Fall 2017

Other Works

Creative Magazine Fall/Winter 2017





CONTRIBUTORS

ERIC ZEPEDA SEAN DAGEN

Our food photographer, Eric Zepeda, With a keen eye for capturing the mood
has a masterful way of making even the of any everyday object with his camera, Sean
vegetarian’s mouth water at the sight of has mastered the art of shooting the perfect
his grilled ribs. His photography also still life and has expanded his portfolio to include
includes tabletops and interiors, and interior rooms. His free time is spent with his
he’s always on the lookout for the next amazing son, Cypress, and his talented wife,
interesting project. Eric enjoys all things Amy, usually outdoors in the desert.
outdoors, though much of his spare time
is spent chasing around his two kids – as SHAUN SULLIVAN
well as the perfect light.
Shaun is Poppy’s veteran photographer with
LIZ DALY over 20 years of experience shooting beautiful,
elegant images for a wide variety of clients.
Photographer Liz Daly, Poppy’s newest He has a reputation for being the calmest guy
member, has a fresh, feminine sensibility on any crazy set and always gives both the
and a strong eye for detail. Expertly art director and the client even more than
combining her foundation in fine art they expected.
photography with her versatile professional
experience, she has a rich understanding
of how the collaborative process leads to
compelling imagery and storytelling. When
not shooting, she enjoys exploring the Bay
Area by hiking during the summer, skiing
in Tahoe in the winter, and visiting farmers
markets year-round.

NYSSA ZINN

Nyssa Zinn is Poppy’s uber-talented prop
stylist. She also acts as art director and
set designer, maintaining the grace and
calm of a true professional (and a Northern
Californian). Nyssa’s love for the ocean
is unmistakable and her creativity shines
through all of her projects. She spends
her spare time doing yoga, surfing and
enjoying her lovely son, Ravi.

MAGAZINE DESIGN: David Valentine
COPY EDITOR: Lindsay Pietroluongo

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

I can’t believe summer has ended, especially
since our weather here in the Bay Area has
continued to be extremely hot and, some days
at least, really, really, humid! It’s hard to imagine
that soon the air will cool and the holidays will
be upon us.

This issue is super exciting because we’re
introducing you to photographer Liz Daly, the
newest member of the Poppy team! We’re also
so proud of the fantastic piece that was shot at
Heath Ceramics and Tartine Manufactory in San
Francisco. This project was styled by Nyssa Zinn
in collaboration with our good friend Marcus
Hay for his online magazine, Curio.

Shaun Sullivan, Sean Dagen and Eric Zepeda’s
pieces highlight selections from their inspiring,
gorgeous personal work, reminding us all
why they’re considered to be among the top
photographers in our Bay Area.

As always, we hope you will pour yourself a
warm cup of tea (or a crisp cocktail) and enjoy
these beautiful stories.

Cheers,

EXPLORATIONS AMONGST
THE FAMILIAR

Because I’m originally from San Francisco,
it is sometimes hard for me to see the
newness or find curiosity in a place that
holds so many experiences and memories.
So many places are tied to some stage
or part of my life. When Marcus Hay, who
has been a longtime collaborator and
inspiration of mine, asked me to work
with him to document some of his favorite
businesses in San Francisco, I was excited
to re-explore people and places that I
already felt I knew so well. This project
allowed me to think about and view
the city with a fresh pair of lenses and
learn about some things that I may have
otherwise missed.

styling by Nyssa Zinn















photography by Sean Dagen



















GROUNDS OF ORIGIN

Last spring, I traveled to Ireland for the
first time to visit the town where my
grandfather was born. It’s a place I had
heard about and imagined but had
never been.
I reached out to relatives that I knew
were still living in Ireland, and they
warmly encouraged me “to ring when
I arrived in Dublin.” I drove about four
hours north to their village, where
they generously spent the afternoon
sharing stories and showing me their
farm. They also brought me to my
grandfather’s “homeplace,” which is still
on the family property. Like much of
the old architecture in rural Ireland, my
grandfather’s first home was crumbling
and uninhabitable, yet still standing.
It had naturally become part of the
landscape, marking a place in time even
as it was reclaimed by the surrounding
new growth.
Standing in the place that set so much
in motion for my family is something I’ll
always cherish.

photography by Liz Daly















FLORA

photography by Shaun Sullivan



People have asked what my favorite
location is and I usually answer
“my backyard.”

Right outside, there are an
incredible amount of beautiful
textures and colors just waiting to
be photographed.

I’m embarrassed to say that I just
got back from a vacation and I
didn’t get my camera out once.
Instagram, yes, but a serious
attempt at shooting something, no.
Part of the reason was that I wanted
to see what it was like to just visit
and see someplace new and not be
looking for a shot. I had a great time
just looking at things, and it was a
totally new experience for me, and I
thoroughly enjoyed it. I won’t make
a habit of it, but sometimes it’s nice
to just look and see.

I look forward to my next trip to
some beautiful place to shoot
interesting images, but I can’t wait
to get back home to see what has
developed in the yard or across the
street that’s just begging to
be photographed.















AFTERNOONS WITH

MELISSA

San Francisco, New York City, San
Francisco. It’s been quite a ride, but over
the years I’ve grown to appreciate my
friend and food stylist Melissa. We’ve
argued in back lots next to the BQE,
reaching down into that toxic Greenpoint
mud while debating the finer points of
how exactly the beets should lay in the
colander. We’ve been through Brooklyn
farmers markets and the San Francisco
Ferry Building to look for small moments of
inspiration – moments that rarely coalesce
until much, much later. Through it all, I’ve
learned to respect where she’s going, even
if, at times, neither of us are sure where
that is.
That uncertainty, the up-and-down crazy
ride that eventually takes form in an image,
is what keeps us going. Maybe I would call
it the thrill of the chase. I always know that
when we get together to forge ahead with
whatever blurry plan we have, there will
always be something that will reveal itself,
ultimately turning it into another afternoon
well spent. And that this has been going
on for, easily, ten years now is a source of
pride for me. Where it goes from here –
what dingy antique store or quirky farmers
market we’ll find next – I’ll never know, but
I’m okay with that.
I will tell you one thing: lately, she’s been
on a shishito pepper kick, and I can’t wait
to see where that takes us.

photography by Eric Zepeda