tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194952072024-03-12T21:10:28.162-07:00Rachel Sarah Thurston portrait, events, travel and wedding photography and travel/lifestyle writing Rachel Sarah Thurston is a portrait, events, travel/lifestyle photographer, travel/lifestyle writer and filmmaker who has traveled to six continents. Her feature articles and photography have appeared in national magazines, books, websites, and on music album covers. She relishes capturing vibrant food, indelible landscapes, and candid moments of men, women, and their children. Copyright © 2018 Rachel S. Thurston.
Visit <a href="http://www.rsthurston.com">www.rsthurston.com</a>.Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-83450566061133184072022-10-31T11:32:00.003-07:002022-10-31T11:43:16.901-07:00Giving Birth To Something New & Sparkly! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RlRGrnsLq_c/YCGmVBjTCJI/AAAAAAAAC6A/VE8qlqAVk5QUdSmNs11YkQQQQT-pF-O9ACLcBGAsYHQ/sharon-mccutcheon-4jLj-GdRn_A-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RlRGrnsLq_c/YCGmVBjTCJI/AAAAAAAAC6A/VE8qlqAVk5QUdSmNs11YkQQQQT-pF-O9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w378-h213/sharon-mccutcheon-4jLj-GdRn_A-unsplash.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> Hey Friends~ </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I've taken some time off this past year to focus on my healing and to also marinate on my direction going forward personally, professionally, and creatively. Recently, my main website crashed due to some unfortunate circumstances with my website hosting company (who I've since left). But--as in all unexpected challenges--it's also given me an opportunity to reflect on changes I had been wanting to make in my life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Quarantining for this past couple of years has helped give me the opportunity to truly reflect on how I want to spend my energy and my creative focus moving forward</span></b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span>The good news is that <span style="font-size: medium;"><b>I'm brewing up something new, sparkly, and uplifting to unveil</b></span>! A new brand which is going to fully reflect the entirety of who I am as a person and the light and joy I want to share with the world. It's going to be colorful, joyful, and involve my multimedia storytelling as well as some other special bonuses. </span></p><p></p><p><span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I very much look forward to sharing it with you all once my new website is complete in a few months. Pls stay tuned for the announcement....</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b><span style="font-size: medium;">And if you'd like to be receiving some of my juicy email updates,</span></b> you can sign up by clicking on the subscription button to the right or sending me an email at "rachelsarahthurston@gmail.com" I promise not to bombard you with too frequent emails. My email updates (once a month normally) will include travel inspiration, details from my healing journey dealing with a chronic illness, as well as resources and inspiration for living your best possible life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <span style="font-size: medium;"><b> You can also follow the fun on social media</b></span>:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> Instagram (personal): </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/rachelsarahthurston/ " target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/rachelsarahthurston/ </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> Instagram ("Around The World Thurston Girls"): </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aroundtheworldthurstongirls/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/aroundtheworldthurstongirls/</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span>Facebook (personal): <a href="http://www.facebook.com/rachelsarahthurston" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/rachelsarahthurston</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Facebook ("Around The World With The Thurston Girls"): <a href="http://www.facebook.com/aroundtheworldthurstongirls" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/aroundtheworldthurstongirls</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span> In the meantime, SHINE ON! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> With love,</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span><i><span style="font-family: Berkshire Swash;"> </span><span style="font-family: Italianno; font-size: x-large;">Rachel Sarah </span></i></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3_3NgNzuRtw/YCGmUGRu7FI/AAAAAAAAC58/wP6trvavhSI1OCwqhIoH5frWsLNIpZw3wCLcBGAsYHQ/rachelsparkle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="862" height="401" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3_3NgNzuRtw/YCGmUGRu7FI/AAAAAAAAC58/wP6trvavhSI1OCwqhIoH5frWsLNIpZw3wCLcBGAsYHQ/w230-h401/rachelsparkle.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo Credit #1 (glitter): Sharon McCutcheon</i></span></div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-36682253912396293432019-01-02T22:43:00.003-08:002020-06-25T14:07:07.191-07:00"Around The World With The Thurston Girls" Presentation Kicks Off 2019 At The Santa Barbara Woman's Club<h3><br /></h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zrTWz_gAIw/XGuot4MdB0I/AAAAAAAACro/QruTYn9m6uYs0rOVo5HjN8BPujN9gXDggCLcBGAs/s1600/49343046_2214644012143116_4392442678294347776_o.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zrTWz_gAIw/XGuot4MdB0I/AAAAAAAACro/QruTYn9m6uYs0rOVo5HjN8BPujN9gXDggCLcBGAs/s640/49343046_2214644012143116_4392442678294347776_o.jpg" width="420" /></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-size: large;">W</span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">hat fun it was to present our Around the World with the Thurston Girls platform to the Santa Barbara Woman's Club yesterday! We were asked to be the first speakers of 2019 for the prestigious organization and had an absolute blast kicking off the year sharing tales and travel tips from our 18 years of travels around the world! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We felt waves of positive energy and high interest during our remarks and travel tips. Impressive questions during the Q and A. Savvy and well traveled audience. Delicious tea and accompanying foods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;">Thank you, thank you SBWC for your warm welcome and enthusiasm. It was an absolute joy having so many friends come out to support us including former SB mayor and friend Helene Schneider. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Tremendous thanks to Perry Cabugos for his brilliant photography/video and to Ingrid Sarrat for helping to </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">inspire our name when she interviewed us for a webinar many years ago. </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We've also just launched our Facebook Fan Page and would love your support in taking a moment to "like" it! Just visit here: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aroundtheworldthurstongirls/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">https://www.facebook.com/aroundtheworldthurstongirls/</a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0Santa Barbara, CA, USA34.4208305 -119.6981901000000334.2112 -120.02091360000003 34.630461000000004 -119.37546660000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-87874040714811620132018-11-08T13:36:00.000-08:002019-11-08T13:44:18.876-08:00Rachel Sarah Thurston Headshot Samples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-60489761635185822152018-07-23T14:15:00.002-07:002018-07-23T15:16:15.172-07:00<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hey Guys and Gals~ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome and happy summer to you!<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><b>If you are trying to visit my website (www.rsthurston.com) and have found yourself unwittingly redirected here....</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><b>I have recently received news that the company I've hosted my main website through for countless years </b>has just suffered the devastating loss of their web server (and the loss of all of all of their backups as well). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><i>So what does this mean exactly?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;">This means unfortunately, that my website (along with thousands of other clients' websites of theirs across the country and around the world) has gone into the ether and is gone for good. Rip www.rsthurston.com ;-) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: right;">Yup, you read that correctly. ;-) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So--instead of crying uncontrollably into my Matcha Latte--<b>I'm choosing to look at this as a fabulous opportunity</b> to create a brand spanking new website which is even more amazing that my last one! And a website which integrates my writing, photography, video work and travel around the world. In the meantime, <b>if you are interested in hiring me for any photography or writing or would like to be subscribed to my fabulous travel adventure and healing journey email updates</b>, pls feel free to contact me at: "rsthurston@hotmail.com" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can also scroll down to the list of keywords in the right column to peruse blogs I've written over the years or a range of photo shoots I've done over the years to check out more of my portfolio that is still intact and online (until I post my new website).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks again for visiting me and hoping you have a blessed summer that is free of technological challenges...;-) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheers, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rachel Sarah Thurston</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-79333671507481235942016-07-11T11:27:00.001-07:002018-06-01T13:02:11.004-07:002016 Santa Barbara Writers Conference<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Celebration Of The 2016 <a href="http://www.sbwriters.com/" target="_blank">Santa Barbara Writers Conference</a></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Owner: Monte Schulz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conference Coordinator: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grace Rachow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Logistics Coordinator: Erin Munsch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Write On!" Editor In Chief: Marianne Dougherty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chief Of Operations: Jim Alexander</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marketing and Financial Coordinator: Margaux Hession</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ombudsman: Fred Klein</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*And a whole team of devoted, long-time volunteers who help make this conference flow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span><span style="font-size: large;">'ve lost track of how many years I've been involved with the amazing Santa Barbara Writers Conference as both a writer and as a photographer....from my estimate it's been about 14-15 years now that I've dedicated a full week to immersing myself in the microverse that magically appears in the heart of Santa Barbara every June. It's a week that is packed with inspiration from fellow writers, publishing experts, literary agents, editors, publishers, and award-winning novelists, poets, and non-fiction writers. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkZrdokRxmM/V4auYr7nPgI/AAAAAAAAClM/xau-4rp6Dxoqv2xhPYNHeWHBNHUkiJeGQCLcB/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonsbwc2016-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkZrdokRxmM/V4auYr7nPgI/AAAAAAAAClM/xau-4rp6Dxoqv2xhPYNHeWHBNHUkiJeGQCLcB/s400/rachelsarahthurstonsbwc2016-2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In short, it's a week to remind each of us that--as writers in what can be a very solitary pursuit--we are not alone and that we are stronger and become better when we surround ourselves with excellence and a community of our peers who are also striving for excellence. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have made lifelong friends from around the country through the conference, have found writing mentors who continue to inspire me, and built up a community of fellow writers with whom I can exchange inspiration and critiques throughout the year. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over the years my relationship with the conference has grown into becoming one of their main event photographers as well as running the Annual Talent Show with my co-host Margaux Hession and long-time friend and Mentor Matt Pallamary. The Talent Show continues to be a great way of just relaxing and celebrating a very long and exhausting week.</span><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMF-y38BMvI/V4auYrS3MGI/AAAAAAAAClQ/5HIPU-42_Xw47-RkwgVQTbFqcg2JAG9kQCLcB/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonsbwc2016-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a month's worth of celebration, inspiration, interaction with mentors, fellow writers, editors, agents, and internationally renowned novelists and non-fiction authors.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMF-y38BMvI/V4auYrS3MGI/AAAAAAAAClQ/5HIPU-42_Xw47-RkwgVQTbFqcg2JAG9kQCLcB/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonsbwc2016-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMF-y38BMvI/V4auYrS3MGI/AAAAAAAAClQ/5HIPU-42_Xw47-RkwgVQTbFqcg2JAG9kQCLcB/s400/rachelsarahthurstonsbwc2016-15.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simply put: It's an incredible, magical, and mind-expanding week. Writers come for encouragement and feedback but end up coming again and again largely b/c of the "family" feel of the conference and for the friendships that we all make.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sending out a BIG shout-out to Monte Schulz (the "Admiral"~ owner and our literary figure head for the conference), Grace Rachow (our heroic Conference Coordinator) and all of our hard-working fellow volunteers who have spent many years putting their love, sweat, and tears into helping to ensure that the conference runs so smoothly! Between us all, we have a wonderful team and SBWC "family!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now I'll put on my "photographer's hat" and let the photos speak for themselves. Looks fun, doesn't it?! ;-)</span></span><br />
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<script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2016/07/2016-santa-barbara-writers-conference.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-79998194491165746032016-06-13T14:24:00.001-07:002016-06-15T16:00:11.286-07:00The Santa Barbara Women Of Achievement Awards Luncheon<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span><span style="font-size: 15px;">his is hands down one of my very favorite awards events of the year! I've been photographing for the <a href="http://www.awcsb.org/" target="_blank">Santa Barbara Chapter of the Association For Women In Communication</a> for more years than I can count and the "Women Of Achievement" Awards Luncheon never ceases to inspire and draw some of the biggest movers and shakers in Santa Barbara. </span></div>
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Held this year at the beautiful historic El Paseo Restaurant (which features balconies overflowing with flowers and giant murals), SB-based Congresswoman <a href="http://capps.house.gov/" target="_blank">Lois Capps</a> and Communications Consultant and author <a href="http://loisphillips.com/" target="_blank">Lois Phillips</a> were honored with this year's awards. Also presenting and in attendance were Mayor Helene Schneider, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Supervisor Janet Wolf, and AWC's Poet-With-The-Mostess Perie J. Longo who delighted the audience with her poem tributes to each of the Loises. </div>
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I always come out of this event feeling buoyed by the inspirational, driven, and visionary women who inhabit and ROCK Santa Barbara on a daily basis!<br />
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<b>Please enjoy this slideshow and feel free to share the link with your friends and leave comments below.</b></div>
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<i>*If the music doesn't come on at first, just refresh your browser and try again. </i><br />
<i>**To view in full screen mode, just click on the rectangle icon in lower left hand corner of slideshow window. Voila! ;-)</i></div>
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<script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2016/06/associationforwomenincommunicationsantabarbarawomenofachievementawardsluncheon.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-23692665119113941362015-12-14T16:26:00.001-08:002015-12-14T17:56:04.072-08:00The Association For Women In Communication's 2015 Santa Barbara Holiday Party<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Association For Women In Communication's Santa Barbara Chapter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2015 Holiday Party</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love this time of the year and especially connecting with fellow AWC-SB friends in celebration of the holidays! Please feel free to share the link to this page on FB with your friends as well. Just cut and paste the address to this page from your browser and share on FB. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Holidays to you and congratulations to "Member of the Year" Lynn K. Jones and "Nonprofit of the Year" Villa Majella.</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-55198971265245089382015-07-20T14:45:00.002-07:002015-07-20T14:45:15.877-07:00In Celebration Of The 2015 Santa Barbara Writers Conference<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Celebration Of The 2015 Santa Barbara Writers Conference</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Owner: Monte Schulz</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Co-Directors: Nicole Starczack and Erin Dougherty Munsch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Director Of Volunteers: Grace Rachow</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>'ve lost track of how many years I've been involved with the amazing Santa Barbara Writers Conference as both a writer and as a photographer....has it been 12? 13 or 14 years now that I dedicate a full week to immersing myself in the microverse that magically appears in the heart of Santa Barbara every June. It's a week that is packed with inspiration from fellow writers, publishing experts, literary agents, editors, publishers, and award-winning novelists, poets, and non-fiction writers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In short, it's a week to remind each of us that--as writers in what can be a very solitary pursuit--we are not alone and that we are stronger and become better when we surround ourselves with excellence and a community of our peers who are also striving for excellence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have made lifelong friends from around the country through the conference, have found writing mentors who continue to inspire me, and built up a community of fellow writers with whom I can exchange inspiration and critiques throughout the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years my relationship with the conference has grown into becoming one of their main event photographers as well as running the Annual Talent Show with my co-host Margaux Hession and long-time friend and Mentor Matt Pallamary. The Talent Show continues to be a great way of just relaxing and celebrating a very long and exhausting week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a month's worth of celebration, inspiration, interaction with mentors, fellow writers, editors, agents, and internationally renowned novelists and non-fiction authors.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simply put: It's an incredible, magical, and mind-expanding week. Writers come for encouragement and feedback but end up coming again and again largely b/c of the "family" feel of the conference and for the friendships that we all make.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Big thanks to Grace Rachow, our heroic Director of Volunteers, and all of my hard-working fellow volunteers who have spent many years putting their love, sweat, and tears into helping Nicole, Erin and Monte run the conference so smoothly! Between us all, we have a wonderful team and SBWC "family!"</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now I'll put on my "photographer's hat" and let the photos speak for themselves. Looks fun, doesn't it?! ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Enjoy the slideshow! Slideshow below may take a minute to load…but it's worth it! ;-) Once it's loaded, click on grey arrow in middle of window. If music doesn't come on within a second or two, just refresh your browser window and click on the "play" arrow button again. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To watch with a full size screen, just click on the rectangular icon in lower right hand corner of screen. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Feel free to leave "like" this post above, leave your comments below, and share this link with your friends. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>PLEASE NOTE: As I wasn't on official photography duty this year, all of the following photos below were taken with my point and shoot Lumix and a few were taken with my iPhone.</i></span><br />
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<script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2015/07/santa-barbara-writers-conference-2015.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-88139686005837405322015-06-22T12:52:00.002-07:002015-06-22T22:02:53.419-07:00AWC-SB'S "Women Of Achievement" Annual Awards Luncheon 2015<div id="fb-root">
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the slideshow at the bottom of this post. Feel free to "like" this page above, share this link on FB, and leave your comments about this super fun day of celebrating Santa Barbara women achievers!</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://awcsb.org/" target="_blank">The Association For Women In Communication's Santa Barbara Chapter</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Annual "Women Of Achievement" Luncheon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2015 Location: The Santa Barbara Women's Club</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday June 3rd, 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">AWC-SB's Annual "Women Of Achievement" luncheon</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> has always been an inspiring event for me to both attend and to photograph every year. It has been an honor being a part of this incredible organization and it's no surprise--with our incredible population of heavy hitting women in Santa Barbara--that we have the fastest growing chapter in this nation! </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3vxjLsIEf8/VYhjw1q1KDI/AAAAAAAACiY/qxEjERz8sbs/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonawc6-15-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3vxjLsIEf8/VYhjw1q1KDI/AAAAAAAACiY/qxEjERz8sbs/s400/rachelsarahthurstonawc6-15-37.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year's luncheon honored two very deserving women who have both had quite an influence both nationally and internationally: local environmental activist and community leader <a href="http://www.cecsb.org/author/swright/" target="_blank">Sigrid Wright</a> of the Community Environmental Council and author and public speaker <a href="http://www.marilyntam.com/" target="_blank">Marilyn Tam</a> of <i>The Happiness Choice. </i>Also honored was AWC-SB Poet and "Member Of The Year" Perie Longo who wrote some pretty fabulous and witty poetic tributes for both of our honorees. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Preceding two inspiring talks by Wright and Tam, SB Mayor Helene Schneider and Jan Ingram (long-time friend of Tam) gave some wonderful introductions to the honorees that were both humorous and thoughtful. And Sloane Reali, public speaker, vocalist, and vocal teacher, rocked the house with her always fun emcee skills. </span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27eamTn7f1Y/VYhopmWSdQI/AAAAAAAACjc/sCy6ye0vrkY/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonawc6-15-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27eamTn7f1Y/VYhopmWSdQI/AAAAAAAACjc/sCy6ye0vrkY/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonawc6-15-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I always come out from this annual luncheon feeling inspired, proud to a woman in this incredible community, and motivated to think bigger with all of my dreams!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations to the three of you and thank you for all that you have done for our community!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy the slideshow below and feel free to "like" this page and share it on FB as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy the slideshow below. Click on the "play" arrow button in the middle of the box. If the sound doesn't come on at first, then refresh your browser window and click on "play" button again. Enjoy! Feel free to share this link with others. </i></span></div>
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<script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2015/06/awc-sbs-women-of-achievement-annual.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-37247402874873430572015-04-05T21:20:00.002-07:002015-04-07T23:45:38.090-07:00Alpha's "Circle Of Life" Luncheon 2015<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>ne of the highlights of my photographic year is having the opportunity to capture the magic and beautiful moments of <a href="http://www.alphasb.org/" target="_blank">Alpha Resource Center's </a>"Circle of Life" Fundraising Luncheon hosted by long-time Alpha Fan and comedian Dennis Miller.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Committed to empowering individuals, supporting families, and building a community that values the contribution of all people, Alpha is an incredibly invaluable, SB-based nonprofit. Featuring music performances by Alpha participants, stories by family members whose lives have been touched by Alpha, and testimonials from local business owners who are employing Alpha participants, there's usually not a dry eye in the house by the end of the lunch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's truly a joy to have been a photographer for Alpha over the past 5+ years! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Please make sure to check out the slideshow I've put together below. If you enjoy this post and the slideshow, please "like" it and share it on Facebook as well! Thanks so much!</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aU1X3oa9NXg/VSTLGKJVhlI/AAAAAAAACfY/uKuac_pN9-E/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonalpha2015-112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aU1X3oa9NXg/VSTLGKJVhlI/AAAAAAAACfY/uKuac_pN9-E/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonalpha2015-112.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5rLmJ2TOb70/VSTLG4XfulI/AAAAAAAACfg/rppH6P7GCAo/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonalpha2015-170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5rLmJ2TOb70/VSTLG4XfulI/AAAAAAAACfg/rppH6P7GCAo/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonalpha2015-170.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Enjoy the slideshow! ;-) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To view the slideshow below, click on the arrow "play" button. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>If the music doesn't come on at first, please refresh your browser and try again.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To view in full screen mode, click on the rectangle in lower right of gallery screen and voila! ;-)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you'd like to view all of the photos in the whole gallery or purchase any prints from the day, visit here: </span><a href="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/rachelsarahthurstonalpha2015bestjpegs">http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/rachelsarahthurstonalpha2015bestjpegs</a><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-13522297464191665922015-03-02T17:23:00.001-08:002015-03-03T22:20:47.386-08:00Erika Lilley & Jeff Walker's Gorgeous Sunset Wedding<div id="fb-root">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqEqiu8kL7w/VPZAW93o_lI/AAAAAAAACeg/MG1-q1q5xPQ/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonylilleywalker-189wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqEqiu8kL7w/VPZAW93o_lI/AAAAAAAACeg/MG1-q1q5xPQ/s1600/rachelsarahthurstonylilleywalker-189wm.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">T</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">his could just as easily have been named "The Many Expressions of Erika Lilley Walker!" as I've never seen a more boisterous bride with a wider range of expressions than Erika. However, the moment when Erika won my complete and bemused respect was when she got down in the middle of the dance floor during the reception and started doing push-ups in her wedding gown. You gotta love it! As best friends in love and life (she's a fitness trainer and he's a coach) Erika and Jeff have boundless energy and enthusiasm for sports and all things athletic...which always makes for a fun celebration! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have to give thanks to friend and longtime client, Kathleen Barry, for having connected me with Erika and Jeff (who were planning their Santa Barbara winter holiday wedding at <a href="http://www.eventsbyrincon.com/" target="_blank">The Rincon Beach Club</a>, a gorgeous and intimate venue in the seaside community of Carpinteria). It was only because of her that I know them both and was there to </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">photograph their wedding. Big thanks to you, Kathleen! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you'll see from the photos and slideshows, Erika and Jeff are surrounded by a beautiful group of friends and family who delighted in watching this very much in love couple celebrate their nuptials.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm very much looking forward to helping them celebrate the next many years of co-creating your lives together! It was truly a pleasure photographing you both on a very special day! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To look at the full gallery of all of the photos or to purchase prints from their wedding just click here: </span><a href="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/lilleywalkerjpegs" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/lilleywalkerjpegs</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Hoping you and your loved ones enjoy these super fun slideshows!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>*If the music doesn't come on when you click on the "play" (arrow button in the middle of the window below) then refresh your browser and click on "play" again.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>**To make the slideshow full frame (recommended) just click on the rectangular icon in lower right hand corner of the slideshow window below. Voila! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Erika & Jeff's Bride & Groom and Ceremony Slideshow</b></span><br />
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Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-75447888420250180252015-01-29T14:16:00.002-08:002015-01-29T15:25:01.099-08:00Montecito Piano Bar With Gil Rosas by The Profant Foundation For The Arts<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hosted by The Profant Foundation For The Arts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Featuring Gil Rosas on Piano & Vocals....and a few other surprise guests! ;-) </span>♪♪♪<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">L</span>ively music, piano playing, upbeat Broadway musical singalongs, lots of smiles and laughter served up along with beautiful ambience in gorgeous home in Montecito? Ummm, YES, PLEASE! ;-) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This event was such a treat to photograph thanks to Mignonne Profant who brought me on board and whom I met many years ago while photographing the <a href="http://womensfestivals.org/" target="_blank">SB Women's Festival</a>. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The aim of the Profant Foundation (run by Mignonne, her</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> three lovely sisters and their Mother)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is to raise funds towards scholarships for local artists as well as to resurrect some local cultural traditions around the arts, hence this latest musical event.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a delight to capture laughter and camaraderie among guests as they sang along with Gil who has spent the last 60+ years entertaining local Santa Barbarans. He's also well known for his many years performing at the much beloved "Olive Mill Bistro" (where "The Montecito Cafe" is now located) back in the day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought a slideshow would be a fun tribute to the evening's celebrations! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*To view the slideshow in full screen mode, just click on the "rectangle icon" in the lower right portion of the screen. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*If music doesn't come on at first, just refresh your browser and click on the "triangle" play button again. </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***If you would like to purchase any prints from the gallery below, <a href="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/profantfoundationgilrosaspianorachelsarahthurstonphoto" target="_blank">click here to be taken to the gallery. </a> </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the slideshow! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">❤ </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><i>*Song Credit: "King Of Swing" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (who originally hail from Santa Barbara! ;)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-89574824558547599362015-01-28T17:41:00.006-08:002015-01-28T17:46:26.884-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
❤<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Judy's Mesa Family Photo Shoot </span>❤</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Such a fun photo shoot with a dear friend of mine, her two beautiful kids, and their sweet puppy Oakley (who unexpectedly passed away a few months after the shoot). I'm so happy we were able to get Oakley in several of these photos....it was a magical evening with that dreamy, creamy sunset peach light! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> She ended up choosing several of the same favorites I had from our shoot together and ordering some gorgeous large prints from me and Zenfolio (Awesome Professional Photographer's Lab) for her living room. So fun to see them being appreciated and enjoyed on a daily basis! </span>❤</div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-37795236999947509002014-11-20T13:51:00.001-08:002014-11-21T10:50:11.559-08:00Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra's "Tango And Tapas" Gala Season Kick-Off<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">SBCO Executive Director: Kevin A. Marvin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Music Director & Conductor: Heiichiro Ohyama</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra at The Lobero Theatre on Saturday November 1st, 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span><span style="font-size: large;">hat do plunging necklines, deliciously sexy acrobatics, <i>sangria</i>, and Vivaldi all have to do with another?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pues, todo! That's where the </span><a href="http://www.sbco.org/index.cfm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Tango & Tapas" Gala Season Kick-Off on stepped in…seamlessly stitching all these artistic and musical elements together into one fantastic celebration at the Lobero Theatre earlier this month….</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a very exciting time to step on board as a photographer with the SBCO as their new executive director Kevin A. Marvin (with the help of his staff and the board) has been putting together an unprecedented event this fall mixing the delights of the SBCO's classical music at the Lobero along with a VIP event featuring tapas, sangria, and the incredibly sexy dancing of "Dancing With The Stars" choreographer/performers and husband-wife team <a href="http://www.sandorparissa.com/" target="_blank">"Sandor And Parissa,"</a> considered by some to be two of the best Argentine Tango Dancers in the world. (Am I the only one who thought Parissa was a dead ringer for a Latina version of Ashley Judd?)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following the VIP event was a very moving concert by the SBCO featuring Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and Astor Piazzolla's "Four Seasons Of Buenos Aires" (Aha! The Argentinean connection once again, folks!) featuring violinist Martin Beaver and SBCO Conductor </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heiichiro Ohyama.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was such a pleasure photographing this event, meeting several of the board members, and being a part of a one-of-a-kind SBCO Event. I look forward to hopefully working with them all again in the near future~ ;-)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kudos to Kevin A. Marvin, his hard-working staff, the SBCO Board Members, SBCO Sponsors, Conductor Heiichiro Ohyama, Violinist Martin Beaver, the SBCO Musicians, the Lobero Staff, and all of you who were involved in creating a truly extraordinary evening of music and dance!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to give a special shout-out to my friend, client, and classical violinist in the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra <a href="http://voxandfiddle.com/" target="_blank">Sally Barr</a> for having connected me with them and sponsored the photography for the night! Without you, none of these photos would exist~ I am very grateful to you, Sally!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a special thank you to Sally, Director Kevin A. Marvin, his staff and the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, I've put together a slideshow celebrating a few of my favorite moments from the evening. Enjoy and please share the link to this blog with your friends and SBCO lovers! You can check out this 2014-2015 season's schedules <a href="http://www.sbco.org/page.cfm?id=2" target="_blank">here:</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rachel Sarah Thurston </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rsthurston.com/">www.rsthurston.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Enjoy the slideshow! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>~Click on the arrow in the middle of screen to play the slideshow.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>~Recommended: Click on the rectangular icon in the lower right corner to make the slideshow full screen.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>~If the music doesn't come on at first, please refresh your browser and click on the play arrow button again. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*Music is "Postales" by Federico Aubele</i></span><br />
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<script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2014/11/santa-barbara-chamber-orchestra-tapas.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-54410073303345450492014-09-05T12:35:00.000-07:002014-09-10T11:34:26.403-07:00Lisa & John's Tahoe Wedding Celebration<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Feel free to leave your comments and congratulations for Lisa and John on the thread below the slideshow. Thanks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>One of the sweetest highlights</b> of my summer (and probably my year!) was traveling to Squaw Valley, Tahoe this summer to photograph an incredible multi-day celebration of Lisa and John's wedding. I met Lisa's family several years ago when I photographed them on a celebratory family trip to Santa Barbara. Many years later it's been an equal pleasure to meet the rest of her and John's extraordinary families.</span></span><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In short, this is a love letter to Lisa and John and both of their gracious, kind-hearted, down to earth, and big-hearted families </b>who came in from all parts of the country to celebrate their union. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a special privilege to feel so included in a celebration the way that Lisa and John made me and my honey feel. It's an inspiration to me to know two such lovely people and to be made to feel like "family" during a very intimate occasion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I was deeply touched</b> by the way that Lisa and John included their five beloved kids and "blended family" in their nuptials and in a very well thought out slideshow and ode to their family. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The love between a couple like Lisa and John and the love they share with their families is exactly what the world needs more of. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I look forward to watching their love and their families continue to grow over the years and hope to continue having the opportunity to photograph them all over the years…no matter the location! ITALY, ICELAND, MALAYSIA?! Where will your next celebration be? I'm so there! ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>As a special thank you to Lisa and John and their beautiful friends and family, and because they live spread out around the country, I have put together not one but FOUR SLIDESHOWS of their celebration in Tahoe earlier this year. </b>I'm hoping you all have as much fun watching this as I have had putting these together for you all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Much Love & Many Thanks,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rachel </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">www.rsthurston.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>*To watch the slideshows in full screen mode, just click on the rectangle icon in the lower right hand corner of the slideshow window. Voila!</u></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>**If the music doesn't play with the slideshow, just refresh your browser window and click "play" (arrow icon in middle of the screen) again. </u></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Cummins-Dulchinos Family & Bride & Groom Photo Slideshow: </u></span><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedgallery.aspx?p=3475e5a90fd404411CCCCCC03f0014-hwgtJSglIPv2-xhwlgAccccccF5F5F5DDDDDDffffffcccccc.2" style="background-color: white;" width="800"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Cummins-Dulchinos Wedding Ceremony & Cocktail Hour</u></span><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedgallery.aspx?p=31e7c4fe0fd404411CCCCCC03f0014-fxHVPNA8nf8S_td0ljUccccccF5F5F5DDDDDDffffffcccccc.2" style="background-color: white;" width="800"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Cummins-Dulchinos Wedding Dinner & Reception</u></span><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedgallery.aspx?p=318da24c0fd404411CCCCCC03f0014-Fsa867nrFLPgshbilykccccccF5F5F5DDDDDDffffffcccccc.2" style="background-color: white;" width="800"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>BONUS: Cummins-Dulchinos Wedding Rehearsal Dinner</u></span><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedgallery.aspx?p=2bf414140fd404411CCCCCC03f0014-GUSzabZppmC-YUbbyEUccccccF5F5F5DDDDDDffffffcccccc.2" style="background-color: white;" width="800"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VIEW THE WHOLE GALLERY OF PHOTOS (many of which are not in these slideshows) PLEASE CLICK HERE: </span><a href="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/cumminsdulchinostahoewedding">http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/cumminsdulchinostahoewedding</a></div>
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<fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2014/09/lisa-johns-tahoe-wedding-celebration.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-44382773068235554752014-07-11T15:14:00.001-07:002014-07-16T12:38:53.878-07:002014 Santa Barbara Writers Conference<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span>or well over a decade, the <a href="http://www.sbwriters.com/" target="_blank">Santa Barbara Writers Conference</a> (owned and directed by dear friends Monte Schulz and Nicole Starczak) has come to punctuate my year in a most wonderful way. It's a place where I can wear two hats….that of a writer and that of a photographer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have made lifelong friends from around the country through the conference, have found writing mentors who continue to inspire me, and built up a community of fellow writers with whom I can exchange inspiration and critiques throughout the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years my relationship with the conference has grown into becoming one of their main event photographers as well as running the Annual Talent Show with my co-host Margaux Hession and long-time friend and Mentor Matt Pallamary. The Talent Show continues to be a great way of just relaxing and celebrating a very long and exhausting week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a month's worth of celebration, inspiration, interaction with mentors, fellow writers, editors, agents, and internationally renowned novelists and non-fiction authors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simply put: It's an incredible, magical, and mind-expanding week. Writers come for encouragement and feedback but end up coming again and again largely b/c of the "family" feel of the conference and for the friendships that we all make.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Big thanks to Grace Rachow, our heroic Director of Volunteers, and all of my hard-working fellow volunteers who have spent many years putting their love, sweat, and tears into helping Nicole & Monte run the conference so smoothly! Between us all, we have a wonderful team and SBWC "family!"</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now I'll put on my "photographer's hat" and let the photos speak for themselves. Looks fun, doesn't it?! ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Enjoy the slideshow! Slideshow below may take a minute to load…but it's worth it! ;-) Once it's loaded, click on grey arrow in middle of window. If music doesn't come on within a second or two, just refresh your browser window and click on the "play" arrow button again. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>To watch with a full size screen, just click on the rectangular icon in lower right hand corner of screen. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Feel free to leave "like" this post above, leave your comments below, and share this link with your friends. </i></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedgallery.aspx?p=18d836130fd404411CCCCCC03f0014-AmWoSK1I0Ipui4VWiPQccccccF5F5F5DDDDDDffffffcccccc.2" style="background-color: white;" width="800"></iframe>
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<script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2014/07/2014-santa-barbara-writers-conference.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-74656094278889413582014-06-23T14:57:00.003-07:002014-06-26T16:03:28.832-07:00Santa Barbara's Association For Women In Communication Annual "Women Of Achievement" Awards Luncheon<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Enjoy the slideshow at the bottom of this post. Feel free to share this link and leave your comments about this super fun day of celebrating Santa Barbara women achievers!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: start;">T</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">his is always an inspiring event for me to both attend and to photograph. It has been an honor being a part of this incredible organization--The Association For Women In Communication--and it's no surprise with our incredible population of heavy hitting women in SB--that we have the fastest growing chapter in the nation!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year's Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon honored two very deserving women who have both had quite an influence on the media coverage in SB as well as our academic community. Bravo to both of you, Marianne and Nancy! Kate Carter is also an amazing woman honored with the "Lois Philips Founders Award." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a special treat for me as well seeing the Marianne and the staff at The Independent being honored. When I first moved to SB almost 15 years ago, I interned and then wrote for them as a freelancer. I will always have a special place in my heart for The Independent "Family!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And AWC-SB has had a special "home" at Antioch for almost two years now and I've had many close friends attend this excellent school. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations to the three of you and thank you for all that you have done for our community!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Enjoy the slideshow below. Click on the "play" arrow button in the middle of the box. If the sound doesn't come on at first, then refresh your browser window and click on "play" button again. Enjoy! Feel free to share this link with others. </i></span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedgallery.aspx?p=010367fd0fd404411CCCCCC03f0014-uaMTjhaO_nPqcu_4PBUccccccF5F5F5DDDDDDffffffcccccc.2" style="background-color: white;" width="800"></iframe></div>
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<script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2014/06/santa-barbaras-association-for-women-in.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-23323374311933852432014-05-03T16:22:00.000-07:002014-05-05T11:40:02.433-07:00Sloane Reali, YOU ROCK. <div id="fb-root">
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Feel free to leave your comments and love for Sloane at the end of this post~</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">W</span>orking with Sloane Reali, on any level, is a total blast. I first met her many years ago when we were neighbors and have never forgotten her…she is a fantastic ball of energy and unfailingly positive and radiant. It was a total delight to see her in her element, working as both a vocal coach both privately and to groups (at <a href="http://www.sbguitarbar.com/" target="_blank">The Santa Barbara Guitar Bar)</a> as well as the intrepid leader of a group of vocal students at <a href="http://www.rockshopacademy.com/" target="_blank">The Rock Shop</a> Academy. Full of positive feedback and support for her students, I honestly can't imagine anyone else being in the position she's in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see how much her students (from young kids to older adults) really warm up to Sloane and feel comfortable and equally inspired by her presence. It's truly a beautiful thing to witness! And as a long-time vocalist and musician, I can truly appreciate her ability to nurture men and women's talents from such young ages no matter what level they may be starting at. I can only imagine how far along I would be musically if I had had a teacher like Sloane when I was younger. It's impressive as well how many resources there are for young kids when they are musically inclined….both The Santa Barbara Guitar Bar and The Rock Shop are fantastic local businesses supporting both amateur and professional musicians of all ages. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sloane, you're a total delight and I can't wait to see you and your students performing one of these days! Please give the young ones my best! They were an inspiration to me as a fellow vocalist myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out more of what Sloane does here: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://vocalcoachingbysloane.com/">http://vocalcoachingbysloane.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These are just a few of my favorite photos from our multiple shoots together…ENJOY!</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-48819910557784180842014-04-14T15:20:00.003-07:002014-04-15T16:23:27.665-07:00Alpha's Annual "Circle Of Life" Luncheon With Dennis Miller<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>'ve lost track of how many years I've been photographing the <a href="http://alphasb.org/" target="_blank">Alpha Resource Center's</a> Annual "Circle Of Life" Luncheon but I'm no less moved today by their events than I was many years ago when I first started shooting for them.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HaJee_Mv0M/U0xfzJdr7bI/AAAAAAAACOc/5p44lj75F4k/s1600/alpharsthurston3-14wm-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9HaJee_Mv0M/U0xfzJdr7bI/AAAAAAAACOc/5p44lj75F4k/s1600/alpharsthurston3-14wm-38.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The work that they do in our community--providing support to families with children of all ages who have developmental disabilities- is impactful and deeply moving. I am inspired by both the staff and the participants at Alpha who all seem to have a zest for life and a passion about what they are doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From testimonials by Alpha participants and family members to witty remarks from long-time Alpha supporter Dennis Miller to music performances by participants….I always come out of any Alpha Event buoyed, humbled, and uplifted by the beauty of the human spirit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the slideshow below!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please feel free to leave your comments below and share this link with your Alpha friends and supporters~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the Slideshow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Please click on the arrow in middle of photo to begin the slideshow. If the music doesn't come on initially, then refresh your screen/browser and click "play" (arrow) again.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You can enjoy full screen mode by clicking on the square icon in the lower right hand corner of slideshow. </i></span><br />
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Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-22739678868778134212014-03-17T12:03:00.004-07:002014-04-15T16:31:18.701-07:00The Ever Talented and Indomitable Karen Custer Thurston<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #330000;">"We ought to dance with rapture that we might be alive... and part of the living, incarnate cosmos." ~D.H. Lawrence</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #330000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span>y mother--the indomitable and multi-talented--Karen Custer Thurston continues to be one of my very favorite people to photograph. Over the years she has hired me to capture various aspects of her long-time career as a fitness trainer, instructor, Turkish-Egyptian Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Performer, and Bollywood choreographer and teacher. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7a9faoZejE/U02wJg6fHtI/AAAAAAAACS8/pZ0A9p7IQcc/s1600/rsthurstonkcthurstonwm-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7a9faoZejE/U02wJg6fHtI/AAAAAAAACS8/pZ0A9p7IQcc/s1600/rsthurstonkcthurstonwm-20.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #330000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has become a tradition that we do every couple of years….and each time I photograph her it's a unique and magical experience. As we are mothers and daughters, there's always lots of hem and hawing over what we each think her make-up and outfits will look like but we've developed a fantastic symbiosis and over the years she has ultimately learned to trust my artistic vision and judgment. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #330000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think these photos speak for themselves. My mother is one of the most beautiful people I know both inside and out. Her spirit and strength are radiant and she has a magnetism that the camera always seems to love. She has also taken incredible care of her health and her body…many people have seen photos of her over the years and think that I have somehow photoshopped a little extra, making her slimmer and giving her bigger muscles. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #330000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But make no mistake, my friends. This is all very REAL and the muscles and incredible definition she has are all her own. Thanks to being a daughter of farmers and then a very, very hard working fitness trainer and dancer her whole life she has become a role model of men and women of all ages to be in the best possible health and shape that they can. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyOImwZw8vQ/U02wJvXQd4I/AAAAAAAACS0/aOJflDGvlHk/s1600/rsthurstonkcthurstonwm-63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyOImwZw8vQ/U02wJvXQd4I/AAAAAAAACS0/aOJflDGvlHk/s1600/rsthurstonkcthurstonwm-63.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #330000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so incredibly grateful to be on this journey with her and have no doubt that it's only a part of a much longer and wonderful journey we have together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mama, you have been and will always continue to be an infinite source of inspiration to me and I am so honored to be on this journey with <i>You</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xoxo Raquelita</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hija De La Chihuahua</span><br />
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<span style="color: #330000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy both of the slideshows! I had so many wonderful photos from two parts of our shoot together (fitness and then dance) that I decided to do two separate slideshows and celebrate these two aspects of her career. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #330000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>If the music doesn't come on when you first click on the "play" (triangle/arrow) then refresh your browser and click play again.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #330000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You can obtain full screen mode by clicking on square icon in lower right hand corner of slideshow screen. </i></span><br />
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Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-15210697834863083002014-02-03T17:43:00.000-08:002014-02-07T14:47:36.666-08:00Beth and Forrest's Engagement Photos<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="background-color: #f8fafb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 20px;">♥••*´¨`*•.☆• Beth and Forrest's Engagement Photos •☆.•*´¨`*••♥</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f8fafb; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 20px;"><i>*Make sure to check out the slideshow at the end of this blog entry. Click on the "arrow" to play it.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #330000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Love has no desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving. </i> ~Kahlil Gibran</span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXPFwZtPh4A/UvBJt7iAXYI/AAAAAAAACNI/zvxWF_cKmKw/s1600/rsthurstontbfcookwm-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXPFwZtPh4A/UvBJt7iAXYI/AAAAAAAACNI/zvxWF_cKmKw/s1600/rsthurstontbfcookwm-3.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #330000;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #330000;">Kind. Thoughtful. Down to earth. Funny. Loving. Compassionate. These are just a few of the qualities that come to mind when I think of either Forrest or Beth…both of whom are extraordinarily good people! It's wonderful to know them both and even more magical to see them together as a couple.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #330000;">I was delighted to have the opportunity to photograph them for their engagement. We had so much fun that the sunset came all too soon….</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #330000;">I am so happy to know you both and even happier to see two really good people find each other and create a life together.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #330000;">Wishing you the greatest happiness as you build your life togethere! You both deserve it!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #330000;">With Love and Blessings~</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #330000;">Rachel </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #330000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><i>*Make sure to check out the slideshow below! If the music doesn't come on when you click on the arrow "play" button then refresh your browser window and try again. You can also leave comments below. Enjoy!</i></u></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #330000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><iframe frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedgallery.aspx?p=25a6e41a0fd404411CCCCCC03f0014-Id6L847zGYf7hkvOhhoccccccF5F5F5DDDDDDffffffcccccc.2" style="background-color: white;" width="800"></iframe>
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<script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2014/02/beth-and-forrests-engagement-photos.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-83082444866633066902014-01-23T17:08:00.000-08:002014-01-29T18:59:11.800-08:00Carolyn and David's Family Portrait<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carolyn and David's Family Portrait Session</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Santa Barbara, CA</span><br />
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<span style="color: #330000;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." ~Joyce Brothers</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I first met Carolyn over the holidays at our AWC Annual Holiday Party and was delighted to meet a fellow Midwesterner who has recently relocated to Santa Barbara. I have a special place in my heart for Midwesterners and have many close friends here in SB who hail from the flatlands of the U.S. like me. There's a common heritage that we share that's unique and familiar and, from my experience, Midwesterners tend to be pretty down to earth, kind-hearted and authentic people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was delighted when she and her husband wanted to put together a photo shoot for their family's reunion out here in their beautiful new home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is truly short and it seems to be speeding up for me every year. I have lived 1,000s of miles from much of my family now for over two decades so I cherish every moment I have with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a delight being there to celebrate Carolyn and David's time with their family who were visiting from around the country. It's a precious thing to spend time with the people we love no matter how many zip codes exist between our homes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sending you and your family my love and blessings this year! I hope we can make this an annual tradition. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rachel</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-2334911136749972102013-12-19T16:29:00.003-08:002013-12-23T11:47:15.547-08:00Photo Shoot With Children's Book And Fiction Author JZ Bingham<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Please make sure to check out the slideshow below!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlJy9AVyskY/UrOOXv_U8PI/AAAAAAAACLo/IyaHvsInCHA/s1600/rsthurstontjbinghamwm-173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlJy9AVyskY/UrOOXv_U8PI/AAAAAAAACLo/IyaHvsInCHA/s640/rsthurstontjbinghamwm-173.jpg" width="425" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I first met <a href="http://jzbingham.com/" target="_blank">JZ</a> earlier this year at the Santa Barbara Writer's Conference and was quickly drawn to her warmth and candor. I've made some really wonderful friends with fellow writers over the last ten years of my involvement with the conference and it has been a special treat getting to know Jasmine (as her friends call her). Besides being a talented author of a hot-off-the-press series of The Salty Splashes Collection of Children's Books, she's a stunning, radiant woman on the inside and out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before our shoot she kept warning me that she's traditionally been uncomfortable in front of the camera and doesn't consider herself photogenic. As soon as I started shooting her, it was immediately apparent that she's quite the opposite. She's stunning in person and a total natural in front of the camera. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VmSvGV5AWw/UrOOZvOOZrI/AAAAAAAACL8/YkixPLG-0MI/s1600/rsthurstontjbinghamwm-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VmSvGV5AWw/UrOOZvOOZrI/AAAAAAAACL8/YkixPLG-0MI/s640/rsthurstontjbinghamwm-33.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was so much fun to do with her. She wanted to show some other more candid shots of herself as the multi-dimensional author that she is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm blown away by how her radiance comes through in these photos…the light was sublime. It was a magical shoot and I can't wait to photograph her again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can check out her websites here….and her books, of course, make wonderful holiday presents as well!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's do this again, Jasmine!</span><br />
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<a href="http://jzbingham.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">JZ Bingham Author Website</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.saltysplashes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Salty Splashes Collection of Children's Books</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*Enjoy the slideshow below! If the music doesn't come on at first, then refresh your page and click "play" again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To make the slideshow full screen, simply click on the lower left hand icon (rectangle) and Voila! ;-)</span><br />
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<script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2013/12/authorjzbinghamphotoshoot.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-89846459476178449042013-12-05T16:44:00.002-08:002013-12-06T11:01:20.478-08:00AWC-SB's Annual Holiday And Awards Party At Municipal Winemaker<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*If you enjoyed this slideshow please "like" and share it with your friends both in and outside of <a href="http://awcsb.org/" target="_blank">AWC-SB</a>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Big congratulations to AWC-SB Member Of The Year Winner Lisa Angle of <a href="http://www.ninetydegreesmedia.com/" target="_blank">"Ninety Degrees Medi</a>a" and Nonprofit Of The Year <a href="http://www.storytellercenter.org/" target="_blank">"Storyteller Children's Center."</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Holidays to you all!</span><br />
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Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19495207.post-54482292087894881752013-11-25T18:49:00.001-08:002013-11-27T13:12:53.818-08:00The American Riviera Woman Entrepreneur Of The Years Awards 2013<div id="fb-root">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>*Enjoy the slideshow at the end of this post! </u></i></span>
<i><a href="http://www.arweyawards.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">The Arwey Awards</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> were founded by Executive Director Tia Walker here in Santa Barbara, California. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year's awards were held on Saturday, November 16th 2013 at The Bacara Resort and Spa</span></i><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kEQUsM3Ah0/UpQK_FwVWSI/AAAAAAAACGM/j2mPyJiS9e0/s1600/rsthurstontwalkerarweyawards-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8kEQUsM3Ah0/UpQK_FwVWSI/AAAAAAAACGM/j2mPyJiS9e0/s640/rsthurstontwalkerarweyawards-2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">learned a few years ago that basically anything that <a href="http://www.theinspiredceo.com/" target="_blank">Tia Walker</a> touches usually turns to gold and sparkles with magical and powerful intention in the world! Being in the room and sharing an afternoon with such incredibly motivated and inspiring women was a powerful experience for all of us. She miraculously brought together a diverse group of heavy-hitting women from around the country in order to both celebrate each of their achievements and to inspire all of us towards more intentional living in this world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is an indelible strength that comes from supporting each other in moving towards our dreams and giving back to the world. </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkxZX7uSkvU/UpRSAvb6PYI/AAAAAAAACKY/n5_oePjgFK4/s1600/rsthurstontwalkerarweyawards-219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EkxZX7uSkvU/UpRSAvb6PYI/AAAAAAAACKY/n5_oePjgFK4/s640/rsthurstontwalkerarweyawards-219.jpg" width="425" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From listening to the work that the panelists are doing in the world to being treated to some fantastic music including a humorous "Tiara Song" by Penelope and then a surprise performance by Rickie Byars Beckwith of the Agape Spiritual Center it was difficult to not feel spiritually uplifted by the end of the afternoon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We can't merely walk our own paths with purpose, we must support our sisters in walking their own as well. And this is where we will get our fuel to continue on and our inspiration to always aim higher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I couldn't have put it better than Sister Janet (another award recipient) put it, "No one has it all together but together we have it all." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amen, Sister! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy the slideshow that I put together from this beautiful event! Please feel free to share the link with all of your friends and anyone else who was involved with this beautiful day. A big thanks to Tia Walker and all of her hard-working volunteers who helped make this day happen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">May you all continue to walk the walk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With Love And Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Rachel <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 24px;">☆⋰⋱★⋰⋱☆⋰⋱★۰̮̑●̮̑۰</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">www.rsthurston.com</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">_________________________________________</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 24px;"><u>A Message From Tia….</u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Bigger ARWEY Vision ~ by Founder <a href="http://www.theinspiredceo.com/" target="_blank">Tia Walker</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span><span style="font-size: large;">hanks to the brilliant photographic talents of Rachel S. Thurston</span><span style="font-size: large;"> (of <a href="http://www.rsthurston.com/" target="_blank">r.s.thurston photography</a>), there is a slideshow of the event that will delight your heart and you'll receive a joy blast :) just by watching.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your support of the <a href="http://www.arweyawards.com/" target="_blank">ARWEY Awards</a> extends beyond the borders of Santa Barbara and reaches remote areas of Tanzania and Ghana. Together with our sister city of Monaco, we are building a bridge to help women through the sometimes harsh reality of oppression and lack of access to capital <span style="line-height: normal;">through</span> micro loans, training and mentoring. Our intention is to partner with existing organizations and support their efforts both locally and globally. We feel no need to start something "new" as there are many organizations that are established to meet the needs, we simply support those efforts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we gather with our families and friends this Thanksgiving and holiday season I ask that as a community we take a moment to support the very life changing gift of economic development through entrepreneurship. These micro businesses, feed families, bring women out of oppressed situations and change communities. Imagine a world where everyone on this planet is fed and has fresh drinking water and a means to sustain themselves. That is a very real possibility as we shift our focus to a global connected community and assist those with less access to capital.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />You may help by making a donation or bidding on the beautiful Shona art piece "Reach for your dreams" by Zimbabwe artist Marion Nyanhongo which supports the micro loan programs and local organizations who are taking the charge with community changing work. For auction visit:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/item-detail.cfm?auctionID=604&ItemID=17835&viewType=1&style=39&font=0&catName=Antiques%20and%20Art" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/item-detail.cfm?auctionID=604&ItemID=17835&viewType=1&style=39&font=0&catName=Antiques%20and%20Art</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For individual donations contact us at ARWEY: <a href="http://arweyawards.com/contact.html" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">http://arweyawards.com/contact.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you! Sending you warm holiday wishes and welcome to the ARWEY Circle of Light community.<span style="line-height: normal;"><br style="line-height: 18px;" /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: normal;">Tia</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">*Enjoy the slideshow below!</span> Be patient and wait for the grey box to show a circle with an arrow in the middle appear. Once it appears click on it to "play." If it doesn't load, try refreshing your browser and waiting a few moments. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~If the music doesn't come on at first, try refreshing your browser and clicking "play" again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~You can make the slideshow full screen by clicking on the rectangular box in the lower right hand screen of slideshow. Voila!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~Feel free to leave your comments below and share the link with your friends~ ;-)</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) If you would like to order any of these prints please visit this gallery here: </span></i><a href="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/arweyawardsprints">http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/arweyawardsprints</a><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) If you would like to order any digital downloads of these photos please visit this gallery here: </span></i><a href="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/arweyawardsdigidownload">http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/arweyawardsdigidownload</a><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="600" scrolling="no" src="http://rsthurston.zenfolio.com/zf/core/embedgallery.aspx?p=2a7c045e0fd404411CCCCCC03f0014-O7WRmJSYfGVoZFELq_QccccccF5F5F5DDDDDDffffffcccccc.2" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;" width="800"></iframe><br />
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<script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:comments href="http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2013/11/tiawalkerarweyawardsbacara.html" num_posts="10" width="500"></fb:comments><div class="blogger-post-footer">Rachel Sarah Thurston
Santa Barbara, California
805-886-7484
email: rachel@rsthurston.com</div>Rachel Sarah Thurstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191378271475136816noreply@blogger.com0