I had the absolute pleasure of attending and photographing Kristy and Barry’s wedding last Friday.  The bride was gorgeous, the groom a tiny bit nervous and the kiddos precious throughout the ceremony.  Kristy and Barry are so lucky to have wonderful friends and family that support and love them.

The wedding was autumn themed, and every little detail was perfect!

I loved Kristy’s guest book.  She had some bare branches on the table and satin ribbons tied to the smallest colorful leaves.

Her guests left a message for the couple and signed the back.  Not only was this creative, it was beautiful!

First KISS! (okay, that isn’t exactly true, but the first kiss as Mr. and Mrs.)

Joyful and proud!

You can tell these two just love eachother!  We snuck a dry moment to capture some images outdoors!  Look at the fall color, it is everywhere.

Simple elegance!

The cutest kiddos ever helped move the ceremony right along!

And, after it was all said and done, a GRAND entrance to fun music and the dancing commenced (check out the little one doing the splits at the bottom!… that was a riot!)

Congrats to you both!  May you continue to be blessed and grow in your love year after year.  Cherish eachother and keep it real.

Your friend, Rachel

The wedding was shot with a Nikon D300, 85MM 1.4, 70-200 2.8, 60MM 2.8, and some very necessary and powerful Nikon flash units, triggered by pocket wizards.

When planning a family portrait session, dressing for the weather is just as important as looking good.  Avoid matchy-matchy and go for coordinated, sophisticated looks.

The below looks are available from Gap and Banana Republic online and in-stores this season.

A friend and colleage of mine lost her sweet son Nate to pneumonia after a battle with the H1N1 Flu.  I pray he is lifted up into God’s loving embrace.  Please take a moment to pray for this sweet family and their tragic loss.

In loving memory of Nate Stone.  May you rest in peace and may peace and grace be found by his family as they move forward addressing their profound grief.

Many people seem to think this H1N1 Flu is being over-hyped by the media.  This clearly is a serious disease.  Please take care of your loved ones, stay well-hydrated, wash your hands often and keep your family home when ill.

With heavy heart,

Rachel @ Verve

Hunter, it was a pleasure hanging out with you and grabbing these photos.  I hope you love them as much as I do.  Your gallery is ready, I’ll text you the password on Tuesday!

It is obvious your family is close and I loved meeting Mom, Dad and sis too!

Good luck with your senior year and the rest of the football season for the Battle Ground Tigers.

I had a great time out with Autumn last weekend capturing some senior pictures.  Autumn, your proofs are ready!  I’ll text your mom the gallery password on Monday (its a little late tonight!)

Enjoy the sneak-peak!

Its back to school time!  Ugh, can you believe summer is almost over?  I see leaves turning ALREADY…  No!  I am absolutely not ready for this! I need my sun!  If I could make it 85 degrees all year round, I totally would!  I remember summer vacation when I was in gradeschool seemed to last F.O.R.E.V.E.R. and I was excited to go back.  Well, now I’m excited for a different reason (and no, I’m not going back to school AGAIN mom!) <- she’s already been through this twice (GO COUGS for all you Seniors thinking about college).

My excitement surrounds two things… number one absolutely being that I love Halloween and it is ALMOST here and number two… well, the fall senior portrait season is here… and there is nothing I like to photograph more than High School Seniors!  So whether you go to Camas, Washougal, Fort, Union, Columbia River, Evergreen, Heritage, Prairie, Skyview, Battleground or if you are in Running Start going to Clark… THIS deal is for YOU! (and that was a mouthful… )

Why do you want custom portraits instead of the ol’ fashioned yearbook picture you can get at Sears or Olan Mill?  (Come on… look at the pictures they do… Words cannot describe… … )

Your Senior photos are going to be some of the most cherished photos in your family history.  They will sit next to the picture taken when you were first born, your first day of kindergarten, and your wedding day.  Everyone in your family will get one and you will choose your favorite for Graduation announcements!  The portraits you choose today will endure those tests of time.  These pictures will be the ones you look back at for your 40th High School reunion.  Don’t settle for a studio… choose a custom photographer!

Verve sessions are completely customized for YOU.  Your location, on your schedule, you wear what you want.  Bring your pet or your BFF and lets go have fun capturing just who YOU are, today…  There is no pressure because the next person is here for their appointment.  You get 100% of my attention.

The fall special will run for a limited time (through sessions taken by October 15th) so book early as spots will fill up fast!

So, what are you waiting for?  Go to the contact page and send me a message to get your session scheduled TODAY!

Welcome to the world sweet thing, you are just devine!  Your mama did a fine job baking you and I’m sure big brother is going to take great care of you as you grow.  Thanks for coming over for pictures!  I sure hope you sleep more for mama then you did for me

My warmest Congratulations to the K family!

It’s time for Fall Family Mini-Sessions!

Verve is offering a spectacular deal to update those aging family portraits.  How long has it been?  If your answer is more than one year you are due for some new pictures!  Here’s the deal…

• 30 minute on-location session for up to 5 family members ($10 each additional family member)
• 5-10 proofs in a password accessed online gallery
• credit toward 20 Holiday Cards or one 11×14 styrene mounted wall print

All of this for $125!

This deal will book quickly so reserve your time now.  Mini-sessions will be held on Saturdays in October only.  Use the contact form to reserve your date and time now!

This week I had the pleasure of working with Thom for headshots.  Thom is a professional Life Coach.  I had such a great time taking his portraits, I hope he had some fun too!

Your Gallery is ready Thom, head on over to the proofing section.

Rachel @ Verve!

What to wear? what to wear?  This is the number ONE question I get asked when doing client consultations.  And, it is an important one.

Do you want a polished and clean formal picture, or one that captures your family’s fun playful side?  This is really the first step in defining your wardrobe.   Then, run with it!  Matchy matchy isn’t the thing anymore.  Gone are the days of white polo-shirts and khakis… get creative, bring color, BE FUN!

I am going to do a series of posts with great examples of a family portrait session outfit selection.  I will do my best to find pieces that coordinate not only with each other, but offer you some choices in price point for where to find the items.  This first post is “dressing on a budget”.  Everyone in my family owns jeans, too many pairs probably.  Once I find a few that fit each of us and are in the same color family I have greatly reduced the amount I need to spend on outfits!  Plus, jeans are comfy and look great in pictures (as long as they are in good condition).  Comfy people = happy people.  Happy people = Good, natural and genuine smiles.  Good, natural and genuine smiles + family interaction + great photographer = FABULOUS family memories!

So, this week…

Fashion on a budget.  All of the below garments can be purchased at Old Navy or Gap.  Of course, this is just one example, use your imagination to pull together your own family style.

Bright, Colorful, easy on the wallet, and a very pulled together look…

Note that some key garment choices is missing… SHOES and accessories! Please please please, make sure shoes are clean and coordinate. They are going to be in some photos and the shoes your hubby wore last weekend to mow the lawn are not going to cut it. Jazz up the outfits with playful, fun, and colorful accessories and you are well on your way.

Look forward to a big upcoming announcement about fall family portraits specials… just in time to get those Christmas cards done.