OnWon

PHOTO: FUNAKI

I got to shoot OnWon over the weekend and it was great. I love his charisma and raw style. Watch out for this Young man as he WILL explode worldwide. FUNAKI brought it to you first.

Independent Hustlers

PHOTOS: FUNAKI

I did a photo shoot with the Independent Hustlers this weekend. We shot under the Vincent Thomas bridge in San Pedro where these young men are from.

PHOTO: FUNAKI

I did some photos for the Hip Hop group Rhyme Addicts. These guys are serious and very talented. It was cold and rainy on the set, but we still got it done. Visit them at www.myspace.com/rhymeaddicts

Crazy Debbie

I met Crazy Debbie outside a clothing store in East LA on a Saturday afternoon. We got to talking and she has an amazing life story to tell. She loves her family and decided to put them on her skin. I asked to do some portraits of her and she said YES!! I love these kind of on the spur of the moment shoots. It was done on the sidewalk with my A1 35mm camera.

FEAR FACTOR

PHOTOS: FUNAKI

I got to check out Young Hype and Tech advance tear it up over at Bernies in Fullerton. These guys are serious artist and know how to put on a show. I did an article on them for the examiner.com

StarStruck Records

PHOTOS: FUNAKI

StarStruck records put on great show. I have been to alot of hip hop shows and by far this has been one of my favorites. So much raw talent and energy. ADIVINA, INDEPENDENT HUSTLERS, HURRICANE, ONWON and BODEGA MAN

JOKER

JOKER. FOTO: FUNAKI

This photo shoot was crazy. Joker hangs around by where my office is and I hook him up with some food at times. I asked if it was cool to take his picture and he said yes. We are in the middle of an alley and "BANG" shots are being fired at us. Luckily noone was hit, but you know me and we went right back to getting our shoot finished. These are truly some raw street portraits. Joker has been exhibited in many of my shows and people are intrigued with his face.

Examiner.com photographer

I am currently writing a column for the online newspaper The Examiner.com. I plan to feature and array of artist using my style of photograghy. Please read it, subscribe to it and leave me comments.

http://www.examiner.com/x-23635-LA-Life-in-Photos-Examiner~y2009m10d5-Long-Beach-and-The-Bronx-lash-out-a-verbal-combat-for-a-new-era

God Says

FOTO: FUNAKI For 16 years I have been photograghing random street scenes. I enjoy taking a stroll through busy intersections, festivals, rush hour and see what images I can find. Here is one of my most recent ones I did. She asked me not to show her face so I respected her request.