Apple A Day Farmer
An apple a day is exactly what Ted Lane recommends. Of course, he grows apples, so his recommendation is based on more than just health issues. Ted sells his apples at a classic, red roadside stand located at Apple Lane Farm between Los Olivos and Solvang, in the Santa Ynez Valley of California. One of … Read more
Sides Hardware and Shoes
For those of us that were able to overlook the sometimes outrageous comments made by chef Patrick at the Side Street Café in Los Olivos, the closing of Side Street was a sad day. The food was excellent and the shady backyard dining area was cool on a hot Santa Ynez Valley day. The location … Read more
Wild Wines
Recently we had the pleasure of supplying Santa Ynez Valley wine country images to the non-profit Los Padres Forest Watch for their new Wild Wines campaign. Wild Wines is a partnership between Santa Ynez Valley wineries and Los Padres Forest Watch and will be working to preserve and restore the forests, streams and wildlife of … Read more
Chuck Place Photo Workshops
For a number of years now, students in my basic travel photography workshops, sponsored by Brooks Institute, and my general photo workshops, sponsored by Panasonic, have asked me about teaching a more in-depth travel photography workshop on location. Join me for three and four fun-filled days shooting on location in Santa Barbara’s famous wine country, … Read more
California, New Cuisine of the American Riviera
All photographers love book projects! I know that’s a rather sweeping statement, but I have never heard of any pro turning down a book assignment. It’s the opportunity to immerse yourself in a subject, to really cover an area or topic and not just skim the surface. And there is no denying that receiving your … Read more
Westways Magazine Restaurants
I have been a little lax in my blogging for the last couple months and wanted to catch up with the restaurants I photograph for Westways Magazine. Le Café Stella, located here in Santa Barbara, was a real pleasure to visit, with its comfortable French bistro decor and delicious French-American comfort food. Owner Philippe Rousseau … Read more
Celebrities and wine tasting
Working as an editorial photographer, I am occasionally assigned to photograph a celebrity. I never know what to expect. In this case, I traveled to Richard and Thekla Sanford’s Alma Rosa Winery, in the Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara, California, to photograph their colorful tasting room manager, Chris Burroughs, who has attained notoriety after … Read more
Dos Carlitos Mexican Restaurant–Spicey and Sweet
What a great job. I get to travel to beautiful places and eat delicious food–and I get paid to do it! We just received our newest issue of Westways Magazine with our coverage of Dos Carlitos Restaurant in the wine country of the Santa Ynez Valley in California. The layout looks great, thanks to the talents of Creative … Read more
Wine Country Terroir–the “Dirt” on Wine Production
This was my first assignment photographing dirt—terroir, as the vintners call it. Well, not just dirt of course. Grape vines thrive in the nearby Santa Ynez Valley in California where a wide variety of soil types favor a large selection of award-winning wines. I recently spent a fun day with Tracy Smith Reed, the talented … Read more
