Sunday, May 25, 2014

Frank Lloyd Wright & Chicago Skyline

First off, I love Frank Lloyd Wright's work. Love. So on my recent trip to Chicago I knew I had to squeeze in a tour of at least one of FLW's buildings, as they are scattered all around Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. For various reasons we settled on FLW's personal home and studio in Oak Park, IL.

Needless to say the tour was the highlight of my trip, and it was even more incredible to be able to take photos with my pro camera while inside of his home. The only problem is I had to sign a waiver saying I wouldn't use them for commercial use, including even displaying them on my website for portfolio purposes. (Insert crying noise here). So, unfortunately, below you will find only exteriors of  three FLW properties, and I will have to continue to restrain myself from posting the incredible interior pictures I got while on the tour.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio
Geek Note: He designed this home was he was 22. Twenty-two! His studio is the structure on the left side shaped like an octagon that he added on after the house was first built in 1890. The right back end of the building is the original home section. The octagon on the right front side is a library added during the same renovation. 

The Frank Thomas House in Oak Park, IL
Unfortunately I did not get to tour this property inside. It is located about two blocks away from FLW's personal home and is the considered his first "Prairie style" home. Designed in 1901.

Queen Anne/Victorian style home in Oak Park, IL
While located in the FLW historic district, this home was not designed by FLW (at least to my knowledge). I just fell in love with it and had to photograph it. :)

Walter H. Gale House in Oak Park, IL
Designed by FLW in 1909 in the "Queen Anne" style, before he perfected his "prairie style". 

View of Chicago Skyline from Sears Tower
View from the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower aka the Willis Tower aka Skydeck.



I can't wait to go back and devote an entire trip to visiting FLW buildings all over Illinois!!!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Kaleidoscope carrots, fresh strawberries, and caramelized blood oranges

Kaleidoscope Carrots


Fresh Strawberries


Caramelized Blood Oranges 



Special thanks to my sister for lending me her tiny hands. ;) 


Saturday, May 10, 2014

More Car Dealerships...

Here's a random smattering of images showing what I've been up too lately: photographing some more commercial car dealerships. 

Special thanks to Dennis J. Flynn Architects for hiring me to capture these gorgeous dealerships, and to the dealerships themselves for letting me wander around their property and scare customers with my big fancy camera. ;) 



Bob Smith Mini in Calabasas, CA




Elmore Toyota in Westminister, CA






Keyes Hyundai in Van Nuys, CA



Keyes Toyota in Van Nuys, CA



Keyes Hyundai in Mission Hills, CA





Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Published!

Woo hoo! It's always validating to be published in a magazine!

Check out the tear sheets of my images from the 2014 Spring issue of Flea Market Decor Magazine featuring the lovely and decorative savvy Ryann Ford's home in Austin (who is also a architectural photographer herself-- check out her work here: www.ryannford.com).

Big thanks to Ryann for letting me capture her truly unique and inspiring home!