Blog
This is Arcana
Take chances on yourself and say yes to opportunities that come your way. This was one of those moments for me. I was simply taking photos and posting on Instagram when, out of nowhere, I got a message from a local photographer. She was organizing a Joshua Tree shoot from October 11-13 for artists and creatives, capturing four archetypes: the Lover, The Artist, The Healer, and The Outlaw. There were a few motorcycles and vintage cars involved, about 4 creatives participating—some creating content for themselves, others just having fun in front of the lens.
I gladly accepted the invitation. This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone. I met everyone for the first time in person, embraced the unknown, and dove in. While there were concepts for the shoot, the main goal was to come together, collaborate, and create beautiful imagery, all while connecting with amazing people along the way. This is what unfolded because I said yes.
Joshua Tree truly embodies change and acceptance for me. During this weekend-long trip, it revealed something important: I finally understood that I am good at what I do. People recognized my work, and the way I capture images is something beautiful. I had lost sight of that a few years ago, but this place and these people helped me regain my creativity.
I found confidence in my work again and pushed myself beyond my comfort zone. I realized that doors will open for you, but you have to walk up to them and open them yourself to take the next step. It’s all on you. You have to do the work to get there and be willing to embrace change and live in the moment.
Since leaving my past life with someone, I’ve struggled with confidence. But this experience showed me that showing up for yourself and doing things that make you uncomfortable will make you stronger. You never know who you’ll meet on that journey—it might even be yourself.
These images are my favorites from that weekend. I use a Leica Q-P, which photographers often consider an old camera, but to me, it’s a great tool. You are limited to a 28mm focal length and a 24-megapixel sensor, which I’m used to from all the cameras I’ve used in the past. I will say this camera has pushed me in a direction that made me truly fall in love with photography again. I did say that buying a Leica Q would be the last camera I’m going to buy, and I truly believe that.
When you look at these photos, you can see the variety of locations and even the different editing styles I experimented with this weekend. I definitely had my challenges with the camera—from a short battery life to its performance in low light—but that’s where you learn more about the camera and how to push it to its limits to get the most from that sensor.
I edited all the content in Lightroom using presets from verygoodpresets, which really help maximize this Leica sensor and elevate the photos from good to better.
world areopress championship
AeroPress competitions in Los Angeles have grown steadily in popularity, attracting coffee enthusiasts and professional baristas alike. These events emphasize precision and technique, challenging participants to optimize variables such as grind size, water temperature, and steeping time to achieve the perfect cup. The Los Angeles scene is known for its diverse range of coffee profiles, often showcasing beans from local roasters and international origins. Competitors benefit from a collaborative atmosphere, sharing insights and methods that push AeroPress brewing to new levels of creativity and quality within the city’s vibrant coffee culture.
Meeting people in the coffee industry always brings fresh perspectives and enthusiasm, especially when spending time with the crew from San Diego’s Provecho Coffee. Their passion for quality and community shines through in every conversation and cup shared. Hanging out with them provided valuable insights into their roasting philosophy and dedication to sourcing sustainable beans. The atmosphere was laid-back yet driven, a perfect blend for creative collaboration and exchanging ideas. It’s experiences like these that deepen appreciation for the craft and the people behind it.
“Adventure in life is good; consistency in coffee even better.”
The event provided an excellent opportunity to capture a wide range of high-quality photos, effectively showcasing the intensity and remarkable skill of the participants. The competition was incredibly fierce and closely contested, making it truly inspiring to watch as the winner advanced confidently to the next challenging round in San Francisco. This progression highlighted not only individual talent and determination but also the overall spirit of dedication, perseverance, and hard work that was clearly present throughout the entire event.
Happy second anniversary to Provecho—here’s to another fantastic and successful year ahead. A heartfelt thank you to Provecho for inviting me to be part of this truly amazing and memorable event, and for skillfully bringing together the diverse and vibrant coffee community from all corners of the greater Los Angeles area. It was incredibly inspiring and uplifting to connect with so many passionate individuals who share a deep love and appreciation for coffee, and to experience firsthand the rich, vibrant, and dynamic culture that surrounds coffee in this unique and ever-evolving region.
Sunday Grids at provecho
Noa pouring an Espresso and a small glass of sparking water.
Sunday at Provecho has become my new ritual — a time to see my friends pouring great cups of coffee for customers. Gerardo and Karem have created such a warm, welcoming environment to hang out and enjoy everything from a delicious latte to a refreshing matcha.
What’s great about Provecho is its location — tucked inside Bread and Salt, just across the freeway in Barrio Logan. The coffee shop fits the space perfectly, blending in with the different galleries and art shows that happen throughout the year, not to mention the specialty drinks they offer each season.
Provecho has become my second family. After leaving a long-term relationship, I needed a place to just hang out and process what I was going through. This space has given me a deeper sense of community and family — all in one beautiful location.
¡provecho!
I’ve know one of the baristas there for many years. Noa I've known since he was working at cafe moto “which is down the street”, I use to go almost every day during my lunch break while I wrorked at lime, he would always take care of me when I would walk in the door. I would always order my drink called a Cubano Cortado, which is brown sugar placed in the protafilter then the espresso pushed though to give you a deep rich flavor with a full body with a hit of sweeteness. Enough about moto, let talk about Noa and the team from Provecho. I've gotten to know and meet the crew at Provecho from hangout out here a lot, I mean a lot. I meet Ashley, Jorge during my Sunday rituals at the shop where we would talk about music to great restaurants to even Halo which come to find out that they both really enjoy playing still to this day.
I’ve meet some of the new staff there and I will say I've defiantly rad crew to be around, and I would take them on their recommendation for what to get.
I would say this location is a photographer's dream. Upon entering, you're greeted by large windows that cast natural daylight throughout the room. As you head down the ramp toward the coffee bar, a giant metal oven structure stands prominently behind the bar. Looking upward, a revolving Provecho logo casts a neon blue shadow across the space.
The recent remodel of the coffee bar has significantly transformed the atmosphere. It exudes a unique aura, highlighted by the stainless steel countertop paired with a plywood exterior. What truly captures the eye is the custom La Marzocco espresso machine, powder-coated in blue with chrome accents, complemented by handmade ceramic cups from a Mexican artisan company. This attention to detail is evident throughout the entire shop, making the space both visually striking and thoughtfully designed.
Fourtillfour
Polished chrome, soft pastel paint, and bright primary tones lined against the gray coastal sky. Each car carries its own signature—plaid seats stitched with character, tow hooks painted red like punctuation marks, badges set deep in golden hoods, headlamps that still hold a faint glow from another era.
The details tell the story: the curve of the bodywork, the grain in the leather, the way reflections fold across every surface.
it’s less about horsepower and more about presence—an atmosphere where conversations hum alongside flat-sixes, coffee cups warming hands as morning fog clings to palm trees.
This is more than cars and coffee.
it’s ritual. it’s obsession. it’s design frozen in motion, still breathing decades later.
