Strazis tells us that the four things she loves most in life are food, animals, beaches and a camera. She had such a good time on this assignment that we’re wondering why we paid her.

FIRST, THE FOOD
When my assistant and I checked into The Ivy for our San Diego shoot, we were invited to a cooking demonstration—one of several “Ivy Enticements” offered each day. Why not? After all, we had the evening free. We joined two other guests at the stylish counter overlooking the kitchen and prepared to watch chef Damon Gordon at work. It was a nice break from my usually tight shooting schedule, and a welcome chance to enjoy the hotel’s perks.

Champagne and caprese salads started things off, and then the chef showed us how he makes his truffle corn soup—effortlessly, or so it seemed—while patiently answering our many questions. We all took notes so we could recreate his masterpiece at home. Thirty minutes later we each had a golden bowl of soup in front of us, paired with hot sourdough bread and the perfect glass of white wine. I savored every bite, resolving to serve the dish at my next dinner party. And I did make it the following week—but, since I didn’t have dried black truffle for a garnish or a giant sieve to strain the soup, it wasn’t quite as good. Maybe next time I get to stay at The Ivy, I’ll try the DJ classes—or pole-dancing.

. . . AND THE ANIMALS
I was excited to shoot at the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld. Though I’d been asked to photograph the zoo’s tigers, they were camera shy that day. However, the Giant Pandas and the giraffes were eager to pose. We caught the baby panda hanging from a tree—asleep!—while her mom put on a show over her breakfast of bamboo. After gnawing away, she proceeded to knock treats out of a giant toy suspended in a tree, and then plopped down over a big limb and fell asleep herself. We went to shoot the giraffes at lunchtime, and a zookeeper offered us a bucket of food to give them. Soon we had three eager giraffes negotiating for snacks—gentle giants with endless appetites. 

The next day we photographed dolphins, polar bears, manatees and Shamu, SeaWorld’s famous killer whale.  Going to Shamu Stadium took me back to my high school graduation at SeaWorld in Orlando.  How many people can say that their graduation was held at a whale habitat?

THEN THE BEACHES
I’ve always loved the sweeping cliffs and turquoise cove at La Jolla. But on this trip I explored some new beaches—every day we set off on an adventure to a different spot. Pacific Beach is an eclectic mix of young, hip professionals and surfers, full of life from sunrise to well beyond sunset. Mission Beach is the Venice Beach of San Diego, with a packed boardwalk and great people-watching. And Ocean Beach . . . this place has soul!