note from milano/look up

Today was one of those days where life felt sublime. I shot Achille Castiglione's Studio for the new book. On the cab ride over this morning I was so excited I was spontaneously giggling in the back of the taxi. (The driver was not so amused.) I wish I could show you everything (I tweeted a couple, so sign up for that and see @lwillphoto ), but I definitely wanted to share these with you all. I spent a lot of time looking up because there were glorious things going on with the light on the ceiling. Isn't it just beautiful?!?! These reflections kept dancing around all day.

In the back room I couldn't help myself, I just had to lay down on the floor under the Taraxacum light. I had wanted to do this since I went on the studio tour during the Salone a couple of weeks ago. Of course the tour was packed so I resisted, knowing I would get my chance. I just layed there and looked around. It is amazing how you see things differently when you lay down on the floor in a room. I noticed all the beautiful old hardware underneath the desks and marveled at just how much they have stored to the ceiling. I also got a splinter in my jeans from the floor, but no one said there were no hazards to this kind of behaviour. Soooo worth it! 

Tomorrow I head for Vienna!

cinco de mayo/happy birthday grandma

These two things have always been linked in my head. Cinco de Mayo and my Grandmother's birthday. So today, as I sit here in my apartment in Milan and crave a burrito and some California sun, I find myself thinking of her. She passed away almost 6 years ago but it is beautiful how the most important people never leave you. I love that I photographed her so much. I look at this image I know she is kissing me.
Today is rainy, with thunder and lightening here in Milan. I was hoping I would get to see the huge full moon we are supposed to have, but that may not come to pass. So I have taken this day just to be still. I didn't realize how much I needed that. In the midst of all this travel it is important to find a space to be idle - to just be.
This next week is one I am so excited about. I am shooting two studios that I have wanted to shoot for SO LONG. By Tuesday I will be in Vienna!

note from torino/carlo mollino

Arrived in Torino yesterday for the express purpose of shooting Carlo Mollino's garçonnière for the book. I have dreamed of shooting this space for about 10 years, so to say I am a bit excited seems like an understatement to say the least. But today, amid the clouds and drizzle, my host in Torino, Maurizio, and I just walked around and saw what Mollino there was to see around town. This is as close as I got to seeing inside his Teatro Regio. But I'll try again before I leave. I have seen pictures for years and refuse to leave without laying my eyes on it for real! The shots in this post today are around the entry to the Theatre.
But the real discovery today has been Torino itself. What a beautiful city! Someone told me it was the Paris of Italy and it really does feel like Paris in many ways. Some of the most beautiful shops I have ever seen. More pics of this soon!

note from milano/OEN Q&A

The thing about traveling solo is that these are the only pictures of myself I ever have. This is my self portrait from today at the Central train station in Milan. An amazing fascist building that I did not shoot because I was so tired. But I have this self portrait.
btw, I did a Q&A with the guys over at the OEN and it posted yesterday. They asked some questions that I really had to think about. Click here to check it out.
Have a fantastic weekend friends! I am off to Torino tomorrow to shoot a house I have wanted to shoot for 10 years...just a touch excited.  ; )

note from milano/

Just a quick pic today since I am on a writing deadline. I shot this last night near the Lambrate metro station. A nice little commentary on bike vs. car.

note from milan/triennale

I spent some time at the Triennale Design Museum yesterday. It was nice to have a day to just see some stuff. there was a little bit of work in there, but overall, just pleasure. It was much needed. The first shot was just me lazing in the park. This woman is fantastic with her Italian greyhounds. The last two are from in the Triennale. The first of the architecture in the Italian graphic design exhibit (which is really worth a visit.) and the other from some weird little exhibit of miniatures...didn't read about the details on that one actually. Sorry bout that!
Have a great weekend friends.  ; )

note from london/day 2

I finally made a pilgrimage to a shop I have wanted to visit for years. Labour & Wait. I got a crush on their brush collection (of course these aren't for sale). They had plenty of other brishes for sale though and many more perfect, well made utilitarian household objects. I mean...they sell pencils! That makes me happy just alone, but so much more wonderful stuff there. Take a look at their website. I bought two perfect cotton handkerchiefs. I like cotton better that silk to wear on my head when I shoot (silk just slips right off).
I was actually in Shoreditch to do my first radio interview for Present Radio. It airs this Sunday. (Present is a really great mens shop, btw. You should check them out too! covetable stuff!) I had a wonderful time chatting with Grace about my musical leanings and working on Handcrafted Modern and how they two are so very inextricably linked for me. Have a listen if you feel like it. I'll post a link after it airs.

california/

I am heading to Europe this weekend to shoot my next book and yesterday I just dove into the California hillsides and coastline. Maybe it is because I was born here, but if I think about it too much, being away from this land gives me a little pang. But there are great things ahead!!! I'll focus on that!

Next time you hear from me, I'll be in London. Have a great weekend, friends.

twitter/ @lwillphoto

Hey everyone! I keep forgetting to mention that I am now on Twitter. Just thought I would let you all know as I will be heading off to Europe to shoot the new project in a few days and I think this may be the best way to follow along should you all feel like it. I'll tweet images from where I am in real time. London, Milan, Vienna, Paris, the South of France...you get the idea...
My handle is @lwillphoto  Hope you'll come along for the ride.