Monday, April 30, 2012

denver- the land of friends, family, and beer

I meant to take so many more photos in Denver. I really did.
But I often struggle with knowing when to pick up my camera to be the "documenter" or putting down my camera to simply enjoy the experience.

I opted for more experiencing and less documenting while we were in Denver.

From the fantastic apartment we rented during our stay, (that was located in the PERFECT neighborhood), to the amazing dinner we had at Z Cuisine and incredible cocktails we enjoyed afterward at the super-cool speak-easy bar, Williams & Graham, (can you say "blackberry sage smash?"), Denver was every bit as fun as we had hoped.

The city reminds me quite a bit of Portland. The size, the outdoorsy people, the priority placed by the city on having lots of biking and walking paths, the sophisticated food scene, the friendliness, the passion for artisan beer, the social activism and the charming neighborhoods all made me feel instantly at home. Aside from the lack of a body of water anywhere in the vicinity and the many more days of sun per year, Denver could be a city in the Pacific Northwest.

Over the course of 4 days, Joe and I visited the stunning Red Rocks Park, wandered through some of the best antique shops I have ever seen (oh, how my prop collection is growing), and spent some time with dear friends and family.

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I also taught a workshop.

It wasn't the workshop I had originally planned, but that's okay-- I believe things happen for a reason.
Instead, I spent an afternoon with the lovely Michelle and did a one-on-one food photography session in her home.

Michelle and her husband have been brewing their own beer for awhile and even have their own hops farm so, fittingly, Michelle asked if we could focus the session on shooting beer.

I very happily obliged.

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I even got to take some of my own photos! What a treat!
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Michelle, thank you for your kindness and hospitality. I look forward to keeping up with your work!

Denver, I cannot wait to visit again.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

what happened in southern california

Several months ago, a woman named Wendy emailed me and asked if I would be open to holding a food photography workshop in her home near Laguna, CA. I said, YES, of course, and I was honestly excited about the opportunity. However, there is always some apprehension about meeting and collaborating with people who you only know through social media. What if you don't get along? What if the chemistry is just wrong?

Plus, there is another thing.

I am just going to say it-- I have some pre-conceived notions about Southern California.

I feel guilty writing that, but it's just the truth.

As a Seattle gal to the core, I have always been surrounded by outdoorsy, earthy, socially-conscious people. My city is comprised of funky neighborhoods with community gardens, cozy coffee shops, used bookstores, and farmers markets. Many people walk or bike to work, and nature is always close at hand-- whether it's the San Juan islands, the Olympic rain forest, or the mountains, it's always easy to get out of the urban landscape.

People who don't live in Seattle usually think it rains every day (it doesn't) or that everyone is a flannel-wearing, grunge-listening liberal (not true either.)
My point is that Seattle people get stereotyped every day. Some assumptions are accurate, some aren't.
It happens everywhere, about every city and every group of people.
The important thing is that we push past our assumptions and allow ourselves to be proven wrong.

As Joe and I rolled in Los Angeles, we both started grumbling. The temperature was too hot for us, the traffic was unbearable, there were too many strip malls, the sky was hazy. After inching along on the freeway for 2 hours, trying to get to our hotel in Santa Ana, we were about ready to scream.

My So Cal assumptions were turning out to be pretty accurate.

The next morning, we woke up ready to tackle the tasks at hand. I needed to figure out a vegan menu for the photography class and then buy the food for my workshop happening the following day. We needed to navigate our way from Santa Ana to Ladera Ranch in traffic, (again.) We needed to find a park where Nina could run around.

Our first stop was Whole Foods. I must tell you, I was a little nervous about creating a totally vegan class, which was Wendy's request.  I have a certain menu I am comfortable with for my classes and, well, it tends to involve a good amount of cheese.
So, when I walked into the Tustin Whole Foods, I was overwhelmed. I needed a variety of vegan foods that would hold well overnight, be delicious and provide a nice lunch for my students, and would also be photogenic.
I am happy to say that everyone who helped me at Whole Foods was AWESOME. Each employee I spoke to helped me design and pick out vegan items that would work perfectly for my class.

Next stop was Wendy's house.

Any fears and anxieties I had were immediately put to rest the second I met Wendy. Her huge, gorgeous smile and warm hug made me feel instantly comfortable. She showed me around her beautiful home, (which was perfectly prepped for the workshop, complete with multiple workstations that included hand-painted tables Wendy and her husband had prepared) and then we discussed the logistics for the next day.

Based on Wendy's suggestions, Joe and I spent the rest of that morning at a nearby dog park and then a good part of the afternoon in Old Towne Orange, since there are over 60 antique shops within a one-mile radius and she knew my obsession with prop shopping.
Needless to say, I was in HEAVEN!
I found a few treasures, and we were blown away by the lovely service we received and the several dog-friendly businesses that welcomed Nina in their doors.

Later, we enjoyed a really tasty dinner at Mozza in Newport Beach.

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The next day was the workshop. And, wow. All of the lovely ladies who attended were simply wonderful-- kind, funny, gracious, generous, and immensely talented. I feel lucky to have met them.

And the vegan menu that I was so worried about provided some big but ultimately really rewarding challenges for everyone. The photos that were created by the attendees were gorgeous.

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Wendy and her husband, Steve, invited Joe and I (and Nina) to a beach in Laguna following the workshop. We walked and talked. We drank some wine, watched the waves, and talked some more. Nina desperately wanted to dive in the surf but we obeyed the rules and didn't let her. We almost got attacked by the impending rising tide but got away in the nick of time. And then we went to a little restaurant that Wendy and Steve love and ate some freakin' awesome tacos. And talked some more.

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Rarely do you meet people who feel like kindred spirits, like instant friends. Wendy is one of those people. She just shines and, consequently, you want to know her better. Her husband, Steve, is just as lovely-- thoughtful, sweet, and so easy to be around.
Joe and I cannot wait to see them again, (and we hope they travel to Seattle sometime very soon! Hint, hint.)

I am leaving So Cal with an immense amount of gratitude and a lot of great memories.

And I am looking forward to the next visit.


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Thursday, April 19, 2012

family in the bay

We've spent the past two days in Oakland, visiting with Joe's family who we don't get to see nearly enough.  Looking back through old photos, I can't believe how much the nieces have changed since our last road trip down here.

Now, it's off to the southern part of the state where I will be teaching a workshop on Saturday!

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