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JohnLarracas

@johnlarracas

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Filipino + American | Commercial + Editorial Work
Staff Photographer at California State Assembly
Work — [email protected]

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Field Journal // Summer School @omsystem.americas

In over a decade of adventuring and archiving moments through a camera, it feels like I’m in the post grad part of my education. That being said, this is the first time the camera, OM SYSTEM #OM1II felt like an extension of my hand- it’s compact and lightweight system that you can take anywhere.

To another round of 10,000 hours of adventures.

Here are some frames from the past 60 days of taking the flagship OM-1 Mark II with me on my adventures.

#OMSYSTEM taken in Planet Earth by @johnlarracas

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9 days ago

Field Journal // E16

People often ask me, “What’s your favorite photo you’ve ever taken?”

It’s a tough one to answer. Every photo holds something, maybe it’s about who I was with, what I was feeling, or where I stood when I pressed the shutter. They all carry meaning in their own quiet way.

But this frame? It’s definitely up there.

It’s not every day you get to take a photo of a photographer, especially one who’s inspired your own path. Back in 2021, I had the chance to document @chrisburkard in one of his favorite places. The light was soft, the wind quiet, and time slowed down just enough.

There’s something special about seeing someone in their element and being trusted to freeze that feeling in time.

Grateful to be a small part of this moment with Chris.

SHOT FOR @ari.bikes @chrisburkard
HUMANS @chrisburkard @dylanbuffington
GEAR @sonyalpha A7RIII + 24-70 GM

Tagalog word of the entry: “Bisikleta”
(noun) bike movement, freedom, and one of the simplest ways to explore the world with your own two legs. taken in Glacier Point, Yosemite by @johnlarracas

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a year ago

Field Journal // I haven’t shared here much lately, but a conversation I had with my friend and mentor @chrisburkard a few years ago resonates with me again these days.

A friend once told me that there are only a few times in your life when you can restart, be a student again, and have a fresh beginning where it matters most.

I recently accepted a full-time role as staff photographer for the California State Assembly. It’s different from most of my creative experience working with athletes and brands in the outdoor-adventure industry, and I’m patiently and slowly finding the intersection of these spaces.

Here’s to being a student again. taken in San Luis Obispo, California by @johnlarracas

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3 months ago

Field Journal // Track and Field

Just right after 2021, I was chosen as one of the up and coming boosters as part of @themagicboost program led by @chris_j_chavez alongside mentors @pdxpixbykp @satellitesisterliz @lshontz and many more folks who invested their time and efforts to guide us as we find our way into the professional business of track and field.

One of the many things this program has given me is access. As someone who’s danced my way into getting access to opportunities, this program accelerated that for me and opened doors where decision makers are waiting for us to pitch our ideas.

I’m eternally grateful to this program and the people who let us stand on their shoulders so we can see what’s possible beyond our reach.

The future is here now.

From the archives. taken in Historic Hayward Field Eugene, Oregon by @johnlarracas

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13 hours ago

Field Journal // Scouting

@ulises.odysy said it best, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”.

That’s always been stuck in my head when working on projects small or big. If I’m working with people who aren’t on a particular standard of work ethic, I default to my own and try to influence my environment in a very subtle and respectful way. Because at the end of the day, I don’t want my name on anything that I’m not proud of.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes of our scouting day for a documentary project following @hellahgood9 run his first @wser 100-mile trail race.

The documentary now lives on @outsidewatch

PRODUCTION @odysymedia @ulises.odysy
CAMERA OPS @dxpert_image @gastongardey

BTS by one of my bestfriends @thejonagaze taken in Olympic Valley, CA by @johnlarracas

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a day ago

Field Journal // Commute

For the first 21 years of my life, I didn’t have a car and my main mode of transportation was the public transportation in the Philippines. Majority of the Filipinos spend a big portion of our life commuting due to poor transportation planning from the government.

The citizens of the Philippines are hard workers but when you add another layer of logistical challenge on how they show up to provide for their families, you’re making it harder to work hard.

Meanwhile, every time I get to use the public transportation here in the United States, I think about my family and friends back home. I think about them because I wish we had this in the Philippines.

Sometimes we get caught up in the “big” problems of the world where some people can’t even think about those things because they don’t even know where and how they’re going to put food on the table.

If you’re reading this or watching the moving post cards above, take a moment to reflect on what you have here versus what other people don’t in countries like the Philippines. by @johnlarracas

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3 days ago

Field Journal // Sierra

This vast landscape has provided me a space to connect with nature, people and most importantly myself. Over the last 14 years of my residency here in California, I’ve spent countless hours exploring this part of the state either for personal or work reasons.

Slide 1: @chrisburkard looking over the sierra mountain range
Slide 2: @see.zay.play bouldering somewhere in Kirkwood
Slide 3: summer afternoon “pool” hang
Slide 4: a group of kids living their best lake life

From the archives. taken in Sierra Nevada by @johnlarracas

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4 days ago

Field Journal // Tennis

A year ago, I found myself doing an inventory of sports I’ve covered so far— I quickly realized I haven’t photographed tennis.

My brain quickly brainstormed of ways doing it and visiting a local tennis court was the most accessible at that time and so I went. Took a Lime scooter to McKinley Park in Sacramento and saw a group of young looking group of friends; I walked over, introduced myself and asked if I could take a few photos of them (they happily said yes). Next thing I know, I’m being invited to their monthly coffee meeting.

P.S. @alex.eala , if you’re seeing this, I’d love to cover some of your games in the near future.

From the archives. taken in McKinley Park, Sacramento, California by @johnlarracas

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6 days ago

Field Journal // Surfing

Right before the pandemic struck the world, I reached out to @davidvernorsurf to express my interest on visiting his warehouse and see how surfboards are being made in-house. I drove down to Santa Cruz and got the privilege to see every step of the build.

I haven’t talked to David in years but if you’re ever in the area and see him surfing with his dog, say hi to him. He’s one of the kindest folks I’ve ever met.

From the archives. taken in Santa Cruz, California by @johnlarracas

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6 days ago

Field Journal // Western States Endurance Run 100

I didn’t get to attend this year’s edition of the oldest continuous 100-mile trail race in the world, @wser . But the years I’ve attended and covered this footrace, @gastongardey and I have been going up to Escarpment the night before race morning for the past 3 consecutive years

The main reason is to be there early enough to stage how and where we’re going to see the runners we’re assigned to film and/or photograph. Being up there that early gives us the chance to be more in the moment before a weekend bender of no sleep, maybe a bit of food and water.

The conversations we’ve had about life while hiking up to the highest point of the race remains one of the main highlights of this tradition we started about 4 years ago.

All images were shot on a 35mm disposable film camera—developed and scanned by folks at @photosourcesacramento

From the archives. taken in Western States Endurance Run by @johnlarracas

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10 days ago

Field Journal // Basketball

As someone who grew up watching basketball as a kid, I’ve always studied the game from memorizing the teams, players, coaches and even the other team staff. Getting familiar with these things allowed me to have a better understanding of what I’m watching and at times it gives me a different perspective when a team wins or loses a game.

I photographed this scene during a production set in New York. The model we were filming with has an affinity for basketball. Naturally, we added to our schedule to visit a local court in the city and let him do his thing.

P.S. I know you’d ask, these are not basketball shoes. They’re trail shoes but when it comes to fashion, there’s hardly any rules as to what you can and can’t wear.

From the archives. taken in New York City by @johnlarracas

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8 days ago

Field Journal // “Akiko”

My mom was born on the same year Akiko Kojima was crowned Miss Universe 1959, making her the first Japanese and Asian woman to win the title. My grandmother gave her the nickname “Akiko”, see last slide as to why it was given to her.

You would have turned 67 years young today and I would have loved to show you everything you taught me in life.

The trees and flowers will always remind me of your passion for the outdoors. The mountains will always remind me of your resilience. by @johnlarracas

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14 days ago