hearts of LA: part two

The boy holding the cardboard sign with the neatly written plea of "Trying to get to Michigan. Every dollar counts." really seems to epitomize the land of the LA in my mind. It is filled with all of these long, lost reminiscing New Yorkers serving nachos at a Mexican bar, and wish-they-could-land-a-gig actors who paint themselves gold and go out on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to earn a buck or two. The costumed creatures of the Hollywood area take "just put on a smile" to a whole new level, but it doesn't mean that it isn't fun to be a tourist for a day.








Above: Grauman's Chinese Theater

Below: Hollywood resident remains pensive for 20 minutes, wondering which would be a better start to his day: a cruise around town with his movie star map flapping in the wind or a trip down reality lane with the news clutched in his hands. {He opted for the map, if you are curious.}



Below: The old mixed with the new. LA is filled with vintage 50's visuals mixed with our modern day here and now, but what made it stand out to me is that in many cases, the two blend together seamlessly.






Above: Closer look at the Michigan boy who clicked his heels together three times, but ended right back up on the same Hollywood corner the next day.








all photography by Melissa Lynn of beIMAGED Photography.

sunday solo 2: the face of christmas

Decked with her star-shaped Santas and elves on her white turtleneck, glasses hung around her neck, and with some serious concern for the economy written on her facial expression, this woman struck me as the ultimate face of Christmas of 2009.

Happy Holidays.

hearts of LA: part one

It all began with a plane ride through busty cloud formations and in the air bloody mary concoctions, and needless to say, anticipation was high on my trip from NY to LA. I hadn't been back since I was a kid, and can't say I knew what to expect. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the location upon arrival was all of the color, life, and happiness in the air: yes, I knew there would be sunshine and smiles, but I wasn't prepared for the wealth of saturated rich colors of the people and places.


This will be the first of a few posts to come covering LA ground, but I feel it is best to start at the beginning. We stayed in the ultra unique and unequivocally artistic Hotel Le Petit Ermitage. Think: lush, mysterious, and romantic: very on par with the ambiance of Wong Kar Wai's films, especially 2046. Their whimsical website even features the intriguing song by Japanese composer, Shigeru Umebayashi, which is the song carried throughout the Wong Kar Wai film "In the Mood for Love". And indeed, the hotel puts you in the mood for love and nothing short of it.


Filled with hallways of paintings hung up gallery-style, floral carpets that's design flows up off the plush and onto the walls with a few simple golden paint strokes, knick-knacks that are quaint and eclectic, and who could forget: the roof-top pool decked with a fireplace and filled with lots of shabby mixed with chic decor. Although I failed to take a photograph of the top level dream space, simply because I was too busy enjoying it, I did try to capture what I enjoyed most about the rest of the hotel.










Stay Tuned for: Hearts of LA: Part Two; Coverage of the costumed inhabitants, old buildings, and iconic images that make up the popular hot spot, "Hollywood Hall of Fame".

sunday solo 1: the girl on the plane

So, two confessions. This photograph is not from this weekend past, nor did I take it. But before I share my photographs from my trip to LA, I wanted to post this one taken of me and the sweet young girl who sat in front of me on the plane headed towards the sun. Sometimes, strangers have the power to reteach you how important it is to make a connection.

photograph taken by my associate and travel-mate, Dave of Rug Rag.

danila & lea

It was a pleasure to be able to work with two people so incredibly in sync, that even their feet grazed the grass at the same pace. All smiles, giggles, and genuine personalities: Lea and Danila are the image of love. Black and white or in color, these faces are of two human beings I feel honored to have met. Congratulations to them on their engagement.







all photography by beIMAGED Photography.

Coming soon on beBLOGGED:
*hearts of LA: my photo footage and tales from a trip to LA.
*sunday solos: solo snapshots from the weekends ahead that will either cause a chuckle, snicker, teardrop, or at the very least a two second pensive thought.

kids just want to have fun

Oh, how children just want to have fun. All of the smiles, the giggles, the frowns, the tickles. And with a lifestyle of carefree about them, comes moments moments of wonder when you can catch them peering out from curious eyes, with a yearning to understand the world around them.





The 3-year old birthday party that I was invited to photograph was truly an invigorating experience. As I ran around, trying to keep up with the energy of these boys, I was reminded of how greatly a child can teach us about ourselves, especially in times of muddled adult confusion.






And when the television turned on, the movie started, and 3 little boy eyes stared towards the abyss of "Jungle Book" on the screen with blank but highly content expressions, I thought: life is good at its simplest. As an adult, I say, why not still play Checkers and rock a plastic fireman hat?





Perhaps the most intriguing photographic subjects, while young ones are observed in all of their running around, jumping up, and falling down - they are also observing you.



all photography copywritten by beIMAGED Photography