Sessions

Hey Everyone,
Just wanted to let you know that I have one date left in March available for sessions. If you would like to book Monday, March 19 please let me know as soon as you can and I will schedule you in. Here is what I have left in April.
April 9, afternoon session
April 12, early afternoon session.
I have three dates left in May.

Photography Workshop

We are planning a photography workshop for this summer. This is going to be a fun, informative, and very hands-on workshop. We will be discussing the business aspect of photography, lighting, photoshop, and much more. There will also be child models, as well as *bridal* models. Spaces will be limited so if you are interested in attending, please post in the comments box below or you can email me (photosbyrachel@aol.com) to be added to the list. Out-of-staters are welcome...Florida is a beautiful place to visit. ;)
Also, if you are interested in attending and have something in particular that you would like covered at the workshop, feel free to mention it when you contact me. We will consider adding it to the agenda.
Please check back for updates.
Thanks. :)

Dress Trashing

You know, I have been thinking about doing this type of session for a long time. However, I didn't know how I would *market* this to brides. Well, I waited to long. The idea is out, all over the nation, brides are trashing their dresses. I stumbled across this site: www.trashthedress.com and the idea of doing sessions like this just gets me more and more excited. I know, I know, your dress is sentimental to you.
Well I came up with pros and cons of Trashing your Dress.

Cons
1. Your dress cost a LOT of money.
2. You want to save it for your daughter

PROS
1. Your dress cost a lot of money~ So, make sure you have as many memories of it as you can.
2. You don't have to only wear it once. Get it dirty and have photographic memories of how beautiful you looked in it, how you felt in it, you might as well I mean come on, do you really think your daughter is going to want to wear it?!
3. Trashing your dress will be fun!

I like how the Trash your Dress website put it.

"Go ahead, you know you want to. Trash it. Get it dirty. Get it wet. Roll around in the mud. Drench it in the ocean. Totally trash it.

Why? … Why not? You’ve made a commitment to your husband. He’s your one and only true love, right? Then you’ll never need the dress again. And no, your daughter won’t wear it in 20-30 years. So you have two choices:

1) Suffocate it in plastic and throw it in a closet
2) Show your husband how commited you are by trashing the dress, and get some great fun pictures while you do it! "

So, if you are interested in TRASHING YOUR DRESS (after the wedding of course), let me know. Let's set something up, it will be fun, I promise!

P.S. I am looking for willing models to help me out with this, you will need to provide your own dress. Please email me for details. photosbyrachel@aol.com

Now come on, LET'S TRASH THAT DRESS!

Pink Chair

A client of mine was so generous to give me this chair. I finally took the opportunity to photograph it. I know, I know, boys in pink chairs, what was I thinking. But, I figured, it's a nice day, Jace was willing, so I went for it. Let me tell you, I *LOVE* this chair. I can't wait to use it with a girl.
A *BIG THANK YOU* to you, "K.F." if you are reading. :) You're awesome!

Bookings

Hey Everyone.
Just wanted to let you know that I am currently booking into April.

On a side note, just thought I'd share some from a recent newborn session. I had the priviledge of working with this little guy's parents when he was stil growing in his mama's belly. They are such a joy to work with.
"J" and "G", thank you for trusting my vision and for being patient. I truly enjoyed capturing "A." He is so beautiful. I can't wait to see him again. I bet he has changed already.

Good News about Fine Art Gallery Wrapped Canvas

**February Special**
Looking for the perfect peice of art to hang on your wall? Why not choose a beautiful photo of your loved one.
Fine Art Gallery Wrapped Canvases are on sale through the month of February. Please take advantage of the 20% off sale on Fine Art Canvases (16x20 and larger). To pre-order yours today, email me at: photosbyrachel@aol.com and write "February Canvas Special" in the subject line.
You may use this special rate towards the purchase of a canvas using photos from a recent session or a past session. If you aren't sure which photo you would like to have made into a canvas, I would be happy to give suggestions.

These are beatiful peices of art that do not need to be framed. (Please scroll down to see examples.)

Love is in the Air

I must admit I am not one who gets excited about Valentine's Day. So, in the spirit of trying to *get in the mood* I have decided to ask you to share your most romantic stories with me. I would love to hear your stories of how you and your significant other met, your most romantic memory, or even just the way they *show* you they love you. These do not need to be Valentine's related. You can post them in the comments box below, and guess what, if you don't want anyone to know who you are you can remain anonymous. So, come on, share those stories.
And just to get you started...here is one I found on the net. (Thought I was going to share one of my own, didn't you?!) *wink, wink*

"SHOW THE WORLD YOUR LOVE (http://www.theromantic.com/stories/valentines/valentines9.htm)

Submitted by: Susan B

One year when we had no money, my husband spelled "I love you Susan Jo" with cutout letters of cardboard and put it on our garage door. When I came home from work, that was there for all the world to see. He was used to coming up with creative idea's on a budget :-)

Well, this year was no different, we live in Ohio, where there is usually snow on the ground in February. So, my hubby got a red can of spray paint (he had already) and out in our pasture, he wrote his Valentine message to me! It was beautiful! Bright red paint on the glistening snow saying "I love you, the love of my life!" The people he worked with thought it was so neat, the newspaper came and took a picture and it was in the evening news! It is one of my most memorable gifts ever!"

Now, isn't that the sweetest!!j??

Speaking of Canvases

I have had some of you ask about the Gallery Wrapped Canvases.
I have a huge one of my boys and I love it. The image is printed on a fine art canvas and then wrapped around a stretcher frame. There are really no words to describe how beautiful these peices of art are and even photos don't do them justice. However, I will share anyway.

So Blessed

I thank God everyday for my wonderful blessings:
My husband
My boys
My wonderful mother who struggled as a single parent to keep her family together and instill in us morals and values.
My family, a wonderful mother-in-law who I simply adore, now how many of you can say that? Ha Ha
My home
My church

The list goes on and on. However, I do want to add that I believe each and every one of my clients are a blessing. I may be biased but I think I have the most awesome clients, with the most beautiful children I might add. I have never met so many wonderful, thoughtful people. I want to send a big thank you out to ALL of my clients, past and present, who have trusted my vision. I enjoy each and every one of my sessions. I take a little memory of each of you with me and tuck it away in my *memory box.*
An extra big thank you to "K.F." and "A.R.". I know you two are reading my blogs faithfully. Thank you for that. The reason I know is the night I posted about the hats, Ms. "A.R." purchased one, that night, for our upcoming session. And guess what it arrived in time. See photo below. (On a side note, I think mr. "O" is Jace's twin. lol, I just adore this little guy and can't wait to see him again.)
And Ms. "K.F." How do I know she reads? Well the day after I posted the white chair, Ms. "K" emails me and has one similar for me!!

You ladies are my angels. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you to all of my clients for all that you do. You are wonderful. I am truly thankful for you and your children and am glad you are part of my life.

Please feel free to leave comments in the comment sections so I know you are reading. :)
Okay, enough mushy, mushy. he he
**Now back to your regularly scheduled program**

Lovely Family

I photographed this family a couple of weeks ago. They were such a joy to work with. Thank you "E" Family. It was a pleasure working with you.