Capturing California by @fkbphoto
Jun 06, 2022
As a lifelong film fan, my recent hols to California and Vegas gave me plenty of opportunities to see the locations where lots of my favourite films were made. Before I went I fantasised about sunsets, palm trees, old Americana shiz and those blue, blue skies we see so often on TV…and yep, that’s exactly what its like!!
We started by flying to San Francisco where we spent three lush days drinking in the city (metaphorically and literally). From the piers, Alcatraz, Chinatown and the trolley bus, to the cafe where Coppola wrote the script for The Godfather - it was absolutely glorious. Seafood, craft beer and sunshine in one of the world greatest cities - what’s not to like? It was the perfect mix of old and new. From San Fran we drove up to nearby Napa Valley, home to Vineyards, north Californian vibes and laid back lushness. We got drunk with some locals here while trying to explain English words they’d never heard of, which was hilarious. Then it was onto Yosemite which - it pains me to admit - is even more beautiful than my native Yorkshire. Think Malham on steroids on a hot summer’s day and it still doesn’t really come close (just off to wash my mouth out with a cup of Yorkshire tea). From the pines to the rivers, the mountains and the possibility of bear sightings, Yosemite is a nature lovers paradise with truly awesome views (and was home to the best buffet brekkie EVER).
Staying on the theme of natural beauty we moved along to Monterey and the Pacific Highway (made famous by Reece Witherspoon in Big Little Lies and Sharon Stone’s oceanside mansion in Basic Instinct). Bixby Bridge was an experience (cue driving panic attack from husband). It's also home to Pebble Beach, one of the most prestigious golf courses on the planet and its easy to see why with mind blowing views and a whiff of the elite in huge gated houses backing onto the sea. Clint Eastwood used to be Mayor here I’ve heard. We also had a little stop off at Santa Cruz Boardwalk (Santa Carla for any Lost Boys fans). The highlight of Monterey was definitely whale watching which is something I don’t think I’ll ever forget. In silence with our gobs hanging open we watched three humpbacks tail throwing quite near to the boat and it was pure magic!!
Next stop was Santa Barbara - famous for its pure Californian feel, and as home to the very rich and famous (my attempts to spot Rob Lowe were unsuccessful despite visiting his home town of Montecito). Also where our Harry and Megs hang out these days by all accounts. Fave activity here was gawping at low flying Pelicans as they dived for fish near the beach at sunset. Standard evening.
After the chilled, palm tree lined roads of glamorous Santa Barbara we headed down to LA which I was VERY excited about. We couldn’t stop reciting lines from Pretty Woman as we wandered around Hollywood Boulevard and cruised through Rodeo Drive and Beverley Hills…("Welcome to Hollywood! What’s your Dream? Hey mister, what’s your dream?”) Just me?!
The light in Los Angeles is a photographer’s dream. The colours in the sky are insane, and the culture is BIG. Big food, big characters, big fancy cars and big swimming pools. Ridic. I knew before I went that I had to visit the Griffith Observatory (see Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in La La Land) and so that’s what we did :) From there you can see the whole of the LA basin in one direction and the Hollywood hills in the other. Downtown LA and the sunset strip are fascinating and something I’d love to see more of one day.
Finally we left the beautiful Golden State and headed over to the insanity of Vegas for our last few days. How to describe Vegas? Loud, totally extra, unashamed luxury…also bonkers (want a pint and a fag sitting at the roulette table at 6am? Go for it!) and unbelievable for people watching. When I say there are all kinds of people here, I mean seriously…it’s cray cray. Where else can you get spangled then go axe throwing? What could possibly go wrong? Three days in Vegas was definitely enough. The highlight for me was the Cirque du Soleil Beatles show which was just brilliant.
Photography-wise it was pretty hard to take a bad picture in any of the places we visited. Did I mention the light? It’s pretty special. I also got my fix of old Americana type signs, diner booths, classic cars with the top down, surfer dudes, Hopper-esque lit late-night drugstores, big cityscapes, turquoise waves…the west coast is definitely an experience I’m so pleased I got to shoot. I can see why so many people move out to LA. Its basically a playground for grown-ups, formed from romantic, classic American sights coupled with the depravity of modern life. Would I live there? Nah - as much as the USA does things on a large scale, I have to admit I missed the quirkiness, humour (and manners) of the Brits - plus you can’t get a decent cuppa.
If you're inspired by Faye's colourful trip, please let her know @fkbphoto and check our her Etsy print shop that will no doubt stock some of these beauties very soon! WHAT A TRIP!
