This is my life | Mom. Wife. Daughter. Sister. Photographer.

Some of you may know that my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer last month. It was a huge shock to our family. My dad is 58 and more full of life than any other person that I know. He still single handedly runs a landscape company, he works out nearly every day, and loves to ride his Harley. However, what he loves more than anything is his family. My dad is everything to me...he is my protector, my advocate, and someone whom I truly can't imagine my life without. I know that someday we all have to lose our parents, but this is too soon. My dad is going to fight (and has already been fighting) but the prognosis is not good. Cancer is an ass hole and cancer is never, ever fair. I looked around my home and realized that while I have beautiful portraits taken by other photographers hanging on my walls, I'm missing a lot of what truly makes me happy - the small things. So, I decided to start a little project, a project to print any and all photos that mean something to me, and obviously, those things are my family and close friends. I'm missing a few (I realize that I don't have many photos at all of my in-laws or my brother) but the great thing is that I can keep adding. When I look at these photos, I realize how full and complete my life is. I am the mother of a beautiful, wonderful little boy. I am the wife of an amazing, inspiring man. I am the daughter of courageous, loving and selfless parents. I am the step-daughter of amazing people who have chosen to accept me as part of their family just as I have chosen them to be a part of mine. I am the sister of inspiring and strong siblings. I am the friend of funny, spirit-lifting individuals.

So, I wanted to share the start of my photos with you. I'll also show you the final product if it turns out half-decent.

My other half and I on 4th of July 2010. A day by the pool with friends and you get a very rare "Bre with zero makeup" photo.

My beautiful older sister and I. I feel like we look like such "adults" here - when did that happen?

My step-dad, Doug. I don't know why this makes me smile. Maybe it's the baseball/golf combo?

My mom. My best friend. My other half. Christmas 2010.

My son will always know how much his grandpa loves him - whether he is here with us or not.

I can't help it. It makes me smile, therefor it made the crack- I mean CUT (sorry, Reid!)

Will and his siblings at Disneyland, 2010.

My mom, my son's biggest cheerleader...delivering the cake for his 2nd birthday, 2010.

My dad and step-mom, Rene. There is no faking that look. God, they love eachother so much.

My beautiful cousin, aka sister, Kailyn, who has overcome more obstacles than anyone I know and has grown into a wonderful young woman.

That face. Oh, that face.

Blackmail. It had to be done. My niece and son just last month.

Ice cream kisses with grandpa. This was right before my dad's diagnosis and he was very sick while he was visiting, but never too sick to share a bowl of ice cream with his only grandson.

I included this one because I think I look pretty in this photo, and I think it's important to have something like that to look back on, you know?

My princess niece on her 1st birthday. This girl has the best smile. Ever.

Reid's first ice cream cone. BRAAAAIN FREEZE!

The most important job of my life- being his mommy.

How lucky are we to have Ganner? Ganner is my husband's grandmother and Reid's great-grandmother. Coming from someone who no longer even has grandparents, she is so special to me.

Just another day at the park.

Moments like these can't be staged. Disneyland 2010.

Every kid needs to do this once. Or 20 times.

Melissa, Michelle (+ baby Welyn!) and I - my girlfriends. My buddies.Women who have shown me what true friendship is.

Thanks to my dad's good taste, these two women will forever be a part of my life. They prove that family isn't always born to you.

This winter by brother in law taught Reid how to play the drums. He's hooked.

A typical day in the Thurston household. Will had just recorded Reid playing ball on his iPhone and Reid, ever the narcisist, wanted to see.

The best friends that anyone could ask for. Our best man and maid of honor. The friends you feel most comfortable with.

The Birth of Leiland | Southern California Birth Photographer

Outside of the birth of my own son, I have never witnessed another life coming into this world. It's something I've always wanted to experience and I always assumed that it would be a close friend of family member. When I began my journey into photography, I had never heard of "birth photography" - however, the moment that you see a session (best displayed in a slideshow) it simply melts your heart. It doesn't matter if it's a complete stranger, each and every time that baby is born and in the arms of the mom and dad, I lose it. Total tears. Every time. Sarah is a fellow photographer so when the opportunity to photograph her birth came about, I jumped on it. I loved every single moment.

Sarah went overdue and was induced at 5:30am on Wednesday. She had been texting me all morning and said that I should come as soon as they were moved to a larger birthing room. Unfortunately, it was a busy day at the hospital and all of the rooms were full! So, we finally decided that I should just come in to the small room (one chair and very little room to stand!) since she was already 8cm. When I walked in, my heart raced because I have never seen anyone in labor, much less at 8cm, without an epidural. It was hard to see her in pain. I was nervous for her but also so proud. She decided to go ahead and get the epi shortly thereafter and it was great to see her relax and get a break from the pain. Not soon after, she was 10cm but the baby was not fully descended. So we waited. Still in the small room. Most of the photos in the slideshow are when she was fully dialated and she still had some discomfort. Finally, they said she was ready to push (but still no birth room available!) so they moved her to another room. I'm not sure what it's normally for. They did a couple of practice pushes, the doctor came in (such a nice guy - I loved him!) and within just a few pushes Leiland was born! He weighed in at 9lbs 3oz and was as healthy as could be.

I am so, so happy for Sarah and Tim. Last year they lost a daughter, Ruth, around 20 weeks. So, while Leiland is their only child here on earth, he has a beautiful sister looking over him.

The Bly Family | A photography adventure in Seattle!

Last weekend I traveled to Seattle for my niece Kaydriana's first birthday party. The only bummer was that Sunday was mother's day, meaning I had to be away from my own husband and son. However, we ended up having an amazing day. My brother-in-law took us out to a beautiful brunch at a fancy country club (I don't remember the name), I did a shoot for the awesome Bly family, and when we got home, he had a fantastic steak dinner waiting for my sister and I. I want to give a shout out to my sister for being an awesome assistant during our shoot. Or, should I say, professional dog handler? haha. I love the Seattle area - it's gorgeous, green, lush, and full of activity. What I don't love? The weather. I'm a California girl to the core and 50 degree highs in May just don't work for me. My niece's party was outside on Saturday and I wore my biggest winter coat, boots, a hat and a scarf. Stand out much?? Everyone made fun of me, but hey, at least I was warm!

Happy birthday to my beautiful niece!!

The proud parents with their girl (and Minnie!)

I have never seen a child enjoy cake as much as Kaydriana did!

The view from the country club on Mother's Day. That's downtown Seattle that you see.Views like this make me think that I MIGHT be able to handle the weather. Maybe. Probably not.

I bought these crazy red heels for Vegas but never got to wear them. This was my attempt at classing them up with a little black dress and black coat. I can't even tell you the last time I wore heels. I really need to get out more.

Meet the Bly family! Anita works with my sister and we arranged to do a shoot while I was in town. I don't consider large families to be my strong point, photography wise, but they were the easiest family to photograph - even the dogs were great! We were so worried that it would be raining that we initally arranged to do the photos in their home. However, the weather (you know how I feel about you, Seattle weather...) finally cleared up and we were able to get outside. Gorgeous!

Too much cuteness