I recently shot some portraits of members of the nationally ranked CSU-Monterey Bay Women’s for the Ventura County Star.
CSUMB Women’s Basketball Team members Julie Heurung, left, Michelle Santizo, Kris King, Amanda Padilla, Erika Ward, Molly Carson, Holly Holcomb and Jenna Bandy stand near one of the old decaying Fort Ord buildings which surround the campus in Seaside, Calif. on February 1, 2011. These team members have roots in Ventura County.
With head coach Renee Jiminez and assistant coach Tina Samaniego also coming from the Ventura area it is no wonder why so many talented players from one area have ended up on the team.
The campus occupies the former Army base which was closed by President Clinton and is still being dismantled. The campus is within walking distance of the beach, an area that was used as firing ranges when the base was still active. I was glad the team was excited about my idea of using the decaying base as a backdrop instead of just another shot with the ocean behind them. Who knows how long those buildings will stand, but for now they are a big part of the campus.