Daniel's Senior Pictures

Meet my little brother, Daniel.

I can’t believe he is graduating from high school, but I couldn’t be prouder of him. This shoot was incredibly relaxing and rewarding. Lately (don’t know if you have noticed, haha) I have been so busy and even a bit burned out from photography. Editing these photographs, even in the midst of everything I have to do before flying out to Boston on Wednesday, was so refreshing. What I have always liked about photography is I feel like it shows a piece of people’s soul that we don’t always see—capturing something deeper. I think I lost sight of that in the last year, but editing these pictures was a much-needed reminder. 

Love you, Danny! Thank you for being you.

Zach and Libbey

I’ve known Zach for… oh gosh… I have to count.

Five years.

But when I met up with Zach last month doing his engagement pictures to Libbey, I have to admit I hardly recognized him. Not because he looked much different, or talked much different, or even acted much different from the Zach we all know and love—but he was changed. He had a glow about him and a kind of smile I’d never seen him wear before. I’ve heard it said that love transforms us; true love inspires us to be the best people we can be. I can’t tell you how true I think that is, and doing this engagement session—seeing how Zach looked and adored Libbey—was evidence enough for me.

Congratulations to Zach and Libbey! I was grateful they shared their story with me.

Lora and Chris: A Love Story

This is my dear friend, Lora, and her wonderful fiancé, Chris.  I’ve known Lora forever; we survived high school together—dances, cafeteria lunch in the library, game nights, you name it.  She was always the sweet kind of girl that everyone adores.  She is still that amazing girl, but now she found someone who can see and love her for that.  Doing these engagements was a privilege for me.  It was fantastic to be able to see her and Chris’s happiness in the lens of my camera.  These things show through, they always do.  I am so happy to see another friend create a happier ever after.

Love you Lora!  Congratulations to you both.

And might I add, these two were one of the most photogenic couples I’ve ever photographed! 

Jani and Justin's Wedding

I’m so far behind on editing pictures (and life in general) since coming back from India I could cry!  But I finally got to my cousin’s gorgeous wedding that I shot this September.  It was a lovely day and a beautiful location at a ski resort up the canyon.  You could really tell how much they loved each other—which is something I tend to be hypersensitive to when photographing weddings.  I couldn’t be happier for these two!

Stay tuned for pictures from India, Paris, and Rome!

1st Place in Stowaway Magazine Photo Contest!

So, I just found out this morning that I won first place in the photo contest through Stowaway Magazine I applied for last Fall.  Surprise!  Here it is!  No one told me!  I just discovered it as I went searching through looking for submission guidelines for this year, Ha!

I took this one when I lived in Hawaii working at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  I thought that was exciting. Anyways, I am back in Provo getting settled from an awesome experience in India.  I'll try to post more pictures of that, and Europe, and weddings, and, oh gosh... so much soon!

Paige and Jorgen: Another Great Engagement Day

You might recognize Paige.  She is one of my all time favorite models!  I am not for one bit surprised that this shoot turned out to be another great success because she was a part of it.  Jorgen was also a riot to shoot.  If I were to ever be on the other side of the camera, I am pretty sure that I would be acting just how he did.  

One of my favorite parts about this shoot was just seeing their relationship through the lens.  It was so easy to get some great candid shots, and while I ended up with a bunch of traditional shots, those in between the smiles were the ones that I gravitated to and edited.  I find that very meaningful.  

My other favorite part?  Most of these shots are totally illegal, but in the end, no farmer came out and shot us.

As for updates, I am going to India for the summer.  If you need to get in contact with me, just email me at racheladventure@gmail.com

Jani and Her Justin

This is my cousin, Jani, and her sweet fiancé, Justin.  She has known me so long, and it is so cool to see her take this next step in her life.  We've been to funerals together, made it through the awkward teenage years, survived divorce, talked through terrible break ups, and our beanie baby collection was pretty much the best in a hundred mile radius.  Always a role model to me, I hope I too can find someone that will love me the way that Justin clearly loves her.  So happy for you FC.  You two are so beautiful.  Wish you all the best!