Upon being invited, I was tasked with capturing and providing a series of photographs and a video for their website banner. This project encompassed the mission statement of their branch: “This is a family, a community, a place where you are welcomed, a place where you will leave with a sense of belonging and endless connection.”

Following the completion of the photo project, I was once again invited to join them for a filming and production session that showcased their community’s activities, both within and outside of their premises. This included capturing the experiences of those who make The Yard, their temporary home during their travels.

Located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, 14th Street Studio is a tattoo shop that primarily caters to foreigners from around the world. The shop specializes in fine line works created by experienced tattoo artists, Romi (Shop Owner and Tattooer) and Lookmhee (Fine Line Tattooer). Recently, 14th Street Studio commissioned me to create a highlight reel showcasing the shop’s ambiance and the exceptional works of its artists.

This one’s a little different ✨ Mostly quiet, this episode leans into visual poetry of my 10-hour bike-packing trip from Chiba back to Tokyo. Before reaching my official start point of National Route 1—aka the Tokaido Road—I passed through towns and corners that gave me small moments worth sharing and remembering. Enjoy this simple compilation of my day – — 📍 Subscribe for the full series: / @hcp_pdx 📸 Instagram for updates: / hcp_pdx ☕ Support the journey: https://coff.ee/HCPdocproject —

This episode marks the start of my solo bikepacking trip across Japan — leaving Tokyo on a test ride meant to reach Chiba before noon. What follows sets the tone for everything ahead. I leave Taito City at 3:30 AM with 65 pounds of gear — no sleep, pouring rain, and a route that sends me in circles. Before the ride, I sit with Marco, who shares a story about his grandfather’s escape from communism in Bulgaria — and a family watch passed down as a symbol of legacy. Six hours into the trip, I break down. I speak honestly about leaving Portland, about brands like CineBags, F-Stop Gear, and Montbell Japan — companies that market themselves as supporting real filmmakers and outdoor travelers. This is the beginning of my attempt to bike the Tokaido Road — Japan’s historic route from Tokyo to Kyoto. This episode captures everything I had to carry to even begin. — 📍 Subscribe for the full series: https://www.youtube.com/@HCP_PDX 📸 Instagram for updates: https://instagram.com/HCP_PDX ☕ Support the journey: https://coff.ee/HCPdocproject —

Trying to bike-pack across Japan… and I still can’t carry my camera bag. I wake up in Tokyo knowing it’s my last day at A16 Hostel Tokyo — and I’m not ready. My backpack’s overstuffed. My Camera Bag is too big for my Bike Tray. If I’m going to ride the Tokaido Road, I need to fix that now. I head to Kiddy Land to hunt for a new bag — and leave with a charm for the ride, and a moment with a stranger that caught us both off guard. With the new pack in hand, I unload and repack everything… and then the real stress begins. I start visiting bike shops across the city, asking if anyone can help me rig a way to carry my heavy camera bag. Most just say no. One even laughs. As the day ends, I run out of time. I have to leave the hostel. Just when I think I’ve hit a wall, I find one of the only bike shops still open — J.D. Cycle Tech, run by a custom frame builder named James. James pulls a wood panel off the side of his shop — same exact width as my camera bag. He starts crafting the rig on the spot. We walk to Daiso for zip ties and rain covers. We talk about life, craft, and the value of taking a leap of faith. The journey to bike-pack the Tokaido Road begins here. — 🎥 Subscribe for the full doc-series: https://www.youtube.com/@HCP_PDX 📸 Follow the journey in real-time: Instagram – @HCP_PDX ☕ Support the ride: https://coff.ee/HCPdocproject Your support helps with food, hostels, and repairs.

I'm Cooked – Ep.4 Today I was told I can’t volunteer without a proper work visa. That means with my current touring visa, I can’t survive here on my own. Now I have to start troubleshooting. For now though, I’ve accepted an invitation from new friends—Yuta and Motoshi. Yuta manages a motsuyaki spot and invites me to the shop for a warm meal on the house. Tomorrow morning is my last day in Taito City, Tokyo. I need to figure out what comes next. I need a break—from the never-ending noise of the city. I also need to reconfigure the bike tray… my pack is too big to ride long distance safely. All of this, I have to figure out in the next 24 hours. I’m still thinking of biking the National Route One—aka the old Tokaido Road. But I’ve got to figure out the how before the when. Stick around. Watch the whole episode. Spread the word. I’ve got about $1,000 to my name and no idea if I can make it another three months out here. — For updates: Instagram – @HCP_PDX Full episodes? Subscribe and follow along as I piece this story together. Support the journey Help me bike-pack Japan’s most important Edo-period route: National Route One (Tokaido Road). Your support helps me afford food, hostels, and space to keep going: ☕ coff.ee/HCPdocproject

Help me out as I prepare to bike-pack along the most important of the Five Routes of the Edo Period—The National Route One, a.k.a. Tokaido Road. Support my bike-packing journey into the unknown, one day at a time: ☕ coff.ee/HCPdocproject With your help, I can buy cheap food and pay for hostels while I search for hosts through the Worldpackers backpacking community. ——————————————————— Enjoy this new episode of I'm Cooked – Ep.3 ("We’re cooked") I’m taking the back seat for this one—but don’t worry, you’re in good hands. In the last episode of I'm Cooked, I bought a bicycle. I still have no clue what I’m doing in Japan, but I know I’m probably going to bike National Route One—aka Tokaido Road. Today though, we’re exploring on foot. With my new friend Fakie leading the narrative, we’ll visit one of Taitō City’s oldest temples and a shrine to the goddess of mercy: Sensō-ji – Taitō City, Tokyo. But yeah—today’s not all sunshine and rainbows. At the end of it all, I get hit with some pretty bad news. And that’s the moment I realize: I’m totally cooked. Stick around. Watch the whole episode. Spread the word. I’ve got about $1,500 to my name, and I’m not sure I can make it three months out here. For behind-the-scenes, thoughts, stills, and updates: Instagram – @HCP_PDX Subscribe if you want to follow this story beyond the frame.

Today I am buying a bicycle in Japan. To be honest, I still have no clue what I’m doing here or what my purpose is. But I’m here—and I want to figure it out as I go. This bike will help me explore towns freely as I travel along the most important of the Five Routes of the Edo Period—The National Route One, a.k.a. Tokaido Road. Some deem Japan a racist society. Others claim there’s a double standard. Many say, “You may be here, but you’ll never enter the true secret life of the Japanese.” And finally, a very popular opinion we often hear: “Japan has got to be one of the most culturally rich and kind-hearted cultures.” Well, I’m here to find the truth for myself. As a foreigner with no chance of entering Japan’s secret heart, I’ve made it my mission to find the splinter in the cultural wall that’s gone unseen. With $1500 to my name (and even less at this point), I’ll be seeking to enter Japan’s inner circle—not to exploit or sensationalize, but to show the real truth about the heart of Japan as a whole. There are many videos about Japan’s culture, its landscapes, and breathtaking night scenes—but that’s not what I’m after. I’m tired of seeing the same story told the same way. These episodes of I Am Cooked are meant to reveal the hidden truth you don’t know about the Japanese.

Japan is well known for its passion and dedication to craft—an expression of total commitment and perfection. Some deem Japan a racist society. Others claim there’s a double standard. Many say, "You may be here, but you’ll never enter the true secret life of the Japanese." And finally, a very popular opinion we often hear: "Japan has got to be one of the most culturally rich and kind-hearted cultures." Well, I’m here to find the truth for myself. As a foreigner with no chance of entering Japan’s secret heart, I’ve made it my mission to find the splinter in the cultural wall that’s gone unseen. With $1500 to my name (and even less at this point), I’ll be seeking to enter Japan’s inner circle—not to exploit or sensationalize, but to show the real truth about the heart of Japan as a whole. There are many videos out there about Japan’s culture, its rich landscapes, and breathtaking night scenes—but that’s not what I’m after. I’m tired of seeing the same story told the same way. These episodes of I Am Cooked are meant to reveal the hidden truth you don’t know about the Japanese.

A new edit showing a little more cinematic pacing, color, and linear storytelling.

DP: Javier Rodriguez

Edit: HCP

Color: HCP

Video Short to showcase some Cinematic Samples of Drone Footage.

Director/DP: Javier Rodriguez

Produced by: HCP

Portland, OR - The THESIS recap video Features I$$A and other local Portland Artists and DJs

Director/DP: Javier Rodriguez

Produced by: HCP

Client: The Thesis