Welcome!

Welcome to the fine art blog of San Diego photographer Stefanie Poteet. Here you will find photographs of everything from vintage hot rods to rubber ducks and everything in between.

If you are interested in Stefanie's wedding and event photography or portraiture, please visit her client blog.



Monday, November 28, 2011

Motel Monday - Holiday Recovery Edition

My Blue Swallow
You know those vacations that are so full of adventure you feel like you need a vacation afterwards to recover? That's about how I feel after my Thanksgiving holiday road trip down Route 66.

The weekend started in Tucumcari, New Mexico with one of my favorite motels, the Blue Swallow. I have wanted to see this motel since I learned it existed, and it thrills me to know that the motel is alive and kicking. The Blue Swallow Motel has become a landmark on the route, and what a beauty she is. Next time, I'm definitely spending the night.
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend with your loved ones. I can't believe it's nearly December.

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Retro Roadside Photography Black Friday Sale

Somehow it's that time of year again when we watch giant balloons weave their way through Manhattan, cheer on our favorite football team, and eat too much turkey... only to drag ourselves out of bed at 4AM the next morning, still full, on too little sleep, in hopes of catching an awesome sale.

As fun as that all sounds, I don't believe in making you get up that early...

My Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale is on now. All of my Motel Monday features or any other Retro Roadside images seen on this blog can be found at my Etsy shop, Retro Roadside Photography.

To enjoy sale prices, enter coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2011 at checkout to save 20% on your entire order. Code does not apply to already discounted print sets. Plus, all domestic orders ship for free with coupon code FREESHIP.

Aren't my code names creative? I thought so.

Happy Hunting!

- Stefanie

Monday, November 21, 2011

Motel Monday - Where Did the Weekend Go?

Follow the Arrow
As I'm sitting here drafting the latest edition of Motel Monday, I'm trying to recall the blur that was my weekend. It honestly feels like I just left the office... is it really over already? Sadly it appears that way.

This week's feature is the Tucson Inn . I think it's sign sports the largest arrow I've seen any where other than Las Vegas. Tucson is home to several neon signs which will no doubt turn up on here later, but this one is definitely one of my favorites. And the light that morning... perfect!
Happy Monday everyone! Here's to a short week and a wonderful holiday weekend.

- Stefanie

P.S. Check back tomorrow for an important announcement...

Monday, November 14, 2011

Motel Monday - Going Strong

The Torches of Barstow
Welcome to the fourth edition of Motel Monday! Today I bring you the Torches Motel, a classic icon of Route 66 in Barstow, California. No longer visible from the freeway, this motel appears to be in the midst of a remodel. The walls have been painted, new doors and windows installed, and it seems the sign has been recently painted as well. I love the aqua blue arrow! Now if only it lit up at night...

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Monday, November 7, 2011

Motel Monday - Double Feature

The Desert of Anaheim
Today's Motel Monday showcases two different motels in the Los Angeles area with very similar names, the Sahara Motel and the Saharan Motor Hotel. Both signs appear to have been painted recently, and have undergone a few changes. In the case of the Sahara Motel, the changes were slight... in the case of Hollywood's Saharan Motor Hotel, the changes were rather substantial.
The Saharan
When I first saw this sign in 2008,the letters were still neon tubes and the blue letters were only visible at night. Within the past few years the neon and bulbs were sadly replaced with back-lit plastic letters. I wonder if the neon stars still glow at night...

I know of three other hotels with similar names: one in Jordan Valley, Oregon; a second in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and the third in Las Vegas. I can't wait to shoot the one in New Mexico in a few weeks.

And that concludes today's feature. Until next time...

- Stefanie