collection of photos he’s taken of entertainers who have taken the stage in Fresno. Check out his work, then scroll down to find out where you can see more.
 
who is steven sanchez

A portrait of the artist

Who is Steven Sanchez? 

My name: Steven Sanchez
 
What I do: I’m a promotions coordinator at Lotus Communications (105.1 The Blaze) and a freelance photographer/videographer specializing in concerts, stand-up comedy, and comic book conventions.
 
What I love about the Fresno area: What I like about Fresno is the potential it has. The music scene here is growing, along with the stand-up comedy scene, and comic book conventions in the Valley are expanding. And there’s a lot of local talent that are helping put these communities on the map. With that attention, Fresno has the ability to become a top quality destination for entertainment, and our local economy can financially benefit from it based on the acts and performers we can bring to town at a consistent rate that can match the other commercial cities in California.
 
What I’m sharing with FresYes readers:
 
who is steven sanchez
 
• Portrait of Drake Bell, Fulton 55, 2018. It was just him, alone, onstage with an acoustic guitar, showcasing himself as a musical solo talent than just as a well-known actor.
 
who is steven sanchez
 
• Portrait of lead singer Nathan Hunt of Southern alternative metal band Shaman’s Harvest at Fulton 55, 2017. 
 
who is steven sanchez
 
• A Nameless Ghoul (guitarist) for the Swedish metal band Ghost at the Rainbow Ballroom in the summer of 2017. The identity of the guitarist along with other members of the band remain a mystery because no one knows who they are or what they look like. 
 
who is steven sanchez
 
• Close-up of lead singer/guitarist Dee Radke of the garage rock band Radkey at Strummer’s, 2017. The band consists of three brothers, and with his vocals matching The Offspring and Glenn Danzig and their diverse appearance, they are one of the most unique, up-and-coming bands in the music industry. 
 
who is steven sanchez
 
• Lead singer Dustin Bates of the futuristic rock project Starset at Fulton 55, January 2017. No lie, the band members wear space suits during their shows while utilizing a space-like, futuristic light show, definitely appealing to someone who is a sci-fi, Star Wars or Star Trek fan. 
 
who is steven sanchez
 
• Guitarist Shawn Patterson of the metal band Vyces at Frank’s Place, 2016. A band that consists of former members from Breaking Benjamin, Heart-Set Self-Destruct, and Old Fashioned Beatdown, and they are on the rise, be on the lookout for them. 
 
who is steven sanchez
 
• Comedian, the “fluffy” man, Gabriel Iglesias, at the Paul Paul Theater at the Fresno Fair 2017. With his impressions, stories, and lovable personality, no wonder the Central Valley loves this funny man and he sells out every time he comes to town.
 
who is steven sanchez
 
• Lead singer Papa Emeritus 0, of the Swedish metal band Ghost, at the Rainbow Ballroom in the summer of 2017. Theatrics is a big part of their act, especially the singer, who has been through four iterations of his name. Hs identity hadn’t been revealed until recently; he is …Tobias Forge.
 who is steven sanchez
 
• Buckethead, guitar maestro, Tower Theatre, 2016. Yes, he does wear a bucket over his head, and wears a white mask, but it doesn’t take away his reputation as being one of the most innovative guitar players in the history of rock. 
 
who is steven sanchez
 
• The indie rock band Magic Giant: Zang (left), Zambricki Li (middle), and Austin Bisnow (right), at Strummer’s, March 2018. I would distinguish their roles by the instruments they play, but they play everything, which makes their music so eclectic that it has a spiritual and uplifting sound.
 
Here’s where people can find more of my work: You can see photographs on my Instagram and view my videos on my YouTube page.
 
And you can read the articles I’ve written for Kings River Life Magazine:
 
 
HardKor Media is my media company. If anyone is looking for someone to do a photo or video shoot in regards to live music or music video, commercial, stand-up comedy, or comic book convention, or an event along those lines you can reach out to me through email, stevenmychal@yahoo.com or my cell phone (559) 367-5637.
 
…
 
All photos courtesy of Steven Sanchez

Introduction to “The View” by Mr. E

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“Hello there…”

I’ve always wanted to start an article this way. It’s so inviting, it makes you want to sit for a moment and read whatever it is that’s being written. I mean truly, how many people really say, “Hello there” any longer?

Well, as fate would have it, our beautiful city wants to say hello to its inhabitants! For years, all I’ve ever heard or read about through various channels was that there’s nothing to do in Fresno—no scene, no culture, and with that, very little diversity.

I’ve had the pleasure of leaving Fresno to attend college outside the state of California and I’ve also had the pleasure of returning back home, none the worse for being back in a place of comfort.

This afternoon, I wrapped up my workday and thought to myself I should do something adventurous and out of my comfort zone. So I did what any person who is afraid of heights would do: I scaled one of the tallest, if not the tallest, buildings in town to see just how our city lays out in front of the naked eye.

(I should probably let you all know when I wrote “scaled,” I did not mean the Spiderman way of transportation. My mutant powers were taken from me years back.)

Over the course of the next ten months or so, I intend to stumble upon and help uncover some gems within this city, which some of you reading this might not know exist. I guess there’s a bit of intrigue/mystery set to play out before our eyes — as long as you choose to check up on this blog from time to time.

I took a picture for us to use as a bit of a roadmap, a bit of a starting point, and to think, There I stood not being too afraid of what was laid out in front of me, a new adventure.

Hello there, Fresno, let’s dance for a moment. – Mr. E

 

Mr. E travels Fresno and beyond looking for the fascinating in the everyday. Look for his photos to appear on FresYes.com every other Friday.

FresYes People – Ellie Koleen is Fresno’s Instagram ‘It’ Girl

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Kendra Gilbert

Writer at FresYes.com
Kendra Gilbert is a writer born and raised in Clovis. She has written for publications from Boston to Los Angeles and loves writing about fashion and people most of all. The abbreviated list of things she enjoys outside of writing includes: thrifting, photography, harmonica, beer, movies, hiking and skee ball.
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Ellie Koleen is cool. Let’s just get that out of the way. But what makes her particular brand of cool so appealing is that it’s 100 percent real and involves really gorgeous photographs.

Koleen is a wedding photographer by trade. Schooled by her dad, a commercial photographer, Koleen started earning a living shooting weddings about a year ago, having become a wife herself not too long before that. And when she’s not capturing the nuptials of couples up and down the state of California, Koleen is snapping shots on her cellphone for her Instagram account. There are feet selfies and pictures of her pets (including a hedgehog named Hashtag); food pics and candid shots of giggling girlfriends side-by-side with scenic coastlines, abstract cityscapes and still lifes of some of her favorite things (from flowers to notebooks, reading glasses and stationary).

But what sets Koleen’s account apart from the accounts of other twenty-somethings who use the app, is the immediate impact of Koleen’s perspective, and the synergy between all of her photos. The whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. And what might otherwise come off as a haphazard jumble of daily minutiae becomes a mini digital art collection….with more than 6,000 followers.

Even better for Instagram lovers in Fresno, in particular, is that a lot of Koleen’s pictures are taken around the city, giving us a fresh perspective and making our city just a little bit cooler by association. Koleen says her account allows her creative freedom, but also serves as a portfolio. It has led to collaborations with major blogs like Design*Sponge and Green Wedding Shoes.

Below, Koleen shares her top five tips for taking better Instagram photos. Check them out and watch my interview with Koleen in which she talks about how she got started, what she likes about shooting weddings and her “24 Hours in Fresno, CA” collaboration with Design*Sponge.

1. Stick to natural light. 

Take photos outside or by window light, and avoid artificial lighting. If you are taking photos inside, turn off all the artificial lighting in the room. This will give you an even color temperature and keep the light clean. 

2. Sometimes less is more. 

If you have a bunch of awesome, but busy, photos in your feed, try taking a more minimalistic one every once in a while to break it up a bit. Imagine scrolling through your feed full of visual clutter and stumbling upon a simple but refreshing minimalistic photo. It really catches the eye! Look for symmetry, color and pattern. 

3. Don’t use Instagram to take and edit the photo.

Just like with my professional photography, sometimes it takes a few tries to get the perfect shot. Shoot with the normal camera app on your phone, this way you can take as many photos as you want and pick your favorite later. My favorite editing app is VSCO but there are so many good ones out there! 

4. Use the same filter every time to give you feed a consistent feel. 

I use the same 2 filters at about 75% opacity each stacked on top of each other in VSCO. Find your favorite combo and stick to it! I also like to mostly photograph only neutrals and light subjects. It’s what my eye is naturally drawn to!

5. Always use the square format while shooting.

It helps you to frame your shot best for Instagram! 

Ellie Koleen: @elliserochelle on Instagram

iPhoneography

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Mark Sasser

Outdoor Writer at FresYes.com
Having been born and raised in the Valley and spending his complete adult life exploring the outdoors gives Mark a unique look at what we all see each day. From cycling to backpacking, solo or with friends, Fresno proper to the mountains above can at any time be where Mark is found living his life outdoors.

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Much has been talked about this week with the instagram graffiti artist who defiled multiple National Parks and Monuments with her scribbling’s making the national news. While I’m not writing about that I’ll just say I’m not a fan.

What I am a fan of is the new wave of photographers who have taken their iPhones and the like into the field and become an army of outdoor photographers producing wonderful images with nothing more than a hand held device. Romantic as the image of Ansel Adams in the high mountains with an enormous camera and tripod are in my view I’m a huge fan of how well my Galaxy 5 Active works for its size and quality.

Georgia_stark is the instagram handle of a childhood friend of mine and is one of these photographers and her photos are out of this world beautiful reflecting more than just the landscape in front of her. This new wave of outdoor photography is both beautiful as well as instantly gratifying. We can see, film, edit and produce amazing photographs right in the palms of our hands and then decide to keep it for ourselves or share it with the world. This is now the world we live in with data and connectivity at our fingertips. Some as our fore mentioned graffiti artist use this for personal glorification others use it as a way to record and share the beauty and wonder of our surroundings and while doing that give us a glimpse into the beauty inside of their lives for one who see’s such beauty rarely is without an equal light inside. My friend Georgia_stark is of the later doing so anonymous to most and I’m always excited when she puts up new photo’s on her page.

“To me, iPhoneography is all about capturing an image with the bare minimum in equipment that I have ready in my pocket. We don’t need high-end gear to show our world in our own creative way. I’m most  inspired by small, serendipitous moments that I want remember and perhaps use to use to tell a story later.” ~Tracy Bezanson~

As a total lover of the outdoors I too love taking photo’s with my phone when I see something that catches my eye and I want to share. While I’m not at the level of my friend I enjoy the process and it brings me happiness when I see others enjoy what I’ve shared. I see a tree as art, the mountain colors as a living painting and the high mountains with their snowy peaks and icy lakes cathedrals of beauty and every once and a while I’m able to capture that and much more in an image.

old stump

 

Reflection

 

For me, that is art and beauty. What is it for you?

FresYes People – The Wunderkinds of Wedding Photography

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Kendra Gilbert

Writer at FresYes.com
Kendra Gilbert is a writer born and raised in Clovis. She has written for publications from Boston to Los Angeles and loves writing about fashion and people most of all. The abbreviated list of things she enjoys outside of writing includes: thrifting, photography, harmonica, beer, movies, hiking and skee ball.
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Alex Taylor and Zach Saldana are the wedding photography duo known as Stella Lux. Or, as their website states: “Just two awesome dudes…Who love taking awesome photos…Of awesome people like you.”

They’re the new kids on the Fresno photography block and all-around swell guys. In order to get the two friends talking and break the ice for this interview, I thought it’d be fun to do a little “Newlywed Game”-style Q&A before launching into a discussion about their work and friendship. But I guess my first question was a bit loaded, as Alex pointed out, and things got off to a slightly awkward start. Luckily, the guys took it in stride and we all had a good laugh.

They REALLY like cameras.

They REALLY like cameras.

While they both eventually want to pursue film careers, the guys are currently using their skills to shoot lucky lovers in Fresno and around the Valley in their trademark documentary style. Ladies, if you’ve got a ring on THAT finger and haven’t yet picked a photographer… I suggest you take notice.

On a side note, I hope they’re not appalled by my amateur video skills!

Here’s a look at a sample album the guys designed of photographs from the very first wedding they shot up in Yosemite. It is the most STUNNING — and quite hefty — thing you will ever see. I promise. Anyone who gets to take one of these bad boys home is very lucky indeed.

Here’s where you can reach Alex and Zach:

www.stellaluxphotography.com

contact@stellaluxphotography.com