Taylor

Shoes, lipstick, accessories, jewelry, makeup, flirting...and a style all her own.

I am counting on her fashion empire to make me millions in my old age.

Cute story: During the shoot while I was on my knees in front of her fixing her collar or adjusting her pearls, she stared deep into my eyes. When I made eye contact she asked in a small quiet voice, "Rachel, you know what?" "What Tay?" "We're the same". "We are? How?" "I have brown hair and you have brown hair. I have blue eyes and you have blue eyes. I look just like you".

Melt.

I wouldn't mind if my babies looked just like her. Not-one-bit.

4 Baby Birds

Months ago I had an idea to shoot some "personality" studio stuff of my nieces and nephews. The idea was to get an everyday look and then gussy them up for a look that showcased their true selves. It kind of worked....I didn't have an assistant and my sister in law didn't have an assistant either. We ended up each growing about 8 arms. I tried to juggle shooting, helping to dress and style, making sure the kids didn't punch a hole through the paper background...which left me little to no time to perfect lighting. I had just enough time to aim the light and fire. I wanted a mid grey background and achieved it on most but due the the lack of time I had to make adjustments the light is all over the place...BUT despite the lack of exactness to my original vision the kids shined.

I think photography is my way of making it so they never have to grow up.

After we told them I was pregnant there was all sorts of questions. Among them Taylor wanted to know, "Will I still be your baby bird?". One of my first thoughts when I found out I was going to be a mother was of them...my baby birds. How could I choose another? How could I love another as much? Will our closeness fade? Will they grow up and away from me? My heart ached and aches with these questions. I've been told (believe me) that loving your own child is so different than loving nieces and nephews and while I don't disagree NO ONE and I mean NO ONE can tell me how much or how little I love these 4 baby birds. I will add more to love and it may be a new type and degree of love..but believe me when I tell you, I know what it means to love a child.

Now when we have a "love nest" while snuggling on the couch, I get a little bit closer and hold a little bit tighter. Things will change, as they should, but for now I am happy stopping time. I am happy being an aunt.

Lets start with Faith, our resident rockstar...

Standing in one place on a backdrop wasn't her idea of fun. She has never liked the idea being confined to a space. She knows no boundaries when it come to being close. She has always just wanted to love and be loved.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she was the 1st grandchild and all we ever did was pass her around and stare at her. Now when she requests an audience for one of her many performances, I guess there is no one to blame but ourselves. We just can't help but watch. Since I have helped contribute to the problem I want royalties when she goes on her first tour.

"Explorer of Heaven and Earth"

1991 - 2010

Alec Whitney Henriksen

"Explorer of Heaven and Earth"

On Thursday, September 30th, our hearts were broken to learn that our precious son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend, Alec Whitney Henriksen passed away at Earlham College in Indiana. Alec was born on December 11th, 1991 to his adoring parents Todd A. and Alison Henriksen in Salt Lake City, UT. He leaves behind his parents, his older brother Cory (Jennifer), loving sister Caitlin, younger brother Eli, and life long companion and twin brother Landon. Alec left his unique mark on this earth and touched many with his remarkable intellect, easy wit, and huge heart. He was a seeker of knowledge and truth. A budding scientist, philosopher, and humanitarian. A self taught master of computer programming, he published his first public domain site at age 14. So young but so far ahead of his time. He accomplished and learned more than many in a lifetime. Alec loved books, backpacking and rock climbing. He cherished his years of learning and exploring the world at "his" school, Realms of Inquiry where he loved and was loved by wonderful teachers and great friends. His parents, siblings, devoted Grandma Evelyn Henriksen, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and a huge circle of dear friends survive Alec. He is now being embraced by his beloved Grandma Peggy Whitney, and Grandpa C. Richard Henriksen in heaven. He moves on now to a place of higher learning and is delighted to sit with the great minds of the world where his yearning for knowledge will be fed. Find peace there our beloved Alec, "Explorer of Heaven and Earth".

Alec, wish I was there today to celebrate your life. We love and miss you. Give Grandpa a big hug from me and tell him he's getting another great granddaughter!!!

(Post shamelessly stolen from my cousins blog. Thanks for posting this Becky. Love you.)

Five

Just thinking about my brothers and sisters today and how much I love them.

Every. Single. One.

Make it a goal to say "I love you" more this weekend. Don't wait to give attention to what matters most in your life.

(photo taken on my wedding day by Jonathan Canlas)

We've Been Waiting For You...

Happy 1 week of breathing air Baby Boy Affleck!

After all the worry of missing you come, you ended up waiting for your Auntie Rach....well kind of. I missed your birth but only because you were born in about 2 seconds (felt like 2 sec. actual time..from 1st contraction to birth approx 1 hr 30min). And then you were here!!!!!

We're all obsessed, especially your mom and dad. I did a voice recording of them talking about what it was like to be parents on the day you were born. I can't wait for you to hear it.

I would like to book at least 30mins of holding you this weekend (if you can come up for air from your #1 favorite pastime..eating!!!)

(And to answer the question you're all asking....YES. That was the view from their hospital room. Oh, Newport Beach. You are really too much.)

*****UPDATE*****

His name is official and public knowledge now... Baby Boy = Cole. xxxooo.

The Dayton Family

When I think back on the best, most memorable moments from my life thus far, I'm never thinking about the fancy memories. You know, the ones that look good on paper. Instead I find myself thinking of the everyday. I think about my sisters and I all sleeping in the same bed just for fun. I think about car rides and my dad pulling over until we putonseatbelts/stoppedyelling/stoppedbuggingthepersonnexttous. I think of pink curlers in my hair and Anne of Green Gables on Saturday night. I think about hiding under the kitchen counter avoiding dishes. I think about lazy Sunday afternoons and staring at the view from the back porch. I think about snuggling and listening and talking and crying and just feeling feelings. I think about the normal everyday stuff...that in hindsight, feels pretty extraordinary.

When It's all said and done, those will be the moments I'll think back on. And 99% of them will be of my family.

When the idea was presented of flying to Buffalo NY and spending a few days documenting a family...well...just being a family, it wasn't hard to say yes.

I slept in their house and spent every waking moment with them and my camera. If they were eating breakfast I was there. If they were lazing around watching TV I was there.

Even though I pride myself on being a "documentary" photographer, this was no easy task. The challenge to see life as is and interject as little as possible is a challenge. No directing. No light control. No location control. Giving up all control to try and actually photograph WHAT IS.

It was an amazing exercise of faith on my part for two days. I had to trust "what was" and let it control me.

The result:

Dayton Family thank you for letting me be an honorary member.

When someone asks me to photograph their family...I will always hope they mean the "everyday".

There are a lot of images in this blog post on purpose. Sometimes editing too much just feels dishonest.

32

When I was invited to photograph this family reunion they booked me a year in advance.  I don't think my family can plan a month out let alone a year.

I don't usually do this for groups this large but I decided once I was there to take invidual shots of every member of the extended family. This was my favorite part of the whole shoot.

I was inches away from their faces and had a few seconds to really *see* everyone.

Thanks to Heather for rounding up the troops and including me in family time.

Also thank you for the delicious sandwich. xo.

Benders + Bathtub

After yesterday's post I wanted to show off my bathtub a little more.

Obviously I won't be giving it up. It's just too awesome.

I have some pretty major Bender Family love.  Thanks for taking a "photo bath" with me.

Check out Julia's blog if you want to stare at Ro-Ro a little more.

The Wilson Family

Bike ride, uno game, dog pile on mom and dad's bed...sounds good to me!

Wilsons, thank you for letting us invade your home.

I do have to say, after looking through these images, your kids don't look so shy to me. xo.

The Gibbs Family

Taking photographs of a 2yr old and 8month old is one of the most exhausting and rewarding experiences. If you've photographed a 2yr old, you know what I'm talking about. The energy level of both the kids and parents astounds me. It's the magic of young families.

Campbell

You know those times when you have to leave a shoot and you seriously consider kidnapping? I mean only one!...or two...OK...three at the most. Lucky for them I walked away empty handed...this time. Be careful if you ever invite me back. When we become parents, somebody please send duplicates of these kids.

Campbell will be pampered, loved and fiercely protected by an army. This I know.

Welcome to the world little one.

Houston

I thought a newborn shoot was a fitting post before Easter weekend. Nothing says "newness" and spring like a week old baby.

He was a gift to shoot. He was sweet and full of innocence. There is no question in my mind that this family was meant to be.

Happy first Easter Houston.

(and thank you for rockin the faux hawk. xo.)

Home For Christmas



















I love all the parties people have in their homes during the holidays. It feels so much more intimate than just meeting at a restaurant (although the clean up is easier that way).

I photographed a simply amazing Christmas gathering and dinner at a home right on the Strand in Manhattan Beach. They invited a small gathering of friends for a formal dinner in honor of the season. The home was decked with all forms of merriment and the family was delightful.

Maybe when I get a house large enough to hold a table I will host my own formal party complete with Santa flying overhead.

stoker family



































another day shooting in a family's home and I always love the results...crazy, comfortable and fancy free.

I have a slight obsession with this little family. their house is awesome and their yard, even better. janet has done all of the gardening and it is seriously beautiful. We talked about some of my most favorite subjects, photography, food, tomatoes, cooking, travel, family relationships,parenting etc.....

I really wished grant and I lived closer so we could try to copy everything they do and say.

major family crush. love you guys!