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Los Angeles ©Vincent Laforet
Well it looks like I finally made one of my dreams come true. After months of being pulled to the west coast for various projects - I’ve decided to become bi-coastal and to move my family to Los Angeles. This summer we will officially have a base in Manhattan, as well as Manhattan Beach!
My wife and I have decided that raising babies on the sand is more enticing than being cooped up in the dead of winter. Please understand one thing: my love affair with New York City and the way it photographs from above is far from over - we will be maintaining a “pied a terre” as well as an office space here in the city and I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself working here more than I do now!
I’m very excited to continue branching out into the film/video/commercial world and finding new ways to implement the new DSLR technologies and digital cinema cameras in upcoming projects. This expansion will give me a much greater chance of working with pioneers in that industry - I’ve certainly racked up my fair share of frequent flyer miles flying out west this year.
Now you can probably understand why I’ve been relatively quiet since posting the Jamie O’Brien project - we’ve been busy working out all of the details of this move - not to mention that we’re expecting our second child within the next few weeks! I have a lot of ideas and posts that I’ve been holding back amidst all of these changes along with my crazy travel schedule - I hope to be able to share more with you in the next few days.
As crazy as these times may be - I think that taking a chance with change keeps the creative fluids flowing! It makes me feel like I’m 34 - not 64… the last big change I made was leaving my staff job at The New York Times a little over 3 years ago - and what a ride it’s been!
(P.S.: Not one person mention a single thing about traffic! Or you’ll burst my little bubble… Manhattan Beach is a little over 10 minutes away from LAX - so this is definitely thought out… I can hear the laughter from afar… )
73 Comments so far
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Weclome to our side! You will love Manhattan Beach!
What traffic?
Great decision for your family, I’m sure. Enjoy it! Will be looking forward to your new work with the new photo/film breed of cameras.
Comment by Andrew Shalin 03.24.09 @ 10:57 pmHaving spent a summer working in a surf shop in MB I can say it’s a great place to be. Still have lots of wonderful friends out there. Hope you like sunshine 
Congrats on your second. It’s easier than the first if for no other reason than you can’t be much more sleep deprived than you already are.
I’m also jealous, as my wife and I frequently talk about how nice it’d be to raise our kids in the City (we moved away about seven years ago and have missed it ever since).
Comment by Phat Photographer 03.24.09 @ 11:23 pmCongratulations on the impending new arrival.
Condolences on the move. :^)
Naw, seriously - lucky you. I’d opt for sand over subways any day.
Comment by Bill M 03.24.09 @ 11:25 pmCongrats-you’re gonna love it. I currently live in El Segundo (next door to Manhattan) Beyond that fact that you’ve almost always got great lighting-you’re moving to a great area. Let me know if you have any questions about finding anything. Would love to help out someone who has inspired and helped me out a great deal.
Comment by Mickey 03.25.09 @ 12:05 amVincent,
Glad the silence has been good things for you and yours. I hope the transition is smooth. I look forward to the coming posts.
All the best with the new baby,
Aaron
Glad to see you posting again Vincent. Excellent move and congrats on your second. I can offer you the idea to become3-coastal joining me in Sicily
Welcome.
A shameless plug for myself.
If you find yourself in need of an assistant, you now have my contact info.
would like to say I’m joining you at some stage no plans yet but a dream
Comment by peter 03.25.09 @ 3:38 amVince, before moving to South AMerica (Uruguay) a year ago, I lived 3 years in Santa Monica and part time in Manhattan Beach. I think it’s a move you will not regret at all. There is something about this place! Enjoy the ride!
Comment by Martin Herrera 03.25.09 @ 4:44 amI am just so happy for your entire family on all accounts. Vince, enjoy, work hard, kiss the family often and then kiss again.
You so deserve to be happy. All of you.
Warmest.
Tom and Jared
Welcome to the land of golden sunshine. Traffic sucks, but the weather makes up for it!
Comment by Rick 03.25.09 @ 8:21 amHappy to hear things are going so well Vincent. Enjoy the California light.
Tom
Comment by Tom Lynn 03.25.09 @ 9:02 amman, L.A.’s so congested even the birds have traffic! no, just kidding hopefully your cars are automatic. congrats on the move to the west coast, the only place i’d rather live than San Diego is Maui, love it out here. Keep up the great work, can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of your new video project…
Comment by Levon 03.25.09 @ 9:29 amI lived there, on Manhattan Avenue, from 1983 to 1999, before moving to Connecticut. I miss MB every day…
Enjoy!
rld
Comment by Richard Leighton Dixon 03.25.09 @ 10:27 amAs bad as the traffic might be here in So Cal its nice to able to put on a some shorts and sandals to go to work in. Congratulations on your new addition to the family to! See you at the beach. :]
Comment by Frank Rohmer 03.25.09 @ 10:39 amCongrats on moving to my hometown. I was born and raised there, and I get back some. I think you will have an interesting time there and learning about it.
Let me know if your making any more trips over to Asia by the way.
Comment by David McIntyre 03.25.09 @ 11:05 amManhattan Beach is one of the better parts but still, LA is vile and disgusting place to live. But it’s were you need to be to really do film/vide work.
12:53 pmhi Vincent, welcome to california. will you be in northern california as well, say SF? plenty of studios and technology here. i guess it will be wonderful experience to attend your classes.
Comment by desoduce 03.25.09 @ 1:54 pmVincent,
Once you settle in, come on down to San Diego, your always welcome.
Dennis Hoover
Comment by Dennis Hoover 03.25.09 @ 2:04 pmCongrats, Vince on the move and the plus one!
When you get tired of the screaming baby, perhaps we can share some more range time.
Cheers,
Steve
Comment by Steve Thompson 03.25.09 @ 2:44 pmVincent,
From Manhattan …. to Manhattan Beach, excellent wording. Look forward to a vignette on your cross country journey (but with planes, I imagine it will be smooth).
Love Manhattan beach down to Hermosa … great festivals and people! I was there in September, riding a “Jack Johnson” skateboard (which I picked up for my son - he won it from Jack) … just a beautiful ride! We are waiting for spring to hit, so we can take it out (Vancouver, Canada).
“J-dog”
p.s. Thanks for the reply, Vincent. All the best with the move and family!
Comment by J-dog 03.25.09 @ 3:42 pmA second baby, what an exciting time. Here is a tip from one transplant to another. Because of the “traffic” people speak in miles instead of in minutes in So. Cal. Also, with unpacking on the horizon there are some great companies that will organize all your stuff for you (i.e. putting the kitchen back in order so you can use real dishes, etc. .). Nominal cost and I highly recommend them. CONGRATS!
Congrats Vincent. I bet it feels great to accomplish your dream. You have worked your ass off and you deserve it. I moved to Santa Barbara from Houston a little under two years ago and I have been loving it. Once everything calms down a bit, you should give a lecture at Brooks Institute. I know a lot of people that would love that. If your interested I can send you the information of who you should get in touch with to work that out.
Good Luck!
PS.. Even though I know I get an email when there is a new post here, I still find myself loading up the blog just to see if I missed something.
Comment by Bryant Swanstrom 03.25.09 @ 4:51 pmHey Vincent, Great to hear from you again and that things are ok and moving forward. Just wondering, do you see yourself moving more towards video work?
My wife and I moved from San Francisco to Minneapolis 8 years ago and I’m still asking myself why. I love California and your kids will too!
I see that your coming to Minneapolis on May 20th with the ASMP. I look forward to seeing you then
-John
Comment by John Scherer 03.25.09 @ 5:11 pmYou will LOVE Manhattan Beach. I grew up there. Even though I live in the Valley now, it will always be home.
Comment by Aileen 03.25.09 @ 8:37 pm[...] camera back in December 08 and had not had the chance to play with it at all and was going off what Vincent Laforet had created with Reverie. I had also assumed back then that you could at least easily manipulate [...]
Pingback by Tony Eckersley » Blog Archive » Shooting movies with the Canon 5D mark II 03.25.09 @ 11:11 pmWelcome to the left coast! Congrats on the move and the new baby!
Comment by Manny Treeson 03.25.09 @ 11:47 pmAnywhere you go, you’re welcome, even here near Lake Como Italy !.
Comment by Massimo 03.26.09 @ 2:36 amWelcome to the West Coast. Oh, and one way to beat the traffic is to get a bike…………:)
The East Coast weather isn’t always so bike friendly, but the West Coast sure is.
Comment by LisaNewton 03.26.09 @ 8:42 amCongrats Vincent! My family and I were waiting for you to send a signal that you’re alive.
Anytime you want to take holidays in Argentina or come to shoot some pics/videos please be welcome, we’ll get you anything you need!
Cheers
Yipeeeeeeee!!! You and your family are going to love it! Bring shorts and sun glasses! I’ve lived near the beach for 25 years and still LOVE the sight of that magnificent ocean!!! Look forward to meeting you and your family! Welcome!!!
Excellent, Manhattan Beach is a great place to be. Very walkable/bikeable and freeway accessible when you want to get out and explore the rest of this amazing area. You can continue your surf studies at El Porto…
Comment by Jonah 03.26.09 @ 10:22 pmGood luck with the move. I was an East Coast Refugee too. I only made it halfway and ended up in Chicago. Best of both worlds: get the horrible traffic without losing out on the brutal Winters!
Comment by Chicago photographer 03.26.09 @ 10:42 pmVince, make sure to hook up with peter read and max morse for the local scoop. They’ve both been in that area for awhile. Lucky.
Comment by Matt marriot 03.27.09 @ 6:58 amWelcome to our piece of Paradise! Love the work and hope our families will run into eachother on the beach…..
Comment by Brian 03.27.09 @ 5:10 pmVincent-
YOU ARE GOING TO BE MY NEIGHBOR!@#
If you ever need an extra hand, I would love to be a helpful fly on the wall! Congrats on your move and good luck with the bun in the oven.
Take care,
DC
Comment by DC Chavez 03.27.09 @ 5:54 pmCongrats! Funny thing is, I wonder if dslr’s couldn’t film and you would not have gone to CA to film Jamie…would you have thought of leaving NYC? Funny how things work out sometimes
I think NYC traffic is much worse than here in So Cal. I hope your move means that you will be getting more involved in the surf industry. Welcome to the neighborhood!
Comment by Chris Bishow 03.28.09 @ 1:32 pmGood luck with the move. Being bi-coastal sounds cool to me!
Comment by Kevin Mullins Photography 03.28.09 @ 3:51 pmI grew up in MB. Great place, you will be very happy. It’s a great sheltered part of LA, and close to everything.
Comment by chance 03.28.09 @ 10:07 pmBest wishes on the move and new baby as well. Cant wait to see your new ideas that are brewing in your head!
Comment by Tim 03.29.09 @ 9:03 pmMy sister has lived in Manhattan Beach since the 70’s and loves it there. If you ever want advice on where to shop/eat out let me know and I’ll ask my sister. Will you be near the pier?
There are lots of photographic oportunities in the city as well.
Comment by Robert Jensen 03.30.09 @ 5:43 pmSince someone mentioned Brooks I’ll put in a word for my alma mater, Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. One of the best photo AND film departments west of the Mississippi.
Comment by Robert Jensen 03.30.09 @ 5:48 pmCongrats, and Good Luck. I have been loving my 5D Mark II. A small group of friends and I have a small Snowboard video coming out in Sept. Partially shot on a 5D Mark II and a Red with Canon Lenses!
Comment by Geoff Bardot 03.31.09 @ 12:52 amWelcome to sunny SoCal and the South Bay, Vincent. Winters are why I’ve never moved away from LA. Get out here before June Gloom rolls in. Hit me up if you want to do some surf photography.
Steve
Comment by Steven Rood 03.31.09 @ 12:24 pmWelcome to the hood!
I live on the edge of MB and the quality of life is incomparable. Don’t sweat the traffic (until you try to leave the south bay at 8am!) Traffic is only a concern of those who drive to the same place every day.
good luck in your move.
chuck
Thanks everyone - can’t wait to make the move and to meet many of you once I get out there.
I second Andy Williams. Good luck with the move. But you’ll be an East Coaster at heart! 
congratulation and good luck ….pretty soon you ll move to Hawaii…
Comment by stephane lacasa 04.03.09 @ 10:11 pmCongrats Vince! Manhattan Beach is a great place. Hope everything is well and good luck. See you around.
Comment by Francis Specker 04.04.09 @ 3:04 amhey vincent, long time reader, first time commenter here. You moving to manhattan beach is so amazing–because I live in manhattan beach right now! If you ever need any local info…you know who to ask! 
Congrats on the bi-coastal beach thing.
Im making a move to the Big Island this year after 30 years in Norcal.
welcome to manhattan beach! local here and a big fan of your work…maybe i’ll catch you around the southbay when your at your best…trust me, your work living out here will be a life of vacation!
Comment by jonathan 04.22.09 @ 3:21 pmcongratulations… I used to live in Manhattan Beach when my son was born. It is an awesome place to live. Off the beaten path just enough to keep the monster crowds away, and the beach never gets crowded (very little public parking). A perfect place for young kids to run around in the sand. I have many memories of my son doing the same, until i moving back to NYC when he was two. Good luck, as i will be curious to see what influences ManBch may have on your work, as i am a huge fan!!! peace…
Comment by michael brian 05.06.09 @ 5:55 pmI’m a new recruit to Manhattan Beach via Boston. I completely agree — I was done with the winters there.
Looking forward to more of your posts!
Boh
David Bohmiller
Comment by David Bohmiller 05.08.09 @ 1:47 amGreat move. MB is my favorite town in the LA area and I wonder why we haven’t moved there every time I head there for work. The ride to LAX is a piece of cake since Sepulveda takes you straight in.
Hope you have a healthy new addition to the family. I think it will be a great place to raise a family.
Will we ever see you back at Ashe Stadium? Hope so.
I understand, but I still love New York more (actually I’m in Jersey). We may be cooped up in winter, but that’s still family time, and when the snow hits, it’s time for sleigh-riding.
Comment by Rich Green 06.03.09 @ 6:51 amThank you for useful information. With love …
reklam ajansları
Impressive aerial photo of the city. I like the drama produced by the fog and I don’t know if you intended for it to have that sepia appeal but it was done with such good taste.
Comment by Moving to Manhattan 10.16.09 @ 12:41 amLeave a comment
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ArP Reply:
May 18th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
@crom,
Way to generalize there, bud!
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