Even after nearly 3 years of living in Pacific Grove, there are still big surprises for me, like, the Pacific Grove Senior Living building is the largest building in PG! I had been in it once before, but this was the first time properly inside for the 100 year anniversary. It was a special event for me from the start, due to the company I had, the reason for that first prior visit, and then the chance to not only photograph a ribbon cutting like I have done many times before for the PG Chamber, but to talk with and listen to the residents and hear their stories. I love to hear stories and thank you to the residents that share theirs!
Photographing the Preservation of History at Asilomar
Photographing this ribbon cutting was especially meaningful because Asilomar Conference Grounds has continued to bring me back for corporate and community events over the past two+ years. This time it was for a ribbon cutting celebrating the Historic Preservation Center where the craftsmanship of the grounds are preserved, from windows to architectural features. Before the actual ribbon cutting, I made a series of group photos and was asked if I was ok being on a ladder as they wanted a high up perspective looking down into the preservation workshop itself. I joked that I am more athletic than the average photographer so no problem to shoot from 10+ feet up! (see the BTS photo below) There were then a series of speakers from Asilomar Conference Grounds, the California State Parks system, and the mayor of Pacific Grove also all talking about the history of the place and what it means to preserve. Then it was on to the lively ribbon cutting! Thank you Alex and Crystal for continuing to choose me as your event photographer for Asilomar Conference Grounds!
I first met Dr. Jamie and her team two months ago, when they visited my photography studio here in downtown Pacific Grove, CA. The result of that shoot was one of the best group photos I ever made! So I was delighted when she asked me to photograph her grand opening ribbon cutting hosted by the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce. That meant I was there in an official capacity as a professional event photographer, and also as an ambassador for the PG Chamber. Dr. Jamie has personality and energy that cannot be contained! This makes getting great candids and other action shots both easy and a pleasure. I invite you to check out all the smiles below, no doubt made bigger and better both by the fun of the event and her skill as a dentist! Thank you Dr. Jamie for continuing to choose me as your photographer, I really appreciate it.
It was great to attend the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting celebrating the re-opening of PG Meetinghouse after a period of renovations and updates to the interior space. As a Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, I enjoy volunteering my photography to help document these community moments. The mayor, other local leaders, and loyal customers gathered to welcome the refreshed space back to Pacific Grove, with remarks from the mayor and a ceremonial ribbon cutting to mark the occasion. It was wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate the improvements and wish the team continued success.
This was for sure the biggest event I have attended of its kind since I started being an ambassador for the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce in June 2024. The grand opening and ribbon cutting for Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove seemed to have everyone I know from the local business community and city hall there! It was shoulder room only trying to get a photo of the actual ribbon cutting for the PG Chamber. No chance for a posed photo beforehand like usual either. Given all that, I was very glad to capture this wonderful candid of the ribbon being cut to this unique hotel and the newest addition to downtown Pacific Grove. After the ribbon cutting, I enjoyed my first tour of the hotel from entrance and lobby, to the expansive inner courtyard, and then actually getting to see inside a couple of guest rooms themselves. I finished with a sneak peak at the attached restaurant. I definitely look forward to photographing events at this stunning new hotel!
Celebrating two years in business in Pacific Grove with Saint Addiction
I had walked by the Saint Addiction store front many times, and was always curious about the clothing store because it is a very rare thing, a boutique clothing store just for men right here in downtown Pacific Grove, California. Well, I wish I had stopped in before the ribbon cutting celebration event for their 2nd anniversary yesterday as I really enjoyed meeting the owners and I really liked the style of a lot of the clothes they have for sale there. I talked with one of the owners, Elmer, about collaborating on a few things that would be mutually beneficial for both of our businesses. This is what the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce is really great at doing, connecting to local business owners in a friendly and fun environment that may not normally ever meet. Thank you to the teams at the PG Chamber and at Saint Addiction for adding a special event to a Thursday afternoon!
Celebrating 30 years of Trader Joe’s in Pacific Grove!
The Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce is really good at celebrating businesses in our community with ribbon cuttings, be they for a grand openings or major milestones like the one Trader Joe’s celebrated — 30 years of being in Pacific Grove! I learned the mural painted on the front of Trader Joe’s, 30 years ago, was to show other things for people to check out in Pacific Grove and give them a reason to stay in town longer, as this was the first Trader Joe’s in the area. PG beat out Seaside to get it largely because it had a better building available for it to move into. It’s so interesting how things like that happen and change how a small town changes because of it.
