Featured on Inspired By This

 

Inspired By This featured Laura and Haoqi's Wedding on their blog today! Thank you Leila and Lauren for featuring my work!

Go here to see more.

And thank you to all the amazing vendors who made this wedding such a great one to photograph:

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Esther Kim of My Bride Story
Videographer: Paperback Weddings
Hair: Mish Mucho
Makeup: Rita Nguyen
Officiant: Debby Davis
Catering: EcoCaters
Flowers & Decor: Kristine Shin
Ceremony Venue: Torrey Pines Reserve
Reception Venue: parents’ backyard
Cake Baker: Azucar

 

Tradition

I thought it was really sweet that Carol wanted a separate little shoot highlighting some of the traditional jewelry her mom gave her as a wedding gift. How gorgeous is it?

I love when couples incorporate elements into their weddings that really mean something to them.

Pretty window light and "a reason why" is all you need to keep this photographer happy.

Featured on JCrew!

Remember my drop dead gorgeous couple from circa 2010 Boston? Well, Mara wore a JCrew wedding dress and some of my images are on JCrew.com. Read a little of their love story here.

And speaking of love...Mara and Danny have started a blog all about love, www.ablogaboutlove.com. It is pretty amazing. Honest and open and hits you strait in the heart.

Thanks to JCrew for featuring my images on their site and thanks to Mara and Danny for having me photograph their wedding day. It was one of my favorites.

Jenny + Taylor's Wedding

Ceremony at the Newport Beach Temple, Reception at a private residence on Balboa Island....they said their goodbyes and waved goodbye from their get-away boat...but they secretly met back up with me for a few more photos on Balboa! Ice cream and frozen bananas in hand, the day officially wrapped. Every wedding should end with a surprise get-away and secret meet up with the photographer to steal more shots with the best light of the day.

Such a great couple. Both from such amazing, generous families AND I shot this wedding in 4hrs flat. I was home by 5:30pm. Best ever.

Happy marriage you two! Thank you for letting me third wheel with you guys during your first day as husband and wife.

Published in San Francisco Bride's Magazine

 

I have been meaning to find the time to post this other amazing feature that we had...San Francisco Bride's Magazine published images from Erin and Tyler's wedding. How awesome is that? (They even quoted me!) Erin and Tyler had a grogeous wedding planned by the talented Heather of Amorology.

I just love the opportunity I have to work with so many talented people. Thank you to SF Brides for featuring my work!

Featured on Project Wedding

 

What a way to start the year!! Project Wedding featured Amanda and Tommy's Wedding on their website and blog today!! Thank you Project Wedding for featuring my work!

Here's to another year of shooting fabulous weddings!

You can see the feature at any one of these links:

Best of 2011

...and this is only what I actually blogged. I still have more 2011 images yet to come.

The interesting thing about this year was I only worked half of it...June through December. Those 7 short months were so amazing for my business that Grant joined up with me. In 2011 the word "family" took on a whole new meaning for us.

I was tempted to only show one image..which wraps up the whole year for me..one of my sweet Nova. Really she was the focus, the center, the star. BUT then I realized without the trust and work my amazing clients give me, we wouldn't be in the same situation , we wouldn't be able to focus so much on what really matters the most to us.

So from the bottom of this new mothers heart, thank you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your celebrations and challanges and newness...and thank you for being a part of mine.

My prices have been raised for 2012. My time is more precious and my family more needy. I will only take select weddings and commercial jobs. I want to give only my best to my sweet clients and to my family.  I am so exited at the new opportunities I'm sure await me in 2012. The new relationships, the new images I will create and the new changes for my family.

I have so many amazing ideas swirling in my head. Ideas that 2012 will bring to the surface.

Happy New Years!!

Love, Rachel, Grant and Nova

Whitney + Nick's New Orleans Wedding

This was my first time to New Orleans and my first time staying in the French Quarter. Can I just say...LOVE? Oak Trees became my new favorite. My obsession with graveyards was taken to a whole new level. The people were lovely and kind. Character and storytelling was everywhere...and the food. Oh my. The food.

On top of all of that, there was this magnificent couple who loved that city so much they planned a destination wedding..so they could be in their favorite city with their favorite people. And I was the lucky photographer who got to document the whole she-bang.

I know for some locals it might be totally cliche..but during the 2nd line (where you march through the streets of the French Quarter after the ceremony), I turned to Whitney and yelled (because it was so loud), "This is one of the best moments I have ever photographed at a wedding". I was so in the moment. The music, the energy, the laughing and dancing and the HAPPINESS. It was infectious.

A huge thank you to Nick and Whitney for trusting me with this day. Now lets plan a yearly renewal of vows so there are plenty of reasons to go back again and again and eat to our hearts content.

Kat + Russ's Wedding

Can you believe this party location was at the Los Angeles Police Academy? It was like a secret little oasis tucked between layers of concrete.

The sun was bright, the smiles were huge and love was in the air.

Thank you Kat and Russ for having me document such a monumental day. xxoo.

Ceremony was at the Los Angeles LDS Temple.

Failop + Mike's Wedding- Malibu, CA

After I shot their underwater engagements, I knew to get ready for an amazing wedding day. I think both Failop and Cassandra (the truly gifted wedding planner) deserve an award for one of the most organized events I have ever photographed. There was a lot going on...but it felt simple, streamlined and easy. It was a stunning day.

Failop and Mike are two of the most gracious people I have ever met. They really wanted the theme of their day to be about forming new relationships..to leave the wedding having met someone that would continue to be a part of your life. I just think that is so cool. To want your wedding day to be about the people you love..and in turn hoping that we would each see in each other what you saw in us. I just love that.

Can we also talk about the fact that Failop flew in the dance crew Remote Kontrol as a surprise for Mike? How awesome is that?! Mike loved it, I loved it. It was quality entertainment. They also had Pink Berry brought in as dessert. Yes, please.

I could go on and on..which is obvious by the 100+ images I posted. Get a warm beverage, kick up your feet and take a look at their wedding day. I promise it will make you a better person.

Faliop and Mike's amazing team:

  • Venue: Stone Manor, Malibu CA
  • Wedding planner & coordinator: Cassandra Santor
  • Photographer: Rachel Thurston
  • Videographer: Still Motion
  • Beauty Team:  Kelly Zhang/kelly@kellyzhang.com
  • Catering: The Kitchen of Exploring Foods
  • Dessert: Pinkberry
  • Cake: Sweet Lady Jane
  • Florist: Water Lily Pond
  • DJ: Hey Mister DJ
  • Dance Performance: Remote Kontrol
  • Photo Booth: HD Photobooth

 

Laura + Haoqi's Wedding

This was one of the most intimate and thought-filled weddings I have ever photographed. Only the closest friends and family were there to witness their exchange of vows. Although Haoqi spoke his vows like he had painstakingly scripted them months before...when the ceremony ended he opened up the notebook he was "reading" to show blank pages. I guess when you really believe the words you are saying you don't need a cheat sheet. They are such a sweet couple. Kind and deliberate with their gestures and words with each other. They may both be attending Harvard but are really just kids at heart. Their playfulness and creativity showed by handcrafting games for their guests to play before dinner.

I left that wedding thinking, "this is what weddings should be like". Genuine and heartfelt.

I was honored to play my part. I've said it before and I will continue saying it, I have such an amazing job. With weddings like this I am reminded of the importance of what I do.

..and they gifted our sweet bean with a stuffed puppy. They really are such a sweet couple. Lots of love to both of them.

 

They hired an amazing team:

Wedding planner & coordinator: Esther Kim of My Bride Story
Videographer/Cinematographer: Paperback Weddings
Hair stylist: Mish Mucho
Makeup artist: Rita Nyugen
Ceremony officiant: Debby Davis
Ceremony harpist: Amy Lynn Kanner
Catering: EcoCaters
Florist: Kristine Shin
Ceremony site: Torrey Pines Reserve
Reception site: parents' backyard
Laura...you have to tell who made that passion-fruit cake? Was it EcoCaters? I would like to eat a piece of that cake everyday until I die.

 

 

Giveaway #3- SUPER 8

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YES! We are adding Super 8 films to our arsenal!! The above reel is just a taste of amazing super 8 adventures to come.

Giveback #3

Any existing wedding we already have booked, can add a 3-5min highlight super 8 film to their wedding package for only $1000! This includes the raw footage.

New weddings that books within the giveaway time frame can also take advantage of this offer. Regular rates for super 8 films start at $1500.

This offer can be applied to non-wedding shoots as well as long as they are booked in the next week. I think it would be amazing to shoot super 8 of a family or a newborn....or a promo piece for your business...the options are endless.

Send me an email at info@rachelthurston.com with your name, to reserve Grantypants filming super 8 on your big day. Offer good until 11:59pm Wednesday, Oct 12th.

We are so excited to add this new addition to our business. We just love the nostalgic feeling super 8 films gives.  New updates with more information on this will be on the website shortly.

So far giveaways this week have included; $500 credit for newly booked weddings, highres files for pre-2010 shoots for only $350 and now super 8 films!!!

Wednesday has never been more exciting.

Giveback #2- High Res Files

(Sneak peak from Mike & Failop's Malibu wedding. You wish you were a guest. Trust me.)

 Thanks for all of the excitement and well wishes yesterday! I have to admit I am feeling a bit overwhelmed..and it has only been one day!!! Good news; we are still in business. I am sure it will take a few months for us to find our perfect groove..until then I will ride the wave.

Now on to the goodies...

Giveback #2

Any photoshoot pre-2010 (weddings, engagements, families, newborns...) who don't already own all of their images, can purchase:

high resolution jpeg/files for only $350!!

This is unheard of. My current a la carte price for a disc of high-res images is $1200. This would give you all of your images to print and archive.

Send me an email at info@rachelthurston.com with your name, the month and year your shoot took place and I will get back to you with a link to pay. Offer good until 11:59pm Tuesday, Oct 11th.

I will never offer this again. So if you are thinking...hmmmm if I just want a few years I can purchase my images discounted...won't happen. We have mouths to feed.

Starting January 2012 my new contract will state that I will guarantee storage of your images for 1 year, or until you receive a copy of the high-res images (whichever comes first). Of course, I still have every image stored that I have ever shot. EVER. But storage is getting out of control and once you all have the images it makes sense that the responsibility be transferred to you. Make copies, back them up or better yet PRINT THEM. Having tangible prints will be the #1 best way to save those memories for posterity. Trust me.

Yay for day 2 of Giveback Appreciation Week! This is fun.

 

Big Changes- Giveback #1- $500 Wedding Credit

(All with our current favorite cameras. Nova's is a limited edition vintage variety called the "nutty cam". It's in very high demand.)

 

I have (not) so patiently waited to share this stupendous news with you...

After years of us talking about it, Grant has decided to partner with me and join our photography business. As of today he is officially part of the crew.

This is HUGE news. Our excitement and gratitude at us being able to do this is pretty much through the roof.

Any of you who own your own business know that, whether they like it or not, your family is involved. I do not have a 9-5. I bring my work home with me. My work is at my home. I am my work.

As of now the changes will mostly be internal and things will mostly appear as the always have. We aren't changing the business name. You can still find us at "Rachel Thurston Photography". I will still be the one shooting. I will still mainly be the one you hear from via email or the blog. No need to worry, this change will only affect our dear clients in the best of ways.

Those of you we've had the privilege of working with the last couple of years might have noticed our growing pains. With the increased, and delightful, demand for my shooting time my days have been shortened and my turnaround times slightly increased. Then I went and had myself a baby...now my days felt less like 24hrs and more like 2. Things needed to change. I needed help. The timing was right. Nova and I batted our eyelashes and made our goodbyes to Dad as he left for his "job" more and more pitiful. Like the sirens we are, he had no choice (actually it was ALL his choice...but for the sake of my story)..he said YES.

This is the most important part...We are only able to do this becuase of all of the people, clients, friends and family who have supported us, trusted us, my photography and helped it thrive. We feel like the most blessed family there ever was. It will be a lot of hard work. It IS a lot of hard work. But we are up for it. We are ready and we are thankful for the patience you have all shown as we have gone through these growing pains..and we want to show our gratitude.

Today through Friday will be:

Giveback Appreciation Week

We will be offering a different Giveback daily, announced here on the blog and on Twitter. They are based around what my clients are asking for, have asked for or if I was looking for a photographer what I would want.

They will only be available for a specific time range, so check in daily to see if any of the givebacks are something you would want to take advantage of.

Let's start things off with a bang:

Giveback #1

Any new weddings booked in the next week that are taking place between today and April 30th 2012 will receive:

$500 credit to be used towards ANY product.

Albums, album upgrades, prints, engagement inserts, prints to display at your party/reception, upgrading your disc of images, a huge custom canvas print of your mother-in-law's face. ANY product.

Wedding contract must be signed and in our inbox by midnight PST on Oct 10th (next Monday night).

Shoot us an email for more information and pricing... and send inquiring soon to be newlyweds our way (hint: referral giveback later this week).

 

This is going to be a great week. Feel free to give Grant a warm hello.

Jessica + Troy's Wedding

 

My gorgeous cousin married her handsome man in the Salt Lake City temple. Then they had a backyard reception. If you are familiar with Utah summers you know there aren't many things better than summer evenings spent outside.

It was a great day. I predict a long life of happiness for these two and about 20 kids. xo.

Anel + Hector's Wedding

 

San Francisco weddings always end up in my favorites category. That city can't take a bad picture.

Ceremony took place at St. Ignatius Church. Then we took off to the Palace of Fine Arts and surrounding areas. The Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center was the location for the reception..which was a great venue.

Big huge gigantic thanks to Jackie (http://thejumpsite.com)  for assisting me that day. You were a life saver!

And an even bigger thanks to Nellie and Hector for having me be a part of their wedding day. I loved our bonding time in the limo. Lots of love to both of you.

Melissa + Doug's Wedding

Not only did two people get married this day but two kiddos got a new dad. How awesome is that? Kids just add something to a wedding day that is missing without them.

A great family. I couldn't be happier for them.

Thank you so much for inviting me to document your day and thank you for all the delicious desserts at your wedding!!

(how amazing is that backyard for a reception?!)

Jen & Dylan's Wedding

Those photos of Jen on the beach, I LOVE. This is proof that you can shoot at the beach midday.

What a fun wedding. There's something that always gets me about big beefy grooms and itty bitty brides. It's just so adorable.

A big thanks to my sister Anna for assisting and an even bigger thanks to Jen and Dylan for having me come along for the ride.

LA Temple ceremony and reception at Tesoro Del Valle recreation center in Valencia.