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2010-08-21T13:06:00.000-07:00
Our Sideways Trip through Wine Country
Santa Ynez Valley, California
I went on a weekend getaway with one of my best friends. Kim and I both love the movie Sideways, so we decided to recreate some key moments in Miles' and Jack's trip - minus the debauchery.
The best meal was at Hitching Post II in Buellton, which is worth a trip from LA just for their dinner. If you go, book reservations ahead of time as walk-ins can take several ...
2010-08-21T11:27:00.000-07:00
Where's Polka Now?
Time for another Where's Polka? contest. You get one photo clue from my trip in May.
This trip was inspired by a movie. Name the movie. First person to leave a comment on my blog with the movie title wins. One guess per person per day. Previous winners not eligible. Good luck!!!
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2010-08-20T14:11:00.000-07:00
Family Four Photos
Southwest Chicagoland, Illinois
You met the lovely Elise in the blog post below.
This is her little brother Nolan.
Nolan likes to walk...
and crawl.
He doesn't like to sit still.
Nolan loves his big sister, even when she's being silly.
And Elise loves her brother.
Although I love the photo of the siblings in color, I like the black & white, too.
Here's mom with her two little ...
2010-08-19T12:19:00.000-07:00
Pretty in Pink
Southwest Chicagoland, Illinois
Meet Elise. She has so much personality I thought she deserved her own blog post.
Like many kids, Elise was shy at first.
In no time she was smiling for the camera.
And made faces...
She's a natural!
Time for me to go Elise!
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2010-08-16T20:57:00.000-07:00
Portraits in the Park
Chicago, Illinois
I love going back home to Chicago. One of the best parts is seeing family portrait clients again, like Kate, Nora, Patrick and Chris (left to right in the photo below).
Since our last portrait session, baby Patrick has started walking. And boy does he love to walk! One of the reasons I love photographing in parks is because there's lots of room for kids to be kids: to walk, ...
2010-08-15T14:34:00.000-07:00
Postcards from Playa: Shipwreck
Playa del Rey, California
The ocean can be your best friend, or your worst enemy. The same waves that lull you to sleep can spit you out with broken ribs and torn sails to your final resting place in the sand. Every so often, I?ll see a new sailboat that suffered the wrath of the ocean. I?m not sure why, but the boat sometimes stays there for months. Perhaps as a reminder to all who dare venture ...
2010-08-04T22:15:00.000-07:00
Waking Up In Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
I took a quick trip to Vegas last week where I met one of my best friends. We drove out to the desert at 5 am for some sunrise photos.
The sun was so bright I wish I had a graduated neutral density filter for these photos.
We continued on to Red Rock Canyon, where we were greeted with a morning drizzle.
The rain went away but the clouds remained. And it grew hotter ...
2010-08-01T15:27:00.000-07:00
Where's Polka?
It's been a while since I've posted a Where's Polka? contest. This time you get one photo clue. If no one answers correctly, I'll add another photo clue. First person to leave a comment correctly identifying this place (city and state) wins. Previous winners not eligible. Good luck!!!
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2010-07-30T04:51:00.000-07:00
Wilshire Restaurant Reception
Santa Monica, California
After some quick photos in the park across the street, Mackenzie and Allan come back to the Wilshire Restaurant for their wedding reception.
Mackenzie's awesome sister-in-law helps with the bustle.
One last touch...
and a quick stop at the photo booth.
Then it's on to the grand entrance...
The Wilshire serves an incredible dinner.
Then it's time for the best...
2010-07-29T13:32:00.000-07:00
An Elegant Affair in Santa Monica
Santa Monica, California
Mackenzie and Allan held their wedding at the Wilshire Restaurant.
I wait with Mackenzie in the bride's room before her entrance.
The bride and her dad share a laugh.
A quick peek at the guests.
Last look.
It's time!
The outdoor area at the Wilshire is L-shaped, so there are guests on all sides, including behind the bride and groom. Michael is in the back ...
2010-07-28T08:08:00.000-07:00
Sharp Dressed Man
Santa Monica, California
As promised, I'm updating the blog with new weddings and portrait sessions. Mackenzie and Allan are a super sweet couple and I had a great time photographing their wedding.
I start out with getting ready photos in the groom's room at The Ambrose Hotel. The Guys Guide to Getting Married must mention that there has to be a game on TV while the groomsmen are getting ready.
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2010-07-28T07:36:00.000-07:00
Beautiful Bride
Santa Monica, California
After taking groomsmen photos, I go to the bride's room for more getting ready shots. Mackenzie is calm.
As I walk around the room, I notice her vows are written on a legal pad. I take a photo of the pad and pen as it is is...
then use their rings around some of the words.
Look at these awesome heels!
Mackenzie opens a present from her soon-to-be husband...
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2010-07-04T14:13:00.000-07:00
Postcards from Playa: Fireworks
Hope you're having a fun 4th of July!Happy Independence Day!!!!
Here's a shot I took last year of the Marina del Rey fireworks from my side of the beach....
2010-06-30T13:34:00.000-07:00
Postcards from Playa: Grunion Run
Playa del Rey, California
Who doesn't enjoy a good day day at the beach? Or a good night. Even the fish come out to play in Playa. In the summer nights, grunions spawn on the beaches of California and Baja during high tide.
Michael and I take a walk to see if we could find some grunions on our local beach. We find a few other people searching for grunions with their flashlights. But no grunions....
2010-06-20T09:33:00.000-07:00
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there!
I've met a lot of great dads - and granddads - during my family portrait sessions. Nominate a dad you know for the first-ever Polka Great Dads contest. Post his first name under comments and why you think he makes a great dad. Act fast - prizes awarded this Tuesday.
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2010-06-13T18:30:00.000-07:00
Learn how to take better pictures!
Everywhere - Classes are Online!!!!
Do you want to learn photography? Don't have time for traditional classes? Welcome to Polka Photos Class. PPC is designed to fit your schedule. Lessons are presented online and you can access each lesson at your own convenience. Take your photos to the next level!
For more info go to class.polkaphotos.com
Next class is
Back to Basics: Learning DSLR ...
2010-06-11T01:43:00.000-07:00
Thank you Pictage U!
San Diego, California
Many thanks to all the instructors, Pictage U team members and models. I can't thank you enough for a wonderful experience. If you're a photographer, I highly recommend this workshop.
This last photo is my favorite and was taken during a shooting session led by the famous Carlos Baez. I loved photographing Victoria who is gorgeous, talented and fun.
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2010-06-11T01:14:00.000-07:00
Pictage Pin-Ups
San Diego, California
One of the funnest workshops at Pictage U was the pin-up session led by the wonderful Anne Ruthmann. Anne showed us the white seamless and lighting set-up she uses for her The Moxy Girls photos. She also brought in books showing pin-up girl art and photos from the last century.
My job was to pose the super cute and sweet Nirvana in a style reminiscent of pin-up photos - and...
2010-06-10T23:50:00.001-07:00
Pictage U: Something Vintage
San Diego, California
I loved working with Victoria during Kelly Segre's class. She has the perfect vintage look. And before I forget, I need to give props to Paul Spataro for doing an awesome job with hair and make-up.
The lighting was a single light set-up similar to what I use during my Polka Pin-Ups shoots.
I was going for an Old Hollywood look here, à la Hurrell. What do you think?
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2010-06-10T23:50:00.000-07:00
Pictage U: Part Two
San Diego, California
I had the opportunity to work with a couple of models in Kelly Segre's portion of the workshop. Eleanor and Victoria are not only beautiful, but also lots of fun.
Here's Eleanor with a studio lighting set-up on gray seamless.
It had been awhile since I last used strobes. I was shooting film if that gives you an idea. Anyway, I completely forgot about strobe recycle time ...
2010-06-09T16:44:00.000-07:00
Pictage U: Something New
San Diego, California
I have a ton of photos to share from Pictage U's first workshop: Boudoir & Lighting.
I love learning techniques I can use every day. I adored Kitty Maer's Photoshop class. There's so much that can be done with PS - Kitty keeps it simple but good - that's my kind of PS. And I was happy when Kitty mentioned she can spend 20 minutes working on one photo - because as most of ...
2010-06-08T00:25:00.000-07:00
Back to School
San Diego, California
One of the things I love about photography is there is always more to learn. Recently I went back to school to Pictage U's first workshop: Boudoir & Lighting. I cannot say enough great things about this event. All of the instructors are truly celebrities in the photography world. When Lan and Vu Bui sat down at my table for lunch it was like lunching with Luke and Owen ...
2010-05-31T16:44:00.000-07:00
Getting Racy for the Cure
Chicago, Illinois
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the ladies who got racy during the Polka Pin-Ups marathon boudoir session last week. We raised $500 that will go towards my friend Michele's fundraising for Susan G. Komen's 3-Day for the Cure!!! If you didn't participate but would still like to donate, click on the above link. Thank you!
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2010-05-29T00:02:00.000-07:00
Back in LA
Goodbye San Diego, Hello Los Angeles
After almost three weeks shooting in Chicago and a few days in San Diego for a workshop, I am finally back home. I'll be busy working on thousands of portraits, some of which I'll share on the blog as well. Here's my last photo from San Diego taken looking out the patio door at the lovely Sheraton Hotel.
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2010-05-25T02:33:00.000-07:00
Goodnight Moon
Chicago, Illinois
I had so much fun photographing the cutest kids and families in Chicagoland. But after 17 days that included a photo class for 7 moms, 5 pin-up shoots, 1 engagement session, 1 maternity portrait, 11 kids, 1 set of twins and a 10-day-old baby girl, I'm back in California. Thank you everyone!!!
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June 1, 2008
Los Angeles Wedding Photographer Polka Photos has been on the move all year long! We just wrapped a wedding in Burbank at the Castaway. Last month, we shot a wedding in Orange County in San Juan Capistrano. and followed it with a reception in Dana Point. We'll be traveling to Yosemite later in the summer. We also finished a move to a new studio spoace in Playa del Rey! We'll have a great place to show off our new goodies like Canvas Wraps, prints, custom leather albums, and slideshows! We hope you get a chance to come by and check it out.
December 9, 2007
What a busy time for Polka Photos! We've completed several wedding photography shoots in the Los Angeles area and around Southern California in Altadena, Santa Clara, and Redlands. And of course, we just returned from shooting a destination wedding in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic! It was an excellent trip that allowed us to test out our great new underwater housing for our digital camera. We have some great photos in the surf and on the water's edge. As the Holidays approach, we're getting ready to see family and friends. We hope you have a safe holiday season (take lots of pictures!) and we look forward to next year for even more great times as a Los Angeles Wedding Photographer.
October 14, 2007
Photo albums
are a big part of any wedding photography package. We just toured the facilities at Leather Craftsmen, a custom wedding photo album maker. Read all about them in our Los Angeles Wedding Photographer Blog! We're gearing up for more weddings in the next couple of weeks, and next month: we'll be destination wedding photographers in Punta Cana!
October 1, 2007
Polka Photos is now listed as a Los Angeles Wedding Photographer
on the Hot List on MyFoxLA.com! You can find the link on our Los Angeles Wedding Photographer blog. They're holding a contest right now to find the hottest businesses in Los Angeles, and we're in the running for the Wedding Photographers. Be sure to vote for us! We'll be heading to the Bay area this weekend for a wedding near San Francisco - check the blog for more details soon!
September 17, 2007
Polka Photos went to the Hollywood Hills just north of Los Angeles to shoot a Jewish wedding ceremony. It was a lovely outdoor setting, with the ceremony and reception taking place poolside near the couples' home. It was a hot day, but your intrepid wedding photographers pulled through, and you'll see great photos on the blog soon!
August 27, 2007
We stayed in California on this latest photo shoot. Someone needed a wedding photographer in San Francisco, and Polka Photos fit the bill! We did an engagement shoot, and will be returning soon for the big day! For a Los Angeles wedding photographer, we sure move around a lot!
August 13, 2007
Polka Photos took Los Angeles Wedding Photography
to Vegas Baby! We had a great time shooting at Maggiano's Italian restaurant before continuing down the strip to shoot at Caesar's Palace, The Bellagio, and more!
July 23, 2007
Polka Photos returns to Chicago for another wedding. We've also secured recent bookings in Orange County, Las Vegas, and more! You can keep up with the action on our Los Angeles Wedding Photographer blog - the Polka Blog!
July 9, 2007
Los Angeles Wedding Photographer Polka Photos has traveled to Chicago and Laguna Beach recently to shoot weddings. We'll be traveling more to provide wedding photojournalism for clients nationwide.
Aleks, a Los Angeles wedding photographer, is the primary photographer and founder of Polka Photos. A nationally and internationally published photojournalist, her style has been called wedding photojournalism, documentary photography, or contemporary photography, depending on who you ask. Aleks captures the whirlwind of the day with her wedding photography.
Aleks moved to Los Angeles, California from Chicago a few years ago to join her then-fiancé, now husband. As they planned their wedding, they visited many wedding locales all over Southern California, such as the Malibu Nature Preserve in Malibu, the Mission Inn located in Riverside, and Franciscan Gardens in San Juan Capistrano. They also looked at many beach locations such as the Surf & Sand Hotel and the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, as well as Santa Monica hotels Shutters on the Beach and Casa del Mar. While they found many wonderful wedding locations in Southern California, they decided to get married in her hometown of Chicago at the beautiful Redfield Estate in Glenview. Since settling in southern California and becoming a Los Angeles wedding photographer, Aleks has shot weddings in San Dimas, San Bernardino County, San Clemente, Orange County, Cerritos, and Long Beach, Los Angeles County. This year, she will be shooting weddings all over Southern California, including Laguna Beach in Orange County, La Jolla in San Diego County, Oxnard in Ventura County, and a few weddings in Chicago.
Aleks, founder of Los Angeles wedding photography studio Polka Photos, got her start in newspaper photojournalism. She received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in photojournalism from Boston University. During her four years in Boston, she worked on the independent student newspaper under various capacities, including photographer / photojournalist, darkroom technician, assignment editor, and assistant photo editor. She also loved photographing the city of Boston, from the swans swimming in Boston Common, the oldest park in the US, to Faneuil Hall, the North End, and Boston Harbor. One of her favorite photos was shot during a blizzard on the Boston wharf, with the wind almost blowing her into the water! She explored cities outside of Boston, visiting and photographing Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and even a few Halloween trips to Salem. She also received a second degree from Boston University, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in archaeology, where she studied abroad in Nikopolis Field School , a Boston University program in Greece. She traveled extensively to many archaeological remains in Greece and even picked up a few Greek phrases. While at Boston University, Aleks also worked at International Programs. During her junior year, she studied for a semester in Krakow, Poland, where she interned for the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza.
After graduating from Boston University, she interned for the Ann Arbor News in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she photographed assignments ranging from a photo story on spelt, a locally grown grain, to Eastern Michigan University basketball in Ypsilanti. Her photos at the local VA hospital about to be impacted by budget cutbacks made the front page of the Ann Arbor News. Her favorite subjects to photograph were the people of Ann Arbor and the surrounding towns.
After moving back to her hometown of Chicago, Aleks freelanced as a photojournalist for several newspapers in the area while working as a portrait photographer at a local photography chain. Her first freelance assignment was for the Joliet Herald News in Joliet, Illinois, when she photographed the first day of school in Manhattan, Illinois. She then photographed for several other newspapers, including the Aurora Beacon News in Aurora, Illinois. Here, Aleks photographed area events such as the Soul Fest in Aurora, River Fest in Naperville, and a Guinness World Record attempt in Montgomery. Aleks was also published in the Gurnee Sun in Gurnee, Illinois, a north suburb of Chicago. Aleks attained a position in pre-production for Copley Newspapers, where her responsibilities included toning images for publication in four daily newspapers using Photoshop and editing photos from the Associated Press Wire and newspaper archives. After working full time behind the scenes in newspaper production, Aleks decided she wanted to return to taking photographs of her own. She followed the Fox Valley Phantoms, a female hockey team comprised of women from Chicago’s north and west suburbs. She started photographing their practices at Fox Valley ice arena in Geneva and followed them to the State Championships in Darien and Rockford, Illinois. Aleks then began freelancing for the Elgin Courier News. She loved working in Elgin, a west suburb of Chicago, photographing assignments ranging from a practice drill for the Algonquin Fire Department with Micah, an Illinois search and rescue dog, a daddy/daughter date night at Spring Hill Mall in Dundee, opening day at Carpentersville Little League, a historical bus tour sponsored by the Dundee township historical museum, and the swearing in of the new mayor of Elgin.
Aleks likes to dedicate her time to various volunteer activities. She participated in the Breast Cancer Walk for two years, the first year as a volunteer and the next as a walker. Aleks photographed this journey, starting with practice walks from Batavia through Geneva to St Charles and back, and culminating with the actual event, three-day walk from Waukegan, a far north suburb of Chicago, through Evanston, and finishing at Chicago’s lakefront.
As the founder of Polka Photos, Aleks currently works as a Los Angeles wedding photographer, traveling around the country as a wedding photojournalist. She is available for weddings in:
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