felix rust photographer

NEW BLOGSITE! (not this one)

2008-11-10T03:06:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone. I have a new website/blog. Here it is:

www.felixrust.com

Check it out and tell me what you think (over there). I won't be posting or checking this blog anymore.

f

Diana and Anthony Engagement

2008-10-16T01:13:00.007-04:00

This was one of my favorite engagement sessions of all time. Diana and Anthony are a magical combination of beauty, humor, passion, and fearlessness. So they had no problem climbing fire escapes, getting kicked out of ballrooms, playing in fountains, etc.
After they were soaking wet from the fountain and we were walking home I thought the day was done. But we just kept passing cool little pockets of light and I ended up with some of my favorite shots of the day at the very end of the day. It was so hard to make a short engagement album. I love so many of these images. And it was a blast reliving this little adventure.

HERE'S the engagement album I made for them.

Christina & Ryan Trash the Dress

2008-10-13T17:19:00.005-04:00

I learned a few lessons from this Trash the Dress session with the amazing Christina and Ryan. Evidently, those fire escape ladders are sometimes wired to a fire alarm. One of the above images is of Christina and Ryan looking over as about five guys with walkie talkies are explaining to me that it is not OK to pull down a fire escape ladder and have your clients climb up three stories for a cool picture. But it was going to be such a cool picture.

I also learned to my amazement that a beautiful woman in a wedding dress does not automatically get everything she wants. We tried to go aboard a ship named "The Christina". I wanted an image of Christina standing under her name on this yacht that was probably seventy feet long. The captain told a guy with a walkie talkie to tell Christina "No, with a capital 'N'". I wanted to know if the "o" was lower case but the guy didn't ask the captain. We were not getting lucky with walkie talkies today. To be fair, the captain didn't actually set eyes on Christina. Otherwise, he would have let her aboard, right?

Erin and Brian Wedding

2008-10-10T02:57:00.008-04:00

It rained and rained and rained all over the perfectly set up chairs on the lawn at the Butternut Farm Golf Club in Stow, MA. So instead of watching them get married on the lawn, Erin and Brian's friends and family crowded under the porch eves and it turned into one of the most beautiful and intimate wedding's I've ever seen. The rain made everyone really be a close part of their moment.

Once the rain stopped we walked out to the perfectly set up chairs and took some pictures so as not to waste all the labor that went into setting up the chairs...

HERE'S Erin and Brian's album that I made for them.

Melisa and Michael Engagement, Wedding, and Trash the Dress!

2008-09-23T01:41:00.005-04:00

This wonderful couple represents a lot of firsts for us. It's the first Trash the Dress session we've ever done. For those unfamiliar, a Trash the Dress (TTD) is where, after the wedding, the bride and groom get dressed up in their wedding finery and meet us in a place that would be unlikely for a newlywed couple to be to get some cool images. Sometimes it's rolling around in the ocean. Sometimes it's playing in the mud in a swamp. In this case, it was the carnival! We followed Melisa and Michael as they went on the rides, got cotton candy, threw balls at bottles, rang bells with hammers, made out in the ticket booth, etc. all the while being stared at by the people at the fair. Strangers kept asking us if they were really married, and if they could take a picture with their cell phones! It was such a blast.

It was also the first wedding album I've made where I incorporated text into the design. Melisa and Michael wanted their vows and some cool quotes interspersed. I usually include a photograph of the vows but have never actually used text in the design. I'm very happy with it and plan to do more of this in the future.

This is also the first time we've done multiple sessions in one album. Melisa and Michael wanted the engagement session, wedding, and TTD to be one story.

We had so much fun with Melisa and Michael... we're trying to invent new ways to photograph them. I want to go the carnival every couple of weeks or so :)

HERE'S a link to the album I made them.

Daniela & Gino Engagement

2008-09-11T02:47:00.003-04:00

So we did a little trespassing. We were asked politely not to try jumping off a broken TV to try to pull down a fire escape ladder so we could get some cool pictures against a neato building in the North End.

But we had a great time anyway and caught that golden evening sun.

I hope these images show just how cool and in love Daniela and Gino are. Because they are.

HERE'S an album I put together for them.

Sue and Eben Engagement

2008-09-02T02:05:00.006-04:00

We walked around the North Eastern campus, where Sue and Eben met and then wondered through Boston a little. We had a great time photographing this beautiful couple. Super relaxed, casual, cool... in love. :)

HERE'S the album I made for them.

Chelsea & Jeff Engagement

2008-09-02T01:28:00.005-04:00

We went to Cogshall Park in Fitchburg for Chelsea and Jeff's engagement shoot. It is a beautiful pond surrounded by dense woods with cool rocks to climb and snapping turtles to snap...

They brought their gorgeous dog who is a Lab-Weimaraner mix- so cool! Now I know why Wegman photographs these dogs. They are stunning to behold.

As are this lovely dog's owners. I'm so happy with these images!

HERE'S the engagement album I made for them.

Sandrine and Matt Engagement

2008-09-02T01:09:00.003-04:00

We had a lovely time walking around Boston with Sandrine and Matt. They were serious, they were silly. They were cool... they were hot. :)
And we ended the night with creme brule! And that's the best way to end the night.

Vanessa and Billy Engagement

2008-08-14T00:50:00.003-04:00

They're rock stars. Sheryl was admiring a tattoo on Vanessa's ankle while Billy was on the phone. Vanessa said it was Billy's name. Billy notices Sheryl shooting images of Vanessa's foot and just walks right over, while he's on the phone, lifts up her foot and licks it.

HERE'S their engagement album I made.

Anahita & Mehdi Engagement

2008-08-12T00:18:00.004-04:00

Harvard Square is a meaningful place to Anahita and Mehdi and a fabulous place to take pictures. We had a great time walking around the university and down by the river. We walked passed the "cloud" fountain in the beginning and I joked about them walking into it. Anahita said, "Could we do it at the end?" So I thought, "This couple is going to be fun..."

After a great shoot we ended up at the fountain and I held Mehdi's wallet and in they went. A small croud of onlookers were pointing and laughing. The kids playing in the fountain saw nothing at all unusual about a couple of fully clothed adults dancing in the fountain.

The wedding ceremony will be a mixture of traditional Iranian and American culture. It's going to be great :)

HERE'S an album I made from their engagement shoot.

Melissa and Lou Engagement

2008-08-05T04:35:00.004-04:00

Man, here are a couple of fearless rock stars. Melissa and Lou are totally comfortable with themselves and each other. This was such an easy, fun shoot. We walked around Beacon Hill and downtown stopping to kiss a lot along the way... Melissa and Lou, I mean... me, not so much. :)

HERE'S an album I made for them.

Tina & Marty Wedding

2008-07-31T03:17:00.008-04:00

This wedding was a rustic paradise. Tina had much of her family fly in from Denmark to witness this beautiful event. These are such gentle, happy, wonderful people. And this wedding just illustrated this. It was a joy to attend and to photograph.

HERE is a preliminary album I made for Tina and Marty.

PS: Hire this fantastic bluegrass band to play at your wedding! They were so great and a huge hit. The BIRCH BENDERS.

Christina & Ryan Wedding

2008-07-31T02:56:00.006-04:00

Beautiful, hip, beautiful, cool, beautiful, elegant... and the wedding was nice, too :)

I love these people. We had such a good time documenting this day. Not only are Christina and Ryan wonderful and charming but all their friends are great, too. Everyone made us feel right at home and there was much laughing and goofing off. A perfect day.

Here's their ALBUM I put together.

Victoria & Paul Wedding

2008-07-31T02:27:00.004-04:00

Victoria is a body builder who "always comes in third" at strong women contests. She's just amazing in every way. Paul is the friendliest, most openly cool guy. I just don't feel like I could know these wonderful people enough. I want to hang out with them more. Spending the day with them and their lovely family was way too short.

I doubt I'll ever shoot another wedding quite like this. There were goats and chickens and dogs in tuxedos. There was a clown painting faces. And a couple just in love and having the time of their lives.

And they jumped in the pool in their gown and tux at the end of the night.

Here's their preliminary ALBUM.

Sarah and Derek Engagement

2008-07-31T01:56:00.005-04:00

Sarah and Derek are super cool and super fearless. Can you walk into this doorway on private property (and get kicked out)? Sure. Can you guys lie down and make out on a busy staircase at Faneuil Hall? Sure. Gonna be an awesome wedding.

Here's the ALBUM I made for them.

Tricia & Dan Engagement

2008-07-21T02:26:00.004-04:00

We had a great time walking around Newport, RI in the blazing sun with Tricia and Dan. Mansions, cafes, cliff walks, and little kid cool-aid! Just about a perfect day.

Here's the ALBUM I put together for them.

Renee & Tim Engagement

2008-07-09T23:36:00.005-04:00

We went to NYC to shoot an engagement session with Renee and Tim. Man, what a day! We started out at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge. We got kicked off a tiny park for national security reasons. We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and ran into a Chinese demonstration. We went into Times Square and noticed a large group of people being filmed doing yoga. I then looked up to one of the jumbo trons and saw that the images on the screen were happening right there in front of us. So I asked Renee and Tim if they would jump in front of the TV cameras and make out so I could shoot them on the jumbo tron. They were totally into it but a security guy stopped them. So Sheryl talked to the producer of the thing, explained what we wanted to do, and arranged for them to sign a release. The TV people said OK and Renee offered to wear a product placement T-Shirt. Then in a few seconds they were kissing in Times Square on the jumbo tron!

It was a super fun day I'll never forget. How are we going to top this for the wedding? Mmmm...

HERE'S the engagement album I made for them.

Rita & Steve Engagement

2008-07-09T23:32:00.002-04:00

We walked around Boston with Rita and Steve a few weeks ago. Beautiful (and hilarious) people. I'm very happy with the images considering I was laughing the whole time. It was great fun.

Beth & Matt Wedding

2008-07-09T01:36:00.006-04:00

We had a great time at Castle Hill in Newport, RI. with Beth and Matt. The wedding was absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous sunset on the ocean, tent with chandeliers, lots of kids. It was a blast.

Here's a LINK to the album I put together for them.

Alicia & Eric Engagement

2008-06-13T23:18:00.003-04:00

Lotsa kissing going on at the Public Gardens on May 18. But what can you do when you are beautiful, in love, and have two photographers following you around for three hours?

Alicia and Eric are super cool and are great models, as you can see. It was really magical. These are some of my favorite engagement images ever.

Can't wait for the wedding.

HERE'S the engagement album I made for them.

Jen and Damien Wedding

2008-06-06T23:39:00.004-04:00

OK. It was the perfect wedding.

Perfect.

HERE'S the book I made for Jen and Damien.

Erin & Brian Engagement

2008-05-27T15:56:00.003-04:00

Erin and Brian had their first date in Davis Square. He asked her to marry her in Davis Square. So we shot their engagement in Davis Square. It was awesome! I was worried because their aren't a lot of gorgeous buildings with amazing interiors, or beautiful weeping willow trees. But it turned out really well. We got some cool shots in the subway, at the clubs they used to frequent, down a little nature trail.

Of course it helps to have two people so much in love that their surroundings sort of melt away. We just clicked the shutter happily and I'm really happy with the results.

HERE'S an engagement album I made for them.

Emily and Joel Engagement

2008-05-14T18:15:00.003-04:00

Who cares about rain? We walked around the gardens in the rain, having a great time hanging out with Emily and Joel before their wedding in September. Then we grabbed some coffee and headed to the Old Public Library in Boston. We are having fun shooting in this beautiful building when Emily says, "I work in Symphony Hall." WHAT!?

So we climb in the car and go to Symphony Hall where there is a rehearsal or something. We just walked in like we owned the place and started shooting. Then Sheryl sees a frosted glass door and asks them to get behind it. It turned out to be the ladies room and in about 20 seconds there were lots of people murmuring about a boy in the girl's room.

We had a great day. This wedding is going to be awesome!

HERE'S an engagement album I made for Emily and Joel.

Jen and Damien's Guestbook

2008-05-12T20:16:00.002-04:00

We shot Jen and Damien's wedding a week ago. It was amazing and I can't wait to show you the images. I'll have an album ready in a couple of weeks. I'm VERY excited about it.

Meanwhile, a cool thing about this wedding was that it was the first one where we saw our Engagement Album/Guestbook in action. They had it at the reception table and it was really cool to see everyone signing it. Most people didn't just sign their names, they wrote a little something.

Here are some images I took of the book about halfway through the evening.

Stay tuned for images from the wedding.

Janet and Andrew Engagement

2008-05-06T01:10:00.006-04:00

OK. Seriously. We had the best time with Janet and Andrew. We met at a swampy boardwalk and ended up on a rusty bridge. They had no problem climbing up into the dirty truss work of the bridge. And we got some amazing shots as a result. We are going to Philadelphia to shoot the wedding and I'm sure we can find some dirty, rusty things for them to climb in a tux and wedding dress... :)

HERE'S an engagement album I made for them.

Waltham Spring Carnival 08

2008-04-24T03:27:00.003-04:00

My assistant, Sheryl, called and said, "Grab your camera and come to the carnival." So I did. She and I took turns snapping away into the night. I got to give my new D3 a night test and also try out my new 14-24 ultra wide lens.

See all the shots HERE

Beth and Matt Engagement

2008-04-21T01:09:00.006-04:00

Two weeks ago we met Beth and Matt in Newport, RI to make some engagement images. The weather was cold and dreary but they were anything but. It turned out to be an amazing shoot. Newport is lovely- we even walked around a boatyard where they repair gorgeous painted boats. What can I say? Cool couple in a cool setting. Who needs nice weather? We had a great time and can't wait for the wedding in May!

HERE'S an engagement album I put together.

Improper Bostonian Ad

2008-03-10T01:45:00.003-04:00

We just put a half page ad in the latest wedding issue of Improper Boston. It may have turned out to be a mis-step because the "Wedding Issue" doesn't have a bride on the cover. Nor does it say "Wedding Issue" on the cover. Nor are there many articles inside about weddings... Ugh. So far we've gotten no calls from potential clients but we got three calls from other magazines who want us to advertise with them.

I don't know about advertising...

But doesn't the ad look cool? It's Rene and Brendan. My brother, Marc, www.marc-ee.com
came up with the slogan and the layout, etc. He's great at this.

Briana and Ric Wedding

2008-03-01T11:29:00.006-05:00

A few weeks ago we shot the wedding of Briana and Ric. The wedding was amazingly beautiful and cool despite the church and reception hall not being amazingly beautiful and cool. Briana and Ric made up for it all with their enthusiasm and love of life and each other.

HERE is a link to their album I just finished last night.

Bethany & Brooks Engagement

2008-02-05T02:39:00.001-05:00

We gave away a free engagement session at the Seaport Bridal Expo in January. Bethany and Brooks won and so did we! Seriously, these guys rock. We had a blast walking around Boston and we just happened to get a snowstorm! It couldn't have been more perfect. Especially since they are having a winter wedding.

Click HERE to check out the engagement album we made.

Magali's Turning Five (Not Staying Four)

2008-01-07T22:49:00.000-05:00

Magali's birthday is January 9th. So today at Pizza/Potluck we had some cake that Sara made. I've asked Magali if she would please stay four for maybe just one more year and then NEXT year she could be five. So was having none of it. The sixth candle is to grow on, I guess. She waited for the cake with the other kids but she kept pushing kids out of the space next to her. She said that was where Dash goes. He was a little late but he arrived to occupy his space.

Dash said something funny today that relates to nothing so I'll just write it... HERE:

We were in the car and Magali unbuckled her seat belt at a red light for some reason. I told her it was very dangerous to unbuckle while we are still driving. Dash joked around and started yelling, "We're all going to die! We're all going to die!"

I told him we were not all going to die anytime soon.

So he started shouting, "We're all going to survive! We're all going to survive!"

More January images HERE

Santa's Coming

2007-12-25T00:22:00.000-05:00

The kids are beside themselves with excitement and joy about Santa coming tonight. We went out to dinner and as soon as we got home they raced each other to the bathroom to brush teeth and wash faces. They jumped into bed immediately and then Magali kept coming out into the living room to remind Sara that Sara should go to bed SOON, so Santa can come.

We get hired by the coolest, sweetest people. Today Allison and Matt, whose wedding we photographed in October, brought me a plate full of homemade cookies and brownies. They were amazing and I ate them all with my family and didn't give any to Erica :)

Dash's favorite thing on the plate was this cookie made of chocolate, peanuts, and marshmallows. He decided to give Santa one of those cookies and also half of his candy cane that he had been saving all day.

After he made this decision he asked me if Santa might be allergic to peanuts. I told him Santa was probably not allergic. But after we got home Dash wrote a note that he put on the plate he had made for Santa. The note says, "Help Yourself. Turn Over." and when you turn the folded page over it says, "Chocolate has peanuts Santa." He then put some apples in the plate along with a note that says, "Apple's for reindeer."

Sara likes to get new pajamas for the kids on Christmas Eve. Here are some pictures of those as well.

Briana and Ric Engagement

2007-12-01T01:14:00.000-05:00

We went to the beautiful little town of Hopedale, MA to photograph Briana and Ricardo. We started in their cute little Mini Cooper and ended in an awesome forest at dusk.

They are super cool and seriously in love- just easygoing and easy to shoot. The wedding is going to be fantastic.

HERE is an album we put together of the day.

Stacy and Jonah Engagement

2007-12-01T00:13:00.000-05:00

We had a great time walking around Boston with Stacy and Jonah. Such a cool couple. Such a cool city. A perfect match :)

HERE is a little album we put together.

Amanda and David's Party

2007-11-29T17:04:00.001-05:00

Amanda and David got married in Hawaii. Nice. No, we didn't get to go. But they had a black tie party when they returned and asked us to photograph it. It was gorgeous and fun. Lots of amazing food, dancing, and laughing.

HERE is a little album we made of the event.

Allison and Matt Wedding

2007-11-22T01:19:00.001-05:00

We just finished Allison and Matt's album from their wedding in October. They are the sweetest, most genuine couple. They wrote their own vows and they could barely fight back the tears as they read them. I was totally choked up as well. Seriously, this is true love. Not a bad couple to look at either... or photograph :)

Here's a LINK to the album we made for them.

Christina and Ryan Engagement

2007-10-29T21:28:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago we tromped around Marblehead, Mass with Christina and Ryan. The place is amazing. We started at this little rock beach and jumped along the cliffs and rocks against the sea. Then we walked through the town of Marblehead- a little fairy tale town. Christina and Ryan are super cool. Lots of laughing and goofing around. Can't wait for the wedding.

Click HERE to see the engagement album we made.

Andrea and Kevin Wedding

2007-10-22T01:36:00.000-04:00

Andrea and Kevin's wedding was great. Her family was super cool (and hilarious). Her sister wrote the program and it says at the top that it will not be a full Mass. Near the end it is written:

Are you thinking, "For something that's not a full Mass, this thing is really starting to walk like a duck..."? Have you checked your watch yet? Hv U snt a txt? Relax: It's almost Miller Time.

Everybody was lovely and super nice to us. We're very happy with the images...

Here's a LINK to their album:

New Wedbsite

2007-10-15T22:33:00.000-04:00

I've got a brand new website. I had some major problems with my old host so I went with a new company and just published the site yesterday. I still need to add galleries for Children, Portraits, and Fine Art. That will be coming soon. But, for now, there are galleries for Weddings and Engagements and several of our latest albums.

Here's a LINK.

Rene and Brendan Wedding

2007-10-15T21:52:00.000-04:00

We went to Nantucket to photograph Rene and Brendan's wedding and, man, it was awesome! The wedding itself was perfect- great people, relaxed atmosphere, everyone had fun. I brought my family and we made it into a mini vacation. We stayed in a beautiful bed and breakfast and the day after the wedding Sara, Dash, Magali, and Erica and I walked around Nantucket and window shopped.

Here's a LINK to the album we made for Rene and Brendan.

Sabriya and Patrick Wedding

2007-10-09T00:43:00.000-04:00

Sabriya and Patrick's wedding was at Rosecliff, a beautiful mansion on the beach in Rhode Island. Everything was just splendid and beautiful. But nothing outshined the beauty of thier children and family. Everyone was kind and inviting. It was an amazing night.

Here's a LINK to the album we just finished.

Cristin and John Wedding

2007-09-28T02:33:00.001-04:00

Cristin and John's wedding was the coolest ever! Seriously, she had black nail polish, the bridesmaids got skull rings, the limo was a 50s Jaguar- just everything was cool. John had most of his family from Ireland over, some for the first time in the US. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly- we really made some friends. Thanks a million Cristin and John.

HERE is their album.

Lorri and Dave Wedding

2007-09-20T02:01:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago we went to New Hampshire to create some images for Lorri and Dave's wedding. They are the most calm, understated couple I've ever met. Lorri was fantastic when everything didn't go perfectly. She was there to have fun and to make sure that everyone else had fun and she succeeded brilliantly.

We had a fantastic time and loved getting to know your clan, Lorri. Thanks!

Here's a LINK to Lorri and Dave's preliminary album.

Magali's First Day of School

2007-09-06T23:26:00.000-04:00

Today was Magali's first official day of kindergarten. She's been ready for years. She has gone with us to the school for two years to pick up Dash and has made friends with many teachers and is very comfortable with the layout of the school. This morning she told Sara, "If you want you can just drop us off in front of the school and we can go in by ourselves. You don't even have to come in."

But we did come in. It was very difficult to say goodbye to Dash on the first day of school for him. Here's a LINK to that.

But we were ready with Magali. It felt like a mini vacation. Sara and I just had each other for a few hours. It was very nice. I may have to try to wake up earlier more often to take advantage of it.

Anyway, Magali had a great time at school. Dash is really diggin' his second grade class as well. They both seem very happy about school. And that's what we want.

Click HERE for some more recent pictures.

Andrea and Kevin Engagement

2007-08-31T01:20:00.000-04:00

Erica and I had a blast walking around the North End of Boston with Andrea and Kevin. Paul Revere's statue, the Old North Church, a locked cemetery, a bunch of cool old doorways and passages...

The wedding's only a few weeks away. We're uber excited ;)

Spruced Up My Site a Bit

2007-08-16T00:47:00.000-04:00

I did a major overhaul of my WEBSITE yesterday.

I added an ENGAGEMENT section, put lots of new shots in the WEDDING section and changed much of the text.

I also redid the ABOUT ME part. It used to say stuff like "...discretion is an utmost concern to us..." blah, blah, blah. I figure the pictures show what needs to be said so, instead, I just told a bunch of funny stories from my childhood.

Prospective clients want to know that my brother peed on my head when I was four, right?

Cristin and John Engagement

2007-08-11T14:48:00.000-04:00

We went to Cristin and John's first dance lesson to photograph them brushing up for their wedding dance. The room and lighting were challenging but we had fun being out of our element. We used flash for almost every shot and got to do some experimenting. Cool couple, cool tattoos, cool accents (John is Irish), just cool...

We had a great time and look forward to the wedding in just a few weeks.

Engagement Albums

2007-08-09T16:21:00.000-04:00

We decided recently to start making albums from our free engagement sessions with wedding clients. The idea is that we make an album chronicling the few hours we spend with you on your engagement. We leave the last few pages blank and you bring the album to the wedding and have your guests sign it. That way, when you get your wedding album, they are two books that match. you'll have your engagement album with all your wedding guest's signatures and your wedding album.

Click HERE to see our first engagement album.

Mattapoisette

2007-08-04T00:39:00.000-04:00

Chuck

Magali, Lilly, and Lilli

David

Today we went to Mattapoisette for our staff day. It was a hot day full of whiffle ball, cigars, tiny hermit crabs, home made pie, and a 7 1/2 year old photojournalist to document it. I took the shots of Dash and Magali but Dash took the other three.

Dash has been shooting hundreds of pictures a day for the past few days. The whole ride home he held the camera in is his lap.

Dash Photographer

2007-08-03T02:00:00.000-04:00

Dash has decided to take up photography again. He is using the D70 and really trying hard. He took 140 pictures today including this self portrait. What amazes me about this shot is how centered it is. He knows I don't usually like centered unless it breaks all the rules...

Not only is his head in the center, but he just happens to be standing in between the two booth benches behind him... almost perfectly in the center. If it weren't for the asymmetrical pictures on the wall I would never have been able to tear away from the picture. It's like a black hole. I'm intensely interested... and not just cuz it's Dash.

More of today's shots HERE

Allison and Matt Engagement

2007-08-02T19:44:00.000-04:00

On Sunday we walked around Beacon Hill with Allison and Matt. We had a great time and I got to climb a fire escape and shoot down through the bars of the floor. I love shooting through things... and I love climbing things...

Thanks for a great time Allison and Matt and we can't wait for the wedding in October!

Sara and Dan Wedding

2007-08-01T01:44:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful day in an adorable town (Falmouth, MA). Sara and Dan had an amazing wedding and Erica and I, with our friend Mark, had a blast photographing it.

We just finished the rough edit for their album. Click HERE to see it.

Rene and Brendan Engagement

2007-07-25T02:35:00.001-04:00

Erica and I had a great time photographing Rene and Brendan last Wednesday. We tromped around Beacon hill as the sun set behind a cloudy sky. The lighting was challenging at times but we found some cool little electrically lit hallways and strange foyers with all kinds of weird light... And I'm a fan of weird.

The wedding is in September on Nantucket and we can't wait to go. Beautiful couple, beautiful location. It's going to be beautiful. And we'll try to make it a tiny bit weird as well :)

Revere Beach Sand Castles

2007-07-15T00:56:00.000-04:00

Sara took the kids to the Revere Beach Sand Castle competition today. These are some of the shots she took.

More of today's shots HERE

Jennifer and Damien Engagement

2007-07-13T00:48:00.000-04:00

Jennifer and Damien are adorable and totally in love with each other. They should get married! (stay tuned...)

I couldn't be happier with these images. Thanks for a great day Jen and Damien.

Fourth of July Carnival

2007-07-05T01:02:00.000-04:00

That's the dart above Magali's hand (above)

Today we took the kids to the Lexington Lion's Club Carnival. Sara and I learned a little while ago that one tends to outgrow the affinity for spinny-type rides. In fact, this was the first time I ever went to a carnival that I did not go on a single ride. Uh oh. I think I'm a grown up.

More of this month's shots HERE

Magali Can't Consciously Go to the Dentist

2007-06-27T23:30:00.001-04:00

Magali has my teeth... and my prediliction for candy. So she has a few cavities. OK, lots of cavities.

We went to the dentist to have them filled and she kicked and screamed and wouldn't get in the chair. The dentist said he could not work on her this way. He suggested we come back when they can give her nitrous oxide. We did and she screamed and wouldn't get in the chair. The dentist suggested we go to a hospital where she can be given general anesthesia because she just couldn't calm down.

So today Sara took her to Franciscan Hospital for Children and Magali was put under. When she woke up she had five teeth capped with silver and five other teeth with fillings. She was a little groggy but did very well today.

Dash was a wonderful big brother. He read to her and comforted her throughout the day.

More of today's shots HERE

2007-06-27T23:30:00.000-04:00

Mark Ostow Teen Photo Workshop

2007-06-25T23:52:00.001-04:00

My mentor and friend Mark Ostow teaches a yearly photography class to teens. He asked me and my family (and Ryan) to come and pose for the young photographers. Here are some shots I took of the day.

More of today's shots HERE

Sara and Dan Engagement

2007-06-16T11:32:00.000-04:00

We had a great time walking around Beacon Hill with Sara and Dan. Lots of laughing and goofing off, climbing fire escapes and swan boats. The wedding is at the Cape in July. We can't wait.

Isis and Juan Engagement

2007-06-14T17:47:00.000-04:00

My buddy, Mark Keene, and I took some engagement shots of this amazingly beautiful couple on an amazingly beautiful day in an amazingly beautiful place: the Boston Public Garden. Above are a few of my favorites.

Click HERE to see the rest of my shots.

The Lonely Sea Monster

2007-06-02T00:23:00.000-04:00

I stumbled across an amazing artist named Deanna Molinaro. She makes amazing little books that remind me a little of Edward Gorey, one of my great heroes. Anyway, I bought a book called "The Lonely Sea Monster". It is a hilarious tale of a monster and a little girl and the illustrations are sublime.

I knew Dash would love the book because a little girl gets eaten in it. Dash likes books about monsters eating little children.

The second picture is Dash getting to the part where the monster eats the girl.

The last picture is the dedication that Deanna wrote for Dash. She even drew a picture of the sea monster!

Man, does Dash love this book.

More of today's shots HERE

Magali's Manipulations

2007-06-01T00:17:00.000-04:00

Magali has been dabbling in threats.

When it was time to take me to work this afternoon Magali decided she wanted to stay at home. When Sara told her she had to go Magali said, "If you make me go I'll cry the whole way in the car."

Then she started crying.

Sara said she couldn't have any dessert with dinner if she continued crying.

Then she stopped crying.

More of this month's shots HERE

We Got a Car

2007-05-31T00:33:00.000-04:00

We love Zipcar. But we realized we were spending as much on it as we would on a decent car so we went shopping last week. We finally signed the papers today on a 2003 Honda Element. Most of our friends over 30 think it's a cool car, perfect for kids. Most of our friends under 30 HATE it. We love it. So far.

I must say that I feel absolutely dirty after dealing with the car salespeople and financiers. That sleazy, deceptive, demeaning cliche of the high pressure car salesman is alive and well in the 21st century. It is exactly the same as it was 100 years ago. The joy of owning my car is somewhat tarnished by the difficulty of attaining it.

If a dealership was honest and open with it's clients would it lose business? Wouldn't its customers rave about them and drive new customers towards them? I guess not because they just don't do business that way... At least the two dealerships we dealt with.

So I have a bad taste in my mouth after today but we have a cool car. The kids really dig it- even though they are under 30.

More of this month's shots HERE

They've Grown As They've Cleaned

2007-05-23T23:40:00.000-04:00

Above are the shots I took today compared to the one from almost three years ago. I tried to match the crazy blue toning... I don't know what I was thinking.

Magali, Ryan, and Dash look a lot less roundy than they used to.

More of today's shots HERE

Jeremy Lyons

2007-05-23T23:33:00.000-04:00

I took some headshots for my guitar teacher, Jeremy Lyons (www.deltabilly.com). Here are a few of my favorites:

Here's a LINK to the rest.

Title

2007-05-20T01:05:00.000-04:00

My new issue of Rangefinder came in today. You know when you fill out a form and they ask for "Title" after your name?
Click on the picture to see it.

Paulina, Vincent, and Gus

2007-05-07T00:03:00.000-04:00

Jennifer, the clients from one of my favorite shoots last year, called me up to create some images of their new baby, Gus. Little Paulina and Vincent were amazing models last year and haven't lost a beat. The whole family is just brimming with energy and love.

Here's a book I made from my visit last week:
LINK

The Wish Wall

2007-05-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

They are painting a mural on the corner store down the street. Here's a LINK to the project.

Basically, the kids write down a wish on the wall and then paint over it. Later, a mural will be painted over it.

Dash's wish was, "I wish people could fly."

More of today's shots HERE

Magali's Game

2007-05-01T00:31:00.000-04:00

Magali invented a new game today that involved chess pieces, checkers pieces, mancala pices, and dice. We played for a while. It was a tie game she decided.

More of todays shots HERE

The Words From Their Lips

2007-04-27T01:14:00.000-04:00

One of the purposes of this blog is to write down things I know I'll forget in a few years. Poor Magali is sick. She has a fever and a head cold. The first two pictures are her sleeping in various states of sitting.

Anyway, I got home this afternoon and she said, because she's stopped up, "Papa, when I move my mouth or swallow, my ears fart."

Dash, on the other hand, is in perfect health. He said that when he scrunches his fingers back and folds his thumb under he can make himself have paws like a lion. And here is what a lion looks like clapping (second picture).

More of today's shots HERE

How Are You REALLY Feeling

2007-04-08T23:02:00.000-04:00

Dash got a cool new fountain pen from his first cousin once removed, Geraldine. He's been drawing stuff all night. He said, "Look, Papa, this is how I feel." And he held up a frowny face. He was kidding around but he actually had a challenging day today and spent much of it frowning.

Magali said, "And this is how I feel." And she had drawn a smiley face. Which, again, isn't too far from the truth.

At least our kids don't have difficulty conveying their emotions.

More of today's shots HERE

Magali Had a Shot

2007-04-01T02:07:00.000-04:00

The day before yesterday Magali had to go the doctor's for a check up. She got two shots which she wasn't happy about. Then in the lobby, on the way out, she passed out and just fell to the floor.

I was at the studio and Sara called me to tell me what happened. Man, that was that scary to hear. She started the conversation with, "Everything is fine and Magali is great." But it was still awful to hear. I can't imagine how horrible it was for Sara to see her unconscious on the floor. The doctors said it was a normal reaction and that it happens to many kids who are upset about getting a shot. It's called Vasovagal syncope. We learned a lot about it that day.

More of today's pictures HERE

Our Studio Opening

2007-04-01T01:57:00.000-04:00

Today we had our open house at the studio. It was amazing how many people came. The kids were great... It couldn't have gone better. We should serve food and wine EVERY Saturday... Clients seem to dig it.

More of today's shots HERE

Hospitality Homes

2007-03-31T00:14:00.000-04:00

Today Magali and Sara and I modelled for Hospitality Homes. From their website:

Hospitality Homes provides temporary housing in volunteer host homes and other donated accommodations for families and friends of patients seeking care at Boston-area medical centers.

Sara and Magali and I pretended to be at a doctor's office in the first picture. Magali got bored between takes.

In the second shot Sara and Magali are weary travellers greeted by Eva.

More of today's shots HERE

What Makes Me Happy

2007-03-30T01:19:00.000-04:00

This looks like an ordinary, ugly parking lot. But this is what makes me happy. I'm looking out of my window at the new studio and I see Sara, Dash, and Magali coming to have lunch with me. The hardest part of having a studio is being away from my Sara and my Dash and my Magali. I love when they visit me.

More of today's pictures HERE

Baby Eleanor

2007-03-28T23:11:00.000-04:00

Our neighbors, Jenise and Alex, and their daughter Annelise, have a new addition to the family this week with baby Eleanor. She is a big, beautiful, red creature. Magali adores babies so she was very excited to go meet her. Magali has a little bear that is actually a "toy" for her bigger dolls. She took this bear and wrapped it up herself to give it to Eleanor. This foreshadows Eleanor's role in Magali's life...

More of todays pictures HERE

My Children Torture Me

2007-03-19T00:04:00.000-04:00

Sometimes they get annoyed with the camera. The new technique is to look right at the camera and smile.

They know I hate that.

More of todays shots HERE

Spring Is Coming

2007-03-16T23:19:00.000-04:00

Like I always say: March, in like a lion, out like a lion on fire.

More of today's shots HERE

Dash's First Guitar Lesson

2007-03-13T00:25:00.000-04:00

We bought Dash a guitar for Christmas the year before last. Sometimes he would plug it in and make some noise but mostly he wouldn't plug it in and make some quiet. It's been collecting dust on the wall until a few days ago when he decided he wanted guitar lessons.

I have been taking slide guitar lessons from a New Orleans blues virtuoso named Jeremy Lyons. Jeremy agreed to take on the mighty Dash and today was Dash's first lesson.

I was so proud and happy to see Dash trying to finger his first chords that I started getting a little choked up. What!

He learned the guitar parts, how to hold the thing, E minor and G major chords, and some basic strumming. He was worried when we went to bed that he hadn't practiced today. I told him it's probably OK not to practice on the day of your lesson.

My mother pushed so hard for my brothers and I to learn the piano that we basically pushed back by refusing to enjoy it. I didn't start taking music serisoulsy until I was 15. It has always been a huge part of my life even when it hasn't been the exclusive focus. For my kids I just want them to love it. I secretly really, really want them both to weather through the difficulties and delights of learning an instrument but THEY are the ones that have to initiate. Like most things, if it's your own decision, it matters more.

Sara says that after Dash masters E minor and G major he only needs one more chord... and the truth.

More of today's pictures HERE

Magali Consents to Haircut

2007-03-07T23:23:00.000-05:00

Magali finally relented and allowed us to take her to the barber. She also agreed to bangs, which I love. Dash, on the other hand, didn't get bangs for the first time and he looks super cool. The kids are so much better about haircuts now.

The kids might actually be a little TOO cute now. Maybe we can dress them a little dorkier or something.

More of today's shots HERE

We Love You Erica

2007-02-28T23:08:00.000-05:00

My wonderful assistant, Erica, lost her father yesterday. I got to talk to her today and, while I was on the phone, Magali kept asking if she could talk to her. I finally relented and Magali and Erica talked for a little bit. Erica told Magali that it might make her feel better if Magali put on her lion costume and let me take pictures to send to Erica.

So here they are, Erica. We love you and are thinking of you and your family.

roar.

More of today's pictures HERE

Lisa and Louis Wedding

2007-02-25T02:44:00.000-05:00

Oh, man, what a wedding! Lisa and Louis are the coolest people. We went to take some couple shots in the Boston Public Garden and the pond was frozen over. Louis casually suggested walking out onto the ice. I seconded the idea and they did it. What a blast. It was basically impossible to take a bad shot of these two. They were so genuinely happy and in love.

After it was all over they asked a member of the wedding party to take a picture of them with Erica and me.

Here's a link to the album we just put together for them: LINK

Thanks a million Lisa and Louis for reminding us how much we love our jobs.

What to Do After "ARGG!"

2007-02-19T23:14:00.000-05:00

Magali was a pirate tonight. She put on the Jolly Roger bandanna and walked around screaming "ARGG!" After she did this for about ten minutes she asked, "Papa, what do pirates do after they say 'ARGG!'?"

I said, "I don't know. They probably stab someone."

And then she lost interest in the game. That was probably Dash territory.

More of today's pictures HERE

A Few New Studio Pics

2007-02-07T01:56:00.000-05:00

The last shot is our entry from Yolanda Bridal. It's still kind of empty. One day, maybe, we'll have wood floors, a huge LCD screen, leather couches... more stuff.

Dash's Beautiful Hair

2007-02-03T01:26:00.000-05:00

Dash spent a lot of time on his hair this afternoon before we went out to dinner. He adjusted it with water and comb until it was perfect. I asked him if I could take a picture of it. He consented and gave me the Winston Churchill glare you see above. Sara was standing right next to him so I asked her to give him a "wet willy". A wet willy, for those not in the know, is when you lick your finger and insert it into someone's ear. Please see Sara's finger (above) for an illustration. This shot is about 1/5 of a second before Dash jerked away laughing and rubbing his ear.

More of todays pictures HERE

Our Little Rock and Roll Princess

2007-01-28T01:52:00.000-05:00

The other day in the car she asked to hear, "What's that man that wears the make up to try to be scary?"

"Marilyn Manson?" I suggested.

"Yea, Marilyn Manson. Can we hear a song by him?"

Today she declared that she likes Clutch. I'm very proud. She's a little four year old metalhead.

More of today's pictures HERE

I've Hung Out a Shingle

2007-01-24T01:04:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited about my sign! I have a real sign painted by a real sign painter. I've had a retail store before but it was in another store and I didn't have my own entrance. Now I have my own entrance. And a sign so you know which entrance is mine. The one with MY SIGN.

The shop is looking pretty cool. I'm almost ready to photograph the inside of it for you. I still need new track lights, a few more framed pictures, some more screens, maybe a wood floor... It'll be a work in progress for a while.

But I have my sign out.

Our New Studio!

2007-01-16T01:25:00.000-05:00

Today we went to clean up our new studio that opens tomorrow. We rented a glass annex that opens into Yolanda, a very upscale wedding gown boutique. We will specialize in wedding photography but will continue to do kids and whomsoever else wants us to open and close a shutter very fast in front of them. We are extremely excited and not at all ready to open tomorrow. We should have signage on Friday, framed pictures on the wall on Friday, lighting etc. by Friday. Seems like Friday would be a good day to open, huh?

But I can't wait so I'm opening our big empty studio tomorrow. We will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 9pm, and Saturdays from 10am or so until 5pm. We might come in on some Fridays as well.

So now Felix Rust Photographer has a home base. This all came about thanks to my wonderful assistant, Erica, and some amazing timing. Please come and visit us if you find yourself near Boston.

Here's the info:
Felix Rust Photographer
355 Waverley Oaks Rd
Waltham, MA 02452
617.515.0128

More of today's pictures HERE

Magali's Party at Build-a-Bear

2007-01-15T00:30:00.000-05:00

We took Magali to Build-a-Bear for her 4th Birthday party. After everyone built their bears we walked over to Quincy Market and had cake. Everyone had a great time and there was nothing to clean up... except Magali and Dash and Ryan and Cooper and Lucy and Annelise.

More of today's pictures HERE

My Uncooperative Children

2007-01-08T02:02:00.000-05:00

Dash was flipping out about something and was really angry. I got the camera and said, "I want to take a picture of 'Angry Dash'." That diffused the situation and this is the face he gave me instead. He knows I don't like "smiley" pictures...

Magali said, "I don't want you to take my picture." and she buried her head in the couch pillows. I asked her, "Can I take a picture of your butt, then?"

"OK." She said.

More of this month's shots HERE

Kelly & Tom

2006-12-30T18:49:00.000-05:00

The other day we shot engagement portraits for Kelly and Tom. We shot at the Old Boston Public Library and then strolled across the street to the Copley Church.

Kelly and Tom are awesome. We had a great time shooting. Fun, relaxed, couldn't have gone better.

Here is a LINK to their shots.

Here is a preliminary ALBUM we put together:

Thanks guys!

Christmas Eve

2006-12-25T02:17:00.000-05:00

We spent Christmas Eve with Auntie Nanda, Uncle Marc-ee, and Baby Jane. We called our mother and she asked us to get a picture of all of us together. I don't usully like posed shots, group shots especially. But one thing I love is pictures of people assembling to get their picture taken- shots of them waiting around until everyone is ready. Like the first shot above.

The second shot was an in between shots shot. Sara is aware that I'm shooting but the kids aren't.

The last shot is our official group shot. The camera was on a table and I shot using the self timer.

More of today's pictures HERE

Lighting the Menorah

2006-12-19T01:55:00.000-05:00

At CoHousing we celebrate everything and try to be faith inclusive. Last Monday we decorated a Christmas tree in the common house and today we lit the Menorah. All the kids took turns playing with fire.

More of today's pictures HERE

Lights, Ornaments, and the Smell of Pine :)

2006-12-11T02:46:00.000-05:00

This is the first year since Dash's birth that we got a real tree. Man, what a difference! I love the smell and the look. The kids had a great time putting up ornaments.

We even got a couple of robot ornaments. They will serve in our robot army (that we are amassing to take over the world) but they will be covert agents. They will stay in the basement in the box marked "Xmas Ornaments" until the uprising.

More of today's pictures HERE

Magali Likes My Treo

2006-12-06T00:34:00.000-05:00

Sara and I ditched Cingular for Verizon Wireless. Supposedly, it has the highest customer satisfaction and it has the best coverage for Boston. For the first time, we can use our cell phones IN our apartment rather than having to run out into the yard to get a signal.

We got Treos which are cell phones and palm pilots in one. Now instead of having to carry my "brain" and my phone I carry one. Of course I still have to carry my ipod and pager for work. How about it science? Anyway, for some reason I usually first decide to install cool applications that the kids will like and THEN think about whether or not it is a good idea for the kids to be playing with this thing.

They write notes that say "hug papa" and then set an alarm to go off in five minutes. Then they look at the note and guess who gets hugs? Not Sara. She doesn't let them play with hers. :)

More of todays pictures HERE

Go Team

2006-11-28T02:06:00.000-05:00

Gimme a "C" Gimme a "R" Gimme a "E" Gimme a "A" Gimme a "M"
Gimme a "C" Gimme a "H" Gimme a "E" Gimme a "E" Gimme a "S" Gimme a "E"
What's that spell?

More of today's pictures : HERE

Happy Birthday to Sara

2006-11-26T01:19:00.000-05:00

Today is Sara's Birthday, and Magali wore a crown all day, perhaps in commemoration. We went to IHOP because that's what Sara wanted.

Dash wanted to give her a gift certificate to the Gap. He HATES the Gap. He calls it a "Mama store" and complains whenever we go in one. So it is cool that he wanted to give her the gift. I suggested that she might like a gift certificate to Target even better than the Gap and he said, "Yea, but then it won't be what I thought of." Gap it was.

She has a cool tattoo with Dash's name on it:

It is on the side of her tummy where he used to kick a lot when he was in utero.

But she doesn't have a Magali tattoo. So I took the kids to our favorite tattoo parlor and we bought her a gift certificate. I told Magali, "You BETTER NOT tell Mama what we got her for her birthday!"

When we got home Magali ran inside and told Sara, "We went to the bookstore and to the cafe and got a mango juice and... I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT!" She practically screamed it. She closed her ears with her hands and ran out of the room. But she didn't tell her what we got.

When our neighbor, Lucy, turned five we bought her some presents, dolls and such. We told Magali that it was very important that she not tell Lucy what we got. Sara went to go check the mail or something and when she got back all of Lucy's presents were displayed on the floor and Magali was showing them to Lucy. "Magali! You weren't supposed to tell Lucy what we got!"

And Magali said, "I'm not TELLING her. I'm SHOWING her."

More of today's pictures : HERE

Noah and Judy

2006-11-18T03:48:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I got to photograph little Noah and Judy, et al. in the woods. Man, this family is cool. Not only are they artistic and quirky, Joan (Mom) actually asked me to photograph their shadows. How cool is that?

I made an album which can be viewed HERE