Hi Friends,

Just before Christmas last year, I did some family Christmas portraits for my good friend, Booker, at an empty 1920s era hardware store in Yorba Linda, CA.  After we finished, I explored the shop a little further and found a terrific space that I just had to come back to for a portrait shoot with my daughter.

Well, today was the day… I had in mind two types of images: one contrasting modern Japanese “kodona” or “ouji” fashion with the vintage look of the venue, and another attempting to recreate a “classic” Japanese formal portrait.  The store, built in 1927, was probably last decorated in the 50s or 60s. Think velvet fleur-de-lis wallpaper, and bare plaster with 50 years worth of peeling paint, and you’re starting to get the picture of the space.  My model / daughter, Cat, has a terrific fashion sense – very contemporary Japanese.  She was perfect for the role.  My mother-in-love, Keiko, has a 1940s-era kimono that Cat could wear for the second look, so we were all set!  And to top it all off, Booker arranged for unfettered access to the shoot venue for the afternoon.  And my dear friend, Royce, was able to join us as well! A perfect storm of photography!

But wait…there’s more!  As if it couldn’t get any better, our friend, Mariana, a lovely model specializing in 1940s vintage style, was able to join us for the afternoon!  Wow! Icing on the cake!

Anyway, a few of my favorites from the shoot.  Cat in “kodona” Japanese fashion:

Cat in vintage 1940s kimono:

 

And a few of Mariana:

Such are perfect days made of!  Thanks to all who made it possible: Cat and Mariana, Keiko, Booker and Royce!  And special thanks to Dale for letting us use the space for the afternoon!

Thanks for dropping by!

J