julie lives here.

I’m just giddy about this photo. It’s the first of many I’m sure I’ll be up all night editing.

This is Lynda. She used to read my old blog, tangobaby, although we never corresponded. A couple of months ago, Lynda wrote to me and asked if I might take her portrait. She wanted to wear some of her mother’s vintage cheongsams for the occasion. Of course that sounded wonderful and I was so flattered for the inquiry. Then she mentions that she lives in Seattle.

That just about blew me away… someone would actually fly to SF to have me take their photograph. I still can’t quite stop smiling about that.

So today was our day. I did her makeup (that kit is so dang heavy, it makes the camera bag seem punk). Lynda had sent me some links to beautiful vintage advertising so I studied the makeup style. We did rosy apple cheeks and soft red, glossy lips. Black liner and lashes… et voilà! Vintage Beauty.

I had such a fun time today with Lynda. She brought some gorgeous tango shoes and bravely tromped around the hills of Chinatown. At one point, she changed her gown and shoes in a divey dim sum takeout while the women behind the steam tables glowered at me. But the men in the neighborhood stopped to gaze at her. Some paid quiet compliments in Taishanese or Cantonese and Lynda would quietly smile and reply, bowing her head demurely. I felt like I was following a princess around town.

I have always loved Chinatown and happily take people around when they ask, but this had to be the best tour ever.