Let's Go to France!

...And then there was that time I went to France to work and play.

Hey everyone! Been a while since I've posted, but I'm excited to say it was for good reason. In addition to taking time to focus on my photography "off-line," I recently had a great opportunity to work in France for six weeks. While there, I spent as much free time as possible touring Paris, other parts of France, and also Belgium. And of course, I spent time photographing these beautiful parts of the world. I'm happy to now begin to share it with you! As you can imagine, I created an impossible amount of images to share in a single blog post. Rather than try, I think it will be a much better idea to spread them across a series of posts. It'll be more fun this way! Keep checking back to follow along, or better yet, please subscribe to my blog and get notified when I've posted something new!

I hope you enjoy the images, and I encourage you to leave comments if you have any remarks or questions about them!

Our journey begins in Disneyland Paris!



Entrance to Walt Disney Studios park.





Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant




Figaro gets it right this time





Opened in 1992 as Euro Disneyland, today their 20th anniversary continues!



John Mayer sent me...

I was just browsing John Mayer's website and came across a post where he shared this beautiful performance of "I'm Getting Ready" by Michael Kiwanuka on Letterman. As John put it, this is "something ORIGINAL and not culled together, copied and pasted, covered, repurposed, parodied, made ironic, specious or insincere. Great stuff needs to win the day sometimes." I couldn't have said it better. Enjoy!

Langer's Deli - A 65 Year Institution

They said there's no such thing as a free lunch, right? We've heard it time and time again. Well, whoever "They" are, they must not have cc'd the Langer family on the memo. And for thousands of Angelinos, this was a delicious error made in their favor. You may have seen it on the news, or perhaps in your local paper. Or maybe you missed the boat altogether and are about to kick yourself. If the latter, please don't shoot the messenger. Facts are facts. And the fact of the matter is this: Langer's Delicatessen, a Los Angeles institution and home of the world's greatest pastrami, just celebrated their 65th Anniversary in style by giving away free #19 Sandwiches to all customers during a two-day event this past June.

I was honored to receive a personal invitation from Langer's management to come photograph the event. From the moment I arrived to the time of my departure, this family and their employees proved once again that they are a very warm and hospitable bunch. Despite their success over the years, they very obviously treat their business with an attentiveness that shows how much they care for their customers and the product they serve. The line to enter the deli usually extends out the door. But on this particular occasion, there was such a high demand that Langer's had to close off a whole city block of 7th Street and assemble a large white tent to contain the many extra visitors - several hundred at any given time throughout the event - who were more than happy to wait an hour or more to be seated. One might assume that with the extra demand, coupled with media attention from local and national outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and ESPN Radio, and prize giveaways for patrons arriving via Metro Rail, that the staff would be hurried and stressed out. Not the case. The sandwiches and staff were just as terrific as they are any given day during lunch. I even payed this compliment to my waitress and had to giggle at her response: "this place is a well-oiled machine; that man (Norm) knows how to run his business."

The promotion is over, my friends, but the pastrami is worth every penny you'll pay for it on your next visit. If you haven't been to Langer's, I highly encourage you to make the trip happen soon. Put it on your "Leap List," you won't regret it. If for no other reason than to have a basis for shutting me up about referring to it as the world's greatest pastrami. Go ahead, compare it to the other deli's out there in LA. Heck, why stop there. Go ahead and argue about how the guys in New York are superior. "It's all about the water out there." Got it. Heard it before. Don't care. Langer's wears the crown.

Please enjoy some images captured during Langer's 65th Anniversary Event. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think!

The famous Langer’s #19 Sandwich, first created by Al Langer in 1947 and served exactly the same today as it was then: hand-cut hot pastrami, cole slaw, Russian dressing and a slice of Swiss cheese, all on warm, double-baked rye bread with a crunchy crust.

I arrived at Langer's to find the main parking lot filled to capacity! No problem, though, as the folks in charge of the two-day anniversary event anticipated the high demand and arranged for satellite parking locations.

Hundreds of hungry cured meat fans wait their turn in line.

Despite the throngs waiting outdoors, once inside, it seemed like business as usual with a friendly staff and satisfied customers.

Norm Langer took time to personally visit and thank the many loyal customers that have made the deli so successful over the years.

A city block stretch of 7th Street was closed off during the two-day event to make room for the media, as well as to support the overwhelming turnout of patrons.

You won't find any motorized slicers back in the Langer's kitchen; pastrami this tender and delicious deserves skilled hands and personalized attention.

#19 sandwiches, flying off the shelf...

Norm Langer proudly poses in front of the family business that has stood the test of time.

Heap big thanks to Jim Bunte and Langer's for the Rock Star treatment during my visit!

  And now, how about a glimpse of some historical photographs from Langer's past...

Langer’s Deli in 1950, viewed from South Alvarado Street in Los Angeles. The original store was a 12-stool luncheon- nette located inside the left portion of the image; the store expanded in 1950 to include additional seating in the right portion of the image.
Image credit: Courtesy Langer’s Deli.

Langer’s Deli founder Al Langer and his son Norm pose for this news photo in 1973.
Image credit: Courtesy Langer’s Deli

Introducing Baby Caleb!

Even newborn babies know the importance of a good first impression. Josh and Lauren's baby, Caleb, decided to surprise his folks with an earlier-than-expected arrival on the 7th day of March, proving his intentions of being punctual in life...if not early. The ecstatic parents welcomed their little bundle of joy with open arms and loving hearts. I had the great pleasure of photographing some emotional moments with their first-born just four days later, in their home in Anaheim, CA. I'm happy to share a handful of favorite images from Caleb's session with the world. Don't forget to leave a comment and share your first impressions, too!

Dizzy Chase Scene

It's not every day that a legitimate rock 'n' roll star plops down in your own backyard to perform for a couple hundred college grads, free of charge. But that's exactly what happened recently on the steps of the Grove House at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. The occasion? Each year, the Pitzer College Alumni Association throws a big bash to celebrate those who have gone before and to look forward to yet another class that will soon be joining the alumni ranks. This year was no exception and, as is tradition, the night would not have been complete without some great music to keep the former student body dancing. As advertised, the evening's entertainment was provided for alumni, by alumni. Greg Jackson hosted a full band rock 'n' roll set with his band, 90 Proof. And singer/song-writer Erica Chase kicked off the festivities with some high-energy covers and plenty of soulful originals as well. What the crowd didn't expect was that Erica had brought along some keyboard reinforcement - from none other than Guns N Roses' own Dizzy Reed! It was a real treat to hear this modern rock legend from just a few steps away, and he did a fantastic job in his supporting role. Meanwhile, the real star performer was Erica, and she kept the crowd engaged as she belted out song after song. I was in the right place at the right time to capture Erica and Dizzy's memorable performance.

Rico Rox!

I love being a photographer. And I love being a musician. And I really love it when these two worlds have a chance to come together. And I rub-a-dub-dub love it when I find other musicians and performers who are looking to have awesome images of themselves looking their best and most rockin'est! (It's a real word, I promise.) My pal Rico Molden plays bass in the amazing local cover band, 90 Proof (of course, so do I...but that's beside the point). He posed for me recently before a gig in Riverside, CA. We only had a few minutes to catch what little ambient light was still in the sky before Rico and the rest of 90 Proof took the stage before a packed Friday night crowd at Lake Alice Trading Co. I mixed the setting sunlight with my speedlite to get some edgy and industrial looking pictures. I even incorporated the headlights of a car into a few shots to enhance the urban feel.

I hope you enjoy these images. Thanks to Rico for the use of his likeness!

As a reminder, I welcome your comments. And if you are a musician, DJ, actor, performing artist, or someone looking to have their musical side portrayed - I am available to create an amazing experience for you! Feel free to get in touch : )





















All images copyright Jason Barrett Photography