Bacher Family

 

Tis the season for family photos.

If you need one give me a holler (or an email at rachel@rachelthurston.com).

I will be shooting in Southern CA this next week, October 22-29th and then in Salt Lake October 30-November 9th.

Ali + Jeremy's Wedding- Newport Beach, CA

It was a hot, sticky day..but can you even tell? Ali is pretty much the idea of bride perfection and Jeremy is such a handsome devil. I knew when I was shooting these that stunning good looks and LOVE would conquer the sweat. I was right.

Folks, this was only a 2hr wedding. If you have a short day planned, give me a call. We can get a lot of great stuff in a short amount of time.

Congratulations to Ali and Jeremy! Thank you for having me!

 

The Hagen Family- San Francisco, CA

I never thought I really wanted to photograph families.

Nothing against families I just didn't know how I could do it and feel like myself...feel like I was photographing the part of a family that was important to remember.

I think smiling shots looking at my lens are important, I do. I just don't think you are usually in a perfect little group smiling at a camera. I want you to remember what it was really like "being" part of your family.

Once I figured out my family shooting grove, it was like the clouds parted, and a chorus of angels started singing.

Lifestyle family photography is my thing. Shooting in people's homes is so amazing and fun and just makes sense. I have found my love for shooting families.

This sweet family was one of my all time favorites. It doesn't hurt that they have amazing color and texture in their home..but way more than that I loved the dynamic of the four of them. Such a balance of everything. So much love and tending to needs and big sighs of exhaustion. Taking care of little humans is the most exhausting and exhilarating of all life's challenges. I am convinced of that.

I've said it once and I will say it again, thank you for letting me into your personal space. Thank you for letting me see what you four are all about. I really, really loved it.

Heidi + Joel's Wedding- Oakland CA

The wedding took place at the Oakland, CA LDS Temple with the reception at Cordevalle Golf Course in San Martin. The whole thing was perfect.

Sweet end of Summer light, super amazing food and Heidi and Joel who were all smiles. I felt so lucky to be there.

Happy happy happy life you two. It only gets better.

38 Weeks

I remember those few days leading up to Nova being born. They were full of unknowns and heavy thoughts and quiet moments...like the still before the storm. A perfect storm I might add.

This couple was right in there. Waiting for their baby.

It was so fun seeing them again after their wedding (see wedding photos here, here and here) and getting to share in the excitement  of what was soon to come.

Congratulations you guys! I suspect you are cuddling that new human this very minute.

The Cowan Family

I have known this gorgeous family for many many moons.

So amazing to see Rachel all grown up with a hunky husband , 3 model children and style that I am in awe of. Are Mom's suppose to be this good looking?

Love you guys! Thank you so much for trusting me to document your little family.

Rebekah + Kyle's Wedding, Orange County CA

At first glance you see a disgustingly attractive couple. With their perfect hair and perfect bodies and perfect white teeth. But don't let the perfection of their physiques fool you into thinking they are all sex appeal. They are crazy and kooky, laughing all the time. They are madly in love and they are happy!!! I don't think the notion of happiness gets enough attention. True, sincere happiness is a gift. And these two have it. I can only begin to imagine all the fun and smiles they will have together growing old together. Makes growing old not sound that bad after all.

Coto De Caza was a beautiful venue. The sun was fierce and from my newly pregnant state I remember it being HOT..which really kind of made sense.

Thank you a billion times over for letting me come stare at you guys all day. It was a pleasure.

(shot with a contax 645 w/ portra 160 and a canon 5d)

18 Months

 

There is no denying it....you are a full blown toddler.

But you are still giving kisses on demand which eases the pain of you aging.

You are your parents pride and joy (understatement).

Talk talk talking. You may still say things only we can understand but you are AMAZING at communicating with us. You explain, use words, show us and try and try again. I am so proud.

The day doesn't start or end without you talking about babies. It is usually the first word you say when you wake up.

You love holding, wrapping, kissing and caring for all your baby dolls.

You went through a phase were you wanted us to swaddle your babies over and over again.

Your eyes light up when I lovingly take a turn cuddling one of your dolls. I burp them on my shoulder and soothe them to sleep. Your eyes twinkle watching my every move.

These last few months we have been on the move between UT and CA staying with grandparents. You have been resilient and patient with all the changes. You know you can depend on us to be there during most moments of the day.

You have been in the ocean, the mountains, the desert and everywhere in-between. Your 18mos photoshoot was taken up Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah, at the White/Red Pine trailhead. You wore a red romper I wore when I was your age!!

You have been sleeping in your travel crib and really love it.

You ask for "nigh-nights" and will start singing the goodnight song. Bedtime is a positive thing. Hallilueh!!! (refer to months 1-11 if you aren't sure why this excites me).

You are still BFing but we have dwindled to mornings and bedtime. I can't imagine letting either of those feedings go. They are both so special and important to me. I know they are to you as well. Glad it is still working out for both of us.

You are amazing at playing make believe. Sometimes your creativity surprises us. Not because our SuperNova is creative but because you are so young. We think you're brillant.

Make believe phone calls, make believe feedings, make believe owies. Even make believe acting like you are a baby (which in my mind you still are!) You will cry like a little baby and you want me to cradle you and tell you it will all be OK.

You are also an amazing imitator. I guess I must say "wow" a lot because now so do you.

You like to hold my hand an walk with me. You like to hold my hand when you watch gabba gabba and eat too. Gosh, I love it.

You. are. a. monkey!

You climb on everything and swing from everything and are not scared of heights.

You don't walk, you run.

You weigh all of 21lbs and are so strong and agile.

Papa takes you for lots of runs in the jogger and you'll stop and play in parks and then you both come back smelling like wind and sweat :)

The big news this month for you is you are getting a brother or sister this coming April!!!!

My feelings are a tiny bit torn about this for reasons that must be explained in another post. BUT we are SO excited and I am so happy to give you a sibling.

How amazing that this new baby will be born with three faces staring instead of just two? We feel blessed.

Bumps and bruises are what we expect. Your poor knees.

Your hair is fine and blonde and a little wild. it curls up at the bottom and we can't touch it enough.

You don't watch TV all that much but do ask for "gabba gabba" now.

Eating is going well. You love trying new things and still like your ole standbys...cheese, avocado, milk. "Crackies"is also a favorite of yours.

We call you "pickle" most of the time with the occasional nuh nuhs and Novs. When we were in Hawaii in June a little girl on the beach asked if we named you "pickle". Kind of wish we had.

You are so friendly and out going. You want to play with everyone and be friends with everyone. You give hugs and loves freely even when denied. I am so proud at the loving kind soul you are. So nurturing.

I would say your current obsessions are babies, dogs, pointing at and talking about eyes. You love giving other people and things drinks from your sippy (you shared some water with my iphone today). And bouncing on anything is something that never gets boring.

Your feet are looking so long to me. I can see the baby feet fading and the little girl feet taking their place.

I still have moments of guilt. I spend a lot of time with you but the last month or so have felt lots of nausea with baby #2 and I am way boring. I just don't have the energy to chase you like I have before. Thank goodness for your Dad....but I don't want this to be the beginning of some premature separation. You know? I love you being independent and you are great at independent play but I am not ready to let you far from me. Guessing I never will be.

Work has been good and busy in spurts. I just wish that all my energy could be saved for you...but I guess that's not realistic. Just know that I want that.

If a momma and baby bubble exsisted I would buy one so we could escape there whenever we needed (BFing time?).

I am constantly amazed that someone as imperfect and flawed as me could help to create and produce the perfection that you are. Your sweet kind effervescent spirit engulfs me. I am overwhelmed by you and who you are becoming. I want to give you everything you need to fly and fly and fly some more. I hope my weakness and follies don't hold you back at all.

I hope you always let me wonder at you..even if at times I need to do it from afar. Just know I will always want to be closer.

Being your Mom is the thing I'm most proud of. I love you my sweet Novs.

 

(ps. ignore the color in this post. Argh. I have been having a wreck of a time with labs getting my scans right. I do apologize if they are wonky).

 

 

The Smith Family

I have really fantastic friends. The kind of friends you want to live next door to and give custody to your kids if you ever die. I am talking quality *quality* people.

The Smith's are some of our very best friends. I was friends with them in NYC. Grant knew Matt from college. Grant and I met at their wedding. Then we proceeded to try and spend as much time with them as possible (which is tricky since they live in Oklahoma). They made two of the worlds most adorable kids who I can't really get enough of.

I just love them so much.

 

Cailtlin

Remember that destination wedding I shot in Maui? Well, I have to wait to share all the images but wanted to give you a little peak. Here is the stunning bride not too long before she became a Mrs.

I die to share all of them. Soon enough.

The Stoker Family

Not only is this one of my favorite families of all time but now they have a home that I am not-so-subtly obsessed with. It has all the charm of an old farmhouse with Le Creuset pots in every color. Kitchen heaven. House heaven. And the kids, as wild as they are, are heavenly in my opinion. I prefer personality.

My favorite thing at photoshoots lately is telling the parents to scram when they are hovering while I shoot their kids. Can we all agree kids act different when their parents are around? I got some amazing individual shots of these littles with the window light from their reading nooks. Thanks for scramming Dave and Janet.

Can I just move in already?! (ps. Thanks for the Indian food. We love you guys. Glad we survived the wind storm).

Bonnie + Drew's Wedding- Los Angeles, CA

They had their wedding ceremony at the Los Angeles LDS Temple and then a beautiful backyard reception.

The sun was a shining, the flowers were bright and the people were happy...but the best part was the hospital stop on our way to the reception.

Mehgan was one of Bonnie's bridesmaids but since she was battling cancer couldn't make it to the festivities. We stopped by for hugs and a few photos. A few weeks after the wedding she passed away. Makes celebrating and remembering days like this that much more important.

Life can be short and taking a leap of faith, like getting married, to me shows so much courage. "Lets live what life we have left, together". It is so amazing to see the commitment these couples I am photographing are making, deciding to devote a big peice of their lives to each other. Marriage is a sacrifice...and worth it.

Congratulations to sweet Bonnie and Drew. Life will be good to you. Thank you for letting me document some of the beginnings...with many more to come.

The Webb Family

Have you ever met small children that seem like angels straight from heaven? I have. These two girls were just that. Angels.

They were smart and interesting, listened to everything I said and trusted me enough to let me point my camera at them and shoot!

I had such a great time photographing and getting to know this rad family. I hope I get to do it again and again and again....

Becca + JR's Wedding- San Diego, CA

 

I have known Becca since she was 12yrs old. Yes, she has always been this adorable and charming. She even has this raspy voice that most of us don't get unless we have a serious sore throat. Some things in life are just not fair.

One thing is fair....Becca finding JR. What an incredible guy! So thoughtful and easy going. Can you even imagine the kid cuteness that might come from these two?

It was a wedding day full of sweet light, color and love. I loved photographing all the goodness.

 

Flowers- Twigg Botanicals (umm, gorgeous)

Cake- Flour & Flower Designs

Dress- Handmade by Thanh Dao

Makeup- Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

DJ- National Geographic (amazing taste in music)

Ceremony- San Diego LDS Temple

Reception- Her parents backyard

 

Published in Wayfare Magazine!

Remember when we took that roadtrip in New Zealand? Wayfare Magazine shared our adventure in their summer issue! You can see the goodness here.

I shot all of the images shared in the issue with my contax 645 and kodax ektar 100.

I have been dying to share these images with you and now I finally can. Look for more New Zealand posts coming up.

Big thanks to Wayfare Magazine for sharing my images and words. I was so in love with their pilot issue...it is such an honor to have worked with them and be featured along side so many other talented photographers and writers.

Can you tell I'm excited?!

One Month Ago

It's been a whole month since we moved out of our beloved home in Long Beach.

Looking at these photos of our neighborhood, park (frisbee golf course!) and our yard, makes it seem like it is so much further away than just 30 days.

We had a great month. Lots of work, a trip to Hawaii, play time with friends and family.

Taking a road trip to Utah today to spend some time there. Still booking work in California (and everywhere)...but will be in the Salt Lake City area more than usual for the next couple of months. Excited for those warm summer nights and bonfires in the canyons.

We miss Nova's home...but have kind of realized being together is 'home".  It's summer and I am with my two favorites. No complaints.