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Fueled by the Past

Santa Barbara, California
After our fun photo outing in SLO, we drove back to Los Angeles.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

I love road trips because there’s so many unexpected oddities just off the beaten path. We exited the 101 looking for some coffee and passed a small building reminiscent of southern Spain’s Moorish architecture. The sun was setting so we only had a few minutes to get some photos.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

This building used to be the  Barnsdall-Rio Grande gas station. It was built in 1929 and featured in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981) with Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

Michael lit this post with a flashlight as I took the photo. The light reminds me of the hatch from Lost.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

What are your favorite off-the-beaten-path discoveries?
FL&R

Tanks for the Memories

San Luis Obispo, California
The best way to explore a new place is to walk. It’s so easy to miss things when you’re driving and paying attention to the road in front of you. For example, on our walk from the motel to downtown SLO, we saw a tank.

This battle tank, the “Patton,” was in service from 1960 to 1991 and now stands in front of the Veterans Memorial Museum.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

There was also an old cannon. I love the texture in the wood and the chipped paint.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

I couldn’t resist a shot of Michael and me reflected in the tank’s headlight.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography
FL&R

A Quick Trip to SLO

San Luis Obispo, California
One of the things I love about traveling is the opportunity to see something new. More than that, it gives me the chance to slow down. Michael and I spent all day Sunday walking around San Luis Obispo taking photos. About half of these were shot with my new Diana lens, the other half with my trusty 24-70mm.

I love old motel signs. If it wasn’t for the van peeking out from above the hedge, it’d be hard to date this photo.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

The Diana gives this tree a soft dreamy look.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

Utility boxes look much nicer when they’re painted.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

There’s something creepy about Mary’s reflection in the window. Maybe because her face looks like it’s gone?

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

Store window with pretty bridal gowns and tuxes.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

Meet Annie, the bloodhound. I never realized bloodhounds were so tall!

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

I borrowed Michael’s iPod Touch for this hipstamatic shot.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

Bubblegum Alley is one of the smelliest and grossest landmarks ever. Newer, bright-colored gum rests on top of layers of old, black, dried-out chicle.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

Is it art? A health code violation? One thing’s for sure, Monk wouldn’t be caught dead in here.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

Love this door handle.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

Now this alley is more like it.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography

The sketch artist looks lost in thought.

San Luis Obispo, wedding photographer, wedding photography
FL&R

Encore! Something Blue

Lord Alfred Tennyson said “A happy bridesmaid makes a happy bride.” That’s just as true today as two centuries ago. The bride Bernadette was quite happy with these beautiful bridesmaids at her side. In this photo, they are looking from afar as the bride waits for her groom.

Bridesmaids – and groomsmen – are often the unsung heroes of the day. The best man at our wedding literally put out a fire when a napkin that was thrown next to a candle went up in flames. As a photographer, I don’t want to bother the bride with too many questions. Bridesmaids are the best when it comes to helping me hang up the wedding gown for photos and finding the jewelry for detail shots.

Are you a bridesmaid? There’s a blog written for you in mind, Twirl Talk – The Bridesmaid Blog, which is where I found this great quote

 “Behind every dazzling bride is an effective crew of bridesmaids – the ladies who help the wedding loveboat sail without snags.”

Los Angeles, wedding photographer, wedding photography

P.S. This is my new blog series called Encore!

When I blog about a wedding or portrait session, I try to arrange all the photos to tell a story. Sometimes great photos don’t quite fit. Encore! will feature one (or two!) of those photos every Friday.

FL&R

Ala - Don’t forget your Olympic Bridesmaid Runner. 🙂

Polka Photos - How could I forget? I’ve never seen you run that fast in gym shoes, I don’t know how you did it in heels and a dress. You are the bestest bridesmaid!