From San Diego to Maui!!!

I left San Diego on Wednesday morning. It was such a relief to get out of there. The fires had been burning since Sunday. My lungs were at their capacity- and my entire body was feeling affected by the smoke. I had been evacuating from place to place for 2 days. But the stress I was under was nothing in comparison to thousands of people who lost their homes. Either way, I was glad get out of there. I had a trip planned to Maui for several months, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Here are some photos from our first day....

San Diego Fire Evacuees, Qualcom, Stadium

I got a call from People Magazine to shoot portraits of evacuees at the Qualcomm Stadium. I had a little over 2 hours to make these portraits, however I am really happy with them.

Overall, it was very easy to get these people to be real with their emotions in front of the camera. Most of the people there had been under so much stress and lack of sleep- the last thing they wanted to do was smile in front of a camera. While they agreed to be photographed- most boundaries that keep people from being comfortable in front of a lens had dissipated.

I encouraged them not to smile- but to express what they were feeling in that moment, in front of the lens. It really worked. As I was taking these portraits, I was floored by how powerful the experience was. I don't think I have ever made a series of portraits of people in a traumatic situation such as this. It was an amazing experience.

I LOVE my friends!!!!

(Rachel Lane and Nicole Bernhardt)

Well, it has been a little while since I have posted anything. I guess I have just been caught up with everything- I went to New York for a week and a half, was in Seattle visiting my family, and now I am in Venice Beach.

But first, I need to focus on what this blog entry is all about, my amazing friends. I was in New York from September 19- 28. I got to see my brother, my great friends, visit with my agency (www.reduxpictures.com), and print all of the work I have been making over the last 6 months. It was an incredibly productive 10 days. I worked in the darkroom for about 10 hours a day, then spent quality time with people in the evenings. The time in NYC was so great, I have to dedicate a special blog entry to these people.

One of the first things I did when I got to New York was head upstate to the Bard area. My friend Nicole, Melissa and I rented a car and headed to Tivoli to visit my old friend and roommate, Sam. Sam is a chef and cooked a huge, amazing meal of swordfish, polenta, and an array of spanish cheeses. It was divine. We ate, drank, laughed and danced around the living room, just like old times.

Sam..early on in the night.

Melissa

Taun, such a wonderful person.

Rachel, on the Trapeeze.

The next day, we were mostly hung over. I cut Sam's hair, we did a fashion shoot, swam in the Hudson..

Sam..man of many identities (above and below)






cutting Sam's hair..


Our Jaunt to the Hudson.. It was a perfect Indian Summer day..











-Bryn and Tim in Fort Green Brooklyn-









I know Tim from studying abroad in Ecuador. We hit it off, then I met his amazing girlfriend Bryn. We became neighbors and fast friends.. now they are two people I know I will be close with for the rest of my life.

CLARISSE LABRO.. famous french architect in the making
Clarisse and I lived together during our time at Bard..Many wonderful memories with her. And she's moving back to Paris!





Love to my peoples in Nueva York!!