Nostalgia Photographed

Families huddle together for warmth in the bed of pick-up trucks for the latest Adam Sandler comic romp. Couples share popcorn and snuggle under blankets inside parked SUVs. Multiple projectors whirl and spin films from the top floor of the ramshackle concession stand. Bright projections of Ben Stiller close-ups light up the darkened evening sky. I sneak around, trying not to disturb the scene as I photograph it quietly. Welcome to West Wind drive-in, nestled between Fiesta Rancho and the North Las Vegas airport. Once numbering over 4000, the drive-in movie theater stubbornly clings to existence like that last bit of ice in a soda cup. The West Wind drive-in, opened in 1966, is one of an estimated 370 motor movie palaces left in the U.S. If you find yourself photographing this nostalgic scene, one word of advice: Don't forget your tripod.

The Spouse Factory

People like to get married in Las Vegas. Last week, on 11/11/11, A LOT of people got married in Las Vegas. April Corbin wrote a very nice story for Las Vegas Weekly aptly titled "Welcome to the Spouse Factory." Here are some photos from Little Church of the West and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign from this year's spouse factory. See you on 12/12/12!

Elevens

Savanna turns eleven today. She also didn't mind wearing a birthday hat for the photo shoot. Is that the cutest? Happy 11/11/11 everyone!

Vegetables, Fruit and One Goat

I can't stay away from a good farm shoot. Close-ups of freshly picked vegetables and fruit, goats, nice light, rural Nevada... you can't go wrong. Quail Hollow Farm in Overton was the subject of a Health District crackdown for having a farm-to-table dinner a couple weeks ago. I got to travel out to the quaint farm this week to see how they do things, Overton-style, on harvest day.

Backstage at Absinthe

Don't tell anyone, but Absinthe is my favorite show on the Strip. I know I'm not supposed to voice my opinions about things and remain neutral, but I can't help it. That show is awesome. So I was extremely excited to photograph Absinthe performers backstage for a Las Vegas Weekly story. They are a very friendly, very welcoming and very photogenic crew. Here's the layout as seen in this week's issue of LVW, as well as my fav snaps from the evening.

Creative Halloweening

I can count the number of "sexy" costumes I saw at this year's Las Vegas Halloween parade on one hand. That is a very good thing. Creativity abounded in downtown Las Vegas on Monday night, a refreshing sight indeed. So much better than the people-watching I did with friends on The Strip last Saturday night. That was like a boring/sexy parade of sluts and store bought lameness. Gotta love Vegas locals!