Campo Verde Gilbert Senior {Class of '14!}

I love working with this one.  She's so real, she's going to tell you what you she thinks.  When you're being an idiot, she'll let you know with the best look I've ever seen.  And when you're being real with her, she completely opens up and shines.  She's my first senior of the season and she started it off with a huge bang!!  The bar is set high my friends, I don't know if I can top this.

I hope....

About a year ago I wanted to put together a vintage photo shoot.  A little Jackie O and man friend.  I had my Jackie O, this stunning friend of ours.  But the man I had in mind went and got married and the idea sifted out of my brain.

At the beginning of this summer I heard that said stunning friend was leaving her life behind to serve her church for 18 months.  I knew I had to squeeze in a photo shoot before she left but it was so hot!!

Then I got hurt.  And priorities changed.  I could only afford to photograph, edit, and present that which I truly loved.  Even writing this post, I've had to stop twice to rest my eyes.  And a vintage, leaving-on-a-mission photo shoot was on the tip top of my list.

So we took two simple and meaningful props, went to the closest, private location with great light and whipped it out.  Two hours before the shoot yesterday, my doc called and wanted me to come in ASAP the next day for some serious tests.  I knew I had to shoot and completely finish editing because within 24 hours I might be down for awhile. 

The doc appointment is in two hours but the time has passed peacefully because I knew I was doing what I loved.  I've never had such an easy time editing and post-processing.  I know Heavenly Father was blessing me with peace and joy during a time of stress and anxiety. 

Kimee is going to go on to bless way more people and I couldn't be more proud of her grace and beauty.  She shines!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chandler Senior Ms. B

This senior was such a wonderful surprise.  When I first showed up in her home, she was quiet and demure.  She had an amazing bedroom and while shooting there, I realized she was darn pretty and the camera liked her face a lot. 

Then we got to her first location, found some yummy light and BAM!  Girl turned it on.  She knew how to smile with her eyes, how to give me that angle I needed, she knew how to turn a photograph stunning.  I told her Mom, "I could stay here all night.  She's amazing."

By the time we reached the final location, I wasn't shocked anymore but it was still a blast.  She was willing to try all the goofy poses I threw at her until one stuck and made it gold.  Ms. B was a blast!  She's off to college in the fall and I am soooo glad I was the one picked to document this beautiful young woman!

Corona Del Sol Senior '12

This shoot was super fun.  Ms. B was willing to go along with every suggestion and just relax and have fun.  With her mom and friend along for the ride, we got some great smiles, and of course, the eyes....who can forget the eyes?  Stunning.

There was music everywhere...

This senior was such a blast to photograph.  He definitely had his own style and he had so many props to work with, it was easy and fun.  He was willing to get up at sunrise for the most wonderful light, he wasn't afraid to try anything and have some fun, and yes, he actually plays all of those instruments! 

Thanks Josh!  You were an awesome model!

Mike M. '12 Combs HS Senior Model Rep

Sunrise in Queen Creek Arizona.  Two 1940's Fords.  One boy, on his way to be a man.  It was an awesome photo shoot.  I am so grateful I got to be a part of it. 

Swag

I wanted to try something new with my next Senior Model Rep, Jaime C.  I printed off some senior pictures of guys that looked super cool from some of my photog friends around the country.  We started throwing around words like, "just chill" and "swag".  I wasn't so sure about 'swag' but Jaime knew exactly what is was and gave me just what the camera needed for some super cool looks.  I got home, searched "Swag" on iTunes and confirmed my worst fear.  I'm old.  :)

But I'm cool with that as long as I have models like Jaime keeping me young.  Young like his Mom, who looks like his sister.  I'll be old if I can be old like that!

As one of my senior model reps, Jaime has the chance to earn a $25 gift card for each referral, and a $500 scholarship at the end of the school year for the most referrals.  Good luck Jaime!  Your photo shoot was crazy cool.  Or Da Bomb.  Or swag diggity.  Yeah, I'm cool.  :)

Senior Model Rep - Jesse S. - Mesquite HS Senior '12

Jesse rocked this senior photo shoot.  He styled himself completely, down to the super awesome sunglasses.  He was an absolute natural at posing for the camera.  Don't be surprised if you see this kid in front of the camera someday.  And he'd be cool like dat.

Kaysen B - Gilbert HS Senior '12

Introducing my second Senior Model Rep, Kaysen B.  I've known him for a few years now but didn't realize he had great taste in ties, vintage taste in music, and crazy blue eyes.  He's right around six feet tall which meant I felt like I was the kid, not him. 







When we started his "Life at Home" pictures, his mother had one request.  "I want a picture of him taking out the garbage."  Weird, I thought but whatever.  Now that pic is one of my favorites.  It's a real slice of life and it was sooo sweet of him to do it for his Mom. 

I also was lucky and snapped a quick shot of his beautiful sister laughing.  Again, one of my favorites.  Sometimes magic happens, my friends. 

Senior Model Rep - Lexi F. - Campo Verde HS Senior '12

Introducing my very first Senior Model Rep for the Gilbert high schools: Campo Verde, Gilbert, Mesquite and Highland.  Lexi has a chance to win a $500 cash scholarship at the end of the year if she's referred the most clients.  And even if she doesn't win, she'll get a $25 gift card for each referral up to $200.  Sweet.  More info here. 

 I've known Lexi since she was 12.  We all knew she would grow up to be amazing.  And she is, pretty incredible.  The kind of kid that you think, "Wow, if she were my age, we would totally hang out."  She's smart as a whip, way more self-confident that I am, and totally chill.

What I didn't know was how photogenic she is!  She's got these incredible eyes that are blue and green and brown all at once.  And just a lovely smile.

But best of all, she's fearless.  Even when the rock she's sitting on is crawling with ants, she calmly waits for the click of the camera before beating them mercilessly with her cute shoe.  Yeah, she's that kind of girl.







On all of my senior shoots this year, I am starting with some Time at Home, catching some on-the-fly photos of my seniors with their families. Lexi's turned out especially awesome.



Lexi was brave, being my very first senior.  But her courage earned her this awesome photo shoot.  Thanks Lexi!! You're the bomb.

Senior Model Reps Scholarship Contest!!

Hey all! Just want to announce my new scholarship for Senior Model Reps.

Reps will receive their entire senior session for free, a $200 value, with the disk of at least 20 images in full print resolution, able to print however and wherever you like.

Reps will also receive their own "senior cards" with their image to hand out.

At the end of the school year, the rep with the most referrals will earn a $500 college scholarship.

2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a Target gift card, $25 per referral up to $200 to help with school supplies, dorm decoration and that important freshman year wardrobe.

If interested, send me an email with a picture and a quick explanation about why you would be a great Model Rep for Thurston Photographs. ejtcat(at)hotmail.com

Can't wait to hear from you!!

Here's the fine print:
**Once selected, senior reps need to have their photo session complete ASAP, preferably during the month of July.
**At least one Model Rep will be accepted per high school. One female and one male, maximum.
**First place winner needs to refer at least 3 clients in order to receive the full $500 scholarship. If winner refers less than 3 clients, they will receive the Target gift card, $25 per referral same as the 2nd and 3rd place winners.
**Contest begins as soon as rep is accepted and announced. Contest ends May 31, 2012. Check and gift cards will be given by June 30, 2012. Share10

For the Winner...Tahnee Harris

What an incredible photo shoot. Tahnee won my Facebook contest from last month. She finally came to town and we were able to do an awesome family photo shoot. The first for their family in a long time. They were up at the crack of dawn and gave me some really amazing photographs. I'm so honored, excited, inspired to have done this photo shoot.

So many more to come, cute baby, cute grandparents, cute couple, it's all coming. But these were some of my favorites.