Earlier this week I introduced the first of a personal series traveling to photokina back in 2010. In case you missed the first post, “London in Black & White (plus one color),” here is a quick synopsis:
I used to work for BlackRapid as head of their social media. Part of the job was to travel with the company to photography trade shows around the world to connect with customers, dealers, and distributors to promote their camera accessories. Most of my time traveling was spent in convention centers working, but somehow we always fit in a photo walk for a few hours. This travel series are from that great adventure of going to photokina, the world’s largest imaging fair, four years ago.
These images were shot for myself, the RAW files were put aside to process “on a rainy day” and intended to be put into a scrapbook album for my home. Well, it’s four years later and I’m just now looking at them with fresh eyes and love the memories that are coming back to me and am happy that I get to share them with you here.
Today, I’m sharing my whirl wind trip through Paris, “La Ville-Lumière” (“The City of Light”), and our incredible walk through the Avenue des Champs-Élysées starting at the Louvre Museum, eating the best steak and pomme frites available to man at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time in my life (at night!), and visiting a special car exhibition at L’Atelier Renault. It was the best trip to Paris I’ve had yet!
That’s me, LaRae Lobdell, in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, September 18, 2010The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, September 18, 2010My first glimpse of the famous pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris, September 18, 2010.The famous pyramid and courtyard at the Louvre Museum in Paris, September 18, 2010.The Louvre Museum in Paris, September 18, 2010.Statue in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum in Paris, September 18, 2010.Walking through courtyards in Paris, France September 18, 2010.Walking on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, France September 18, 2010.A water fountain on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, France September 18, 2010.Streets and buildings in Paris, France September 18, 2010.Buildings in Paris, France September 18, 2010.My first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower while walking on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, France September 18, 2010.This is my friend Marc Gottula who is head of sales for BlackRapid. He’s taking my photo shown next, in Paris, France September 18, 2010.Taken by my friend Marc Gottula, head of sales for BlackRapid. I took his photo at this same moment (shown previous) in Paris, France September 18, 2010.This is, hands-down, the BEST steak and pom frites available to man on this planet. The restaurant is “Le Relais de l’Entrecôte” and in the next photo you can see how busy they are on a regular week night. Taken in Paris, France September 28, 2010.Le Relais de l’Entrecôte in the heart of Paris has the BEST steak and pom frites available to man on this planet. We were one of the first guests in their door this average week night, and when we left, this was the line out the door. Paris, France September 28, 2010.That’s me with the Eiffel Tower! No, not the mime on the left, he’s there to entertain tourists like me gawking at the brilliant phallic iron lattice tower from afar. The photo on the right – that’s me – it was dark and the flash didn’t go off for the person who took my photo, but I don’t care. I was there in Paris, France, September 28, 2010.The Eiffel Tower at night, Paris, France September 18, 2010.Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower at night, Paris, France September 18, 2010.Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower at night, Paris, France September 18, 2010.Gargoyles attached to a church, loom overhead to scare off evil spirits from, Paris, France September 18, 2010.Gargoyles attached to a church, loom overhead to scare off evil spirits from, Paris, France September 18, 2010.A beautiful church at night in Paris, France September 18, 2010.Walking the Avenue des Champs-Élysées at night in Paris, France September 18, 2010.
Car exhibition at L’Atelier Renault in Paris, France, September 19, 2010.
Car exhibition at L’Atelier Renault in Paris, France, September 19, 2010.
Car exhibition at L’Atelier Renault in Paris, France, September 19, 2010.
Car exhibition at L’Atelier Renault in Paris, France, September 19, 2010.
Car exhibition at L’Atelier Renault in Paris, France, September 19, 2010.
Car exhibition at L’Atelier Renault in Paris, France, September 19, 2010.
Car exhibition at L’Atelier Renault in Paris, France, September 19, 2010.
Our walk on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées ends near the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile at night in Paris, France September 18, 2010.
LaRae Lobdell is an environmental portrait photographer, host, and instructor with over 20 years of experience photographing, directing, producing exhibits, and speaking in the photography industry. She focuses on providing artists, actors, models, and companies with lifestyle and conceptual imagery for promotional use and branding. Her approach is very contemporary, her work has a timeless elegance, and she represents the grace, distinction, and style that is possible in photography.
Her curriculum vitae includes 21 photography exhibits of her own work, the curation of 15 exhibits for other artists’ and museums, the production of 13 private and community events, and two year’s experience as director of one of Seattle’s largest art walks. Her images have been published in The Huffington Post, Broadway World, Yale University Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine, and even aired on the Colbert Report.
LaRae’s position as a lead host for online educational giants such as CreativeLive and Polaroid University gave her the unique opportunity as one of an elite group of professionals to connect a live global audience to top renowned professionals in photography, video, design, business, audio, music, software design, productivity, and lifestyle. She brought her network to BLACKRAPID as their Culture Liaison, facilitating close working relationships between influencers and organizations for promotional sales and marketing.
Grateful to be a stay-at-home mom while balancing a rewarding career in the photography industry, this proud single mom enjoys a nomadic traveling lifestyle between Seattle and the Florida Keys with her daughter, Emerson.
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful photographer in a beautiful city.
J’adore Paris!
Thank you! It was a beautiful day and I look forward to another visit!
hi nice photo
wow