When in Rome...Go to Church, Ya Hippie!

One of the first things I wanted to see when I arrived in Paris was the magnificent cathedral, Notre Dame de Paris. I really didn't know much about it at all, but I was very curious to stand before it and learn more. I was astonished to learn some of its facts, such as the site location in the very center of the city, how it was erected, the architectural style and functional design elements(such as flying buttresses), and its age (celebrating 850 years here in 2013). Seriously? 850 years old!? It was truly amazing to me to contemplate not only the overall age, but also the fact that Notre Dame was built over a period of 182 years. What an incredible commitment to begin a task that you know will never be completed in your, your children's, or even your grandchildren's lifetime!

This post takes you inside the great cathedral during Sunday Mass. As always, I hope you enjoy the images, and I encourage you to use the Facebook and Twitter buttons at the end of this post to share with your friends.

Espresso court and a few macarons - fuel for the busy day ahead, touring the wonderful Notre Dame de Paris.

New "technology" of flying buttresses supporting along the outside allowed for heavy stone and delicate glass to live in harmony on the inside.

This miniature illustrates the time consuming process that went into lifting the giant Paris stone blocks into place - one painstaking detail at a time.

The high altar, featuring Decent from the Cross, and statues of King Louis XIII (right) and King Louis XIV (left).

Statue of Joan of Arc.

King Louis XIV.

The North Rose Window still features original glass and terrific detail.

King Louis XIII.

Symetry is found everywhere.

Another view of the North Rose Window, during Sunday Mass

  Please don't forget - use the buttons below to "share" this post with your friends before you move on. Thanks! And join me next time for a tour around the exterior of this enormous and beautiful cathedral!

Gustav's Gift to the World

Hey hey! Welcome back, everyone, to my ongoing photographic journey through the City of Lights. If you've been joining me thus far, you have been witness to some bird's eye views from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. And if you haven't been following but need to catch up, click here:

A Triumphant View

After descending the mighty arc, I determined that the Eiffel Tower was definitely within striking distance, and that it would be fun to zig zag my way across the city to find it (stopping every so often at interesting sites along the way). I sized up that the famous symbol of Paris was only about a mile or two away, and with camera in hand and a gorgeous city to explore on foot, I was certainly in no hurry to get there (those that know me well will not be surprised that it took me several hours to journey this short distance...getting purposefully lost in the triangular city blocks, and in my own thoughts).

Here are a few of my favorite photographs from this particular day exploring the 16th Arrondisement, and the Eiffel Tower itself. Please enjoy, and as always, leave me a comment with questions or remarks.



Somethin's peekin'!



This lady was feisty! She had places to be, and two young gentlemen to help her get there.

Clear signage helps you easily identify the district or "arrondissement" of the city you are in.



Once I figured out "vous etes ici" (or "you are here"), maps throughout the city made for easy travel on foot.





View of Tour Eiffel, from Esplanade du Trocadero.





Every hour, on the hour, Gustav's famous tower is illuminated with thousands of bright, dancing white lights. It is truly a breathtaking sight!




Lucky for me, rainy weather throughout my visit provided some awesome opportunities for photographing reflections.



The view from the second level.









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A Triumphant View

Hey all! Well, I sure hope you've been enjoying images from my France travels thus far. I still have lots to share, and I've got more photographs to show you today that are sure to give you a new impression and perspective of Paris...a bird's eye view of sorts.

I hope seeing my journey inspires you to pursue travel of your own! Please leave a comment and let me know if you see a spot that you've also visited! And, if you see an image or two that you know others would enjoy, please do me a favor and use the "Share" buttons on this blog page to spread the content around. Be social! : )

So, last time I promised a great view and I'm confident today's images won't disappoint. Please enjoy my ascent and subsequent view from atop the world famous Arc de Triomphe, located in Paris, France at the north-west end of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.



Winter in Paris is a wonderful time for photography. The bare trees make terrific foreground elements for famous landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and Tour Eiffel.




Standing at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, looking east down the famous grand boulevard, Champs-Élysées.




More than 200 steps in a tight spiral staircase lead visitors up and down the interior of the Arc de Triomphe. By the time you reach the top, your legs feel like jelly; but in a very satisfying way!




Behold, the view from the top of the world! This is the view of La Defense, a modern day arch, and quite impressive in its own right.




Tour Eiffel, from a bird's eye view.




Looking north, to Montmarte and the Sacre Cour Basillica.





Champs-Élysées, with Place de la Concorde and Le Louvre in the distance.





Champs-Élysées is famous for high-end boutiques - it has a sort of Rodeo Drive feel to it.





Upon descending the arc, I decided it was time for me to head towards the Eiffel Tower, and  to see what trouble I could get in along the way. The continuation of my travel blog will take you there. Hang tight! 




One of my favorite images overall from my trip. I deliberately chose a shallow depth of field to make the indistinguishable foreground elements of the Arc de Triomphe very sharp, and the far more recognizable Eiffel Tower soft in the distance. I really love this image, and I plan to make a large canvas print of it to enjoy every day in my home!


Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, stay right here for my next travel post, which will focus on the famous Paris landmark in ways you've never seen before!


Remember, if you know any friends or family who would also enjoy these images, please spread the word! Use the buttons below to share this right now on Facebook or Twitter. Thanks!

France part deux

Hey guys! Welcome back to the blog, and thanks for tuning in to my ongoing series of travel photography from my recent journey to France! In addition to making beautiful images for my portrait clients, I also love to travel and capture my memories along the way. I hope you enjoy seeing France through my personal lens, and hope these images will inspire you to make opportunities to travel abroad!

This stretch of the journey begins with some details I experienced in the first week of my trip, and ends with a few images of the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris.



The RER station in Marne la Vallee





My monthly train pass gave me unlimited RER and Metro access!




Canard l'orange (delicieux!)




I stayed at the Hotel New York...in the 1970s, apparently




Minnie Mouse was a frequent breakfast date in my hotel




Ooh la la! Un galette! I did not find la feve, and hence was not the king of this day



Arc de Triomphe





Arc de Triomphe interior





Arc de Triomphe in winter   

 Stay tuned for the next installment, when I will take you up on top of the Arc de Triomphe and let you enjoy the great view!

If you know any friends or family who would also enjoy these images, please spread the word! Use the buttons below to share this right now on Facebook or Twitter. Thanks!

Look! The Eiffel Tower!

My journey through France took me next to none other than the Eiffel Tower. Check it out! I got to get up close and personal with it and even stood right underneath it! Absolutely breathtaking!

Okay, you got me; Not the real deal. But the 1/2 scale version here in Las Vegas definitely does a good job of recreating the massive structure. I was happy to have an opportunity to see the Vegas version so soon after returning from Paris - and actually surprised that the scale was as close as it is (at first glance comparison, I estimated that Le Tour Eiffel on The Strip was a bit more like a third of the size).
More actual travel photography from the actual city of Paris in my next post...promise. For now, I 'm going to get back to the another engaging Wedding and Portrait Photographer's International conference here in the America's answer to the City of Lights!