By the way, this is part three of three Cruzin’ posts:

• Oct. 5: Car Show & Cruise
• Oct. 7: Dinner & Photobooth!
• Today: Burnout

A burnout is a photographer’s dream. Greg put it best when he said (and I’m gonna butcher it) he had so many photos that he had to choose between happy smoke, sad smoke, mean smoke …

The first car was from a girl named Jayme, who is getting her start in fast cars. She took off quick, and I had a feeling she’d get going even faster with more track.

This year, the rules were changed a bit. Entrants were required to do a “rolling burnout”, in which the vehicle would have to be moving through a wet slick of pavement when starting their burn, rather than completely stopped.

This really separated the pros from the beginners, and it was a bit more of a challenge for some cars. Quite honestly, it dulled the visuals somewhat, too — Greg and I had to work harder for the shot. Boo hoo for us, I know, I know … Don’t get me wrong though, the cars still put on a rockin’ show!

Just to prove it:

This car’s team member got a little steamy under the collar.

The last truck had the beefiest power, what with the jet engine hanging out behind it. It cycled up just like a jet airplane, and it was easy to feel the truck’s potential.

Thank you again to all the volunteers and board member who welcomed us and made it so much fun to photograph and event with such positive energy!

By the way, this is part three of three Cruzin’ posts:

• Oct. 5: Car Show & Cruise
• Today: Dinner & Photobooth!
• Oct. 9: Burnout

As I was saying, dinner and auction. They mean business:

Dinner was SO good. The volunteers who cooked, grilled, and served it up really deserve some applause.

A plethora of items were waiting for the persons willing to donate the mostest, including vacations, a hosted luau party, signed hats, many bottles of wine (… which would be my weakness).

But there was a point when the auctioneer helped one recovering boy ask for simple donations. Suddenly, with just some flips of a few wrists, thousands of dollars were given in the span of just a couple minutes. It was a powerful moment to see.

We did a same-day edit and projected some of our favorites from the car show and cruise on the wall at our table. But more importantly, we had the photobooth out.

(That one’s my favorite! And it was just a “test shot!”)

O. M. G. … With Greg at the wheel of the photobooth, it was properly out of control. In front of the most perfect backdrop you’ll ever see (designed and painted masterfully by Keara, by the way), there were some shenanigans. Check these out:

And of course, the board members who made it all happen:

PS – Ask us how to get our photobooth at your wedding or event!

Soooo many good photos from the 7th annual Cruzin’ For Life last weekend in Santa Maria.

First though, from the three of us (Greg, Keara, and me) thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and hospitality. This was our second outing at Cruzin’, and it was even better than last time! It’s fantastic to see so many people come together to raise awareness and money for the Marian Cancer Care Center in Santa Maria and the American Cancer Society.

So, where was I? Oh yeah, neck-deep in awesome photos. Enough so that I will be splitting up this showing of photography into three posts:

• Today: Car Show & Cruise
• Next: Burnout
• Last: Dinner & Photobooth!

Onward to the car show …

These ladies have quite the cupcake booth going! I don’t dare show this photo to my girl and baker-of-the-house Ingrid … she would get jealous of the cupcake stand …

All the drivers gathered before the cruise …

The winner’s circle:

Volunteers stationed in the intercections had the best view of the cruise, but no escape from the sun.

Keara and I noticed these boys scoping out the best ride long before the cruise began … they claimed some good seats, no doubt.

Stay tuned for the next post!

These first photos are from the day before … Heather + Brian took family and friends to see the Hearst Castle, which will make any photographer drool. We snuck in a few portraits while touring one of the pools.

On the day, Heather got girlied up at the Bladerunner Salon & Day Spa in SLO, and they both got ready at the lodge.

Theirs was a very intimate wedding (only 60 guests!) in the gazebo garden. Their extra-furry ring bearer stole the show.

We made a mad dash through the gardens and then to the ocean for some portraits as the sun went down. The results turned out beautiful!

The party may have been intimate, but the festivities were fantastic!

Thank you, Heather + Brian, for the opportunity to photograph your celebration, and may you stay so darned, ahem, cute.

Don’t work too hard! It’s Labor Day!

- Russell