December 16, 2012


  • ON ASSIGNMENT!
    In early December I was contacted by our local newspaper
    the Laguna Beach Independent and was asked to photograph
    Laguna’s Annual Hospitality Night…and I was paid.

    Here are the photos they published:

    http://www.lagunabeachindy.com/2012/12/12/locals-greet-season/

    1 wheeland bros img 1416lbhos Locals Greet the Season

    Hospitality Night revelers surround the Wheeland Brothers performing on the Forest Avenue stage during last Friday’s city and Chamber of Commerce sponsored annual festivities.

    2 fireside carolers img 1281lbhos Locals Greet the Season

    The roaming Fireside Carolers, outfitted for a Dickensian Christmas, harmonized outside Areo on Ocean Avenue.

    3 zac elliot and logan cub scouts img 1187lbhos Locals Greet the Season

    Scouts Zac, Elliot and Logan bear platters of treats for carolers at Laguna Presbyterian Church.

    4 img 1037lbhoslbhos Locals Greet the Season

    Crowds make way for Jolly old Santa Claus and the town’s historic fire engine.

    5 thurston img 1107lbhos Locals Greet the Season

    Thurston Middle School students perform outside City Hall as Claus watchers await his arrival to switch on the light-festooned pepper tree.

    6 img 1241lbhos2 Locals Greet the Season

    Enterprising parents seize a ripe marketing opportunity.

    7 img 1170lbhos Locals Greet the Season

    Pipers signal Santa Claus eminent arrival.

    tosti family img 1183lbhos 1 Locals Greet the Season

    The Tosti family of Laguna Beach exults over the night’s sights and sounds.

    Photos by Mary Hurlbut


December 12, 2012

  • For Advent

     
    “Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
    to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

    Luke 1:78-79

September 21, 2012



  • “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you.
    I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
     So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
     I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

    – Isaiah 41:9-10 (NIV)

    “Isaiah prophesies that even though Israel is rebellious, God is with her.
     This shows that no matter what past mistake haunts you, God will not forsake his children.
    Even if you feel that the journey has been hard and you are a long way from home,
    God is here to hold you by His power.
    His love is greater than the most challenging circumstances,
     and His power is greater than the most overwhelming difficulties.”

    Devotion by Pastor David Whitehead

August 8, 2012

  • Photo Highlights
    July found me most days at my booth at the Sawdust Art Festival,
    selling my photography prints and taking LOTS of photos
     for the Sawdust Facebook Page which I administer for them.
    What follows are the portraits I captured around Laguna during the same time!


    Little Shiloh…the newest kid on our street.

          
    Head-shots for Amy taking at my mini-home studio


    Jill and her daughter Aria
    (a mini-portrait session at the Sawdust Art Festival)


    Photographer and friend Matthew Saville
    hired me to assist him during an engagement session in Laguna

     
    I snapped this photo of Matt at work while keeping an eye on the surf for him…
    moments later I had them all run, because the next wave covered that area!
    As the skies got darker I became his “portable light stand”
    holding his off camera flash where it was needed.


    Then a week later, Brett Hickman hired me
    to assist him with his engagement shoot!


    He loved this spot and reflected light off the cliff face I found for him


    The Anderson Family
    They were one of my first clients when I started my photography business,
    so I was delighted to be ask to take their portrait again.


    The Victor Family
    A mini-portrait session on the beach one Sunday morning and then…


    The Berryman Family
    Later that same Sunday morning in Laguna Canyon.


    Rocky Giles holding the pose
    during his family’s portrait session at Wood’s Cove


    The Hamberg Family from Holland
    totally enjoyed their first family portrait ever!


    3 out of 5 of the O’Rafferty Family
    This was my 3rd year taking their family photo…
    their 3 children are a lively challenge but always a fun shoot!

     
    David and Rachel visited me at the Sawdust Festival one morning…

     
    loved seeing my little redhead again!


    Saying good-bye to Pastor Clarke…
    a tender moment of prayer and encouragement
    during his last Sunday at our Little Church by the Sea

August 1, 2012

  •  

    “Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day
     And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
    Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar;
    The LORD of hosts is His name.”

    Jeremiah 31:35

    I photographed this image July 31st from Crescent Bay Park as the moon rose over Laguna Beach, CA.
    The next day I shared it on Facebook and it went viral! Close to 600 likes and 200 shares,
    that spread so fast I lost track. May it bless all who see it and draw their hearts to our Creator.

July 22, 2012



  • Sawdust Memorial:

    An Eternal Flame With a Twist

    | July 19, 2012 | 0 Comments

    Festival glass artists cooperatively created a glass flame last week to serve as a memorial for exhibitors who have died.

    Installation of the completed work is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. near the waterfall.

     

    Photos by Mary Hurlbut

     

    6 img 2214flame Sawdust Memorial: An Eternal Flame With a Twist

    Marcus Thesing “picking” out imperfections from the molten glass early in the process.

     

    14 img 2270flame Sawdust Memorial: An Eternal Flame With a Twist

    Nicole McQuaid ready to use a wet, wooden block to shape the glass, while Loni Chapman and Christopher Jeffries look on.

     

    23 img 2358flame Sawdust Memorial: An Eternal Flame With a Twist

    Gavin Heath heats the now larger glass sphere as Loni Chapman, Christopher Jeffries and Jason spin the pipe to keep it on center.

     

    27 img 2384flame Sawdust Memorial: An Eternal Flame With a Twist

    A cherry wood paddle used to shape the hot glass ignites when it comes in contact.

    46 img 2497flame Sawdust Memorial: An Eternal Flame With a Twist

    The glass, now twisted into a two-foot hollow flame, is prepped to separate it from the pipe.

     

    finished flame IMG 0966flame Sawdust Memorial: An Eternal Flame With a Twist

    Larry Gill’s glass and metal sculpture, seen here in his Sawdust Festival booth, inspired the memorial project, which will be larger still.

    Not only were these photographs in our local paper this week,
    and another on the front page last week,
    I got paid for them!

July 16, 2012

  •  

    I’ve been creating new pieces for my
    Encouraging Word series.
    What do you think of this one?


July 8, 2012



  • June flew into July with
    4 Weddings and an Art Festival


    Rachel and Matt Lahatt
    June 16th


    Rachel and Jacob Spair
    June 23rd



     My booth at 2012 Sawdust Art Festival on Preview Night



      Scott and Stacey Holt
    June 30th


     
    Heidi and Jeff Moak
    July 6th















June 19, 2012

  •  


    It’s that time of year again!
    This will be my 31st year as a Sawdust Exhibitor,
    I’m so excited to share my new work.

    Fun Fact: I was hired to take some of the photos that created
    the “eye collage’ for our ad campaign this year

June 10, 2012

  • The Merry Month of May
    Part 2

        
    Fun with little David in the park
    and this time I was watching his sister Rachel too.

     
    How I love that face.

           
    Caring for David this past year has been such an honor and blessing.
    Now that I have to prepare for the Sawdust Art Festival
    I won’t be able to watch him…and I find I’m missing him so much.
    Big change in our garage, we have TWO new vehicles now.
    No more Bronco Mom, which was my name when I started this blog years ago,
    just call me Mustang Mary, and Spence can be Armada Man!



        
    I’ve been working on learning flash photography this spring,
    and even though I’m still shooting with the Speedlite on my camera,
    I was able to pull off this dramatic lighting that lit up my models face
    while exposing the background for the clouds.

        
    I spent 6 hours one day watching an online class which really helped.
    Why do I want to learn flash, when I prefer natural light?
    Well, look at bunny against the blue sky. Many clients would love a portrait like that
    with the setting sun behind them, so I have to use the flash.
    Other times I want to capture the interior and exterior colors,
    now I know how to expose for the outside
    and use a flash to light up the interior!

     
    And this photo I took in a very dark room,
    the image would have been very grainy or pixelated,
    here the watch is sharp and clear and the background soft.


     
    We finished the month of May attending a blustery, wedding up at Lake Arrowhead.
    A cold front had blown through the day before, and it was a brisk 46 degrees that afternoon!
    Bri was one of the bridesmaids and the girls were freezing in the shade ~
    But the wedding location was worth it!
    Bri and Beka sharing my wool jacket


         
    The resort was able to squeeze the reception party indoors
    where the warmth was greatly appreciated!
    Our congratulations and blessings to the bride and groom,
    Leah and Eric Taysom!