Remember those awkward holiday photos when you were a kid? You, staring blankly, slouched on the lap of a giant Santa Claus imposter, giant candy canes tower over you, and little elves telling you to smile. Those moments often ended in tears, but, they were memorable and the age-old pictures are proof of how funny those times were.
On Saturday, photographer Meiko Takechi Arquillos will aim to shatter those traditions as she teams up with set designer Adi Goodrich to create truly unusual family portraits, at the Poketo stationery and gift store in the Downtown Arts District, adjacent to Little Tokyo.
“I am always excited to meet new folks and get a chance to photograph each person. To me it is like reading a new short story every time,” Takechi Arquillos told The Rafu.
Poketo says there will be wild patterns, cut-outs, props, art, awkwardness (in a good way), and just plain fun, Folks are encouraged to bring friends, families, pets, your own props, whatever.
“I asked Adi to make a house portraiture of my home,” Takechi Arquillos in an interview on the Poketo website. “She is a person of many talents. I am so excited to be collaborating with her on this project and with Poketo.”
A native of Tokyo, Takechi Arquillos studied at Sonoma State and the California College of the Arts and has shot photos for clients that include Nestlé, Fortune magazine, Paul Frank Industries and Parents magazine.
The holiday family photos event takes place this Saturday, Dec. 14, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Poketo is located at 820 E. Third St. in Downtown. Call (213) 537-0751 or visit poketo.com for more information.