The Happiest 5K

Los Angeles -- It's called "The Happiest 5K on the Planet," for good reason; you can't help but smile!

Held at Dodger Stadium, more than 15,000 runners, walkers and dancers gathered at 7am for the Zumba dance warm up, dancing to songs like, "Happy."

At 8am, the laid back, 5 kilometer run began. Participants passed through a series of five different colored gauntlets, covering the happy runners with a powdered splash of blue, pink, orange, purple and yellow before finishing through a tunnel of colored, swirling confetti.

The event ended with more dancing and throwing of rainbow powder. What a fun and clean way to kick off summer of 2014 -- LA style.

More fun photos at JohnTaylorsonPhoto.com

Girls Pose at Pink's

Hollywood, CA -- Girls put on their best face for a quick shot at Pink's Hot Dogs in Tinseltown.

Since 1939, Pink's sports some of the best hot dogs around. The venerable hot dog stand also attracts millions of out-of-town visitors. On a typical weekend, expect a wait of up to one hour, but ask anyone, and they will attest that the wait is well-worth the dog.

Blood Moon 2014

Pasadena, Ca -- I am not much of a night owl these days, but staying up to view the lunar eclipse, a Blood Moon at that, was well-worth the way I feel this morning. Extra cup of joe, please!

Stairway to Heaven

LA's Northern Big Brother -- The only way out was up, parole or a pardon.

Walker in Old LA

Olvera Street, Los Angeles

Pasadena Red Cars

Pasadena -- Yours Truly and wife Amber pose for a quick shot at the Pasadena Museum of History.

Walking 282 Feet Below Sea Level

Death Valley -- Bad Water Basin is the lowest point in North America. A few hours drive to the West stands the highest point in the lower 48 States. It is the starting point of the Badwater 135, taking athletes from Bad Water 135 miles to Mt. Whitney at over 14,000 ft. Next year, however, Death Valley National Park put a moratorium on foot and cycling races through the desert until they can find a way to make it safer.

Dog Utterly Dwarfed by Giant Cow

Near Death Valley -- Our dog is taken off-guard by a huge statue of a cow.

Hole In The Wall

Mojave Desert -- Winter is a good time to visit our neighboring deserts. In Los Angeles, we are blessed to have both the Mojave (high desert) and Colorado (low desert).

Pictured here are winter visitors exploring the rocky wonderland of Hole In The Wall, about three hours from Los Angeles. 

Modern Christmas 50s Style

Altadena, CA -- My wife and I had the great privileged of shooting our dear friend's Christmas card photos for 2013. Each year they have a theme. This year it's all about the 50s.