Archive for August, 2009

What is an antique exactly?? Well Wikipedia defines it as “an old collectable item, collected or desirable because of its age, rarity, condition, utility, or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era in human society.”? In my opinion, it’s all of that and a bag of chips.? It’s a variety of senses rolled up into a single object.? When I walk into an antique shop, I can smell the wood, feel the grain, see it’s weathered face and all of it makes me feel euphoric.? When I attended classes at UCLA, for example, I would hike cross campus every day just to do my studying within the walls of its Powell Library.? The art carved between Powell’s wooden beams, delicately whispers the stories of days gone by and it’s all so inspiring to me.

Today I continue to harbor my love affair for antiques.? If there is an antique store in my path,? I will always visit.? So understandably, I was thrilled when I received a request for photography from a quaint little antique shop located in Pasadena.? They’re currently having a website designed and were in desperate need for some fresh photography.

Meet Bromley, Jones, & Velez.

One of this shop’s specialties is gilding, a restorative process for gold.? So not only will they restore your wood, leather, or glass but also any gold found, can be rejuvenated and revived.

Another charming aspect to this shop- they clearly love what they do.? Here is Bromley, Jones, & Velez hard at work.

I thoroughly enjoyed capturing the layers of this shop’s character.? I highly recommend that you see it for yourself or at the very least, give them a call (626.568.1750).? If you do go in person, here’s a tip-

watch out for their ferocious guard dog.

Sarena and Mando are indeed two of my favorite peeps. Sarena I’ve known for years. We first met during my college years at UCLA. I’ll never forget, it was during our orientation when she first approached me.  She asked me about twenty questions and then immediately insisted that she and I were going to be fast friends.  I’m so glad she did.  I adore her and though we live on separate coasts, every time I see her, we’re always able to pick up right where we left off.

Sarena met Mando a few years after she made the move to New York.  They met while working on a theater production together.  Four years later, Mando decided to wake her in the middle of the night, kneel by their bed and ask her to be his bride.

They decided to have an intimate wedding.  The ceremony would take place in the backyard of Sarena’s childhood home in Berkeley and the reception would be a block party.  Soon after they had set the date, they were asking me to be their photographer.  I was thrilled and honored.

I

Ok, so I can’t take full credit for this “run away bride” shot.  This was Sarena’s interpretation of a formal portrait . . . and tha’t why I love her. Never a dull moment when shooting this wedding.

And then there was the taco truck.  I mean does it get any better than that? And those tacos were amazing!  I want a taco truck at every major event I have from here on out.

Busy greeting guests, Sarena and Mando missed out on the tacos and demanded that they be served! Sorry guys, you snooze you lose.

This started as “Hava Nagila” but soon the crowd was chanting “Have a Tequila!” It was so difficult for me to shoot this, due to the fact that I was laughing so hard.

These two truly balance and compliment one another.  I had so much fun at their wedding.  Thank you both for a tremendous time.  I can’t wait for the babies to come . . . (You’re welcome Judy)

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I am currently in San Francisco, shot a wedding here on Saturday and am coming home on Tuesday.? So I decided that this week I would post a few of the pics from Joe’s Birthday bash last week-

My man.? I love him and decided to throw him a surprise dinner with some of our closest friends.? There were about 20! I’ve never cooked for so many.? So I made one long and large table outside, (which we managed to fit everyone around) hung up a few lights, lit some candles and played a lil mood music, all on a breezy and gorgeous summer night.? It was romantic, to say the least and I was happy to host and cook for the people we love most.

Thank you to everyone that came out and for the wine . . . I could open a store.? We have wine to last us through to next year!

Thank you.

Joe and Mama Mills.

Hoshi, always the hit of the party.

Happy Birthday Baby!