The Best Part- VOTE!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBNnD5kuHUE&w=800&h=475] VOTE FOR THIS VIDEO TO BE ON THE SUPERBOWL HERE.

Some of our really good friends are finalists to win a commercial spot for doritos. How awesome is that. I think they spent like 90bucks and could win a million dollars. WHAT?!!!

I say we vote the socks off this so we can all say we knew them when. You can vote once a day.

Plus, this video is pretty much perfection.

Go! Fight! Win!!!!

(Plus one of the dudes that made this had his friend take off his prosthetic leg mid dance party at our wedding and then they proceeded to play it like a guitar. It could have been the best moment of our whole wedding day.)

Erin + Tyler's Wedding

This is one of the last of 2 weddings I have to share from 2010.

Erin and Tyler's San Francisco/Oakland wedding was truly beautiful. Amorology was the wedding planner, and every last detail was thought about and executed to perfection.

The day was rainy and cold and wet and super romantic. I made a bad call and wore canvas toms which ended up being one of the only pitfalls of the day.

One of my very favorite things from their wedding was a poetry writer they had hired to write custom poems for all of the wedding guests. The Poetry Store is my current obsession and I am mulling over bringing her down to LA for a party of my own. Overall the travel theme of the wedding was pretty awesome. Maps, quotes, photos, scrolls...Apparently they have traveled pretty much everywhere. Jealous!!

If every wedding promised to be like this one I would place an order for rainy day weddings year round.

Erin and Tyler thank you for letting me be a participate (and thank you for being so accommodating to my pregnant self). xxoo.

Loved working with Amorology. Thank you Heather and team for giving me so much eye candy.

My assistant, Celeste, was top notch and Wilfredo did a great job of manning the photo backdrop.

Wedding: Oakland Temple

Reception: Brazil Room, Tilden Park

Till I Get My Own...

Jan 7, 2011 You will be here next month.

My mind is a whirl.

So many big things swirling in there that it all seems to cancel each other out and I find myself staring ahead..strait into the whirling blur.

I feel you move and know you are mine. All mine. My main concern lately is not wanting to share you after you are here. Others love you too…but you and I have this......thing.

You know.

And I know.

The others love you…but you and I have this thing.

You are me and I am you. I never want you to leave me.

I was sitting here at my desk in front of my computer listening to this Jesca Hoop song..and crying. I can’t listen to it without crying. It’s like you are talking to me. And the answer is yes, you can borrow my hips and lips and wink and curl..till you get your own.

It occurred to me as I was listening to this that someday you will be a woman. Grown. With thoughts and fears and loves and heartbreaks. You might even be writing to your own baby girl someday listening to a song that reminds you that you are her and she is you. My heart felt you all grown up and wondering the things us grown up people wonder about and I wanted to put you back inside of me so we could figure it out together.

You and I.

You and I have this thing.

You know. I know.

I never want you to leave me…but I desperately want to see your eyes. Your own eyes. You won’t need to borrow mine anymore and that will be hard….but amazing to see that you are already so yourself.

I believe in you and your journey of independence..that is only moments away.

[audio:http://ds2.foliowebhosting.com/~foliocsd/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/11-Intelligentactile-1011.mp3|titles=11 Intelligentactile 101]

Living A Creative Life

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5NgG5koPZU&w=800&h=475] Chase Jarvis posted this video of the Sartorialist on his blog.

Not only is this short clip beautiful to watch, but it made me think about how complicated we sometimes make our efforts to live a creative life.

I love that his idea was simple and uncomplicated. He wasn't trying to copy someone else's creative life...instead he choose his own.

But as any "creative" will tell you, it's hard (maybe impossible) to ever feel like it's enough. There is always something more to say...and other ways to say it.

Questions I always have on my mind are, "How can I get this out?" "How can I satisfy this urge?". I'm guessing those questions never go away.

Jillian

I love the shot of the dog. Boy has that pups world been turned upside down. He wanted to be in every shot. Bless him.

First time parent pros. They were so organized and so calm. Very encouraging.

I know I say this just about everytime, but that baby girl was perfection. Newborns can't be flawed.

Thank you for letting me hold and kiss your 1st born. It was a delight.

2010, The Year of "Not Waiting"

Yesterday the Mother of one of my dear friends passed away.

After spending a few days photographing their family this summer, they have been on my mind frequently.

A mother died...and in a few short weeks I, as a Mother, will give birth to a daughter.

The circle of life and death are so closely linked to one another. So fragile yet so amazingly strong and resilient. It keeps on going...even when seemingly impossible.

The events the past few days have really made me reflect on what Grant and I had deemed, "The Year of Not Waiting". We felt big changes fast approaching and we never want to live in a moment of regret...so we tried hard this year not to. We traveled and didn't wait for the timing to be better. We saved money and spent money and shared money. We would take hours doing nothing if it felt like something we needed. It was a great year for my business and I tried to approach it with no regrets...not waiting to say no to jobs or yes to ones that seemed like more of a risk. I spent the majority of this year experiencing the mystery and wonder of pregnancy. To be honest we didn't feel completely ready and we hadn't wrapped our heads around how life with a child would all work...but we want a family and waiting longer was not in the stars for us.

When I reflect on my dear friend and his family in their moment of grieving and celebrating the life of their Mother, I am grateful. I am grateful I focused  on photographing "meaning" this year. I am grateful they too were not waiting to love and share and experience as a family. I am grateful that the vast majority of why I am a photographer has nothing to do with a paycheck.

I am grateful for Grant and my Baby Girl and this circle of life that keeps reminding me of all the reasons not to wait.

Happy 2011 to all my beautiful friends.

Gingerbread Pear Upside Down Cake

(photo taken by Darren, brother-in-law)

Grant and I were pleased as punch with ourselves for hosting, not one, but three dinner parties at our home last week. We may have not taken the time to properly decorate for the holidays this year but what's more merry than eating?

I found this great recipe off Smitten Kitchen...and I hope all of you home cooks out there follow her blog. I have yet to make a recipe off it that I didn't like.

I made it for a family dinner and substituted apples for pears and added more ginger and cinnamon. I like spicy gingerbread.

One of the best things about this cake is that it stayed moist for days.

Best if eaten by the fire or off a plate perched on top of a very round belly.

Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake Adapted from Karen Bates at the Philo Apple Farm via the New York Times

Serves 12

Topping 4 tablespoons butter, plus extra for greasing pan 1/2 cup dark brown sugar Pinch of salt 4 apples (about 1 3/4 pounds), peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch wedges

Batter 1/2 cup (1 stick or 4 ounces) butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1 large egg 1/3 cup dark molasses 1/3 cup honey 1 cup buttermilk 2 1/4 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Very softly whipped cream

Make the topping: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 10-inch cake pan. Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add brown sugar and simmer over moderate heat, stirring, four minutes, then swirl in salt. Remove from heat and pour into the bottom of your cake pan. Make circles of overlapping apple slices on top of the caramel. Chop any remaining slices and place them in the gaps.

Make the batter: Using a mixer, blend 1/2 cup butter and the sugar on medium-low speed. Increase the speed to high and cream until light and fluffy.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, molasses, honey and buttermilk. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon. Alternate mixing the flour and molasses mixtures into the butter mixture, adding the next once the last has been incorporated.

Pour the batter into the pan. Bake at least 45 to 50 minutes (thanks to commenter klp for reminding me this took a bit longer) or until a wooden tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool on a rack for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out onto a platter (one that will catch spills, unlike what you see in the pictures above).

Serve warm or cool with very softly whipped cream.

My Kauai

1. kuhio hwy  2. kalihiwai beach  3/4. ke'e  beach  5. princeville ranch  6. ke'e beach  7. hanalei bridge  8. secret beach (family name, I refuse to call it by it's "real" name)  9. banana joes  10. hanalei bay  11. hanalei tara fields  12. ke'e beach

(Photos taken on the 330 land camera w/ Polaroid 690-100iso film)

Solitary Inspiration

If this would have been the only image I shot while in Kauai last month, I would have been content.

Some of you may look at it and think, "What's the big deal?" "A landscape with some horses?....this is #1 image you shot?"....and if you are thinking those things fine! Really. I didn't shoot it for you. I shot it for me.

I am tired of shooting when I don't feel inspired...so I don't. If I don't "see it"..if I don't "feel it", then I don't take 1000 frames of it that I later open up in photoshop and HAVE to dig through.

Ask yourself when you shoot, "Why?'. What are you going to do with that image? What does it mean to you? Why does it matter? As long as you have an answer SHOOT. And even if you don't, you can ignore me and still shoot it. Just don't come crying to me when you lose all feeling.

My life does not happen in front of screens or behind them (at least not all of it).

This image is purely sentimental. It reminds me of begging my family to pull over when I first laid eyes on that wide open space. I think I was 14yrs old...and I had to run through it. I HAD to. So they stopped and we jumped fences and were free. I hold my breath every time I see it. It reminds me of innocence and change and love and family and solitary inspiration. It is always blessed with magic light. It is my field. It's where I go to in my mind when I just need to run free.

I had my polaroid land camera and 2 frames left to get it right. Always guessing on exposure with that camera, since your options are "lighter or darker"...I was fiddling with the settings and focus etc..when I saw horses running strait towards my framed image. Could it be?!  No time to think. Say a prayer, finalize settings, push the shutter. It could be great. It could be a mess. Grant and I leaned over the white little sheet, peering at the first peeled corner. Oh please oh please oh please...60secs later and there it was. My favorite image of the whole trip. Just one shot...perfect to me.

We looked at each other. I'm not sure if we even said anything at all. He knew. I knew.

Guess we better head to the beach and think about how great our life is. First a stop at Banana Joe's.

(image shot of the Princeville Ranches, north shore Kauai)

Some Things Worth Mentioning

1. We had a small tapas party at our place last night. Olive oil anyone?

2. It's all kind of a blur, but there was some post dinner pool plunging...what I can remember clearly is our pool thermometer read 55 degrees! I watched  while sitting by the fire thank you very much.

3. I thought about buying a porta-a-potty for my office this week. At least we know I'm drinking enough water.

4. Since it's the holidays I am treating myself to expensive milk that you buy in glass jars. It just feels fancy.

5. I cried myself to sleep the other night because I felt some mom guilt over baby girl being "sunny side up" right now and felt guilt for every time I've slouched. NOT EVEN a big deal.  Can someone turn these hormones down?

6. We finally bought a Professional 600 series Kitchen Aid and I am a little bit in love. I don't even want to use it because I don't want to ruin it.

7. I can't stop thinking about our elderly neighbor who answered the door pantsless when we brought over some cookies. He's 80+ and harmless...I'm just worried about him now.

8. I made the first cut for the NGO $15,000 photo grant I applied for. I am so proud I made it this far! I had never applied for one before and had no idea what to expect.

9. I think I spied my first ever stretch mark. I feel like a real woman now. (I guess the cellulite wasn't enough.)

10. Sometimes when I am stressed or feeling a little discouraged baby girl will give me a small poke like she's saying "It's OK Mom. You are really going to like me and everything is going to be fine. Plus I choose you!" And then I answer her out loud, "I know. Thanks for reminding me. I'm so happy I'm not alone".

11. Grant burned his bicep on the oven and he has the coolest burn mark...like he got into a knife fight. It kind of turns me on.

12. I made pasta carbonara and homemade mac and cheese this week. Homemade cheese sauce is seriously the best and SO easy.

13. This weather and month and sunset time generally just makes me want to watch movies and drink warm liquid out of mugs.

14. I am 32wks pregnant and think my body is a walking miracle. I've never appreciated it more.

15. I am so excited for a weekend at home with Grant. He is my #1 thing always worth mentioning.

Selective Color

Usually (like always) I am against selective color....but when I saw these images on Orange Beautiful's Blog showing Brown Sparrow Nest's knitted scarfs, I thought it was well done and fitting.

It is because it is showcasing a specific product? The way it was photographed?

What are your thoughts? Yay or nay on letting selective color slide this one time?

(And can I please have at least 5 of these scarfs? Wish I had the patience to knit.)

Finding Your Tribe

I was searching for Long Beach Pediatrician recommendations last night and came across this article on mothering.com. I loved this quote from the article,

" We truly are social animals; we need to be with other people to feel good, whole, and happy. It's worth the effort to create tribes, however small and imperfect they may be".

I love community and with my work and travel schedule sometimes have a tendency to look from afar but never really integrate myself. This article was a nice reminder of surrounding ourselves with others. Period. My social interaction usually consists of either SUPER social..huge photo shoots, lots of people or very hermit like behind a computer working. Having some consistent social interactions would be nice at times...especially as a new mother or father.

As a working mama I may not have the time to make it an everyday occasion but once a week bread making sounds delightful. Anyone want to come over?

(Also does anyone have good pediatrician recommendations for the Long Beach area? I'm pretty empty handed at this point.)

Chelsea + Spencer's Dallas, Texas Wedding

Chelsea and Spencer have been SO patient waiting for their images....so I had to give them more than a couple to look at.

There are a few things that come to mind when I think about this wedding...First, it was HOT. No, I mean it. While we were finding great spots around Dallas, getting back into the air conditioned car was heaven. HOT. Second, hot dogs. I loved our stop at their favorite hot dog/shake joint. Mind you I hadn't eaten an actual hot dog for who knows how long but baby was hungry and mama ate and LIKED. Third, their amazing friends and family. I am slightly biased because I knew some of them..but really so many gems. Last, more food! The food at their reception was so good. They had peanut sauce present. I mean, come on.

Thank you for having me out to Dallas and taking me on a tour. I love shooting in places that actually mean something to the couple. You were so laid back and trusting. That combo is my favorite.

I am dying to know how the move to Sydney was? Magic? xxoo.

1999 Honda Accord & 2007 PT Cruiser FOR SALE

*****UPDATE***** Honda has SOLD We found ourselves with not one but two cars to sell before the end of the year.

I hope you don't mind me sharing these cars on my blog. We figure the more people we can tell, the faster they may sell. AND we would always want our people to have first dibs.

The Honda has loads of miles, as it has been a driving work car...but come on...it's a Honda. They are amazing. The PT Cruiser needs no introduction. It has the word "Cruiser" in the name.

Both are great cars, it's just time for us to get a slightly bigger family car. Heaven knows this child of ours is going to be gigantic.

Take a look (and probably buy one):

1999 silver HONDA Accord LX 4-DR w/leather interior SOLD (in 2 days!!!)

Selling for $3000

Make someone's Christmas dreams come true. This 1999 Accord LX, 4dr w/ LEATHER interior & auto transmission, has been a work horse. Super reliable, sad to see it go. Perfect first car. 223,000 miles. Clean title. Very well maintained. Exterior paint in good condition. CD player plus ipod/mp3 hookup. VTEC Engine, Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. Power windows, locks, mirrors. Cruise control. Great highway gas mileage, 30mpg. Brand new brakes, tires, belts and water pump. Alloy wheels. Maintenance records available. Oil changed every 3-5k miles. Air conditioner works great. Nobody smoked in this car. Tags on this car are good until May. 2011. We are offering below KBB. Title on hand and ready to transfer. If interested please text, call 949-939-3697 or e-mail at rachel@rachelthurston.com.

2007 silver Chrysler PT Cruiser, Touring Edition, 4DR

Selling for $7800

Cruise around town this New Year's in style. This 2007 PT Cruiser Touring Edition 4dr, auto transmission is in excellent condition. Only 38000 miles! Clean title. Very well maintained. 1st owner had for under a year, 2nd owner was our Grandpa and we have only had it for a month! Exterior paint in great condition. CD player. Dual airbags. Tinted windows. Power windows, locks, mirrors and keyless entry. Cruise control. Alloy wheels.  Air conditioner works great. Nobody smoked in this car. Tags on this car are good until Sept 2011. We are offering below KBB. Title on hand and ready to transfer. If interested please call 949-939-3697 or e-mail at rachel@rachelthurston.

Both Cars are located in Long Beach, CA. Please call or email if you are interested in coming by to take a look.

#949-939-3697, rachel@rachelthurston.com

Melanie + Dave's Wedding

This. wedding. was. the. best.

First, they flew me to Australia. Then I vacationed around before hanging out for a day at one of the most thoughtful/fun weddings.

Second, I want to be neighbors with them and take their dogs for walks when they are out of town, and call Mel crying when I'm emotional and make her come over and watch movies with me.

Third, Dave owns Vespa Pizza in Brisbane and I am not kidding when I tell you it was some of the best pizza I have ever had. How rad is it to be the creator of a super successful pizza business?

They are a golden couple. Everything about them is easy and happy and genuine.

Ruffled blog featured their wedding yesterday which was exciting. Check out Ruffled for more images and some details in words.

I could gush for hours on end about this wedding and this couple. Sometimes I probably need to shut it up and let my images have some air time.

Dave and Mel, LOVE YOU! Thank you a million times over for having us be a part of your wedding....and thank you even more for your new found friendship.

Featured on Ruffled!

Melanie and Dave's Brisbane, Australia wedding was featured on Ruffled today!

Go here to see the whole feature.

I have been dying to share this wedding and have been anxiously awaiting this day (as I know Melanie has).

Thanks to Amanda for featuring my work. Her blog is gorgeous and jammed packed with amazing wedding inspiration.

(I will post some of my favorites from this wedding tomorrow. xo.)