Sunday November 5, 2006, Santa Monica, California, USA

Life on Southern California Beaches

The beaches of southern California are filled with people from all walks of life. Swimming, fishing, sunbathing, or just walking in the wet sand at the water's edge, people are drawn to the beach for its beauty and ability to help you forget all your worries. Thoughts of overdue bills and appointments missed become blurry as the golden light disappears far into the horizon of an endless sea. Children, surfers and lovers are all sharing the sand, the air, water and the peace found with each step they take.

A life guard walks in the wet sand as waves hit the shore.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Monday October 20, 2008, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Bond girl Olga Kurylenko

Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko promoting the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.

Olga Kurylenko

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Thursday October 9, 2008, Santa Barbara, California, USA

Families forced into homelessness by failing US economy

The Clements family was forced to leave the California home they were renting after it sold and due to the failing US economy they cannot afford a home. They are now forced to live in a trailer in a Santa Barbara parking lot with the help of New Beginnings, an organization that accommodates homeless families in over a dozen parking lots. Father David Clements and his wife Jennifer, home-school their four children, eldest son Kierlan age 16, daughters Chloe age 13, Enya age 8, and younger son Yanni age 10. David, a handyman looking for work, must move the family's trailer every morning at 6:30am when the lots open to the public.

8-year-old Enya Clements looks under the family's trailer

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Sunday June 8, 2008, Los Angeles, California, USA

Sumo Wresteling

Sumo, originating in Japan, has a history spanning for centuries. In the beginning sumo matches were a form of ritual devoted to the gods with prayers for a bountiful harvest. Over the years sumo evolved to the point of becoming the national sport of Japan and still includes many rituals from the past such as the use of salt for purifications. Sumo came to Los Angeles in June of 2008 where the Grand Sumo Tournament was held for two days. Yokozuna Asashoryu beat Komusubi Kisenosato with an underarm throw or "shitatenage " in the overall champion playoff to claim the tournament trophy. To cleanse their mind and body, the wrestlers practice a series of symbolic rituals and movements upon entering the ring. The wrestlers rinse their mouth with water, the source of purity. They raise their arms and stamp their feet.

A sumo wrestler throws salt for purification of the ring before a match begins.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Tuesday October 23, 2007, Santa Clarita, California, USA

Firefighters struggle to contain 86,000-acre Santa Clarita blaze

Firefighters in California are struggling to contain three major wildfires that have collectively burned through more than 86,000-acres in the Santa Clarita Valley. A total of 32 structures and 40 vehicles have been destroyed, with five people having been injured since the fire was sparked four days earlier.

Firefighters are surrounded by thick smoke as they battle to control a brush fire reignited near Eternal Valley Memorial Park. The fire has burned through some 60-acres in the area.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Wednesday January 28, 2004, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

John Edwards Campaign

John Edwards rides an elevator with his staff.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Thursday November 10, 2005, Santa Barbara, California, USA

Former UN Assistant Secretary General Robert Muller

Born in Belgium in 1923 and raised in the Alsace-Lorraine region in France, Robert Muller was a member of the French Resistance in WWII and then devoted the next 40 years of his life behind the scenes at the United Nations focusing his energies on world peace. He rose through the ranks at the UN to the official position of Assistant-Secretary-General. He has been called the "Philosopher" and the "Prophet of Hope" of the United Nations. He went on to create a "World Core Curriculum" and is known throughout the world as the "Father of Global Education." There are 38 Robert Muller schools around the world with more being established each year. The World Core Curriculum earned him the UNESCO Peace Education Prize in 1989. Dr. Muller lives with his wife Barbara part of the year in Santa Barbara, California, and part of each year in Costa Rica.

Robert Muller on the beach in Santa Barbara, California.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Friday September 2, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Hurricane Katrina aftermath in New Orleans

More than a week after Hurricane Katrina battered New Orleans with category four winds and punishing flood waters, the city that had fallen into chaos, with armed looters roaming the streets and a shortage of law enforcement officials througout the area, has begun to come under some amount of control.

A local resident waits on Interstate 10 for help to arrive. Hundreds of New Orleans residents were stranded on the dry overpass for several days.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Saturday August 13, 2005, Tehran, Iran

Iran, where tradition and modernity meet

Iran is a society of multiple personas. The wealthy, the poor, the ultra-conservative and the secularists all combine to produce a land of contradictions. The religious conservatism brought about during the 1979 revolution began to crumble in recent years, with former president Mohammad Khatami gently introducing reforms that would have been unheard of in the 1980's and 90's. The younger generation of reformists expected this trend to continue when they took to the polls in the 2005 presidential elections. Instead, an ultra-conservative former mayor of Tehran, Mahmud Ahmadinajad was elected, unravelling 8 years of reforms.

A group of young Iranian artists gather in an upperclass neighborhood in Tehran.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Tuesday January 4, 2005, Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia

Banda Aceh survivors cope with tsunami aftermath

A local man after he buried a woman and a baby. The city along with many other regions of south Asia were severely hit by an earthquake tsunami that killed over one hundred thousand persons on December 26, 2004.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Friday June 24, 2005, Tehran, Iran

Landmark first ever run off presidential elections in Iran

Iranians are taking to the polls for the second time in a week after none of the candidates in the presidential election were able to garner 50% of the electorate's votes, causing a run-off election. Tehran's conservative mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the current front-runner. Women wait in line to cast their vote in a mosque near the home of presidential candidate Mahmud Ahmadinajad.

Women wait in line to cast their vote in a mosque.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Tuesday December 6, 2005, Santa Monica, California, USA

Author Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton is the author of such works as Jurassic Park, The Great Train Robbery and Congo. Crichton died in Los Angeles on November 5, 2008 after a battle against cancer.

Michael Crichton in his office in Santa Monica.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Wednesday January 5, 2005, Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia

Hospital treats wounded tsunami survivors

A father fans his son at Kesdam Army Hospital. The boy lost his ear from an infection. The hospital was filled with wounded people who had fled to the hills or remote villages during the tsunami and are returning with severe infections.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Friday April 1, 2005, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Banda Aceh three months after tsunami

Three Months after Banda Aceh was broken by a massive wall of destruction the city still remains in ruins. The slow process of clearing debris and rubble is well under way but Banda Aceh still looks as if it was just hit by the tsunami. Home owners and store owners are clearing away the mud and garbage that was swept into their homes and stores- trying to start again the familiar life they once knew. Some are lucky enough to start this new life having part of their family alive with them. Others are alone with only what they salvaged from the ruins of their homes.

In the Penayong area of Banda Aceh, a man washed dishes.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Friday June 24, 2005, Tehran, Iran

Landmark first ever run off presidential elections in Iran

Conservative Iranians stand on top of an American flag painted on a Tehran street near the home of presidential candidate Mahmud Ahmadinajad. The British and Israeli flags were also painted on the street.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Monday June 16, 2008, Los Angeles, California, USA

James McAvoy

James McAvoy, at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills, born April 21, 1979, is a Scottish stage and screen actor known for his roles in Atonement and Wanted released in June 2008 where he stars opposite Angelina Jolie.

James McAvoy

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Friday September 2, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Hurricane Katrina aftermath in New Orleans

More than a week after Hurricane Katrina battered New Orleans with category four winds and punishing flood waters, the city that had fallen into chaos, with armed looters roaming the streets and a shortage of law enforcement officials througout the area, has begun to come under some amount of control.

Local residents wait on Interstate 10 for help to arrive. Hundreds of New Orleans residents were stranded on the dry overpass for several days.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Monday January 10, 2005, Lamno, Sumatra, Indonesia

Indonesians cope with tsunami disaster

Children run towards an aid helicoptor as it takes-off from a soccor field after dropping off food in the remote northwest west coast of Sumatra, an area devastated by the tsunami.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Wednesday June 16, 2004, Venice, California, USA

Life on Southern California Beaches

The beaches of southern California are filled with people from all walks of life. Swimming, fishing, sunbathing, or just walking in the wet sand at the water's edge, people are drawn to the beach for its beauty and ability to help you forget all your worries. Thoughts of overdue bills and appointments missed become blurry as the golden light disappears far into the horizon of an endless sea. Children, surfers and lovers are all sharing the sand, the air, water and the peace found with each step they take.

Mateus and Romero, identical twins from Brazil, work out at Venice Beach. Living in a nearby neighborhood the two made it to Venice in the morning to catch a glimpse of Sylvester Stallone who was to carry the Olympic torch. The two came to California a year ago to pursue acting careers. So far, they've auditioned for a few "twin" parts with no luck. However, they were offered to be on a dating show but turned it down.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Thursday February 21, 2008, West Hollywood, California, USA

Actor Jason Segel

Actor Jason Segel is interviewed over lunch by Glamour magazine's Nicole Chabot at the 24/7 restaurant inside West Hollywood's Standard Hotel. Among Segal's recent portrayals was that of "Jason" in director Judd Apatow's 2007 comedy hit, "Knocked Up."

Jason Segel

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Thursday September 29, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

New Orleans residents clean their homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina

Karen Chambers visits her house to find everything ruined. "I knew it was bad but I never expected this, " she said. She's lived in this house in St. Bernard Perish with her husband since 1987. She has a 12 and a 15-year-old daughter who with her husband stayed in New Jersey while Karen felt she had to see her home for herself. She already knew the house was flooded. With the help of her father, Berthel, and brother, Bert, they started the agonizing process of cleaning and salvaging what they could. Not a lot was salvageable. The whole house was gutted.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Thursday October 30, 2003, San Bernandino, California, USA

San Bernardino County Fires

Firefighter pulls a line down a hillside Thursday afternoon trying to put out embers and remaining fires from early Thursday morning that sweep across Cedar Glen area.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Saturday January 24, 2004, Nashua, New Hampshire, USA

John Edwards Campaign

John Edwards stops at a bowling alley on one of his last days of campaigning for the New Hampshire primary. His wife Elizabeth and oldest daughter, Catharine, were also there. Edwards did not bowl.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Friday June 17, 2005, Tehran, Iran

Iran, where tradition and modernity meet

Iran is a society of multiple personas. The wealthy, the poor, the ultra-conservative and the secularists all combine to produce a land of contradictions. The religious conservatism brought about during the 1979 revolution began to crumble in recent years, with former president Mohammad Khatami gently introducing reforms that would have been unheard of in the 1980's and 90's. The younger generation of reformists expected this trend to continue when they took to the polls in the 2005 presidential elections. Instead, an ultra-conservative former mayor of Tehran, Mahmud Ahmadinajad was elected, unravelling 8 years of reforms.

A chic Iranian woman casts her ballot in the 2005 presidential election at the Hoseinyia Ershad mosque in Tehran.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Wednesday January 14, 2009, Los Angeles, California, USA

Obama poster artist Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey, street artist turned celebrity, at one of his Los Angeles studios, working with his staff on new art that will be part of his solo museum show at the The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Fairey, whose roots came out of the skateboarding scene, is best known for his Barack Obama "HOPE" poster.

Shepard Fairey standing before an Obama "HOPE" poster art.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Thursday October 23, 2008, West Hollywood, California, USA

Famed American jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter

Famed American jazz composer and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, at his home office where he writes and composes his music. Shorter is commonly regarded as one of the most important American jazz saxophonists and composers since the 1960s, and is a multi Grammy Award winner.

Jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter at his home office where he writes and composes his music.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Tuesday October 7, 2003, Century City, California, USA

Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrates California gubernatorial recall victory

Confetti fills the ballroom where Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrated his recall victory with wife Maria Shriver in Los Angeles.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Wednesday June 11, 2003, Baghdad, Iraq

Theater performance in Baghdad

Members of the Mardok Theater Group apply makeup as they prepare for their first dance performance at the Al Rashid Theater since looters destroyed and burned parts of the building after the war.

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Tuesday July 8, 1997, Jacksonville, Illinois, USA

Dog and overweight Man

A miniature Dachshund looks up at his owner with hopes of getting some of his lunch.

A dog next to an obese fat man

Credit: Eric Grigorian / Polaris

Eric Grigorian