You really made that day even more gorgeous than it could have ever been.  I love looking at the photos because you put so much love and character into them.

Thanks again!  Katie

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REALBRIDEINADRESS.com
I love the concept for this new website! As regular readers know, I have an entire website dedicated to special fine art photo sessions with women in their wedding dresses [fearlessbridals.com] so when Kylah approached me because she wanted to feature photos from a couple of my brides, I was thrilled to be a part of the concept.  Real Bride in a Dress connects women to images of real ladies in wedding dresses – to give them a more realistic idea about the fit and detailing. She featured Suzy’s wedding in Palos Verdes, CA and Colleen’s bridal session at Wellesley College over on the new site. Click on the images to see more!

OFFBEATBRIDE.COM

Katie and Victor’s eco-friendly wedding at Quailcrest Farm in Wooster, Ohio was featured on Offbeat Bride:

We’re not strangers to the OBB concept and client… Our wedding photography was also featured in 2007 and 2008 [2008-1] [2008-2]

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Hey Rachel,

I just wanted to say thank you again for a great photo shoot yesterday!! We had a great time.
I can’t believe how comfortable you made us feel, that was amazing!!

We can’t wait to see the pictures…. I can’t wait to give this gift to my husband!!

Thanks again
M

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I’ve had a rough couple of weeks trying to keep my head above the water with all the cute familes and multiple portrait sessions for the holidays. I’m currently pulling an all-nighter until I get some photos up for Thomas and Kristin, my delightful final Boston wedding.

Glancing at email just now, I noticed a thoughtfully-written inquiry for a 2010 wedding. The mother of the bride wrote to me to ask about my availability and consideration. It’s obvious this woman grew up in a pen and ink culture.  I want to share a small part of her message, because this made my week feel special.

“I have recently viewed your website gallery and admire your work very much…

“I referred my daughter to [a recent couple]‘s gallery and she was equally impressed. We’re very attracted to your style as it is not contrived but is very honest. You are able to capture the beauty and joy in your couples and their families. My daughter is planning a wedding for September 2010. We are interested in securing you as the photographer for her wedding.

[...]

“Thank you for the courtesy of considering our offer.  I look forward to hearing from you.”

There is much more to her message, but this snippet is the perfect reminder that good photography is real and honest and beautiful because it is true. It can be soul-draining as a photographer to receive email after email from price shopping brides and others who are not looking so much at the quality of work as the quantity in a package. If I had five dollars for every time I was questioned about the pricing of my work, a carefully considered cost, I could probably retire wealthy next year.

Thank you so much to those of you who take the time and effort to share a bit of your heart and breathe words of life back to the artist.

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“I love your work, Rachel. You elevate wedding photos beyond the realm of static predictable pictures to a level of artistry. Truly beautiful work!”

-Tani, wedding guest

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“I love the honesty and internal beauty that comes through in your work.”

-Heather, fellow commercial photographer

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“Thank you so much for the beautiful boudoir pictures you took of me… you made me feel so comfortable, and it was so nice how much time you took with me. I was married on June 6, and my husband loved his gift. He couldn’t wait to get back to look at the pictures again! It was the one reason that didn’t make coming home from our honeymoon a complete downer…. thanks!“

-J, March 2009 boudoir client

“The photos are amazing!!!! We are so lucky to have you in the family and to have you as our photographer!”

-Haady, July 2009 wedding client (and now cousin)

“The pictures turned out really well.  We are both very happy about them.  Thanks Rachel, good job, four thumbs up! You really captured a lot fun and memorable moments.  Wouter and I looked great despite the fact that we were tired and slept a few hours the night before. Yes we were very smiley and happy, it was adrenaline rush and I was trying not to look tired.  You really made us feel comfortable in front of the camera.”

- Eileen, July 2009 wedding client

“Thank you so much for taking my boudoir pictures. We had a great day and then that night when I gave them to him he flipped! He loves them! (So do I!). Thanks again for everything.”

-T, boudoir client

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“After knowing you for 3 years now and watching your work since we first hired you for our wedding, I’ve followed your work grow from just weddings to boudoir, portaits, babies, and bellies. All I can say is that I never get tired of looking at your work. I think that’s the essence of a true artist- they can use the same medium over and over again, but the work they produce is never stagnant. It’s always moving, inspiring, and engaging. That’s what your photography is to Nick and I.

We can’t wait to work with you again and see what magic you create.

~Nikki and Nick~

Aww, thanks guys!!

Posted in accolades, clients, inspiration No Comments »

I’m a total sucker for kind words, and love to share the beautiful and inspiring things people write to me. The world can be unkind so much of the time, it’s nice to look back and focus on the positive.

“I love your work and never thought wedding photography could communicate such breadth of feelings and softness, simply and sweetly, while giving all the information about the event. I love how you make the weddings you do mainly about the bride and groom and the event, rather than posing people the traditional way. It is nice to see for once the main focus be about the wedding and two people coming together.”
-Amy (fellow fine art photographer)

I’m especially sweetened by the fact that this encouragement came from a fellow fine art photographer. Thanks, Amy!

“I took a quick peek at your blog and love the mix of professional insight into the industry with great photography. I congratulate you on taking your weekends back ”

- photographer Melissa Worthington

And now a message from the gorgeous and talented Stephanie! Stephanie and Brian had a delightful vineyard wedding in Rhode Island…

“Thanks for the link. We’ve been obsessively checking your site since 5 am Friday so we’re well aware that the GORGEOUS photos are up. Wow. They are impressive. We’ve received so many compliments on them I can hardly stand it. You did such a nice job. I’m almost sad you’re not going to take wedding pics anymore since you’re so good.

But then I remember that you’re finding your bliss and I’m happy.
[...]

The wedding was the best day of my life / our lives and we owe so much of that to you.”

-Stephanie, May 2009 bride

Um, wow. I have a pretty decent self-esteem and I don’t think I deserve THAT much credit! I have really enjoyed my 2009 wedding clients, and thank God that I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people in this job.

Finally, I just received feedback from Kristin and Thomas, who just viewed their engagement session gallery.

“Wow…I don’t know what to say other than: we love these! The way you captured real moments between the two of us is priceless. We’re overjoyed with how the session turned out and we can’t wait to see what you will do with our wedding pictures. =)”

-Kristin and Thomas, October 2009 wedding clients

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Hi Rachel,

I received the final package with the albums this weekend and I wanted to thank you! My fiancé was extremely shocked and happy. He said his face hurt from smiling all day and night. Everything looked great and I thank you for going the extra mile… I have already told all of my girlfriends about the experience and I recommended it to all of them!

-E

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