Los Angeles Wedding Photographer - Polka Photos Photo Blog: Wedding Photography, Photojournalism, candid photos

Reflections on Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

We're back from our shoot in Sin City! Las Vegas Boulevard is one big fantasy, reflecting a vision of glitz and glamour and gold, or in this case reflecting Mike and me.

I love the aquarium in Caesars Palace. Only the statue's head is swimming with the fishes, everything else is just a reflection in the glass.

Reflections are fun, but not always desirable in a photograph. I didn't want anything detracting from these colorful fish.

Here's the view from the hotel window.

I could have turned the lights off inside to lose the reflection, but I decided to take a photo through the sheer curtain instead for a different look.

Here's the mirror again from the first photo. You could say this post has come full circle. I know my friend Melody would enjoy the pun.

Labels: Las Vegas, night, travel photography

By the Light of the Moon

Playa del Rey, California

Tonight Michael and I went on a "Full Moon Tour at the Wetlands" led by Ballona Institute's Roy van de Hoek. Did you know tonight was the Hunter's Moon, probably so named because the full moon is so bright that hunters can continue tracking their prey into the night. Each full moon of the year has a different name.

We heard a few different bird calls and compared them to a bird book that played audio clips of different birds. Here tour guide Roy is trying to find the song of the killdeer.

This is the Del Rey Lagoon. We saw raccoons, ducks, geese and coots. We also woke up a heron sleeping in an Indian fig tree.

Thank you Roy & Marcia for a fun and informative tour. We hope to see you soon on another tour!

Labels: night

Closing Time

San Jose, California

I love the night. It's quiet. Peaceful. All the doors close, the lights go out, and everyone sleeps, except for those few nocturnal souls like mine.

Cities truly shine at night. Here the lights never go out completely. The doors at Original Joe's stay open past midnight. Which was good for us since that's about the time we finally got to eat.

After the doors are locked and everyone leaves with full bellies, a lone worker remains.

Fresh crisp tablecloths adorn each table, perfectly in line with the next.

For those far from home, a bed and pillow await here.

Time to go. Back to L.A.

Labels: night, San Jose, travel photography

So Long San Fran!

San Francisco, California

It's time to bid this city farewell. Perhaps Walter Cronkite said it best, "Leaving San Francisco is like saying goodbye to an old sweetheart. You want to linger as long as possible."

Labels: night, San Francisco, travel photography

There's No Escape

Alcatraz Island, California

The Rock looks foreboding as we get closer and closer.

Just in case you feel drawn toward the island, this sign makes it clear you should stay away.

Alcatraz is only 1.5 miles away from San Francisco but escaping meant braving the cold waters.

Birds have taken over this island. It is home to many species, including seagulls, herons, egrets, and cormorants.

Walking into Alcatraz Penitentiary is like walking into a black and white photo. The deep blue waters of the bay and the bright green of the grass are all outside. Inside is gray.

Each inmate had his own 5' x 9' cell.

A list of regulations governed all the details of the prisoners' lives.

Regulation #30 CELLHOUSE RULES

At the wake-up bell in the morning you must get out of bed and put on your clothes. Make up your bed properly (as shown in the diagram on Page #8) with your pillow at the end near the bars, blankets tucked neatly under the mattress, and extra blankets folded neatly at the foot of the bed. Sweep your cell and place the trash in the trash basket.

Alcatraz was reserved for the worst criminals.

Among the baddest of them all, was the Polka of Alcatraz. Her quick shooting skills landed her in the joint for life.

Polka's partner in crime was Mike "Shifty Eyes."

There is no escape from the bars. Even the shadows mock you.

Regulation #42 YARD PRIVILEGES
Exercise yard rules: All inmates in good standing are allowed the yard privilege on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, if the weather permits.

I wonder how many only saw the outside world through these dusty dining room windows.

Regulation #33 DINING ROOM RULES
Meals are served three times a day in the dining room. Do not exceed the ration. Do not waste food. Do not carry food from the dining room.

The glass case surrounding a guard's uniform reflects some tourists.

Looking into the offices it seems as if time froze.

Regulation # 21 WORK

You are required to work at whatever you are told to do.

There's even a date stamp. I'm guessing it's from 1952, but I'm not sure of the significance. Anyone know?

Inmates who did not follow the regulations were sent here.

The prison hospital is the creepiest of all. I feel like I'm in a horror movie.

Regulation #36 MEDICAL ATTENTION

Medical attention is available to all inmates.

This looks like a torture chamber!

That hospital gave me the chills. I could not get out of there fast enough!

I believe that's the guard quarters, with San Francisco gleaming in the distance.

We finished the tour listening to some more prison stories.

The island no longer belongs to the Birdman of Alcatraz.

Regulation #3 STATUTORY GOOD TIME, MERITORIOUS GOOD TIME AND INDUSTRIAL GOOD TIME are types of reduction in sentence which can be earned only by inmates who establish and keep a good conduct record and a good work record.

Thank you to the National Park Service for all of their hard work in preserving history. I highly recommend the Alcatraz Tour for anyone visiting the Bay area. Quick tip: Be sure to reserve your tickets early as they sell out fast. We bought ours a month ahead of time and the night tour the day before ours was sold out.

Labels: night, San Francisco, travel photography

S'More Yosemite Photos

Yosemite, California
You may have noticed a lot of pears in Kim and Ryan's wedding. The couple does make a great pair, but the fruit is actually a reference to their last name. (I won't divulge the name for privacy reasons, which is why I only use first names in the blog.)

Kim and Ryan started out with their romantic first dance.

I loved their reactions to the toasts.

Kim tears up at her dad's toast...

... and later both of them burst out laughing.

The newlyweds incorporated the tradition of the German Wedding Cup. If neither spill a drop, they will have a marriage full of love, faithfulness and good luck.

There is a second part to this tradition. Whoever finishes the drink first is declared the ruler of the nest. Guess who won?

Now it was time for more dancing.

I don't think Kim ever left the dance floor.

I love the chicken dance!

It's time for some serious fun when the shoes come off!

It's getting dark. The bride and groom have a special treat for their guests....

S'mores!

Kim and Ryan sneak away from the fire to enjoy a few more dances.

Labels: destination wedding, night, wedding, Yosemite

Observations After Dark

Los Angeles, California
I met up with fellow photographers Rachael and Vic at the Griffith Park Observatory. I also met Vic's sister and brother-in-law who treated me to the planetarium show.

The Observatory is one of my favorite places in LA, not only because my husband proposed to me in Griffith Park, but also because of the gorgeous views. When Michael moved to LA it was still undergoing renovation and we both anxiously awaited its opening.