Randy Vazquez Media
Discovering and telling exceptional stories
Surviving coronavirus: After 4 weeks on a ventilator, San Jose mother comes home to tragedy — and hope
Posted on January 5, 2021
Claudia Meza was lucky. She spent 49 days in the hospital – 28 on a ventilator – and eventually recovered enough to return home. She was applauded by the nurses and doctors that cared for her, but her family knew they had to break some terrible news to her.
Bay Area high rent makes local restaurant owner find unique way to keep her employees
Posted on August 21, 2018
The rising cost of rent in the Bay Area has caused at least one restaurant owner to look at unique ways to offer affordable housing for her employees. Zareen Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant offers four of her key full-time employees bellow-market rent in a home she owns in East Menlo Park.
Rachel Reese carries her granddaughter Maajida Davis, 1, at Zareen’s Restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Zareen Khan, the owner of the establishment, offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Zareen Khan helps out in the kitchen of her restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant, offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Muhammad Shakeel Naqvi, right, checks his phone while Shaid Muhammad, center, buttons his shirt in the hallway of their home in Menlo Park, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. The two men rent rooms at a home owned by their employer Zareen Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant. Khan offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Muhammad Shakeel Naqvi cooks some chicken at Zareen’s Restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Naqvi rents a room in a home owned by Zareen Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant. Khan offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Muhammad Shakeel Naqvi, left, Shaid Muhammad, center, and Muhammad Umair Siddique, right, stand in front of their home in Menlo Park, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. The trio rent rooms at the home from their employer Zareen Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant. Khan offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Zareen Khan smiles in her restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant, offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Muhammad Shakeel Naqvi grabs some spices at Zareen’s Restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Naqvi rents a room in a home owned by Zareen Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant. Khan offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Muhammad Shakeel Naqvi looks out the window in the kitchen of his home in Menlo Park, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Naqvi rents a room from his employer Zareen Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant. Khan offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Muhammad Shakeel Naqvi smiles in his home in Menlo Park, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Naqvi rents a room from his employer Zareen Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant. Khan offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Maajida Davis, 1, center, sits in her stroller while her grandmother Rachel Reese talks with Zareen Khan at Zareen’s Restaurant in Palo Alto, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Khan, the owner of the establishment, offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
Muhammad Umair Siddique, left, and Muhammad Shakeel Naqvi, right, in their home in Menlo Park, Calif., on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. The two men rent a rooms in a home owned by their employer Zareen Khan, owner of Zareen’s Restaurant. Khan offers below-market rent to four of her key, full time employees. It’s a unique way for a small business to keep its employees. (Randy Vazquez/ Bay Area News Group)
GOP Convention in Burlingame
Posted on May 1, 2016
A lone Donald Trump supporter endorses the GOP front-runner in a sea of protesters at the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Anti-Donald Trump protestors patiently wait for the presidential candidate’s arrival at the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Lizette Ortiz, center, drove over 60 miles from her home in Gilroy, Calif. to protest at the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Local and national media were present outside of the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport Hotel for GOP Convention in Burlingame Calif. on April 29, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Rabia Keeble kicks her Donald Trump piñata outside of the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. Trump was the keynote speaker during the event. (Randy Vazquez)
Michael Garcia a member of the Brown Berets in Watsonville, Calif. protest outside of the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Protesters dressed as Captain America and Captain Mexico show off their Donald Trump piñata during the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Protesters create a human blockade on Bayshore Hwy to prevent Donald Trump’s caravan from entering the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport Hotel in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Burlingame Police Department maintains a blockade to prevent protestors from entering the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Protestors outside of the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport Hotel in Burlingame, Calif. jostle Donald Trump supporter Christopher Conway on April 30, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Members of “Free the Nipple” show up in protest against GOP front-runner Donald Trump’s remarks on women during the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 30, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Burlingame Police Department maintains a blockade to prevent protestors from entering the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. Randy Vazquez
Christian Gomez from Santa Cruz, Calif. shows up to protest against presidential candidate Donald Trump during the GOP Convention in Burlingame, Calif. on April 29, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
NFL Opening Night
Posted on February 7, 2016
Super Bowl Media Day: The Media Perspective from Randy Vazquez on Vimeo.
For the first time the National Football League held Opening Night. The media spectacular took place at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Fans of the AFC champion Denver Broncos line up to take pictures during NFL Opening Night at SAP Center in San Jose Calif. on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Football fans lined up along the sides of SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. to witness NFL Opening night on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
The FBI, local police, and private security were present throughout SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. during NFL Opening Night on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Super Bowl 50 will be held at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. This is the first time the Super Bowl will be in the Bay Area since 1985. (Randy Vazquez)
It is estimated that over 5,500 media members from around the world were present during NFL Opening Night at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
ESPN journalist and television personality Stephen A. Smith discusses with former 49er quarterback Steve Young during NFL Opening night at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is introduced during NFL Opening Night at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. on Feb. 1, 2016. This is Manning’s third Super Bowl and second with the Broncos. (Randy Vazquez)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cameron Newton and runningback Jonathan Stewart pose for a picture following the NFC champions introduction during NFL opening night at SAP Center on Feb 1, 2016. Randy Vazquez, Spartan Daily
NFL Network analyst and former Super Bowl Champion Deion Sanders interviews Panthers quarterback Cameron Newton during NFL Opening Night at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Denver Broncos sack leader outside linebacker Von Miller answers questions from the media during NFL Opening night at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas answers questions from reporters and personalities during NFL Opening Night at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
NFL Opening night at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. was not only filled with media members from around the world but famous personalities also including Miss. Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Media members from around the world crammed in tight pockets to ask players football questions and novelty questions during NFL Opening Night at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. on Feb. 1, 2016. (Randy Vazquez)
Interview with an Icon Mural
Posted on December 3, 2015
William Whitt sweeps in front of the “Interview with an Icon” mural in Downtown San Jose, Calif. on Dec. 2, 2015. The mural features barbers from Barbers Inc. barbershop providing barber services to cultural icons. (Randy Vazquez)
Muralist and barber Ian Young worked on the “Interview with an Icon” mural for five weeks. The mural features Icons such as Muhammad Ali, Johnny Cash, Fela Kuti, Maya Angelou, Bruce Lee, and Carlos Santana. The project unveiled on Dec. 2, 2015 in San Jose, Calif. (Randy Vazquez)
William Whitt, right, takes a break from sweeping and listens to speakers at the unveiling of the “Interview with and Icon” mural on Dec. 2, 2015 in San Jose, Calif. Barbers Inc. owner Dave Diggs is featured giving boxing legend Muhammad Ali a haircut in the mural. (Randy Vazquez)
Ian Young looks at the “Interview with an Icon” mural that took him five weeks to complete. The piece features six barbers from the Barbers Inc. barbershop providing barbering services to six cultural icons on Dec. 2, 2015 in San Jose, Calif. (Randy Vazquez)
Several dozen people showed up for the unveiling of the “Interview with an Icon” mural on Dec. 2, 2015 in San Jose, Calif. (Randy Vazquez)
A short prayer was delivered by different denominations at the “Interview with an Icon” mural unveiling on Dec. 2, 2015 in San Jose, Calif. (Randy Vazquez)
Patrons of the Barbers Inc. barbershop and members of the community show up for the unveiling of the “Interview with an Icon Mural” on Dec. 2, 2015 in San Jose, Calif. (Randy Vazquez)
Onlookers of the unveiling of the Downtown San Jose, Calif. mural collected autographs by those involved in the “Interview with an Icon” mural on Dec. 2, 2015. (Randy Vazquez)
Muralist Ian Young signs his work during the unveiling of the “Interview with an Icon” mural in Downtown San Jose, Calif. on Dec. 2, 2015. Young worked day and night for five weeks to complete the project. (Randy Vazquez)
San Jose Earthquakes Summer picture compilation
Posted on October 29, 2015
The games between the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy are known as the “California Clasico” because of the rivalry the teams’ share and the state they both reside in. (Randy Vazquez)
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper John McCarthy celebrates after his team scores its second goal against rival San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. on Sep. 5, 2015. (Randy Vazquez)
LA Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos is brought down by San Jose Earthquakes defenders during the Galaxy’s 1-0 loss on Aug. 10, 2015 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (Randy Vazquez)
Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis extends himself to block a shot during his teams 2-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium, in San Jose, Calif. on July 10, 2015. (Randy Vazquez)
A Soldier Returns Home
Posted on July 1, 2014
Consuelo Martinez anticipating the first meeting with her son Marco Martinez in over a year, when Marco embarked on his journey to Guantanamo Bay to serve his military duty. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
The Martinez family along with other families of returning military personell are directed to the reediness center where they will meet with their loved ones. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Consuelo Martinez wheres her a button barring the name and face of her son Marco Martinez as she waits for their long awaited meeting. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Gilberto Martinez stares sits alongside his wife Consuelo Martinez as they wait for their son Marco Martinez. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter of Perris, Calif. shows up to welcome some of the military personnel returning home. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Alexia Martinez and Gilberto Marines Jr bump heads as they wait for Marco Martinez. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Alexia Martinez waves her American flag as she waits for her uncle Marco Martinez’s arrival. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Alexia Martinez awaits Marco Martinez’s arrival with her American flag. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
The Martinez family steps outside to greet the incoming soldiers. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
The soldiers arrive at the Readiness Center after their year long tour. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Marco Martinez hugs his mother Consuelo Martinez for the first time in over a year. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Marco Martinez having an emotional hug with his mother Consuelo Martinez. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Marco Martinez and his Mother Consuelo Martinez spending time together after Marco’s one year tour. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Marco Martinez kissing his niece Alexia Martinez for the first time in over a year. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
The returning soldiers enter the hall where they are greeted by friends and family. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Marco Martinez is lined-up next to his fellow unit member. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
The soldiers line-up and listen to a speech by their unit leader. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
The unit is released and they say farewell to the people they spend a year with. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Gilberto Martinez touches his son Marco Martinez’s face for the first time in over a year. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Gilberto Martinez hugs his son Marco Martinez. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
On July 4th, like many Americans, I will indulge in everything that is America. Hot dogs. Fireworks. Beer. But what about July third or fifth? Am I not American on those days? Am I limited to being American for one summer day or have many Americans misinterpreted the significance of Independence Day? As I came to find out recently, the Fourth of July is just a date for some families. The real celebration is when they see their loved ones return home from tours of military duty.
As I spent my summer in Southern California, I was privileged and honored to follow a family who saw their loved one return after a year of military service in Guantanamo Bay. That family happens to be my uncle’s family. That solider is my cousin, Marco Martinez.
On the day he returned home, I captured a series of emotions from anxiousness to overwhelming happiness. In this photo essay, you see how one family changed my outlook on the Fourth of July. It’s a day to celebrate independence with loved ones, but also a day to appreciate those loved ones who returned home safe.
The Barbershop Diaries: Jason “Jerk” Lim
Posted on May 28, 2014
Jason Jerk putting the finishing touches on a haircut. Photo by Randy Vazquez
Jason’s friend combing his hair in the mirror while Jason finishes his customers cut. Photo by Randy Vazquez
Jason has many tattoos but this one is special to the South San Francisco Barber because it bares the name of his only daughter Cassandra. Photo by Randy Vazquez
Jason receiving instructing from his client before beginning his cut. Photo by Randy Vazquez
Jason finishing his last clients haircut before calling it a night. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
Jason replacing one of his clipper attachments while his client enjoys a refreshment. Photo by Randy Vazquez
Jason’s barbering tools along with a poster of hip-hop all-stars behind them. A sign of how both cultures mesh in a barbershop. Photo by Randy Vazquez
Jason lining up his clients beard while his friend observes. Photo by Randy Vazquez.
One of Jason’s customers passes time by smoking from his “Vape” pen. Photo by Randy Vazquez
This past spring I embarked on a group project with my classmates and my professor Michael Cheers where we followed the lives of ten Bay Area barbers who were all linked by their profession and by place of work. Although these barbers share a work place, their stories could not be more unique. This photo essay features Jason Lim, a third generation Chinese American barber who uses barbering as an escape from his past and a source of income for his family.
Randy Vazquez Media 