Home Articles Photography About

Photojournalism

Multimedia is my language. Telling powerful stories through photos matters as much to me as writing them with words. I’ve shot world-class athletes like Aaron Rodgers and Kevin Durant, but I want to use those same skills to highlight everyday people and issues in my community.

Thousand Oaks Acorn - •

Totally ‘flea-nomenal’

YOUNG SELLERS— Above, Sylvie Sarkis hands payment to a teen vendor at the Teen Center Flea Market on May 31.The event featured jewelry, crafts and even clothing.Amelia Falk, 11, arranges crocheted coasters and small plush items on her sales table.MAKING CA$H—Above, Vivian Falt, 17, hands a customer her purchase of a sea glass-frame art at the flea market. Teen merchants sold handmade items to digital art to used goods. Photos by ALAN KO Acorn Newspapers


googletag.cmd.push(function() {...
Simi Valley Acorn - •

Simi Valley steps out

BUSY DAY—Crowds pack Simi Town Center Way during the 2025 Simi Valley Street Fair on May 3. The event featured over 350 vendor booths, live music, family activities and food trucks, drawing thousands from across the region. Photos by ALAN KO/Acorn Newspapers
Kayla Bennett shares a moment with her dogs while browsing vendor booths.
FAIR GAME—The band Ready Or Not! performs on the 5-Star Stage during the Simi Valley Street Fair. Live music and demonstrations such as art from five artists occupied...
Camarillo Acorn - •

Motoring the memorial miles

READY TO RIDE—Pat Connolly receives his wristband during check-in for the 10th annual Ron Helus Ride for the Blue on May 3 at Simi Valley City Hall. Riders were treated to complimentary coffee and snacks provided by Starbucks. Photos by ALAN KO/Acorn NewspapersPAYING RESPECT—Ride for the Blue founder John Short, left, speaks during the opening ceremony. The ride honors Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus, who was killed in the line of duty in 2018. Riders were prompted to arrive at Simi Vall...
Camarillo Acorn - •

Eggstravaganza

EASTER SMILES—Isaac, 7, far left, poses for a photo with the Easter Bunny during the Easter Eggstravaganza at the Camarillo Community Center on April 19. Caleah Taylor, 5, left, take part in the day of fun’s sack race. The Saturday event had numerous games where kids could win prizes.FOR ALL AGES—Takako Moriwaki-Cormack, above left, gets a chicken painted on her cheek during the Easter Eggstravaganza. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and featured face painting, crafts and a variety of vendor...
Moorpark Acorn - •

Canyonpalooza

ROCKIN’IT—Top right, Hayden, 5, gives a high five to a lit-up LED performer during Canyonpalooza at The Canyon club in Agoura Hills on April 6. Above left, a member of Everlong, a Foo Fighters tribute band, plays bass while singing for he audience. With activities for all ages—from circus performers to food specials—the benefit aimed to bring the community together while raising funds for fire recovery efforts in the region. At left, Alex Pauley of Say It Ain’t Weezer delivers a powerful perform...
Camarillo Acorn - •

Engaging the community

GRAND OPENING—The Nexus Family Center at Calvary Nexus Church, 380 Mobil Ave., opened March 16 and aims to offer a variety of spaces designed to foster community engagement and connection. Greeting grand opening guests was Pastor Bruce Zachary, bottom left.

GRAND OPENING—The Nexus Family Center at Calvary Nexus Church, 380 Mobil Ave., opened March 16 and aims to offer a variety of spaces designed to foster community engagement and connection. Greeting grand opening guests was Pastor Bruce Zacha...
The Acorn - Serving Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak P •

Canyonpalooza

ROCKIN’IT—Hayden, 5, gives a high five to a lit-up LED performer during Canyonpalooza at The Canyon club in Agoura Hills on April 6. With activities for all ages—from circus performers to food specials—the benefit aimed to bring the community together while raising funds for fire recovery efforts in the region. The all-ages, Lollapalooza-inspired event brought together fans of rock music, with tribute acts recreating the sounds of Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Weezer. The ve...
Thousand Oaks Acorn - •

Smörgåsbord of Fun

NORDIC FEST— MJ Bass browses handcrafted jewelry from vendor Dagny Cassidy of Govannon’s Forge on April 5 during the annual Scandinavian Festival at Cal Lutheran University
While in costume, longtime festival Viking reenactor Audu Paden plays with his grandson during the event.


googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1726174473696-0'); });


 Yasemin Zografos, who’s been mastering her craft for years, demonstrates how to spin nettle fiber by hand at her secon...
Camarillo Acorn - •

Scouting For Food

HITTING HUNGER—Nathan Sotelo, left, and Robert Waggoner, both 12, put bags of pasta in a Food Share box during the Scouting for Food event March 1 at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church. The food drive was organized by Troop 262 in Camarillo.CAN-DO SPIRIT—At left, Benjamin Parrow, 11, carries a stack of canned goods during the Scouts’ food drive. Troop 262 in Camarillo partnered with others to make the event possible. Above left, Jaxon Gracom, 12, left, and Franklin Garcia, 14, carry a Food Share box...
The Acorn - Serving Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak P •

Now up to bat: Agoura PONY Baseball

TAKING THE FIELD—Agoura PONY Baseball celebrates opening day of the new season with ceremonies at the newly-named John Asuncion Field in Agoura Hills Feb. 22. Asuncion served as an umpire in the popular youth league for almost 40 years until his passing in 2024. Photos by ALAN KO/Acorn Newspapers

TAKING THE FIELD—Agoura PONY Baseball celebrates opening day of the new season with ceremonies at the newly-named John Asuncion Field in Agoura Hills Feb. 22. Asuncion served as an umpire in the popula...
The Acorn - Serving Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak P •

MLK Day of Service in Oak Park

MANY HANDS—Above and below, families, friends and students clean up and paint rails at Oak Canyon Community Park during Martin Luther King Jr.’s National Day of Service on Jan 20. The Simi Valley Recreation and Park District has run the MLK Jr. day of service projects for over five years. Photos by ALAN KO/Acorn Newspapers

MANY HANDS—Above and below, families, friends and students clean up and paint rails at Oak Canyon Community Park during Martin Luther King Jr.’s National Day of Service on Ja...
Simi Valley Acorn - •

Guiding light

BURNING BRIGHT—Rabbi Michele Paskow of Congregation B’nai Emet lights a candle on the menorah during a Hanukkah celebration at the Simi Valley Town Center on Dec. 29. Photos by ALAN KO/Acorn Newspapers
JOYOUS HOLY DAYS—Mila Dashevsky, 4, dances to music at the Hanukkah celebration. About 60 people enjoyed the festivities commemorating the eight days of Hanukkah. 


googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1726174064620-0'); });


Suzanne Mahler belts out a song....
Camarillo Acorn - •

Christmas Cheer on Parade

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS—Clockwise from top: Camarillo Stingers player flaunts the team’s GVYFL American Conference trophy, during the Camarillo Christmas Parade on Dec. 14. Leaning out of Meathead Movers truck, a participant waves a giant candy cane to the crowd. Giving an inflatable gingerbread a hug, a parade-goer joins Girl Scout Troop 65324 for a moment in the parade. Just over 65 floats and groups participated in the parade.

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS—Clockwise from top: Camarillo Stingers...
The Acorn - Serving Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak P •

Keyed up for the Holidays

WESTLAKE VOICES COME TOGETHER— Mayor Ned Davis calls to attention the Dec. 8 Westlake Village Holiday Sing-Along at The Shoppes retail center. The annual event featured the voices of local students and musicians, and Davis’ fellow City Council members. Photos by ALAN KO/Acorn Newspapers
Above, 11-year-old Chelsea Martin sings “12 Days of Christmas” with her fifth-grade classmates from White Oak Elementary School in Westlake.


googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-a...
Moorpark Acorn - •

Redbird blanket drive

TRADITIONS—Clockwise from above, Evangelina Macias
“Blackfeet” performs the fancy shawl dance at the 29th annual
Redbird’s Blanket Drive and Mini Powwow Dec. 8 at the Simi Valley
Public Library. Chuck Jensen
“Beaver Pipe” takes a knee with a rawhide shield and a loose fan in the opening dance. Zachary
Gallegos “Little Red Wolf” of the
San Fernando Band of Mission
Indians poses for a group photo. Member of the Redrum
Motorcycle Club. Jensen gives words of advice to a young boy.

TRADITIONS—Clockw...
Thousand Oaks Acorn - •

Over the line! It’s a league game, Smokey

High school football has officially kicked up a notch.
League action started for most area teams last week.
Newbury Park and Simi Valley solidified their perch at the top of the Acorn Power Poll with big wins. The Panthers mauled Santa Barbara 35-6 on the road in a Conejo Coast League opener. The Pioneers earned a program-defining win against St. Bonaventure in an epic 42-28 comeback at home in a Marmonte League thriller.
Barring any unforeseen drama, Newbuy Park will likely finish the regular s...
Thousand Oaks Acorn - •

Thousand Oaks football takes big step forward

‘NOW I KNOW WHY TIGERS EAT THEIR YOUNG’—Thousand Oaks High football quarterback Jackson Taylor, left, runs past Agoura defensive lineman William Shaifer during the Lancers’ 37-20 road win on Sept. 6. Thousand Oaks, 2-1 overall, is scheduled to play the first of three straight home games at 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 13 against West Ranch (2-1).

‘NOW I KNOW WHY TIGERS EAT THEIR YOUNG’—Thousand Oaks High football quarterback Jackson Taylor, left, runs past Agoura defensive lineman William Shaifer during...