Blog of San Diego Photographer Mister Arash Afshar

June 2023 OC to LBC

June 21, 2023 Travel

In June I unofficially kicked off my vagabond life thing I've been wanting to do for year. Mostly in SoCal this month. I'm working in San Diego, popping in to…

Letting Go of My Comics

February 11, 2023 Artist Journey, Mental Health

I am ready to part with my comic book collection. I'd put them up for sale and had a couple of interested parties in LA but the whole thing felt…

Leaving Instagram

January 20, 2023 Artist Journey

Today I wrote the words below as my final Instagram post for the foreseeable future... As a photographer, people often ask for your Insta before even considering that a website…

Limited Social Media and Storytelling Photography Package offer for 2023 Q1

December 7, 2022 Business Photography, Documentary Photography, Portrait Photography

I am taking on a total of three clients for this very limited edition offer. Offer begins now with agreements going through the first quarter of 2023. I have one…

Trump Wins

November 27, 2022 America, Documentary Photography, Journalism

I shot these in the streets of downtown San Diego the night Trump won the presidency. Posted a couple of them that night and kinda forgot about the rest. I…

The Year of The Phoenix

October 31, 2022 Burner Podcast, Burning Man, Community

I moved to the Los Angeles area in July of 2021. I was, emotionally, in a dark place. With all my boxes still on the floor, my buddy and I…

Portrait Photography as Therapy

September 30, 2022 Event Photography, Headshots, Portrait Photography

Portrait sessions are therapy. The way I do and see them at least. "I don't like having my picture taken," is a thing I hear - like - all the…

A Burner Podcast Retrospective

September 29, 2022 Burner Podcast, Burning Man, Podcast

Sometimes it helps to go back to the beginning. Remembering where we came from can help illuminate where we’re going. So this month I decided it would be fun to…

Nothing an Accident

July 25, 2022 Business Photography

Let's dissect an effective small business marketing image: 1. Business name and logo clearly visible 2. Primary product visible 3. Pleasant warm weather exemplified by passer-by in shorts and warm…

Rain on Your Wedding Day

July 5, 2022 Portrait Photography, Travel, Wedding Photography

Last month I had the pleasure and honor of capturing the most beautiful joining of families in Northern California. It rained all Saturday on Kris and Selena's wedding and we…

2021 Prints

June 19, 2022 Prints

In June of 2021, I had my first ever public showing of my photography prints. We kicked off the two week Phoenix Syndrome photography show with a spectacular party featuring…

So What Do You Do?

June 10, 2022 Community

This post is about how I view the world through my work as a professional artist. It gets into where I've been, where I'm headed in my career and concludes…

Short Documentary of Artist Dylan Eccleston

March 4, 2022 Artist Portrait, Phoenix Syndrome, Short Film

Artist Dylan Eccleston takes us into his studio to share where he's been and where his art is taking him next. Learn about his phoenix sculpture and all the other…

Be Ready to Defend It

February 25, 2022 Artist Journey, Artist Portrait, Phoenix Syndrome

Some Thoughts on the Creative Process, Art Education and Leadership Art school built a box around my soul. It was a school, a system, so it's intention was less to…

Public Service

November 4, 2021 Documentary Photography, Government, Lifestyle Photography

This blog post is about my passion and experiences working as a photographer who specializes in working with government entities and public agencies. It begins with the story of a…

Allowing

October 17, 2021 Business Photography, Community, Lifestyle Photography, Portrait Photography, Wellness

The first two thirds of this piece interweaves reflections on my own spiritual journey while photographing my friend and Kambo facilitator, which leads to my realization and elaboration on why…

Phoenix Syndrome Exhibit Schedule + Open Hours

June 29, 2021 Phoenix Syndrome, Photography Show

Please note: This schedule is still developing. Hours may vary but will generally be focused 2pm-8pm. In order to ensure our sound doesn't clash with Seaport Village's planned concerts, we…

Exhibit Information and FAQ

June 24, 2021 Uncategorized

What is the Phoenix Syndrome Art Show? This is the first art exhibit by San Diego-native, and talented local artist, Arash Afshar. Arash has spent over a decade capturing San…

Dispatch from Ibiza

June 22, 2021 Artist Journey, Life, Travel

I wrote the piece which you are about to read possibly a decade ago. I know it was probably four or five years after the events upon which I am…

PhoenixSyndrome_Poster_Horiz_R01_V01_simple

Phoenix Syndrome Photography Show Kicks Off on 6/26/21

June 17, 2021 Artist Journey, Community

The kickoff party on 6/26 in Seaport Village is open to the public and is an all ages event With Embarcadero Marina Park North and breathtaking San Diego Bay within…

Crappy Awesome Podcast

April 16, 2021 Artist Journey, Hip-hop, Podcast

A lot of people think I got into podcasting because I have a radio voice and that’s absolutely mind-bending for me. Firstly, I only recently started entertaining the idea that…

Radical Inclusion

March 18, 2021 Burning Man, Community, Event Photography

That’s the Burning Man principal I live for. Out of the 10, that’s the one that drives me. I’ve never presumed to speak for the Burning Man community. In fact,…

On Bios

March 16, 2021 Artist Journey, Journalism, Life

Writer Mike Sager is one of the most interesting men in the world. I met Mike years ago when his son was enrolled in a digital media summer program, for…

“How Can I Help You,” She Asked

December 25, 2020 Artist Journey, Life

How can I help you? About a year ago DJ Black Velveteen asked me that in a direct message. She is an uplifter and I get the impression that part…

I Want to See What Happens Next

December 13, 2020 Artist Journey, Mental Health, Portrait Photography

Content Warning: This post is about depression and suicidal thoughts. I want to preface by expressing that I'm doing so so good right now! I would not have shared such…

Airbnb Photography

October 26, 2020 Hospitality, Lifestyle Photography, Travel

Do you know how Airbnb started? The founders lived in home in San Francisco situated close enough to some big annual tech conference. Being tech guys themselves, they knew there…

Bye Bye, Baba Karimi

October 10, 2020 Artist Journey, Family, Life

The following is a very personal post inspired by the passing of my grandfather. It includes reflections on death, memories of life in Iran, references to my spiritual views and…

Pillars of Heaven

September 12, 2020 America

On the morning of September 11, I woke up kind of later than usual. I don't remember why I popped in to my brother's room. I was attending Mesa College…

I Assure You, We Are Open

August 19, 2020 Documentary Photography, Family, Journalism

In order to protect the business from possible looting, on the night of May 31, 2020, I helped board up my uncle’s bike shop in Downtown San Diego. Well, I…

Ten Years Together and Ten Times Sillier

August 14, 2020 Anniversary Portraits, Couples Portraits, Portrait Photography

Kim and Phil celebrated their 10 year anniversary in June of 2020, quarantining at their beautiful home on a picturesque street in Pasadena. Phil is a nature-loving and community minded…

Dispatch From Lancaster

July 8, 2020 Documentary Photography, Lifestyle Photography, Travel

The stay order was a blessing in disguise. It turns out a creative retreat in my own home was exactly what I needed and that’s what the universe delivered to…

Thanks For Visiting, Grandpa Biden

June 27, 2020 Documentary Photography, Event Photography, Journalism

On July 13, 2016, I photographed then Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to the Port of San Diego's Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. We’d met with the United States Secret Service…

Mobile Professional Headshots

June 18, 2020 Business Photography, Headshots, Portrait Photography

Does professional headshot mean headshots shot by a professional? Or just that you’re supposed to look professional in them? 🤷🏽‍♀️ If you’re applying for any professional position, having a selfie…

Black Spring

June 10, 2020 Documentary Photography, Journalism, Uncategorized

THE IMAGES IN THIS POST WERE SHOT ON June 6, 2020, IN SAN DIEGO, CA. The march featured in this post began at the County Administration Building and ended at…

Peacefully Pissed

May 31, 2020 Documentary Photography, Journalism

The images in this post were shot on May 31, 2020, in San Diego, CA. A collection of photos shot on the first day of protests in Downtown San Diego.…

Make Art, Not Commercials

May 17, 2020 Artist Journey, Business Photography, Commercial Photography

Note: This piece originally appeared on Justified Hype in 2019 and included photos by the very talented Bradford Anthony. Here the text reappears accompanied by photos of Jamahl Kersey shot…

Love Won’t be Quarantined

May 9, 2020 Portrait Photography, Wedding Photography

Event photographers are near the top of that long list of those who's calendars are suddenly wide open. Everyone's plans for gathering, both professional and social, are on indefinite hold.…

Freedom Inhibits Creativity

May 4, 2020 Artist Journey, Fashion, Portrait Photography

I read that in a blog years ago and couldn't unread it.Like many young and tortured artists, I had this idea in my head that once I "make it" I'd…

Quarantine Morning Routine

April 14, 2020 Landscape Photography, Life

8:13 AM: I wake up naturally to sunlight peaking in through my windows.I bask in all the lovely things my mind can think of as quickly as possible, expressing verbally…

Low-key Heroes

April 3, 2020 Business Photography, Community, Life

Some of world’s greatest minds are focused on finding solutions. Doctors, scientists, governments and NGOs the world over are connecting, collaborating and even kinda low-key competing over who gets to…

Eat Cheeseburgers

March 26, 2020 Business Photography, Life

This post is kind of about food but not really. The evolution of communication technology has contributed greatly to the expansion of humanity and, by its vary nature, confused the…

Unless you need to move a piano

March 24, 2020 Community, Life

There is this really excellent line in Captain America: Civil War. Prince T’Challa (Black Panther) isn’t really into the United Nations and all the diplomatic protocol. He says to Black…

The Commercial Photographer and the Artist

March 17, 2020 Artist Journey, Commercial Photography

From art students to commercial photography collaborators Shooting for OMEED by Nadia Vaad, a boutique collection of high end artisan jewelry, was a commercial photography gig. It was also absolutely…

Classic Portrait Photography Session

March 5, 2020 Portrait Photography

Let's get the basics out of the way: Booking a classic portrait session is the best bang for your buck. It’s easy and fun and yields the most universally applicable…

Dispatch from Austin

February 20, 2020 Artist Journey, Business Photography, Community, Life

In 2018 I resolved that my lens would be my ticket to see the world. It sure sounded in my head like the type of resolution a photographer might make.…

A New Chapter

January 15, 2020 Portrait Photography

It's fitting that my first blog entry on my website re-launch would feature this image of Sara Husby. I can't quite place the reasons but something about this shoot felt…

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Arash Afshar

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