@ AT LONELY PALM RANCH

A couple of years ago my friends Christa and Eric and their two kids moved from LA up to the Central Coast where Christa grew up. Christa dreamed of moving back up to the Central coast with her family by the time she turned 40, and they did it!


Christa washing herbs from the garden. Copyright Diana Koenigsberg 2020


Christa and Eric renovated their entire house after moving in.
They did the design work themselves using Pinterest for inspiration.

Oscar and Wesley getting ready for school, copyright Christa Renee

They have two kids that they are home schooling, lots of guests coming and going, and tons of projects happening all the time.

Eric and Christa's sheep, copyright Christa Renee

Lonely Palm Ranch sheep, copyright Christa Renee

We’ve gone up to visit them a few times a year since they moved, and it’s been incredible to see all the work they’ve done since they moved. The ranch is an amazing place for their kids to grow up. Spending time in nature, learning responsibility doing ranch chores and incorporating their lives into their home school curriculum.

Wesley working on the ranch, copyright Christa Renee

Frittatas are a regular family meal, made from fresh organic eggs laid by the hens on the ranch. Copyright Diana Koenigsberg 2020

One of Christa’s homemade Frittatas, Copyright Diana Koenigsberg 2020

Before moving from LA, Eric and Christa opened Collage Coffee , with their partner Kevin. They sold their share in the business, but Eric is still pretty serious about coffee and makes a spectacular cappuccino for the guests who come by. He uses a sweet La Marzocco an industry standard for specialty coffee shops.

Some of his favorite roasters are 49th Parallel, Four Barrel, Little Wolf & Brutal. On a recent trip I brought up a bag of Devocion Wild Forest I had at Document in LA. We made some pour overs that were pretty perfect!

The view from above the valley, Copyright Diana Koenigsberg 2020

Last year they renovated their house, and converted the tack room off the barn into a guest suite ( it’s super cozy ). Below is Christa last Winter in the new Tack room bathroom. They used the leftover tile Eric’s bought from his friend Faile for Collage to cover the shower interior..rad!!

Also, they created a studio for Eric in the shed where he is hand silkscreening calendars and art for friends and clients. Last year they hosted 40 + people for Thanksgiving, planted lots of fruit trees and are now working on their vegetable & flower gardens… Oh I forgot the sheep and lots of other stuff… It’s a lot!!

Eric Pfleeger and Christa Renee at home in Arroyo Grande, CA, co

Eric and Christa with their favorite months from the Lonely Palm 2020 Calendar. Copyright Diana Koenigsberg 2020

You can follow along on their journey on instagram where Christa documents her family and the ranch in a beautiful way that is honest and beautifully photographed. Check out Christa’s work here – she’s a lifestyle photographer and commercial director. See more of my work on my website & my instagram feed.

LILYSARAHGRACE – LOVE

May 1st was the four annual LilySarahGrace craft fair in Hollywood, California.

Coming together again at Milk Studios, in a giant space filled with talented, generous and kind volunteers, beautifully fluffy clouds, and balloons dipped in glitter, was a day created by two friends, Jennifer Levy and Elizabeth Goetchius.

Jenny and Elizabeth, came together to create yet another amazing light filled day, supporting Children’s Public Art Education. The idea is simple, creating art, with children, for children. There is so much love in this event, and more specifically love for art, and respect for the importance of creating beauty in our lives. Shout out to all the artists, crafters, food makers, DJs, participants and, volunteers who made such a beautiful day possible.

LilySarahGrace_ArtFair, copyright Diana Koenigsberg 2015

Matthew Badger, founder & director of LSG with Jennifer Levy & her daughter Fanny Freeland

ON THE PROWL – DINETTE

Great coffee, and tasty, thoughtfully prepared food are what I get excited about when I go out. Besides the food, there is the space it is served in, which is often, sadly overlooked. But when it isn’t, and the design sensibility matches the vibe and intention of the food you’ve got this complete experience. I realize this is vague and pretentious statement… But still, you know what’s up when you walk into McDonald’s, yes?? It’s a clearly articulated experience.

Well at DINETTE there’s a sweet little vision happening. I absolutely love the chic Prussian Blue chosen to paint the exterior. It’s a tiny place, but the color draws you off the street and into the little take out window to order some treats. The interior is a small but kitchen. The menu for now, is homemade tarts, pizzas, small and perfect waffles, and coffee and tea that are all delicious.

I went to photograph the space and hang out with my friend Eric Pfleeger who did the branding work for DINETTE. Eric is good pals with owner Gareth Kantner, who also owns Cafe and Bar Stella, in Silver Lake.

Here’s the space.

DINETTE – 1608 ECHO PARK BLVD., LOS ANGELES CA 90026

Get Directions
Phone number(213) 278-0301

COLOR STUDY – PRUSSIAN BLUE

1) Tarmac at LAX, 2 ) Natchez Crape Myrtle – on Figueroa, 3 ) Blue water color palette, 4 ) Full moon over Chelsea, 5 ) Intelligentsia Silver Lake, 6 ) Dawn on California Blvd., 6 ) Lady in Blue.

COLOR STUDY – BURNT SIENNA

1) Onion Skins, 2 ) Sunset through the Oaks, 3 ) Elk at Alice’s, 4 ) Espresso, 5 ) Persimmon, 6 ) Saucer at Stumptown Los Angeles, 7 ) Dead Fish

SAN FRANCISCO – TAKE YOUR KID TO WORK

If you had told me that taking my six year old on a trip to show my work for four days would be fun.. I would have laughed at you. But still, that’s what I did. Along with my husband William , we got on the road for our daughter’s school break and drove up to San Francisco.

The first challenge was seeing if we could or should show our work together, that seemed to be better for art buyers and photo editors in a way, two for one. So that was good, but how about the kid? Well, hopefully it wasn’t the stupidest thing I’ve done this year, but frankly I think it was good too. Everyone seemed pretty happy for a diversion in from the normal portfolio show, she is pretty charming ( generally speaking, depending on the time of day ), and it seemed to be a really great way for people who could potentially hire us to get to know us as real people, not just photographers. Now I don’t bring my daughter to shoots, but still it was fun, and lots of people have a kid or two or maybe even three at home, so it’s not the weirdest thing in the world to see one at work. That being said, we had a busy week, with lots of meetings, so we had to build in some time for fun every day. The first day we were in town, that meant spending the morning at the Ferry building ( AKA Disneyland for Glutons ) my absolute favorite place. We had some morning treats ( Blue Bottle Coffee ) honestly we ate everywhere in that place, and then went straight over to the ferry for a ride to Larksper. Now this was really about the trip on a boat, her first one so far, and it was FUN! We were all tired and cranky from the drive the day before, so being on a boat with the air in your face and the wind shaking you up a little was absolutely fantastic! I highly recommend it.

And another little note on kids. At Goodby Silverstein, we had a chance to meet the daughter of an old friend I worked with many many years ago, in fact the first time I worked with Dan Southwick, his daughter Isabella was about 6 months old. We’ve worked together and kept in touch over the years since, so it was great that we finally get to meet her on this trip. William did this sweet portrait of them at the office. Sometimes things come full circle.

Which was true for visiting my favorite all time cafe with William and Vivienne on this trip too. I LOVE, Cafe Trieste. It’s a spot I used to visit weekly if not daily when I lived in the bay area and went to school at the San Francicsco Art Institute. This place has such an incredible history and atmosphere. Maybe the coffee isn’t as sublime as some of the other hipster joints which I also appreciate, but it is straight up cafe culture, pure and simple. I got a quick image of Paul with my iphone, he’s been pulling shots there since I was a student at SFAI….

Paul at Cafe Trieste, North Beach

Beyond the ferry, we went to the new Coret Children’s playground in Golden Gate Park, which a friend in the area recommended. It is amazing, and slightly horrifying for any mother or parent with a penchant for slight anxiety. The kids can climb this rope structure up to 25 feet in the air… I’m sure it’s safe, but I couldn’t really stand to look.

On our last day in town we had lunch with one of William’s collaborator’s and friends Kevin. Kevin Roberson is an incredible designer and has worked for many of the best shops in town doing design and art direction over the years. These days, he has a design studio in Hayes Valley with a partner, they design packaging for all manor of adult and child beverages.

I loved Kevin’s look, and fortunately, William did this great portrait of him. The white pants and black slip ons are the best part!

Designer and friend Kevin Roberson

William Howard at SFAI, Diana Koenigsberg 2013

William shooting the view from San Francisco Art Institute

The super awesome and very Italian lobby at Venables Bell

The last stop out of town was breakfast with friends Jessie and Mark at Sam’s Log Cabin in Albany. It was delicious, and very child friendly. There were quite literally children lying on the floor in this place at any given time and the servers were so funny, they’d just step right over them. Oh boy, but still it was great.

Here’s to taking your kid, to work once and a while. I highly recommend it in San Francisco for this or any other kind of trip, the playgrounds are well designed and plentiful, the food is beyond your expectations if you do a little research ahead of time, and you can get a great view or cup of coffee just about anywhere.

NEW YORK

A very quick visit to New York last week to see clients and agencies, magazines and friends, coincided with the anticipated NEMO a storm with a silly name. My first night in town, I stayed across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral and made this photograph through the window. It made me think of all the fantastic images I’ve been seeing on Instagram, by Photo Editor Kathy Ryan from the T Magazine. She’s an incredible photographer with her iphone, and gives such a beautiful little window into her world at the New York Times. If you don’t already follow her, then start. ( @KATHYRYAN1 ) So anyway, it was cold. For me of course, anything under 60 feels chilly. Still the city was beautiful and busy as always, I shlepped my portfolio and ipad around for a few days and met some lovely new people and saw some not so new…equally lovely. I got to catch up with an old friend and collaborator from many years ago, Brittain Stone. We had lunch, and I got to hear about all his various non and for profit projects ( Brittain works on lots of cool non-profit projects as a photo coordinator ), not the least of which is theagentlist.com, a website featuring virtually every photography agency out there which he has built with partner Rob Haggart of the popular blog aphotoeditor .

BRAVO to them, it’s a pretty damn concise listing which will no doubt save mucho time for many photo editors and art buyers everywhere, now for all of us without an agent, this list is well, not so helpful, but I’m patient. Maybe we can have our own parade or site or something?

Ok the best part of this visit, besides seeing the most glamorous older woman in a fur hat and matching coat at the Plaza food court ( only place to get stumptown uptown ), was eating at The Fat Radish. Oh, this place is beyond! Do yourself a favor and just go.

Anyway New York, I’ll be back soon.

PEARLE VISION CAMPAIGN – NEW YORK – WEARING ALL WHITE

Here are a few images from a campaign I shot for Pearle Vision in May of this year with Arnold Worldwide in New York. The shoot was fun, and so was my trip! I always do my best to squeeze as much into my New York trips as possible.

I got to eat at Freeman’s, and savor a lobster roll from the Pearl Oyster Bar, drink coffee every morning at 9th Avenue Espresso.

Pearle Vision Kat campaign 2012

And then there was Victor.,,,, Victor runs the equipment room at Space Studios where we shot. Before I met Victor in the flesh I could not have imagined that he would be wearing white every day and these lovely beads. All I knew was that for a week leading up to our shoot, he referred to me as “dear” in every email regarding my equipment order for the job, and this was a first. Hilarious!!

Victor has a great style, he is wearing white for an entire year to cleans his spirit, which is a Santeria practice. He reminded me of the evocative photographs Phyllis Galembo did in her book “Divine Inspiration”

Take a look at Phyllis Galembo’s work if you aren’t already familiar with it. She has been documenting the rituals and religious culture in Nigeria, Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti for the past 20 + years, as well as the homegrown custom of Halloween in the United States.

: Victor from Space Studios in the Chelsea Market

ON SET STYLE – August 25th

Alex Themistocleous profile and hairstyle

This group of images are from a really fun week of shooting at the Milk Studio Hanger in Hollywood . I got to work with an exceptional crew, including Kelly Hill who I hadn’t seen since we worked together on JC Penney in January.

Kelly has such a timeless and elegant sense of style. I photographed her on the last day of a 4 day shoot with her assistant Nina Walker. They both have on a different version a French sailor’s striped boat t-shirt, and champagne, the best way to end a great shoot.

Also working on set with some great style was Allison in her sky blue Reebok high tops, the mighty style of a barista at Milk ( what a gorgeous coffee bar ), great hair on Alex Themistocleous and a sock I won’t forget….thank you Kevin.

Barista with Style at Milk Studio Los Angeles

Allison Beobut in ice blue Reebok Lifestyle kicks and rainbow striped laces

Foot of Kevin Gray with Black New Balance and California flag sock

Stylist Kelly Hill and Nina Walker with stripes and bubbles

COFFEE PORN and cold brew

For years now I have had a rather epic love for coffee. It began just after high school when I worked briefly as a less then average, angry barista. Now I drink it and love it and sometimes hate it ( well that’s another story ).

My go to is espresso and just a touch of creme….

Having said that, it’s getting hot out so Im about to start making some cold brew. If you haven’t tried before follow this simple recipe I got from Chuck Jones at Jones Coffee in Pasadena.

Take an old pillow case ( make sure not to use a pillow case washed with a perfumey detergent ) and fill it with 1 pound of great coffee ground for drip ( Marrakech from Jones is the bomb for this ). Drop the filled pillow case into a large container with 1 gallon of filtered water and leave it over night.

Squeeze out the grounds and dispose of them as you wish. Your cold brew is ready! Now put it into the fridge and remember it’s a concentrate and a little like rocket fuel, so add a wee bit of ice…oh and some creme.

I love all these roasters, thank you for making such a gorgeous product, Blue Bottle, Handsome, Jones, Intelligentsia, Ninth Street, Peet’s, Stumptown

The new and much loved Handsome. Sorry no sugar or creme allowed friends

Stumptown, New York. So beautiful and tasty

Stumptown, Portland. Circa 2004

DIANA KOENIGSBERG PHOTOGRAPHY

Posts from the Coffee Category

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@ AT LONELY PALM RANCH

LILYSARAHGRACE – LOVE

ON THE PROWL – DINETTE

COLOR STUDY – PRUSSIAN BLUE

COLOR STUDY – BURNT SIENNA

SAN FRANCISCO – TAKE YOUR KID TO WORK

NEW YORK

PEARLE VISION CAMPAIGN – NEW YORK – WEARING ALL WHITE

ON SET STYLE – August 25th

COFFEE PORN and cold brew

Posts from the Coffee Category

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