Happy Veterans Day

Venice Beach, CA

My Friend

For months I've had "photographers block." Not that there's been a lack of subjects to shoot, rather, few of the photos I taken have a good story. What better story to tell than one of a person rather than an object.

My friend Sam and I met at Venice Beach, California. He was living in and working a program in Skid Row, downtown Los Angeles, while I was handing out free bagels and sharing the Gospel to the local street vendors. One Saturday, Sam approached me and asked if he could help. For the next year, we worked side by side, feeding people and listening to their stories. Those were good times.

Sam is now living out of state but I recently had a chance to meet with him again. It had been nearly six years and it was nice to catch up with him.

Accordion King of Venice

Venice Beach, CA -- His music was inspiring, but it was his spirit and stage presents that stole the show.

“Sometimes we strive so hard for perfection that we forget that imperfection is happiness” --Karen Nave

Fingers

Venice Beach, CA -- Meet "Fingers." He said he got his name because his right hand fingers were chopped off. Each time I asked him what happened, I got a different story. Fingers often dresses in drag for the attention. It got mine.

Portrait of a Vendor

Venice Beach, CA -- One of the joys in my life is giving to those less fortunate. In Venice Beach, hundreds of local vendors set up shop on the walkway selling their goods and services. While some make a decent living, many are on the edge of homelessness and have very little, let alone a photograph of themselves.

Sometimes I shoot portraits of locals and hand them a picture the following week. This young man was thrilled to have a photo of he and his father.

Blue

Venice Beach, CA

Good Morning, Friday

Venice Beach, CA -- A layer of haze obscures the California horizon as a woman reaches for the heavens.

Express Yourself in LA

At first, I debated posting this photo. I have plenty of compromising, perhaps provocative shots depicting life on the streets of Los Angeles but they don't necessarily represent my focus for this site. However, what I did not show was what this woman looked like from the front. I'll just say it is rated "R."

And with that, I leave you with the humor, the reality and the disparate need for attention here in LA.

Hey, Soccer Moms!

Venice Beach, CA -- I ran into this guy while on boardwalk and had to get his photo. Depending on the person, environment and/or my mood, I will ask for the photo. This time, I pointing my lens and yelled out, "Are you serious?" while talking multiple shots.

His smile and stance is his initial reaction. You've gotta love it.

Local Color in Venice

Venice Beach Vendor

LA's Italian Canals

In 1905, most of the LA beaches were mere empty strips of sand and marshland. That same year, millionaire Abbot Kinny bought a sizable swath of oceanfront property, dug out several miles of canals and called it “Venice.” Kinny wanted the canals to resemble those of Venice Italy. The California bungalows build along the waterfront didn't exactly bear a resemblance to Venetian architecture, but the canals and bridges did. However, some of the commercial buildings held a basic Venetian theme, especially those on the corner of Pacific and Windward Avenue.

The B&W photo was taken in 1909.

Street Camping

The Girls of Baywatch, 1917

Introducing the "Keystone Girls" of 1917. The photograph was taken at Venice Beach, about 15 miles from Los Angeles. These lovely bathing beauties, as they were affectionately called, were part of the Keystone Pictures Studio, famous for the Keystone Cops and where Charley Chaplin got his start.

Nice to be Admired

Solo

Venice Beach -- “Loneliness is the first thing which God's eye named, not good” --John Milton

Beaming on the Beach

Venice Beach -- "What kind of smile can you give me today," I asked with my camera in hand. To my surprise, the gregarious beach comber threw his head back and gave me an impressive, toothless smile.

"So, how was that?" he asked with vigor.

I grinned and while extending my right hand in a shake, I told him, "You just made my day!"

The Intentional Transient

Venice Beach, CA -- "Hi there," I called out as "Ben" pushed his shopping cart along the famous boardwalk. He stopped and engaged me in conversation.

I asked Ben where he lives. He winced, looked off to the horizon and told me, "I live where ever I can find a place." After asking for a buck, I came back asking for a more specific answer to where do you live.

Ben told me that he lives on the streets about two weeks out of each month. He said the city of Santa Monica (west end of Los Angeles), provides temporary housing and /or monthly checks to those wondering the streets. He explained that the money pays for about a week in a cheep motel, then he finds other places to sleep. Ben told me his story of how he got to this place with a sense of pride.

I asked him if he could wave a magic wand, what would he want to change in his live. Without hesitation, he looked me in my eyes and said he wouldn't change a thing.

Ben said that during the warmer months, he travels the US and Canada. When it starts getting cold, cities give transients free bus tickets to Santa Monica. He said that Santa Monica is the place to be in the winter months, "Who can resist free food and a check just for being homeless?"

I ended up giving Ben that dollar in return for allowing me to take a series of photos and asking him questions. He was very grateful.

Roof With a View

A good roof is underrated. Not enough homes today have easy access to their shingles. People used to use the tops of their dwellings much more in the past. Window's Walks along coast towns were popular during the Victorian era for wives waiting for their mariners to come home. Roofs make great diving boards for collage kids. Even a song was written about spending time Up On The Roof. But I would venture to bet that the law probably discourages roof-top practice. Too bad--it's like adding square footage to your at-home, outdoor experience.

My Friend, Swami

A Thanksgiving Story -- For nearly two years, I visited Venice Beach every Saturday. I picked up my friend from Zimbabwe in L.A., as well as two Starbucks coffees. Along the famous Venice boardwalk, we gave people bagels donated from Noah's Bagels and offered to tell people all about God, but only who were interested. At first, many pushed us away and/or told us off; one man even spit on me. Over time, they began to learn that I was not forcing "religion" on them, instead, we offered them an alternative to their way of living--it was their choice. My job was to be an ambassador.

During this time, I made lots of friends, most of which were of religions other than my own. We respected each other and in turn, I ended up learning a lot about their beliefs.

Swami (as he liked to be called), became a friend and ally. Swami and I looked out for each other. We shared each others meals, stories and spent hours talking about life, values and ideas. Eventually, Swami left Los Angeles for India to be with his family.

The gentleman who spit on me later allowed me to take his portrait. I returned the next week with a 5 x 7 of himself. With a tear in his eye, he smiled and explained, "No one has taken my picture since I was a boy." We too became friends.

I have a lot to be thankful for on this day.

Happy Thanksgiving!