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Got Chocolate?

Los Angeles, California
Just in case you didn’t get enough chocolate yesterday, I thought I’d tempt you with my new chocolate discovery. Most people come back from the farmer’s market with fruit and vegetables, I come back with chocolate!

ChocoVivo is made fresh weekly using the millennium-old process of stone grinding. There’s no extras like cacao butter or soy lecithin or anything that’s partially hydrogenated. In addition to dark chocolate, ChocoVivo also makes it’s own unique flavors by adding ingredients like salt, goji berries and coffee beans. If you have a chance, check out their website, or better yet find them at your nearest farmer’s market and try a sample.

photographer commercial Los Angeles

commercial photographer Los Angeles

Los Angeles commercial photographer
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Danse Macabre

Los Angeles, California
Michael and I had a hauntingly fun time at the First Congregational Church’s Halloween night presentation of the silent film The Phantom of the Opera. In true 1920’s fashion, the movie was accompanied live by organ music played by the fantastic Christian Elliott. It was incredible!!!

Phantom of the Opera

The organs at the First Congregational Church are the largest church organs in the world!

Phantom of the Opera

There was even a movie star in the audience. Carla Laemmle played the role of the prima ballerina in this movie, but she is also known for having the first spoken line in a horror movie playing a coach passenger in Dracula. Here she is today at 101 years old side by side with a photo from her film days.

Phantom of the Opera

Hope your Halloween was a scream! 

Phantom of the Opera
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It’s the Great Pumpkin Race

Los Angeles, California
I love Halloween and all the fun fall events around this time of year. So I was super excited when my friend Lynne invited me to her annual neighborhood block party – the Mildred Ave. Pumpkin Races.

There were over fifty pumpkins entered in the races this year. The main rule was that the pumpkin had to be hollowed out. As for decorations, any theme was game.

Los Angeles Mildred Avenue pumpkin races

I saw Scooby-Doo, a bumblebee hive, black cat, Cat in the Hat, ballerina, Cookie Monster, spiders, a tee party and the Tea Party, and a tribute to the Chilean miner rescue.

pumpkin races Los Angeles family portrait photographer Polka Photos

Pumpkin races are serious business and the judge checks to make sure each pumpkin is hollow before the race.

Los Angeles family portrait photographer Polka Photos

And they’re off!

Halloween pumpkin races Los Angeles family portrait photographer Polka Photos

Look at that bear whizzzzzzzzz by!

Halloween pumpkin races Los Angeles family portrait photographers

And here’s comes the Cookie Monster… he’s neck-and-neck with Avatar: the Last Airbender…  it’s going to be a photo finish…

Halloween pumpkin races Los Angeles family portrait photographer

COOKIE MONSTER WINS!!!!!!!

Halloween pumpkin races Los Angeles family portrait photographer Polka Photos

Happy Halloween Everyone!
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Dancing in the Dark

Claremont, California
Ester and Keith make their grand entrance.

wedding bride groom photographer Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

Padua Hills Theatre is a beautiful space.

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

The reception started with toasts by the parents.

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

Then it was time for the food. And yes, it’s just as delicious as it looks!

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

Mmmmm cake!

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

The newlyweds play a photo slideshow for their guests presented by Entertainment Express, which also provided the DJ, MC and incredible lighting.

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

Time for the first dance. I love this lighting. Thanks again to Entertainment Express.

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

Now it’s time for everyone to get out on the dance floor!

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

Thank you Ester and Keith! Wishing you all the best in your married life!

wedding Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California
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Formal Fotos Can Be Fun

Claremont, California
Ester and Keith wanted more photojournalism style pictures and not too many formal wedding portraits. I love photographing all the moments of a wedding day so I knew I’d love being their photographer.

One of their requests was for a group photo with all of their guests. Padua Hills Theatre has the perfect spot on the back patio.

wedding photographer Padua Hills Theater Claremont California

I take a few more photos with the cute couple in the enchanted forest.

wedding bride groom photographer Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding bride groom photographer Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California
wedding bride groom photographer Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

wedding bride groom photographer Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

Shoes!

wedding bride groom photographer Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California

It’s time to walk over to the reception.

wedding bride groom photographer Padua Hills Theatre Claremont California
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