Wander Through La Jolla Village
Wander Through La Jolla Village documents individuals and their time spent in La Jolla Village.
It is only a small peek into this small community. Photographing and speaking with each individual directed me to interpret a new meaning within a place that feels surface level. A place that is beautiful and seemingly perfect still has its own unique story. Those looking in can still derive a sense of community as there are more similarities between us than we tend to believe.
With each poster gallery director, Claudia, picks up, customers are transported into her world as she explains every last intriguing detail of any given poster in the shop.
Bev, Judy, and Tucker (Dog) on an afternoon walk near their residence at Casa de Mañana Retirement Community.
When I asked to take their photo, Bev said only if the dog could be in it. I said of course.
Friends since childhood, born and raised in Chicago, three lifelong companions reunite during a visit to La Jolla.
Visiting from Argentina, Mariana and her boyfriend are awed at sea lions, whale sightings and street performances during their visit to La Jolla.
Jesse and Cielo enjoy a sunset picnic in Cuvier Park.
A local volunteer warned visitors to stay away from the sea lions. Their calm nature draws us in, often prompting selfies or attempts to pet them. Walking to La Jolla Cove, we enter their home, cameras in hand but leaving boundaries behind.
She stands by a stroller, her gaze distant. I sit in her husband's seat, who is now in hospice. Their memories live on through the laughter of her daughter and grandchildren.
Jacqueline Lemieux-Bokor owes her life to her dog, Borris, who saved her family in a fire before passing. In La Jolla, she honors the pet bond through her book, Remember Me As Sunshine, a collection of poetry, photos, and art.
A former San Diego resident returns for a funeral. Katie waits for traffic to ease, crocheting a turtle as the sun sets, casting a peaceful glow.
Wedding Bowl, La Jolla
I crouch down to take her picture, and she sniffles softly. "You can call this grief," Lanna says quietly. Her husband had passed, and now she sat in their favorite spot, the place that held so many shared memories.
Just a few feet from where I sat with a woman mourning the loss of her husband, a couple exchanges their wedding vows.
Taking a break during a midday walk. Marilyn has been in La Jolla since 1970, Sail just for 6. Both reside in Casa de Mañana Retirement Community.
"But I'm ugly," Lorena said when I asked to take her picture. Despite her graceful demeanor and polished outfit, she didn't see what I did. Now 94, Lorena enjoys afternoon strolls near her San Diego retirement community.
Author’s Note
This project began as a quiet exploration of La Jolla Village, a coastal neighborhood often defined by its wealth, views, and tourism. Over two months in 2024, I returned regularly to walk its streets, speak with residents, and observe the rhythms of daily life.
Rather than chase spectacle, I focused on moments of subtlety and connection. The resulting photographs reflect a place shaped not only by its geography, but by the people who move through it with grief, routine, celebration, and care.
This is not a portrait of La Jolla as destination, but as community—multifaceted, lived-in, and worth pausing to see more clearly.
For licensing inquiries, press requests, or to collaborate on related visual stories, contact me at mckenziefotos@gmail.com