yelena yemchuk/

A couple of my favorites from my shoot at photographer and painter Yelena Yemchuk's loft earlier this week. I have always loved how more is more with Yelena...the antithesis of me actually. There are layers and layers of reference on her pin board. In my mind taking it down would be one of the best ways to spend a day (and I think it would take a day) because you would go through her brain in some way and see the copious references that get sifted into any one of her many projects. It would be fascinating. As I shot she was working on some compelling new paintings for a show this fall. I cannot wait to see the final pieces...
Have a wonderful long weekend friends. I am heading to a barn raising in the redwoods, can you believe it?!? SO EXCITED!!!

brooklyn loft/neo-utility

I shot this the other day when I accompanied a friend over to the loft of Kip Kotzen of neo-utility. I'm in love with this picture right now. Why is it that all the images I just love are on my phone? But you can't stage things like this, can you. I love the way Esme (the kitty) is ruling the roost and you only see the rear end of Spencer (the pup). Makes me laugh! Plus Kip's loft is pretty great. It has a very Eames House feel with all the plants, layering of textiles and of course this gorgeous window.

On a sadder note, the designer of the gorgeous Butterfly Stool in the center of this shot, Sori Yanagi, passed away in late December. He is best known for this beautiful and elegant stool. It is kind of rare when objects almost feel like they are living breathing things, but I think this stool accomplishes that. To me it feels like another character in this shot - butterfly, kitty and pup.

brooklyn loft/

Went on an impromptu visit to a loft in Brooklyn last Friday and I got a bit enamored by the stairwell (typical me...). The light was so pretty in there. The wind was howling outside and the casement windows were rattling but I could have stood in there for quite awhile to just bask in that glow. The view wasn't so bad either...

brooklyn/lawn piles

While shooting a portrait in Brooklyn I ran across this empty lot. All there was in it were these piles of yard clippings, but it seemed like they were not from this yard. It was kind of strange. My kind of strange actually...you see, I have a deep love of lawn piles. Have we talked about this before? This is one of my half realized projects that I always want to get back to but never have the time. In San Jose, where I grew up, the way they get rid of yard waste and clippings in some areas is people just pile it in the street. It is a careless, utilitarian act and yet some of these piles end up being beautiful little (or big) sculptures. I'm going to have to dig some up to share.

But this image struck me for the wonderful patterns on the wall. Especially that slatted panel on the wall. It is like some weird screen that they would project subliminal suggestive messages on...

Isa/Casa Brutus

My image of Isa in Williamsburg (super yummy food!!!) is in the new Casa Brutus (pg 13). My first time to appear in this lovely magazine. Of course I have zero idea what it says, but I love it anyway! This is the image they ran.

paul loebach/west elm

Another of my images from Paul Loebach's studio in Brooklyn today because his collaboration with West Elm is now available and it looks so great!  I noticed this grey chair in his studio, but wasn't sure what the story was behind it...a prototype maybe? I tend to be an intense observer when I am shooting, really involved in the seeing, but not always wanting to ask about things. And sometimes the answers just reveal themselves to me - like this chair - which is from the WE collection.

I love it when things just appear to you unexpectedly. It is life telling me I am doing the right thing, shooting the right places, following the right path. Everything in my life is like this more and more...I really love it! It tells me to keep going!

ps - I just noticed Paul's new website is up! Check it out and begin to covet his work as I do. http://paulloebach.com/

isa, williamsburg

I think this is my favorite image from my shoot at Isa  a couple weeks ago. The attention to detail in this place is really inspiring. That AND the food is absolutely delicious. You should all try and stop by!

isa, williamsburg

While I was in New York last week, I shot the new restaurant, Isa, in Williamsburg. It is such a joy to shoot such a beautiful space with so much meticulous attention to detail. This is just a quick shot I took on my phone so you can imagine how gorgeous the proper shots are.

bed stuy/brooklyn

While I was scouting locations for a portrait in Bed-Stuy I saw this and for some reason it made me happy. That razor wire is so vicious looking but nature just changed it.

Just arrived back in San Francisco to a shining sun and hopefully a little Indian summer heat!

williamsburg/brooklyn

I shot this rather quickly on my way to grab a coffee in Williamsburg a couple of days ago. I love a good line of laundry. And I kind of wanted to steal the Mickey Mouse shirt (I resisted).

On another note, I am shooting straight thru the weekend so next week should be full of new stuff assuming I have a moment to edit. I'll rally for you all!

Have a great weekend friends!

paul loebach/brooklyn

Spent another day shooting at Paul Loebach's studio yesterday for my new project. Always such a fun day discovering what he is thinking of and designing. This is a shot from last time I was there in late July. More on him soon!

brooklyn/

Usually I am not a fan of this jellyfish iphone flare, but I think it works here.

paul loebach/brooklyn

A couple more shots from Paul Loebach's studio in Brooklyn. I think of all his designs, this ladder is the one I want for myself. It was inspired by 19th century orchard ladders. I love it. I would do away with my towel bar in the bathroom and use this instead.