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09-27-2008

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.
Posted in San Jose
FL&R
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Denise - really nice shots!

Polka Photos - Why thank you!

09-24-2008

Walk Like an Egyptian

San Jose, California

We met the lovely Dianne and Dominik for The Day After portrait session at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. I fell in love with the museum last year, and was happy to photograph here again.
We started at the house by the pond in the peace garden.
Dianne is simply gorgeous. I couldn’t help but think of Cleopatra as we walked around the grounds which were adorned with Egyptian symbols like the ankh below.
All of the windows and doorways made for endless photo possibilities.
I can’t decide which doorway photo I like the best.
I shot this one facing the sun which made an unusual lens flare.
Dominik has a strong, handsome profile.
I love this moment!
Leaving the garden…
Dianne’s only photo request was that we take photos in the water. San Jose is far from the ocean, so we went to this fountain instead.
Dominik on the other hand, had absolutely no desire to go in the water.
But he ended up surprising his wife and going in anyway.
And we ended up with my favorite photo from the day.

It Is Her Love that Gives Me Strength

My sister’s love is on the far side.
The river is between our bodies;
The waters are mighty at flood-time,
A crocodile waits in the shallows.
I enter the water and brave the waves,
My heart is strong on the deep;
The crocodile seems like a mouse to me,
The flood as land to my feet.
It is her love that gives me strength,
It makes a water-spell for me;
I gaze at my heart’s desire,
As she stands facing me!
My sister has come, my heart exults,
My arms spread out to embrace her;
My heart bounds in its place,
Like the red fish in its pond.
O night, be mine forever,
Now that my queen has come!


~ from love poems found inscribed on The Cairo Vase,
a vase from the New Kingdom Period excavated at Deir el-Medina
Posted in Los Angeles wedding photographer,San Jose,The Day After,wedding
FL&R
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Dianne - THANK YOU ALEKS!!
Dominik and I really enjoyed the pictures … we also had fun taking them!
I like the ones when we are in the doorway. We will take the colored one.

Ala - Those pictures are exceptionally beautiful! (I love your favorite as well.)

Polka Photos - Thank you Ala. It helps having not only a beautiful couple, but one that is willing to try anything. And speaking of trying anything, I’ll have your photos finished soon, too!

09-22-2008

Do You Know the Way To San Jose?

San Jose, California

We met Katrina and Jeremy for an engagement portrait session.

The couple first met at The Cheesecake Factory, where they both worked.
Katrina and Jeremy are super cute together.
They weren’t sure of how to pose but once we started shooting they were naturals!
I love Katrina’s ring!

We found this cool old door…

and a funky spiky tree!

Thank you Katrina & Jeremy for a fun shoot!
Posted in engagement,San Jose
FL&R
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09-12-2008

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.”

Posted in San Francisco
FL&R
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Anonymous - you haven’t posted in acouple of days. busy?

Polka Photos - Always busy! My goal is to blog at least once a week. How often would you like to see a new blog post? Any other blog readers want to chime in?

Dianne - I would like to see maybe 2 a week … but i understand how busy you are =)… so whatever you can do is fine with me

09-12-2008

The Little Fishing Village

Sausalito, California

My favorite cookies used to be Sausalito by Pepperidge Farms. Now I just look at one cookie and go up a dress size. Our calorie-free indulgence for the day was a quick trip across the Bay to Sausalito.
The streets were overflowing with tourists and lacking in parking. Even the seagull parking was full.

We made another quick stop at the Gates Cooperative house boat community.

The old bohemian neighborhood is characterized by its bright houses, many decorated with artwork from calaveras to what looked like nursery rhyme characters.

What all the houses had in common was that they were wearing down.
This boat and smokestack reminds me of Popeye.

I didn’t want to intrude for too long. The residents seem tired of tourists coming by – and I don’t blame them. It was time to get out of Dodge. But not before I took a photo of the coolest muscle car. Time to drive back.

Posted in California
FL&R
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