Our mini-visit to San Francisco didn’t exactly afford us oodles of time to leisurely soak up all the great art of the city. However, the de Young Museum designed by Pritzker prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron delivered the easy-going art fix we were craving. Plotted more like mini galleries and intimate private collections than a large-scale museum, the de Young houses more than 25,000 incredible works ranging from Native American to 20th Century and contemporary arts. Tip: Before popping in to check out brilliant pieces by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Frank Lloyd Wright, stop in at the museum’s observation floor, which offers gorgeous 360-degree views of the city. www.deyoungmuseum.org

Paris is not the only city with beautiful bridges. I spotted these gorgeous arches just off of the 134 Freeway in Pasadena, California. Similar to the bridges you find over the River Seine in Paris, this too is rich in (spooky) history.

Ok, are you ready for some serious cuteness?!!

Sharon on her love of animals: I’ve always been an animal person, more than a people person. I notice dogs everywhere; I stare at them on the street. I’m like the really horny guy–”Look at those boobs! Look at those legs!”–except with dogs.

On how to photograph animals: I’ve been photographing them for ten years now. During a shoot, the animals direct me, not the other way around. I just have to hit the shutter at the right time. And like the Dog Whisperer, I think it’s key to have calm, assertive energy.
On animals’ personalities: The hardest animals to photograph are cats. They don’t have as many muscles in their faces, so they don’t express as much. The baby lamb was really sweet; I was cuddling her. The baby deer was skittish. She had just started bottle feeding; she was really little.

On the bigger animals: I like photographing “hoofstock,” like lamb, deer, reindeer. But I let the trainers tell me what to do. I mean, if reindeer gets spooked, he could kill you with his antlers!
On feeling afraid (or not): It’s funny because I should feel scared, but I never do. During one shoot, I got within a foot of an alligator. My husband had his hand on my belt buckle, just in case. One time, a yak charged me. The trainer had told me, “If anything happens, just stay still,” but I screamed and ran.

On animals she’d like to work with: I recently photographed a lion and a tiger. My dream right now is a flamingo!

During the shoot we visited, Sharon photographed golden retriever puppies and a French bulldog named Hamlet. Here were the adorable results!


See more of Sharon’s work on her blog.

(Color photos by Anna Wolf; B&W photos by Sharon Montrose)

When you think Chinoiserie, the word cool does not pop into mind but these whimsical Chinoiserie porcelain plates are just that. They are a vintage reproduction in shades of purple with lavender accents and remind me of the raucous little sister of the classic blue and white china. So awesome and such a great find at Lily Simone in Eagle Rock, California. I also fell in love with these parlor chairs and wonder how they would look reupholstered in deep purple. DIY project anyone?

Lily Simone, 5022 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA 90041

#10. I Heart photographer friends.

#9. I Heart cheap bananas.

#8. I Heart Venice Beach boutiques.

#7. I Heart beach cruisers.

#6. I Heart my brother's silly mustache.

#5. I Heart park benches.

#4. I Heart fish tacos.

#3. I Heart meeting at the coffee shop.

#2. I Heart long dinners with girlfriends.

#1. I Heart French beauty finds.

And we ordered a funny special from the room-service menu: Two beaters covered in chocolate frosting (what a childhood flashback!) and a warm red velvet cake with cream-cheese icing and vanilla ice cream. Yum.

P.S. We adored the James Chicago and its bright rooms, modern aesthetic and cheerful staff. And, seriously, the beds were ridiculous. I’d highly recommend it for anyone planning a Chicago getaway. xo

(Photos by Anna Wolf)