SantaMonicaCloseup.com is a photo-blog that documents everyday life in the Santa Monica area, created by local photojournalist, press photographer, and street photographer, . Santa Monica Closeup is a photo-blog that showcases the vibrant and diverse community of Santa Monica through the lens of Fabian Lewkowicz. As a local photojournalist and press photographer with extensive expe
rience covering the city, Fabian's photographs offer an authentic and intimate look at everyday life in Santa Monica. The blog has won multiple awards and has gained recognition for its high-quality photography and insightful commentary on the city's culture and people. The photographs featured on Santa Monica Closeup cover a range of subjects, including community events, local art, street performers, and the natural beauty of the area. In addition to his photography, Fabian is deeply involved in the Santa Monica community and is a trusted voice in local media. He is known for his commitment to social justice and has covered important issues such as affordable housing, homelessness, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the community. He captures the small details that make the city so special, from the colorful street murals to the lively farmers market. His photographs showcase the diversity of the community, from the surfers catching waves at the beach to the musicians performing on the Third Street Promenade. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, Santa Monica Closeup offers a rich and engaging way to experience the city. Through Fabian's lens, viewers can gain a deeper appreciation for the unique culture and energy of Santa Monica. The blog is a testament to the power of photography to capture the essence of a place and its people, and to tell important stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.
11/23/2025
A longtime fixture on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Nathan “The Piano Man” Pino spoke about losing both of his pianos during a recent city cleanup. Now he’s raising funds to pick up a donated replacement and get back to performing along Ocean Front Walk.
VENICE, CA — Saturday, November 22, 2025 — Three days after city crews destroyed one upright piano and impounded another during a multi-agency cleanup along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, longtime street performer Nathan Pino — “The Venice Piano Man” — was back at his usual spot on Ocean Fr...
11/22/2025
𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚: Pier Bridge Replacement Mobilization Underway in Beach Lot 1 North
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Saturday, November 22, 2025 — The first signs of pre-construction activity for the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project are now visible in Beach Parking Lot 1 North, where heavy equipment, storage containers, and construction fencing mark the start of staging opera...
11/21/2025
A rainbow broke through the morning clouds over Venice Beach, glowing behind the rainbow lifeguard tower after last night’s rain — a brief splash of color on a quiet coastline.
11/21/2025
’𝗧𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡: Artist Anthony Schmitt is back on Main Street, installing this year’s 20-foot Shopping Cart Tree on the California Heritage Museum lawn. A 31-year Santa Monica tradition continues as the red carts take shape ahead of Sunday’s debut and the Dec. 7 lighting ceremony.
The pair began building the structure on Tuesday and expect to complete the full assembly later today. Lights will be added on Friday, followed by several days of decorating. Schmitt said the tree will be fully finished in time for the Sunday Farmers Market.
11/19/2025
𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗡’𝗦 𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗: Crews Smash One Instrument and Confiscate the Other in Venice Cleanup
VENICE, CA — Wednesday, November 19, 2025 — A coordinated multi-agency cleanup along the Venice Beach Boardwalk intensified Wednesday morning after crews onc...
11/19/2025
𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗣 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗢: An orange Marty Supreme blimp swept over Santa Monica on Tuesday, adding a bright flash of color to the post-storm sky. The flyover was part of a Los Angeles promo for the upcoming film starring Timothée Chalamet as 1950s table-tennis prodigy Marty Ma**er.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — November 18, 2025 — An eye-catching burst of orange drifted across the coastal skyline Tuesday as a bright promotional blimp for the u...
11/18/2025
A break in the storms brought a dramatic sky to Santa Monica on Tuesday afternoon, with rolling waves and towering clouds settling over the beach as the weather briefly paused.
11/18/2025
A warm Tuesday sunrise breaks over Santa Monica, casting early light across the pier and Pacific Wheel — a calm, luminous start to the morning from one of the city’s iconic viewpoints.
📷 Joey Alvarez
11/17/2025
𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡: A swarm of Homer Simpson lookalikes took over the Third Street Promenade on this rainy Monday as part of Fortnite’s new month-long crossover with The Simpsons. Dozens of Homers marched, posed for photos with shoppers, and broke into a synchronized dance routine that stopped visitors in their tracks. Simpsons creator Matt Groening also appeared, taking photos with the performers and greeting fans along the Promenade.
Santa Monica, November 17, 2025 — A rainy Monday brought an unexpected spectacle to the Third Street Promenade as roughly 50 life-size Homer Simpson characte...
11/16/2025
RAIN OR SHINE: Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete is meeting with community members this morning at the Main Street Farmers Market, speaking with residents about local issues, community priorities, and the market’s role in supporting small farmers and food makers. She’ll be here until noon for anyone wishing to stop by and share their thoughts.
11/16/2025
A rainy Sunday morning left the Santa Monica bike path slick and quiet, with only a few early riders and skaters moving along the shoreline. Low clouds hung over the pier as the coast eased into the day under a cool, gray sky.
11/15/2025
𝗥𝗩 𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡: Crews Demolish Charred Motorhome in Playa Vista
LOS ANGELES, CA — Friday, November 14, 2025 — A coordinated multi-agency cleanup unfolded on a rainy Friday morning after city crews shifted from an original...
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SantaMonicaCloseup.com is a daily photo-blog documenting every-day life in Santa Monica focusing on community and cultural events by local photojournalist/press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz.
Fabian Lewkowicz is a professional multimedia photojournalist, award-winning event photographer, portrait photographer, headshot photographer, fine art photographer, PR photographer, communications photographer, aerial photographer and commercial photographer who has been photographing events for more than 15 years.
His photographs have been featured in the California Heritage Museum and in many photography exhibitions.
Fabian mastered his photojournalistic skills by working many years for local newspapers as a press photographer.
Fabian will capture the essence of your event in a photojournalistic style and create many candid photographs for you to cherish. Event photography is our most popular services.
Contact Fabian at 310-399-7049
DISCLAIMER: Santa Monica Closeup does not endorse or condone the content that is posted on our Facebook and Instagram page. We are Photojournalist/Press Photographers who document the daily life of our beach neighborhood.
Although the beaches are currently closed, we are fully authorized with a Sheriff issued press pass to document in the restricted area. We always receive FAA authorization to fly drone over Santa Monica and abide by Santa Monica Municipal Code 4.55.110
