Woodfin Cypress California

I’ve taken about 20 photos for myself while I’ve been down here — above is my hotel.

Warning: lots of text.

Quick point form summary:

  • It’s the prefect temperature :: 20*C, and sunny.
  • Pretty sure we saw a liquor store get robbed – or someone was really late and decided to run home with his purchase.
  • There is a market for photojournalistic, artistic, corporate photography.
  • I met a real life Dwight Schrute. He lives on a farm, and works in sales.
  • Yesterday was square root day 03/03/09. The next one is 04/04/16. I learned this from real life Dwight Schrute. It was later confirmed by Kathryn, the head of marketing here.
  • Every time I see a sign for the 405 I sing the first few words to 405 by Death Cab in my head.
  • The job I’m here to photograph is all indoor photography.
  • The office I’m currently sitting in smells of rich mahogany.
  • Carl’s Jr (Burger place) makes me think of the fast food vending machine in the movie Idiocracy.
  • It shouldn’t take 5+ hours to fly Toronto – LAX. Yah, that’s right, I’m complaining that a machine capable of self sustaining flight, that serves drinks, Quiznos sandwiches, and Simon Pegg movies.. takes too long to get across North America.
  • I thought the screaming baby beside you only happened in bad romantic comedies. It happens in real life too.
  • Air Canada has a spiffy touch screen seat-back entertainment system. It feels wrong watching movies for free on an airplane. I am unsure why.
  • Air Canada’s spiffy touch screen seat-back entertainment system, has a tendency to freeze up and take 20 minutes to reboot. It must run on Windows.

Photobreak!
downtown L.A from the air
Downtown L.A. off in the distance. It’s pretty much like this for 200 square miles.

  • The new(old now) James Bond movie was entertaining.
  • How To Lose Friends And Alienate People was great. It’s no Shaun of The Dead, but it’s up there. I wonder how many fish bowls of dead gold fish Megan Fox received as a result of this movie.
  • A can Red Bull attacked me, and I bled for a good 45 minutes.
  • The office building I’m shooting in is on Corporate Drive. The hotel is not on Hotel Drive.
  • My hotel room has a kitchen, livingroom, dining room, bedroom, and 2 tear bathroom, and it’s only $130 USD a night.
  • I’m disappointed my hotel room does not contain a grand piano and spiral stair case.
  • L.A. is a lot dirtier than it appears on The Hills.
  • I have not seen LC (Lauren Conrad)
  • I think I did see Tay Zonday though. (Youtube: Chocolate Rain)
  • Some architectural photographers (well, at least one) still shoot 35mm film out here. Medium format..yah, I could see..but 35mm 800iso? Commonnow.
  • It’s usually partly sunny while it rains.
  • I’ve randomly talked to 3 OC wedding photographers via email/Facebook while I’ve been out here, not knowing they’re from OC. Wish I had time to grab lunch with them.
  • Seeing a roadside open-air strawberry stand that says Open January 30th, armed with a man in a short sleeve t shirt makes a Canadian mind spin a little bit. The only thing that would make cars stop roadside in Ontario Jan 30th would be a free money stand.
  • It’s really neat to see snow capped mountains off in the distance while it’s 70 degrees here.
  • Some of the trees are leave-less and look like they’re straight out of Nightmare Before Christmas.

Photobreak 2!
Air Canada on the ground

  • Everyone drives a brand new car here. Except those that drive original VW Bugs.
  • Everything is really spread out, and you need a car to get anywhere – except Carl’s Jr, and Pollo Loco.
  • Pollo Loco sounds a little too much like a chicken version of Mad Cow.
  • Crazy Cow would be a better name for mad cow. Alleration makes bad things pleasant and humorous.
  • I really have no time for personal photography here, but I’m coming back in May.
  • We saw the Goodyear blimp hanging out on the ground.
  • To get to the plaza across the street, you have to cross the street 3 times.
  • The closest Quiznos closes at 7pm – even though 7pm here is 10EST, we’re always 10 minutes late to get there.
  • Wendy’s in California looks 100% identical, inside and out, to Wendy’s in Waterloo.
  • I have an overwhelming desire to drive through Compton on my way back to the airport. Thanks NWA.
  • If I had a million dollars, I would buy you a monkey. Haven’t you always wanted a monkEY?

So yah, that’s about it for now. I’m off to photograph some advanced-visualization-3D-immersive-virtual-reality-simulation rooms. Which should be nice and tricky to portray on a still 2D photo. I’d show you the results, but it’s classified and whatnot. Much like everything else I’m doing here. Although, I am allowed to blog a few images I’ve taken here in late April..just have to wait for the public launch of the Network Operations Center. (Center, not Centre. I checked my spelling and grammar at the border)

Manhattan Beach California
Manhattan Beach California

BONUS END OF WEDNESDAY SPECIAL!

Ever seen the movie Who Killed The Electric Car?
Today I met up with one of the guys that leased an electric mini van, only to have it ripped away from him at the end of his term.

For those that haven’t seen the movie – more or less here it is:
In the late 90s/early 2000s all the major car manufacturers had entirely battery powered cars on the road in California. If you live anywhere else in the world…you probably didn’t even hear about this. You were not supposed to.
It was a car you’d plug in at night, and unplug in the morning, like a cell phone. They had a ~ 150 mile range, which is more than you’d ever drive on a daily basis, ran entirely clean, for pennies a day in hydro. They were not a whole lot more than regular cars to lease, but required 0 gas. Because there was no internal combustion happening, under the hood it was clean, and not a whole lot could go wrong. Basically, once you bought the car, you were done with paying into it. Maybe change the break pads and tires every few years, but there was no service required.

Then all those cars were revoked at the end of their lease (everyone begged and pleaded to buy it out, but they wouldn’t let you). They eventually flattened all of the electric cars, and covered it up.
Why you may ask? Well… big oil has a lot of pull in North America — and the car companies would have to redesign their entire infrastructure. The service department would pretty much disappear..jobs, etc. I’m certain the car companies could deal with it, but oil and gas companies would go extinct in a hurry.

The car companies blamed the halt in production of these vehicles due to a ‘lack of market.’  They decided that the market wanted bigger cars, and GM purchased the Hummer franchise shortly after(same day even?) pulling all the EVs off the road.

Their fear was that you’d ride in one, and want one.
So eventually Chevron (oil and gas) ‘bought out’ the battery the cars were using, and refused to license it out to anyone.

So yes, completely electric cars existed, they stolen back from the owners, flattened, and likely buried in the desert somewhere. Probably because of big oil.

Anyways, watch the movie. It’s good. Then give the movie to all of your friends. It’s not a conspiracy story per se…because it actually happened.

Larry (electric car owner that I hung out with today) knows everything about this (since well…uhh, he testified on behalf of electric cars) and it was really neat to hear about his experiences with trying to keep his electric car.

Larry also took Arlonna (marketing associate) and I on a mini tour of the Pacific ocean front. First we stopped at Manhattan Beach, and visions of the movie Blow came back to me. Not a lot looks to have changed, and I had an eye open for George Jung and Tuna.
From there we headed up the coast to Venice Beach. Back at the turn of the century the idea for Venice beach was to make it a canal community, so that’s what they did. Eventually they paved over the canals and made city streets..though they did leave a few.

I’m now sitting at the Radisson, 9th floor, overlooking the tarmac at LAX. Flight home tomorrow AM.

Venice Canals California
Venice Canals, California.

LAX typical stone sign
LAX..currently looking down at this sign while typing.

March 5 edit:

Mountains on the way home


Hamilton Ontario Wedding Photography – Claire & Ken @ Liuna Station from Taylor Jackson on Vimeo.

Video of Ken and Claire’s wedding at Liuna Station in Hamilton Ontario Canada. Claire came down the aisle to this song by Sigur Ros, so I figured it was fitting.

  • julie - I enjoyed this.
    Nice work

  • Jess - Aww! You used this song for our slideshow as well 😀 Love it!

  • Taylor Jackson - Sure did 🙂 It was a nice surprise to hear to this song come on just before Claire came down the aisle

  • Becky Sloan - TAYLOR!!! This is PHENOMENAL!!!

    I can’t wait until October!

    -B

  • Alicja - Love it! 🙂 Love the combo of black and white and colour shots! Nice have a good mix!

  • sarah - your work is beautiful

  • Welcome To The Blog | Taylor Jackson - Kitchener, Toronto Wedding Photographer - Photography Waterloo, Hamilton, London, Ontario - […] favorite posts of 2009 (so far) here they are: Jordan & Laura | Ladybug Bridal Fashion Shoot | Ken & Claire’s Wedding Jan 24, 2009 | Vegas/Malibu/SantaMonica/L.A trip | Other L.A. trip | From 2008 – New York City […]

A few days after Christmas, I headed down to Niagara falls be Kristen and Josh’s wedding photographer. They had a small intimate ceremony on the 26th floor of the Minolta Tower overlooking the falls. It was beautiful.

The morning after, I woke up to 90-100KM/h winds, that made the morning walk to Starbucks and epic mission. They even closed to the Skyway in Burlington because of it.

All and all, a great weekend!

La Hacienda Sarria is hands down the most beautiful reception hall / venue in Kitchener Waterloo. This place is absolutely gorgeous, and wedding photography possibilities here are endless.  If you’re having any part of your wedding here, I would love to be your photographer…maybe I’ll make that bold. I honestly think this place is the best location for a wedding in the KW area.

If you’re getting married here, I want to be your photographer. I love this place.

Updated September 28th, 2009:
If you’ve just come across my blog for the first time ever, check out my little 2009 video:

If you’re looking to book La Hacienda Sarria, you can contact Lara Jack at 519-744-1231 519-744-1231 ext. 2234.

Back to business:

A little bit about the place – It’s a converted factory down at the east end of Union St. in Kitchener, and it’s divided up into 2 sections so far: the house, and the hall. From what I hear you can rent just the hall, or the hall and the house – rent the house if you want even more photo opportunities. From what I understand the back section is to be converted into a ball room sometime in the future. Right now it’s the catering area.

The thought that went into this structure is ridiculous. From finding trees at the side of the road to convert into hard wood flooring, to the converted basement / water storage system that runs the fountains…it’s just over the top in every aspect.

If you’ve stumbled upon this from Google, feel free to check out the rest of my portfolio – www.taylorjacksonphoto.com

(Update: I finally have contact info for La Hacienda Sarria! It’s in the comments section below)

Some photos from Britt and Brad’s wedding at the Hacienda:

La Hacienda Sarria
Outside at the front.

Flowers Hacienda Sarria Kitchener

La Hacienda Sarria
House entrance

La Hacienda Sarria

La Hacienda Sarria

Hacienda Sarria Union Street

Hacienda set up for a wedding

La Hacienda Sarria

La Hacienda Sarria 2

La Hacienda Sarria

La Hacienda Sarria Top Down

There’s not a lot of information around the web on this venue, but I’m sure your wedding coordinator can dig up anything you need to know. Don’t have a wedding coordinator? Talk to me, and I can suggest one or two.

Kitchener Wedding Photography

  • Lisa McDonald - Yes I did stumble on to your website through GOOGLE. I’m hoping to get contact info for this location (La Hacienda Sarria) in hopes to put on a pampering & lifestyle show for women.
    My contact info it
    Lisa McDonald
    fostermcdonald@rogers.com
    519-742-5317
    Thank you for reading & responding
    Lisa

  • Diana - Hello,

    I am also interested in the contact information for this location. I am interested in having an event there as well. Thanks so much.

  • Taylor Jackson - Contact information has been mailed out to both of you!

    Have a nice day.

  • Megan - Wow. These pictures are amazing! Would you mind passing along the contact info? I don’t have a wedding coordinator 🙂

  • Paula - Hi there,
    I am very interested in this location please can you pass along the contact details.
    thanks,
    Paula

  • Christine - I am very interested in this venue…kindly forward information. Thanks!

  • Vicky - My daughter attended a wedding here and agrees with you that the place is beautiful. How many people can they have at a wedding? I would be interested in contact information.
    Thanks.
    Vicky

  • sara - I am interested in this venu would you be able to provide me with contact info.
    Thank-you
    sara

  • Taylor Jackson - Hey all,
    The contact information I have is:

    Doris Hauck
    519-744-1231 ext. 2229
    dhauck@bingemans.com

    Good luck booking this beautiful venue!

    Taylor

  • Jen Hulme - I would love to have the contact informaiton for Hacienda Sarria. Please send it to me.
    Thanks!

  • Kristen - Interested in this venue, but i cannot find the contact information to view. Can you please provide me with this?
    Thanks so much!

  • Kate Mark - I am trying to find the contact information for La Hacienda Sarria but cannot locate it! Do you have the information? I also love your pictures at this location!

  • Claudia - Hey I was wondering if I could get the contact information. I wish to hold an event at this location. Thanks, Claudia

  • Maranda - I have just been to Hacienda Sarria and met with Ron the owner. What a beautiful place. Any one to be married there will definately feel like they are in a fairy tale. Ron is extremely nice with a great sense of humour. Can you please send me pricing for wedding photography. We will hopefully have the venue from a Friday to a Sunday in April 2011.

    Thank you

    Maranda

  • Jacqueline - – Hello, I am also interested in the contact information for this location. I am interested in having an event there as well. Thanks so much.

  • Taylor Jackson - Hey all, The contact information I have is: Doris Hauck 519-744-1231 ext. 2229 dhauck@bingemans.com Good luck booking this beautiful venue! Taylor

  • Kim - I am interested in this location. I’m also in the begining stages of my wedding planning. So I will be in need of a photographer. Maybe you could also include some of your package details.

    Thanks

  • Rachel - Hi Taylor,

    I would greatly appreciate if you could send me the contact information for this venue.

    Thanks,

    Rachel

  • Taylor Jackson - Hey all! The contact information I have is:

    Doris Hauck 519-744-1231 ext. 2229 dhauck@bingemans.com Good luck booking this beautiful venue! Taylor

  • Carolyn Marsh - If you’re looking to book La Hacienda Sarria, you can contact Lara Jack at 519-744-1231 ext. 2234.

  • Julie Fiorelli - Hi Taylor, COuld you please pass along the name of the decorator for this wedding? Thanks!!

  • Nadine Day - New contact information for Hacienda Sarria. Nadine Day 519-577-2225.

Alright, so after receiving a metric ton of ‘Taylor, update your blog!’ comments via email, text message, facebook, and voice…I’ve decided to.

It’s not that I’ve been lazy – quite the opposite in fact. I’ve just been too busy looking after clients / family / friends to keep everyone updated.  So here is part one of what I’ve been up to since November.

Las Vegas, NV.


The Luxor was our home for a few days. Fun facts about the Luxor:
1. The elevators are actually inclinators that go up on ~60 degree angles. You never really know which way you’re going to get pulled in, fun stuff.
2. There is a Starbucks as soon as you get off the inclinator.
3. Carrot Top was everywhere.


So this is my second attempt to get this photo. Sadly this time, I was on the the side opposite to the Strip upon landing. This photo was taken during the decent (well, actually downwind on the circuit if you’re a fellow pilot)


There’s a couple of these kicking around in Las Vegas.


Las Vegas is pretty fake. Plastic grass, palm trees, etc. That said, these are real, legit, palm trees.


Not sure about these ones.


Paris.


You get some crazy reflections through the windows of a pyramid.


Las Vegas City Center…still under construction. It’s mammoth.


Street side escalators are pretty much the norm.


Flight out.

That’s all for now. I’ll update this more frequently. Promise.