{personal} safari inn

I love photographing this sign...

1. Holga, 120mm film
2. Holga, 120mm film
3. Instax Mini 90
4. Instax Mini 90
5. iPhone
6. iPhone

{personal} vasquez rocks

Last summer we visited Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, known for its dramatic rock formations and popular filming locations (Star Trek, Blazing Saddles, The Flintsones and Westworld to name a few). These sedimentary rocks layers were first formed around 8-15 million years ago and the most impressive peak points at a sharp 45-degree angle. No, we were not one of the brave few to climb to the very top... Such a cool place to visit and photograph!

PS. This is one of the places we visited as part of our Toys in Hollywoodland collaboration. 

{personal} the getty center

I recently sent my medium format film to be developed from last year and am now sharing the results. These image are from a visit to The Getty Center (sister museum to The Getty Villa which I photographed a few years ago) when my mom and sister came to visit last May (that's my sister in the first image looking out over the city of Los Angeles). It was a really nice day full of art and walking - we spent five hours on our feet! This wasn't the first time I've been and it won't be the last. It's such a wonderful place to visit (and the admission is free)!

{personal} santa monica pier

It's been many years since I last used color film in my Holga camera. Black and white film has always produced such wonderful results that I couldn't bear to shoot with anything else. However, almost exactly a year ago I was planning on a little excursion to the Santa Monica Pier. The bright and colorful Ferris wheel and Pacific Park were begging to be shot in color. So I ordered some film, set out to the pier, took a roll of pictures, recently sent my film to be developed, and now I'm finally sharing them on here. I love the vintage-looking results and how they evoke nostalgic memories of long summers, arcade machines, cotton candy, corn dogs and warm California days (even though it was cold and windy at the time). Enjoy!

{looking back} the huntington gardens

Looking back to two years ago when I visited the The Huntington Gardens for the first time with my sister-in-law, niece and nephew. I've been another time since with my husband who could spend all day sitting in the Japanese Gardens. They are so peaceful.

{personal} holga goodness

Some more Holga goodness:

1. At the Corner of Oak Glen Road and Wilshire Shed Road while apple picking in 2015
2. My nephew's "mud spot" in his backyard (note all the toys)

{personal} life is a highway

In the spirit of posting pictures from our old apartment, these are the same view just a little lower and to the right. The beautiful, loud, building-shaking, twelve-lane freeway. Amazing what cropping can do! It was still a good view though.

{personal} griffith observatory

This should really be more of a "looking back" post because these images are from almost two years ago and were taken the same time as these. It always take me a long time to get my Holga film processed, so I'm just now getting around to posting them.

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California.

{personal} pasadena city hall

City Hall, Pasadena, California.

{personal} the getty villa

A few months ago I spent a sunny afternoon oohing and awing over the architecture at The Getty Villa. Here are some very high contrast photographs from that day. I really do miss the lovely, diffused lighting of foggy San Francisco; it's taking me awhile to get used to sunny Los Angeles.

PS. The last photograph has a neat sort of yin and yang thing going on, don't you think?

{music} rose's pawn shop kickstarter campaign

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph and assist in the making of Rose's Pawn Shop's Kickstarter video. They are raising money to release their third album. Please help support them by visiting their Kickstarter page here!

{personal} around the apartment

Views from around our apartment: the view from our window overlooking the freeway, and the view of the pool area.

{personal} the happiest place on earth

Having grown up on the east coast, I've been to Disney World a couple of times. But this was my first time going to Disneyland. (In my honest opinion, Disney World is much better. I don't know if it's because of a familiar fondness I have for the one I grew up with, or because the designers got it "better" on the second try.)

1. Sleeping Beauty's Castle

2. Sleeping Beauty's Castle

3. Details from Sleeping Beauty's Castle

4. The back of Sleeping Beauty's Castle

5. New Orleans

6. Tomorrowland