I'm on a family Vacation

So incase you wanted to know whats happening with Samuel and his lack of posting... heres why.
I'm eating good food,relaxing and being cozy while the rain comes down outside, I'm golfcarting around, drinking fine wine and getting jumped on by my nephews, life is good right now... except my Canon 5D just broke.... I need to send it back.
So incase your trying to get ahold of me, just know the response time is delayed... I'm trying to get this 4 wheeler out of the mud up here on the mountain!

An update coming soon!


-S

Shot of the Week (7.27.2008)

I love this shot. I took it of Audrey, while we were walking to the AVP a perfect mix between Mystery (Hiding under the hat), Urban living (International Tower in the background/coffee) and just plain photojournalism (AVP pass in hand, walking across street,not aware of the photo being taken).
My favorite Girl and my favorite building.

Bob Foster and I

Bob Foster and Samuel Lippke discussing Long Beach Politics in the Mayors office.

The Mayor and I talking trash on the Celtics. Talking Long Beach politics and possibilities of a much needed $571million dollar bond... you know just passing time.
I followed him around for a half day, photographed him making speeches, in a boardroom meeting, cutting a ribbon at a property unveiling and documented him riding public transportation. Our mayor is pretty legit. Plus I workout at the gym with him... He's as strong as an OX.
See "A day with the Mayor" HERE

AVP-Long Beach

AVP Women's Finals. Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh against Boss and Ross

I went today for the Women's finals.
Guess who won?
I'll let you figure it out.
The female pair won for the 101 straight time! Talk about a streak!!! They won the Gold medel in the 2004 Olympics and they're looking to do it again this year in Bejing!
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are amazing!

Here are a few shots I took today.

-S

Kerri Walsh being introduced.

Misty May awaiting the serve

The Beach Girlz performing on NBC.

Misty May being introduced while doing the "crypt walk"

April Ross throws down a serve in the championship match.

Misty goes for a dive.

$25G's thats not enough is it?

Champagne. The Drink of champions (and people that like a quick buzz after a hard volleyball tournament. )

We saw Stepbrothers

The stepbrothers themselves.

Yeah a bunch of us went and saw it.
It was just OK. Rated R. Cussing, Eff Bombs by the dozens, a few shock factor laughs, a few random Will Ferrell style one liners that will be around for awhile. But overall, my advice:
• Don't bring your kids or your parents.
• If you must see it, wait for it to come to DVD...
•Advice for Will Ferrell...We want a little closer to Anchor Man Will. We love you and your potential. You still have more potential...which is amazing!

Too many good movies out to watch a mediocre one on the silver screen. This is coming from the biggest Will Ferrell fan you'll find south of the Canadian border too!

Here are some images we took with Iana's camera. Iana is what most call "the Mini-Audrey" Shes adorable and fun, its no reason why they call her that.

We ate at Cafe TuTu Tango. Don't order their paella unless your extremely patient and or have 3 hours to spare. I had to cancel my order after waiting an hour. Oh and the tango dancer needs to go on my 300 diet.

Alright, its way too late to be sitting here blogging as if I'm getting paid for this.

Wedding tomorrow morning. Should be fun!

G-Night
its 2:11...geeez, where did the world go today?


Here are some fun images from tonight you can munch your eyes upon... I would say "feast", but theres not enough.

Iana and I

3 of us getting ready ta get wild.

The ladies. (Tanya,Lei,Audrey and Iana)

Ben,Iana and I in the theatre passing 20 minutes by while shooting pictures.

If they were closer in age, they'd be close to twins. Oh and if they were sisters.

Long Beach Photocontest!

Last January, I competed in a 24 hour photocontest. I ended up winning Best in Show and having one of the images published in 2 local newspapers. I also had the opportunity to win some cash, which is always nice for my addiction to good food and fine wine.
Anyways, my point being:
STARTING AGAIN TODAY! the contest starts up again!
For 24 hours starting TODAY, you, (the photographer) both young & old, pro or amateur, need to grab your camera and get ready to photograph Long Beach!
12noon Today (Saturday) to tomorrow (Sunday 27th) at 12noon!

Heres the details on this LINK.
Now go take some amazing pictures!
Photo Contest put on by CAT Justin Rudd's Non profit organization.
Oh! and the contest is FREE!

This isn't the winning shot, it was just a good op to put another image of Audrey.

Starbucks, Go green!

Bring your own IV!

Do you like the color green?
Do you care about our planet?
Do you like saving money?
Do you drink Starbucks?
Do you have an IV with Starbucks brew attached to your body?
Have you ever wanted to makeout with a sexy model?

If you answered yes to one or more questions, you'll be in agreement to "Jon's Rule".
Jon's rule was sorta put together yesterday in a collaboration of freeminded thinkers trapped inside a think tank (AKA, the Lippke Studio).
Heres the pitch to Starbucks.

Re-Usable Cup Incentive Program

Paying an up front cost for a "Starbucks Cup" that you can bring in a re-fill each time you come in. Every time you come in and use this "Starbucks Cup" you receive a small discount for your purchase. For example, charging an up front cost of $15 for the "Starbucks Cup" and every time you use your cup, you receive 15 cents off your beverage. This would be a great incentive for those of us who go to Starbucks on a regular basis and want to help the environment from those Mocha Cappuccinos plastic cups and straws, and in return, rewarding us with a small kick back for our efforts.

So those are Jon's thoughts.

I personally think that we should get a 1 quarter discount(or the cost of the cup) and a separate .10 would go towards a "Save the flippin planet fund".... to later be given to me, so I can get a new convertible with amazing gas mileage.

What do you think? Would it work?
I know that my Dad has been doing this since the beginning of his time/addiction to coffee.
So Dad, if your reading this...you've burnt your hands countless times on your metal "Milkshake" X-large sized coffee cup... was it worth it to help save the environment?



This is a common site around these parts where we have a Starbucks coffee shop just 30 feet from the studio and another one 8 blocks away.

"Jon's Rule" is manly in use with iced beverages, since the paper is easily recycled.
Save the earth, don't burn your tires and use your own glass at starbucks.


Heck, Starbucks, you should launch a campaign called "Samuel's Rule" it'll be an 80's style campaign and I'll take the campaign pictures. Homeless people dressed in tuxes, drinking Starbucks out of 1980's styled cups that say "Save the 80's" The cups will be durable and able to fit in a fanny pack.

Beach Shoot: Long Beach CA.

Kristen Kassinger was a great model, she worked hard, looked great in the clothing line we put her in and even froze her A-town off for this shoot. Big props to her.

Makeup/Hair: Ceasar Pacheco
Styling:Audrey Armada
Clothing:Undisclosed (for now)
Location: Long beach CA.
Photographer: Samuel Lippke (ME!)

And the Oscar goes to...

"The Dark Knight" opened last friday night. Who stole the show? It was HEATH LEDGER playing an amazing, terrifying, yet extremely entertaining JOKER. That man could act!
Does he deserve the posthumous OSCAR award?
Michael Caine, who plays Batman's butler Alfred, told reporters he "would pay good money" to see a performance that could top Ledger's for the Oscar. (Previously Caine said Ledger was worthy of nomination. )
When I was watching the film, I couldn't remember what Heath looked like, or sounded like. He made the Joker character his own and completely lost track of himself. the character will forever be his and because of that, the film grossed a record for most ticket sales on the opening day. Grossing $67.85 million. (Spider-Man 3 previously held those records with $59.8 million)

We miss you Heath. I'm not sure thats the role I would want to go out as, but he did a hell of a job!
When OSCAR season rolls around, mark my words. Heath will get the posthumous Oscar award.

Heres a clip, so you know what I'm talking about.



Go see the movie ya'll!

Wanna go for a ride?

Wawa-weewaa!
Crazy thing is, this was taken at a carnival in Long Beach hosted by a local church. (No names given) I think its hilarious... click on the image so you can see the little girl's face.
I stopped here and took a few images of little kids(and a few adults) staring... One thing is for sure, those aren't real! Whats next? How much classier can you get?

My Hero?

Will Ferrell accepting Tiger Woods ESPY Award for best male athlete.
This is the ESPY's I was at, just last week. Being in the building while this happened was quite the experience.
Will Ferrell is my hero.

This video is pretty amazing too!

San Onofre: Beach Day

Yes, yesterday I had a day off.
So I grabbed some of my favorite people, headed to the grocery store for goods and bolted down to San Onofre for a beach day.
Oh yes, it was much needed.
Non of my usual friends could make it. Or so I thought.
Heather and Eric showed up! It was so great to see them and just relax with them. Heather told me all about her wedding, which was sweet to hear about, cuz I'm in her wedding party as the bridesman. Why not have a bridesman? Heather is my sister and it means so much that she choose me for her side. I'm honored. So yeah, she filled me in on everything. Their wedding is going to be in 1 month and its going to be amazing!

I got some surfing in, I yelled at a few people, got cussed at for saving a parking spot, lost my wallet (temporarily),made some amazing cocktails,took care of my girl when she got sick and ended up having a fun beach day!

Heres some of the pictures. Thanks to Ira's new 24mm 1.4 lens.
The surf in Southern California is AMAZAING right now! Get out there!

Packing up the gear!

No surf rack.
Part of the crew.
Here I am getting the place put together. About to make some cocktails and chips and salsa.

First surf session in over a year.

My lovely lady and her big ol hat!
The future Trine family.

Ira and his cigar watching the sunset.

Relaxing and enjoying the view is all apart of a good beach day.
Next week's funday: AVP Long Beach!!!

Cocktail Dress Shoot

WAAAYYY more to come. This is a teaser from yesterday's full day shoot for AkuaLani.

Cheers to my great crew that helped me put on an incredibly sexy shoot!

Ceasar Pacheco,Ann Pacheco and Audrey Armada.

A Day with the Mayor

Yes, the story is up.
My pictures help tell it.
You'll like it. Go comment, or just read and view until you have no more time on your hands.
Cheers to Mayor Bob Foster and YOU the readers!

THE STORY
or find it on www.lbpost.com

I Watch Whales

Or at least I did for a morning.
These images will be published on my LBpost.com column, but I wanted to show ya'll first.

A quick preview of whats to come.




Plus... tell you to go see "The Black Knight" its dark, kinda "weird funny" and some spectacular performances by Heath Ledger...freaky performance, but amazing! He'll win the oscar, mark my words.

MY Daily Candy

This is my time to tell you whats going down, without polishing my words too much, here is the rundown.


I'm sure all of you are just sitting in your home and offices dying to hear about what Samuel Lippke has been doing. In fact, I'm sitting here at my desk with a 23 inch monitor glaring back at me and I'M trying to figure out what I've been doing. Its been hectic! Its been exciting, scary, fascinating and even more AMAZING! Yes, these are all big words, used in trying to describe buying a home or a yacht, but bear with me OK.

Alright:
The gear up, its gonna take some time to remember 16 special events from the last 10 days.
SO Here goes.

1.Weekend off from photographing weddings. I relaxed in the park and then photographed MAI•TAI bar at the PIKE (Haven't signed a photo deal with them yet, but I hope to sign a contract stating my efforts to bring them excellent photos for a cash value)

2. Coleman's birthday party, Ceasar and Ann's afterparty. (What better gifts for a man then a Flask and a good cigar?)

3.Dinner and drinks with Audrey and Dale, sunset at Mckenna's in LB. Picked model for Akualani shoot.

4.Met with (French) potential intern option. Was a quick meeting because we obviously couldn't work well together. (If you don't wanna learn, don't try to be an intern sweety.)





5.Photographed Justin Rudd for Long Beach Magazine. (See "Mr. Belmont Shore" post)


6. Photoshoot with my lovely lady. I dressed her all 80's, put her in some new leggings (Say hello to zebra print!!! My favorite of the last 3 months) She did great! See last weeks post.



6(a).Went to South Coast to help Ralph buy a suit. I found him one and its slick. I bought a ton of stuff too. New Arnold shirt, cyclist hat, T-shirts to match my 80's vibe.Movie night and editing, watched a movie with Jason Statman, had crown with the men out of our new flasks.





7.ROCK HONORS. Ceasar and I went. Met the Foo Fighters, The Who,Jack Black, Adam Sandler and Sean Penn, Of and the girl from that 70's show(Mila Kunis) Relaxed back stage with Incubus front man, played Rock band and listened to "The Who" perform. It was select. I pissed Jack Black off for congratulating him on his chest waxing incident from nacho Libre behind the scenes... He was stunned I had that kind of ammo on him. After party at the "W HOTEL"




8.Day with Audrey's Family. Thai food for her cousin's birthday, got to spend some nice times with Angela, here hilarious lil sister too! Angela's fun! Spent the eveing watching wackos at the Santa Monica 3rd St. Promenade. Speaking of Audrey, shes going to visit and meet my parents for the first time next week!

9.Photographed Long Beach's Mayor's Cup Yacht Race near the Belmont Pier. (See my post, 2 below this)

10.Worked extremely hard on Monday, Got paid from La Creperie. Which means, my boycott is over (I boycott any place if they rip me off or if they just plain suck...Long Beach Town Center has been boycotted by me for 2 years now for horrible movie prices and no student or military discounts. Also Super Mex because they have nasty food, dirty bathrooms and horrible service....why waste time? La Creperie was a little different, they just neglected to pay me for a job I did for them 4 months ago... but its clear now...I've already eaten dinner there since.
Picked up and replaced Audrey's Catalytic converter. Thanks to Ben's connections, we could lift up the entire car and work standing up. Ben has been a huge help with car issues.



11.Shoot with the mayor "A day in the Life of Long Beach's Mayor" It will run on LBpost.com tomorrow. I followed the mayor around and photographed him for half of the day. Starting at 7:30.



12.Blue Whale shoot in the pacific ocean. Shot this morning, Jon and I went on a "Media" cruise that launched out of Long Beach's Rainbow harbor, cruised around and looked for the worlds most giant species... ranging from 80-90 feet long!!! I saw 6. (Images to come)

13. Worked some more.




14. Went to the ESPY's. Saw some of my favorite athletes (Derek Fisher) and least favorite athletes (Paul Pierce. I cringed 3 times when he walked past me) Justin Timberlake hosted. I have an even more obsession with Will Ferrell now! AHHHH! That man is AMAZING! He accepted Tiger wood's award for him, but acted as if he were Tiger...it made for some interesting phrases and quotes and an even bigger appreciation for the man responsible for my abs...my laughing abs. Also so David and Victoria Beckham(Audrey almost wet herself and fainted when she saw "Posh"), Eli Manning, Steve Nash,Kevin Garnett, Big Baby,a playboy bunny and a bunch of other wackos. The after party was filled with shrimp cocktails and X games style entertainment.
15. Tomorrow, a fashion shoot with AkuaLani and my WHOLE crew! Plus a model I'm looking forward to shooting with.




17.OH YEAH!!! Forgot a HUGE one. Last night I went to the fair with my closest friends (Although a few couldn';t make it, especially Ralph...bummer)
THE OC FAIR! Tons of fatting food to make you feel good and oily... corn on the cob was refreshing, even with cayan pepper. Never before had I paid $3.75 for a dinky piece of Corn on the cob (Contrast too 10x$1.00 growing up and that was for huge ones!) Good rides, scetchy people, free loot, fun with my favorites and my lovely lady. (Thanks for the pictures Courtney Fourtney)










So there you have it. I apologize if you've emailed and I haven't returned the message YET. It will happen! All of your pictures are turning out wonderful, I have a few good people helping me with my images, so everyone will remain happy! Plus the slideshows will be on their way shortly (June and Nery, Courtney and Scott)


Cheers to you, my readers!
(And ME getting some rest)

Adios for now.

-Samuel