After a recharging holiday in Hawaii, our family returned to Los Angeles. After a busy fall on tour, I planned to be home most of January before a family trip we had planned for February. Our home on the west side of Los Angeles is quite close to the edge of the Pacific Palisades. Our children’s school was located in the Palisades as were the homes of many of their classmates and our dear friends. January 7th was actually the day that classes resumed after a long holiday break.
There was a red-flag fire warning that day, not uncommon, but it was unmistakable after dropping off the kids at school and heading to our office that the wind that day was intense to a degree we’d rarely seen. But after living through so many red flag warnings in the past, it did not feel dire right away. We got to our offices in Brentwood and we could hear the wind shooting through our windows a whistle- that had never happened before. Sometime after 10am my phone and Jeff’s phone began exploding. Our school was telling all parents to come pick up their children immediately due to a wildfire. We peeled out of our office and headed west and we could already see the dreaded plume ahead of us. There was no mistaking the seriousness.
We were all told to expect to pack up and leave your house for two to three nights. That was the guidance given to the public and the Palisades residents. Between the chaos of picking up the kids, packing a few clothes and the important documents, it felt like a daze. By 1pm our home was under a mandatory evacuation order and we took temporary refuge at our friends house in Brentwood just outside of the evacuation zone perimeter - but well within range where we could watch the flames unfold on the hills above the Palisades. We planned to stay over the night but by 10pm it was clear we all need to head elsewhere as the epic wildfire quickly spread.
We knew that the weather, only 50 miles away, in Santa Barbara that night was totally different- tranquil and calm. The Getaway House was not booked for that week, so we thought perhaps that’s where we should head. We looked on Google Maps and saw that the path to Montecito was clear, out of the fire zone, and it would only take us 80 minutes to get there. So we woke the kids up out of our friend’s guest room, packed into the car, and drove away from LA, with white knuckles and shallow breaths. When we arrived at the Getaway House, it was like taking a breath of fresh, calming air. The kids quickly went to sleep since they knew the house so well, and we spent our first night of what would end up becoming our new permanent home.
To say we were fortunate to have the home in Montecito is an understatement on so many levels. Not only that, our home in Los Angeles was slightly damaged but it did not burn to the ground. The same could not be said for dozens of our friends and thousands of others who lost everything. I don’t think anyone that lived through that day in LA and had their lives changed forever in so many ways will fully really be able to process our collective emotions for many years. Los Angeles will recover, however, and so will we, but life for sure will never be the same as it was and we all have to accept that in our own ways.
We are blessed to have the house in Montecito and we were even more blessed to have received such a warm welcome from members of the community we soon met. Slowly we began to see the bright side of being in Montecito- a place where we already felt loved- and got the kids settled into a new school. The only thing we could control is how we reacted to a situation we could not control- so we chose to be as optimistic as possible and hit the ground running in our new lives.
We did have one great adventure to look forward to, however. In February, there was still so much uncertainty in our lives following the fire, but we had a long-planned trip to Africa with the whole family — including my parents — and it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was exactly what we needed: a chance to reset, reconnect, and be inspired again. We experienced breathtaking wildlife encounters, and I even went up in a helicopter to capture some aerial images of the incredible scenes. The never-before-seen images from this trip will be released next year, as part of a series on Africa that I promise you is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
On the game reserves, there are anti-poaching helicopter flights regularly scheduled. Rangers patrol the wildlife, to make sure there are no poachers spotted. The poachers are mainly going after rhino for their horns. Sadly, the poachers sometimes succeed. But no poacher would have gotten past our pilot- he was a true South African bush cowboy and he zoomed through the sky like a kid on a bike. My dad actually went along for the ride and let’s just say we both gave the ground a little kiss when we landed!
The trip spawned so many incredible family memories and I’m so thankful to have some amazing photos of our family and the wildlife to commemorate this special trip. I can’t wait to share more of my African series with you soon.
Back home in the states, in March, it was announced that the historic Neiman Marcus in Downtown Dallas—a landmark in my hometown—was set to close. For nearly 120 years, that store has been a beacon of style and sophistication, a place that helped define the spirit of Dallas itself. For me, this wasn’t just news about a department store; it felt personal. I was actually in talks with the team at Neiman Marcus about shooting a longhorn in front of the store back in 2019, and we landed on a date in April 2020. Well of course that never happened, but the idea never left my mind.
Growing up in Dallas, Neiman Marcus was a huge part of our community. I can still remember flipping through The Christmas Book every year, completely mesmerized by the pages filled with luxurious, imaginative gifts. In high school, I even interned at Neiman Marcus corporate, which deepened my appreciation for the brand and what it represents. Over the years, I’ve built a close relationship with the company — seeing my own Gray Malin art, trays, iPhone cases, and cocktail kits displayed in their beautiful stores has been a true full-circle moment.
Then, in 2017, came one of the greatest honors of my career: being featured in Neiman Marcus’ iconic Fantasy Gift List — a famed tradition of over sixty years. My “gift” was a private helicopter photo adventure over Malibu, a one-of-a-kind experience that still stands out as one of my most memorable creative moments.
So, when I heard about the flagship store potentially closing, I knew I had to find a way to pay tribute. We connected with the Neiman Marcus team and my team and I jumped into action, crafting a concept that celebrated the heart of Texas pride and the history of Neiman Marcus. It all came together very last minute — permits, props, and even a real longhorn on the streets of downtown Dallas — just in time. The series had to be turned around in a matter of days as we wanted it to be released just before the store was set to close, giving it one last hurrah.
The incredible response to this series blew me away! These images resonated with so many people, and it was a great reminder of exactly why I’m so passionate about what I do.
This collection became a love letter to both Dallas and Neiman Marcus — honoring a brand that helped shape me, while preserving the spirit of a place that continues to inspire generations. The best part? The store ended up extending its closing date and, to this day, remains open! Yeehaw!
Then, in April, a project came to life that I’m still so proud of, Pride Beach™ in collaboration with the Boucher Brothers and the City of Miami Beach!
If you’d told me ten years ago that I’d one day design a beach experience in partnership with Miami Beach itself, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing some of the world’s most beautiful beaches from above. This time, though, it was different. I had the rare opportunity to photograph a beach I helped create.
As a proud LGBTQ+ artist, father, and husband, this project meant so much more than just design or aesthetics. Gay beaches around the world have always been sacred spaces, places where people can show up as their fullest selves, and I wanted Pride Beach™ to celebrate that spirit of freedom and belonging. Every element, from the Pantone-perfect umbrellas to the cabana patterns and walkway layout, was thoughtfully designed to reflect unity, love, and visibility.
When viewed from above, the result was pure magic! A kaleidoscope of color came together to form something deeply meaningful. To commemorate the launch, I released a special collection of aerial photographs capturing the space in all its vibrancy. Each image serves as a celebration of individuality, inclusion, and connection, the very things that make the LGBTQ+ community, and Miami Beach itself, so special.
Pride Beach™ will live on year-round, welcoming visitors 365 days a year, weather permitting — so the next time you find yourself in South Beach, go pay a visit!
In 2024, I had the opportunity to photograph an exciting new series in partnership with Major League Baseball and the New York Mets, which we were finally able to release: Dogs of Baseball at Citi Field. This collaboration was such a fun creative challenge — merging my signature style with the energy and nostalgia of America’s favorite pastime. From the moment we started planning, I could feel my imagination come alive as we envisioned how to style the dogs and capture that classic ballpark spirit. The end result was playful, whimsical, and totally timeless. And if you’re a baseball fan… there may just be another surprise coming later this year!
Then in June, my team and I traveled to Martha’s Vineyard for a major shoot — one I had dreamed of doing for years. It was a multi-day production, with many locations, dogs, and helping hands! I dreamt of creating this series for so long, my grandparents had a home in Edgartown and I have so many fond childhood memories running around the island.
We stayed at the iconic Harbor View Hotel, which provided the perfect home base and placed us right in the heart of the action.
To bring this vision to life, I partnered with local artisans and small businesses who infused every frame with authenticity and warmth. From the gorgeous blooms by Fire Cat Farms to the helping hands of longtime friends and new faces alike, each collaborator contributed to the island’s distinct charm that shines through in the final images.
We explored the island from coast to coast, photographing beloved landmarks and capturing the easygoing rhythm that makes Martha’s Vineyard so special. A personal highlight was visiting the historic Jaws filming locations, a fun nod to the island’s cinematic legacy. My goal was to create a body of work that both locals and visitors would recognize and cherish.
Flash forward to today! My team and I just recently got back from a breathtaking trip to Hualalai, and I'm still buzzing from it. We had the most incredible time shooting at the Four Seasons and working with the Aqualillies again was a dream. I can't wait to share this series with all of you, keep an eye out for these special images very soon!
After taking a beautiful trip down memory lane, it's time to look ahead. I'm so grateful for all of your support over the past 15 years, and it's been a true joy to share so many memories with you.
Looking back over the career timeline we just explored, I see it in distinct phases: The first five years were all about being scrappy, just working hard to get the brand established and prove I had a place in the art world. The middle years, 2015 to 2020, were when the creative doors really opened, and new and exciting opportunities became available. And the last five years have truly been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, which is why the next five years are all about finding a more calm and deliberate creative pace while continuing to delight you with new projects.
While photography will always be the heart of the brand, I'm incredibly interested in expanding the brand further into the world of interior design. My goal has always been to bring a little bit of joy and color into your everyday life, and I'm thrilled to be doing that in new and exciting ways. I want to bring my art into other pieces you can have in your home, elevating your everyday spaces with beautiful and playful designs. The focus is to take the brand beyond photography while staying true to my core mission of joy and escapism.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of my incredible team and so many amazing partners. A huge thank you to everyone who has collaborated with me over the years, including the teams at the Four Seasons, The Little Nell, Aspen One, Veuve Clicquot, Don Julio, Janie and Jack, Perrier-Jouët, S'well, Recess Pickle Ball, MacKenzie-Childs, Away, Mattel, Serena & Lily, Ruggable, Williams Sonoma, Google, Funboy, Corkcicle, Abrams, Eataly, The Breakers, The Colony Hotel, The Parker Palm Springs, Le Meridien, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, Nikki Beach, Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts, Brown’s Hotel, Claridges, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Tishman Speyer, Plaza Athénée, and so many more. Your creativity and partnership have helped me bring my vision to life, and I'm so grateful for all of the memories we've made together.
I mentioned many people in these blogs by name who have also been major individual contributors and supporters of my work over the last 15 years. I could by no means have named them all - so if you did not see your name please know I am forever grateful. I would not be where I am today without so many magical people in my life.
Lastly, thank you to our audience, our followers, collectors, admirers, and those that have been delighted or cheered up by one of my photographs. Bringing a little bit of light into the world for others has been the greatest joy of all. No matter where the next 15 years and beyond takes me, I promise to always try to Make Everyday a Getaway.
XOXO
Cheers,
