today’s [talking pictures] comes from a brand new resident to san francisco — from not so far away — just across the bay, to now living in the richmond district in san francisco. today’s guest is Leah Reich, aka flickr photgrapher Leah | salome_st_john, a prolific shooter who lugs around her giant Polaroid camera just about everywhere she goes. which is why she gets such great shots. rule of thumb: can’t get the shot if you haven’t got the camera! anyway here’s leah’s beautiful sentimental photo, and the words that tell its story. for more about leah, be sure and check out her flickr photostream, as well as her blog, oh, hey great.

here’s leah’s [talking picture]: “This is my best friend Ashley on her first full day visiting me in California, eating chilaquiles for the first time. Ash and I became friends through flickr, really close friends who wished they could just hang out whenever they liked. Unfortunately, the Pacific made it tough. Then one day Ash got on a plane and flew from Australia to California across that very big ocean.

The day after I took this shot, we would drive up the coast from Orange County to Monterey, and then head onward to Berkeley and San Francisco. We would have some amazing adventures. But right at this moment, we’re finally getting to just hang out. When I see this photo, I remember us sitting and enjoying, laughing and relaxing, and she’s about to tell me how I’ve ruined her for Mexican food forever. I also remember that I have a best friend who would take a big risk like flying thousands of miles to meet someone she didn’t know, stay with me for two weeks, and become the very best friend I could ever imagine having.”