Jessica Claire - Photographer

ivan w.: I dunno if anyone answered you on the questions regarding the magicial words "Lost Fat". Actually, they don't have the price listed, since they claim they have various ways to help you to do the weight lost (the 4 characters in blankets). 7.26.08, 2:26AM

Dawn: I think the fruit in question is Lychee. They are sort of translucent white on the inside and the consistency of a peeled grape and there is a pit in the middle. they are pretty good. 7.13.08, 1:06AM

Raynor: Hi Jessica, The "Lost Fat" item meant to say "Lose Fat" instead I guess. The price requires customers to sit down for a discussion or interview session (guess there isn't a fixed range). It also mentioned that they use several methods. That's all. Hope it helps. 7.12.08, 6:10AM

April Hollingsworth: You've inspired me to do another textured/abstract and still life photo shoot. I love the colors you captured!!! 7.1.08, 11:04PM

Amelia: I was going to say the 'x' was glue from a very old sign, but I see Mel beat me to it. Lovely colors Jessica (as always)! My escape is to my family farm - going tomorrow for Canada Day and I will surely at least at some point find myself in the hammock by the pond listening to horses, frogs, and cuddling with my puppy. 6.30.08, 11:27PM

Rebecca Schlieman: Looks like you had a great photo safari in chinatown! I love all the great colors - it's like a completely different world from what we see every day. 6.29.08, 6:40PM

M.L.: Love the photos of China town!! I work near it, so I'm always going up there on my lunch, and always find fun stuff! 6.28.08, 8:24PM

melissa: i want to escape to a house that is empty of husbands and children and dogs... just me & my bed and a nice loooooooooong nap. 6.28.08, 8:14PM

Ray: Wow those are fantastic photos. PLEASE tell me what type of camera you use!!!! And maybe the "X" in one of your photos is a secret code to an underground society. LOL! You never know. Chinatown looks awesome up in Nothern California. Makes me want to move there. I love colorful places like that and I love lights too. I wish I could say I have escaped but I haven't. Unless you count trips to Bestbuy by myself escaping. Hehe. ;o) Well, take care. 6.28.08, 3:38PM

Stephanie Wade: Love this group of Photos!!! ( Frankly I like most of your photos)It brought back memories... I lived in Asia for a coupe years... PS... Those pine cone looking fruit are called Lychee.... So yummy fruit... Inside is white with a pretty, black seed. 6.27.08, 7:04PM

Furious Photographers: Awesome pictures of Chinatown! The hanging meat does look a little sketchy, but it is rather popular in most Chinese restaurants. They're displaying the goods haha 6.27.08, 2:09PM

Events by Evonne: Hahaha... sometimes I really like the direct translation from Chinese to English! It cracks me up. So Lost Fat = "Lose Weight". And the literal translation on the pricing portion is: "In-person Consultation (many different methods)" And the sentence right below that is "Bridal makeup, fashion, evening wear (bridal gown for rent) - consultation appointment! 6.27.08, 5:52AM

kate: "what are those things anyway" they're lychee! But don't feel bad, they look like eyeballs when you peel them and don't actually taste very good. also, a 1.0 50mm? totally fun. I learned to shoot with my mom's 1.2 50mm, and have only a lowly 1.4 50... still gets the job done, not nearly as heavy, but not quite as fun! 6.26.08, 7:10PM

jessica Stier: Hi Jessica, I just found out about your site and your photography. You are really an inspiration. I love your finished product - the bright colors, fresh angles and fun subject matter. I'm excited to check back often and get inspired! Thanks, Jessica www.momshots.com 6.26.08, 7:07PM

winnie: jessica, thank you for sharing these fantastic pictures! i live in SF and visit chinatown semi-frequently but i've never seen it like this before! my escape is anywhere outside of a 200-mile radius from where i live. it can be anywhere as long as it's not my everyday. 6.26.08, 4:20PM

Jenny: Hi Jess - fellow Colorado stalker here...the bottom line means "varies with appointment" - meaning to lose weight there are different ways and different prices. 6.26.08, 3:28PM

jesslehry: You are a girl after my own heart. I'm drooling over that beautiful tile montage... Love the richness of the colors... just GORGEOUS as always! 6.26.08, 12:47PM

kungfoo: That red thing that looks like an alien is awesome :D All the other pictures just whack your eyes with colors and bokeh. I like them. I escape by going rock-climbing. No issues there at all... 6.26.08, 12:45PM

Jamie: Hey Jess... I love this post.. I am going to Beijing as my best friend is triple jumping in the Olympics this summer. I can't wait to have a ton of pics with fabulous colors and textures. Maybe I will have to check out that Authentic Chinese "Lost Fat" service lol! 6.26.08, 12:42PM

Antony Hands: Great shots, this just about sums up what I shoot when I need a break, love the color. The 50mm f/1.0 just rocks doesn't it! Been looking for a copy for years for under US$2500, but can't find one. The dof, contrast and saturated colors blow me away. You are lucky that Gene lends it out! 6.26.08, 10:02AM

Silvas Photographers: I love the colors! Funnily enough, Chinatown pretty much looks the same in any country. I went to Hongkong once and it looked EXACTLY like the Chinatown in my country. 6.26.08, 6:37AM

Jasmine Marie: Great shots. I love SF's Chinatown. It's so much more rich in culture than any other Chinatown I feel. Always interesting things to see. And that red squid in the window TOTALLY looks like an alien! :) 6.26.08, 1:58AM

Cathy Crawley: I live in Sydney, and my fave place to go to get away from it all is The Sheraton Mirage at Port Douglas in Queensland. Heaven! Although, my honeymoon on Hayman Island was pretty spectacular also!!! 6.26.08, 1:21AM

Ashley: To escape I go home. I can only take Houston for so long before I have to pack it up and go back to the country in the hometown I was raised. Ever seen "Hope Floats". Thats my hometown. Thats where I go to refuel the soul. 6.26.08, 12:37AM

Denise Jones: Love to shots. Awesome colors. I escape to any place my camera and feet take me. My favorite places are beaches, the rainforests of the Carribean, the coast of Maine and behind the viewfinder of my cameras where I tend to capture the details others miss .... My dream photo escape - to spend a day with Josh Groban just capturing him relaxed and being his incredibly funny self! I might add getting to follow Jessica around for a day to experience her capturing such amazing shots!! Thanks for sharing. 6.25.08, 10:18PM

Alissa: Where do I go to escape? Currently, I go to other photographer's blogs and get inspired. Then I dream about the day when I'll be able to take photographs like they can. Honestly. It's my escape from the ordinary. 6.25.08, 9:50PM

Jackie Blair: I love the bits of red & turquoise. I also LOVE the tile montage, and quite honestly I would buy a canvas or large print of the bottom left two, those are the future colors of my living room! let me know if you have them for sale on a personal site or anything!!! 6.25.08, 7:26PM

Gina Marie: I live in Sacramento. When I want to escape one of my favorite places to go is: Palace of Fine Arts in SF. I adore this 93 year old park. It's romantic, peaceful and vibrant! I can sit for hours taking in the view. I have on many occassions taken friends who are visiting from out of state to this landmark. It's a beautiful hidden treasure not many tourist know about. And for those of you looking for a unique place to get married, you can say your vows under Pantheon style dome for a mere $500.00. That's cheaper than what some churches charge! 6.25.08, 4:07PM

laura: one of my escapes::dancing around my place in my undies after throwing back a couple buttery nipple shots *yum* lip syncing "apple bottom jeans" or "baby got back"...yup yup! I'm partial to thrift stores, jessica claire's blog , and poker (in no particular order). *winks* longer escapes would be to North Carolina to visit my sweetie's family, or South Korea to visit my dad ^.^ 6.25.08, 4:04PM

Crystal Goss: So funny! I was just talking about escape with Jasmine a couple of hours ago. My escape is coming to California tomorrow. :) It will be the first alone time I have had in a LOOOONG time! I can't wait. Would love to see you while I'm out there. Gimmee a call if you have the time, girl. 6.25.08, 3:59PM

laura: lost fat answer... next to "lost fat" it says lose weight/fat, in the price column, it says make a consulation (many methods)...basically, make a consultation b/c there are many ways to lose fat! and below that it says stuff about renting a bridal dress, wedding make-up, and all that jazz. love your work, always a fan! ^.^ 6.25.08, 3:40PM

Emilie: Awesome pics!! The pic of weird red/green little fruits that you've asked about are litchis or lychees. :) We eat a lot of these in tropical islands. 6.25.08, 3:03PM

Gene Higa: Good times. Let's do it agin. I think I need to give that lens a nickname, like "biggy smalls". awesome shots. Safe Travels. 6.25.08, 2:55PM

rebecca Wood: those round things with the crazy texture are lychee nuts. very popular in japan. i love a good lychee martini myself. 6.25.08, 2:54PM

chantal: Awesome photos, Jessica!! I love ROAD TRIPS, so to escape the norm and a get a break from a very busy wedding season, I will be taking my kids on an East Coast road trip to DISNEY WORLD....should provide LOTS of photo ops :) 6.25.08, 2:33PM

anna mayer: Wow, have you got an eye! I love how you "see" in these images. What a fabulous take on an interesting place. 6.25.08, 1:59PM

Neil Corman: Excellent photos Jess. When I head out to the Bay area to see my sister as well as some college friends, I usually take the #30 Muni bus through Chinatown and always notice all the excitement especially on a Sunday morning heading towards BART. However those weekends I am usually without a camera and busy shuffling between places and can't spot and photograph. Great job capturing the intimate aspects of the area. If you get a chance when back in LA, it would be interesting to try to see what a trip to Chinatown north of downtown would look like through your eyes. 6.25.08, 12:33PM

Luis Murillo: Well...I assume everyone knows that they were referring to weight loss and what it says in Chinese is "the price depends on the amount of weight" I asked my sister who speaks Mandarin and that's what she told me it says :) 6.25.08, 12:32PM

Amanda: When I want to escape, I drive.. and drive.. and drive.. I'm an armature photographer, and I always find some amazing things to photograph. The back roads of my little country town are full of old cars and buildings. 6.25.08, 12:06PM

Navy Sou: The red semi-spiky balls of goodness are called lychee...I think?! They are super sweet and super juicy! Escape? Easy...music! 6.25.08, 12:03PM

Tanya Jose: I think i've been to Chinatown in 2-3 different states & they are ALL full of wonderful textures & colors. I love the bananas photo, they almost look 3-D on my monitor! Glad to have you back after your few days away. I am seriously considering taking a few days away from my work also...sometimes you just need it! Have a great day! 6.25.08, 11:40AM

Wendy: I used to go to downtown Portland and get lost in the aisles at Powell's books but now with a 12 day old and a two year old, escape sometimes means shutting the bathroom door : ). Wonderful photos. Maybe my escape is the JC blog... 6.25.08, 11:34AM

Leah: I was wondering where you had gone for the last couple of days! It's great to have you back, I absolutely adore your photos (and comments too, for that matter!) I don't really have anywhere to *go* on escapes, I just go "underground." Underground (or U/G if you are one of my friends) just means I turned my cell phone off, I am not returning calls, don't invite me to go out for drinks, my bedroom door is locked, and I am spending time with the most important person in my life - ME! Someday I will have somewhere tangible to escape to, for now, it is just the confines of my mind. 6.25.08, 11:09AM

Betsy: LOVELY take on Chinatown. Enjoyed the details and colors. Wow! That really is buttery. Gorgeous work, as always! Thanks for sharing! PS: Lychees make a refreshing addition to summer cocktails, like infused martinis! ;-) 6.25.08, 10:43AM

Mel: Hey! Love the pics! The fruit are Lychees or Longans (bigger versions of lychees). They are VERY good! Kinda weird eyeball-y texture though haha! Also, you know the 'X' you mentioned? I think it looks like there was a sign there and the X with the square around it was glue because the black paint was painted around it...Seems that way to me! 6.25.08, 10:35AM

rowena: if just for a couple of hours Barnes and Noble. btw, you can rent the 1.0 50mm at samy's in santa ana. 6.25.08, 10:27AM

MonsieurSan: It's called lychee or also litchi. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychee ) Great pictures. :) 6.25.08, 10:18AM

Yunna: Hi Jessica! Great images as always, the fruit that you are wondering about is I believe a lychee which is white--I think the closest texture I can think of it being similar to is a peach. It is a sweet fruit. 6.25.08, 10:08AM

Cholas: I think the bottom line is like the Chinese version of the Mastercard commercial... Facial - $39, Eyebrow Waxing - $10, Lost Fat - Priceress (yes that's spelled correctly)... =) Just my two cents 6.25.08, 10:08AM

erika: Jess, those are lychee. My favorite fruit ever! You should try! They are sweet and juicy and the best part, low fat! I loove them! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychee 6.25.08, 9:58AM

Tara: Love all the new shots! We stay so busy.. normally I don't have much time to "escape" so I don't venture much further than the couch.. (in desperate need of some R&R).. BUT.. last fall my husband and I woke up early one saturday morning and drove into Arkansas.. down Talamena drive.. we spent the WHOLE day on a 10 mile strech stopping at all the view points and shooting the BEAUTIFUL landscapes of all the orange and red.. I was so exhausted, I slept the whole way home.... so I guess I got the best of both worlds.. actually getting out to do something fun.. AND sleep! :) 6.25.08, 9:40AM

chriselda: see, asian people are all thin. maybe they've lost their fat. and this salon charges a holding fee! hmmmmmm?? 6.25.08, 9:33AM

Steph : I go to L.A. to escape my Nor Cal life....I love the energy I get from being down there.....Also the beach.......How bout escaping to the beach with some Pinkberry ? :-) Have fun !!! 6.25.08, 9:11AM

lesa: I'm a lurker and never posted before so I will just tell you now that I am so jealous of your photos. I'm diving in head first reading everything I can, but I still haven't gotten it down yet. Anyway, when I really need to go clear my head I escape down to my fathers house on the lake. We have had that house since I was in 6th grade (long ago) and it holds dear memories. I just go to the end of the dock and sit and regroup. It is up for sale now and I hate to think that I will not have that place any longer. 6.25.08, 9:09AM

haley lamb: these photos are so interesting! i love the way you see the world. i always escape to St.Simons Island, GA. (in fact i'll be getting my escape on this saturday!!) 6.25.08, 9:09AM

[C+D] Cathy and David - Photographers: Seriously AWESOME! Also, those fruit thingies you asked about I believe are called Rambutans (sp?) and are disturbingly yummy. :-D Just like these photos! 6.25.08, 9:01AM

Allison Waken: Those spiky fruits are lychees! They are pretty good, they look like peeled white grapes inside. 6.25.08, 9:00AM

Krystal McGee: It's so hard to escape when you've got a buisness to run, children to look after etc etc . . . but these wonderful pictures make me see the importance of down time and finding some of that wonderful creativity again. I love it when you go away from people and just photograph textures and places - you do it so well! 6.25.08, 8:58AM

Ronke: woohoo...I'm the first to comment. Yeah that last thing on the billboard is a bit worrysome. Not sure what that is...lol 6.25.08, 8:43AM

Melissa: Awesome photos! The one with the "delicacies" kind of freaks me out a little though. To escape... the hubby and I packed the family up and flew to an island off the FL coast the other week -it was a wonderful escape. But closer to home, we go to the "bunkhouse". It's a little place out in the country where friends and family go to hang out and relax -love it! 6.25.08, 8:39AM

Rose: Just beautiful shots of Chinatown - the colors and textures are heavenly! The spikey fruit are lychee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychee) and when they're good they're great and when they're bad they're really gross! LOL! When I wan to disappear and just escape I love prowling all the little antique stores in our small town, I can get lost for hours in someone else's old memories. 6.25.08, 8:36AM

Wanda: The fruit (below the onions photo) is called lychee.... and the item at the bottom of the menu says lose fats (or diet in short)... set an appointment to know different approach for weight loss ... for an escape, i love to go to the park with an mp3 player, watch people passing by, and snap some shots if i have my cam with me. just let imagination do it's thing... :) 6.25.08, 8:34AM

star8278: Hmm, I don't think I'd be brave enough to try the Lost Fat option at the spa. Sounds almost like they're adding instead of helping you lose. Ha. To get away I used to pack up and head an hour north to my dad's little camper on a beautiful lake in the Endless Mtns. of PA. These days I haven't really found my special locale. Maybe its in my head or just being tucked away with the camer in had walking around our garden. 6.25.08, 8:32AM

Ewa: To answer your question regarding what that fruit was that you shot. It's called lychee...a fruit normally grown in tropical climates. More recently they have been growing them south of the border and importing them in, but they are Very sweet. The US version not so much, but if you eat too many (and I always did) your tongue hurts! It's one of Asia's more famous fruits! 6.25.08, 8:23AM

PhotoSmith - Sarah e. Smith: what yummy colors and textures from your trip! those spiky little fruits i think are Lychee Nuts - they kind of taste like a combination of grapes & roses (at least in my opinion). i go to my cabin in the Adirondacks to escape, and NYC when the time allows ;) 6.25.08, 8:19AM

Jennifer: Beautiful pictures - looks like you had a great escape! And, by the way, I could be wrong, but I believe the mystery fruit is a lychee ;) 6.25.08, 8:08AM

Katie: For my "escape" this year I left my husband and two kids behind and went on a week-long service trip with the Sierra Club into the Grand Canyon. It was an experience of a lifetime! Thank you for sharing the beautiful pics! 6.25.08, 8:02AM

GuidedLight Photography: Wow, that lens is almost too buttery. Once again Jessica, I'm in LOVE with your colors, so "in your face". 6.25.08, 7:13AM

Fran : By the time I see this comment on your site you will have already been told 110 times that the fruit you photographed are called Lychees and taste absolutely delicious! But did they also tell you that they make a great addition to Champagne instead of strawberries? And did they also tell you that it is also made infinitely better by adding a dash of Lychee Liquer? Well if they did I second it - my favourite Champagne cocktail!!! As for the 'Lost Fat' - I shudder to think... Beautiful as always but you already know that... 6.25.08, 6:36AM

s.r: I think those things are lychees jessica. Love the lens, stunning color as always. As far as the "Lost Fat" goes, I'm not sure we need to know the price, I for one don't wish to purchase any :p 6.25.08, 6:29AM

Diane: that fruit you weren't sure about is called a lychee. at my work place, there's a chinese person and she told me to try one. you crack the shell and inside is a grape looking fruit that's really sweet! 6.25.08, 6:27AM

helios: it means lose weight, and they don't have a fix price for that as there are various way to do that．So the words means negotiate face to face (various way). Anyway, the pictures are cool especially all the tile pictures ! 6.25.08, 6:26AM

Elizabeth Padilla: Hi Jessica I been follow you, since Photoshopuser guys recomend your site. I just love your job, every picture is fantastic. The things that you ask its a chineese frut call "Lychee", ists similar to a grape. Its very fresh. Try one, you will love it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychee 6.25.08, 6:18AM

Jean Smith: can i even tell you how much i loved this post? i lived in china for six months and every picture took me back. your pictures are so amazing and i love how you completely focused on color and texture. i LOVE china! and that last one with the sign, yeah, just don't ask...you will find stuff like that everywhere in china. if it's only listed as a chinese price, it might be a good idea to not sign up. 6.25.08, 6:11AM

aviva: Those are lychees! You peel off the rough exterior and inside is a juicy sweet tropical fruit with a pit in the center. Sugary sweet - a little bit like a grape, but softer. Delicious! (you might've had them before - you can get them in the Asian section at the grocery store in a can) Great shots as always, JC - LOVE the tiles! 6.25.08, 5:45AM

Bobby Earle: Lindsay (my wife) and I just recently went to Chinatown in SF and after living in China for a few months we can say that it is SO MUCH like China :) Seriously, we loved it there (as we LOVE China). Awesome photos as usual! Bobby 6.25.08, 4:47AM

Emily Heizer: Oh, LORDY this post totally had me cracking up. I want some "Lost Fat" how do I sign up?! LOL I know that thing is kind of fruit and I'd recognize the name if I heard it but I can't rememeber... For me, when I need to escape I save every penny I have until I can't stand it anymore and then I backpack through Europe for a few weeks, or as long as I can afford, living as cheaply as possible... Always fun, always come home with a scary credit card bill afterwards, despite staying in hostels and eating nothing but bread and cheese for weeks... lol 6.25.08, 4:25AM

Richard Shephard: Great pictures, Jessica, well done! The spiky things are lychees. You peel off the spiky shell and there's this white fleshy fruit inside, like a big grape or something. Watch out for the stone in the middle though. Yum. Was going to comment on the X, but I now realise you were joking. :) 6.25.08, 4:11AM

Jo Pearce: The funny bobbly things are lychees, delicious like very large grapes. Can't help with the chinese writing but if it works I'm in! I escape by when I'm with my horse, he smells great and has no issues. 6.25.08, 3:35AM