You might think I’m a bad sister when I say that I’m so happy that my big sister moved away to the San Francisco bay area. And maybe I am a bad sister cause my reasons for being happy are totally selfish - BUT I get to visit San Francisco all the time now! For a travel addict like me that’s a big deal. This trip across the bay we spent the whole day wandering around the city and stopping random places so I could take pictures. Though we did have a destination in mind we never actually got there. Ha! Ah well, next trip I guess.

San Francisco City Hall

We stepped into Saint Ignatius Church just to see and found a beautiful choral concert going on! Talk about serendipity!

2015-03-26_00042015-03-26_00052015-03-26_00062015-03-26_0007

Palace of Fine Arts

2015-03-26_00082015-03-26_00092015-03-26_00102015-03-26_0011

Finally I stopped taking pictures of the architecture and turned my camera on the cute little nephew of mine that we had been dragging around with us all day. Isn’t he precious!

2015-03-26_00122015-03-26_0013

Now just to prove that I’m a mean bad sister here are some photos where I talked my poor sibling into jumping and spinning in front of the Palace of Fine Arts which I now shall publish publicly online! Mwahahaha!!! (evil grin)

2015-03-26_0014

Love, Rachel!

SHARE TO: FACEBOOKSHARE TO: TWITTERSHARE TO: PINTEREST
add a comment

  • Bethany Salway - Meh…not that mean. Love you, my sister!ReplyCancel

Your engagement photos are a great way to set the tone for your wedding day and show off your personalities. Here are five tips to help make your engagement session the best it can be!

1) Schedule at the right time of day:

The perfect lighting goes a long way to help making the perfect portrait. The best light of the day is during what photographers call “the golden hour” which is during the last hour of sunset. If at all possible schedule your engagement session during this time to get that dreamy golden light.

2015-03-17_0002

2) Think outside the box:

To give your engagement photos a ‘wow’ factor - try including an activity or theme. This lets you dream big and gives you something fun and memorable to do that guarantees a good time. Think hot air balloon ride or renting a muscle car or playing your favorite sport together or even go sailing… the sky’s the limit!

C&K-66

3) Practice makes perfect:

Your E-session is a perfect time to see how you two respond in front of the camera and practice feeling comfortable having your picture taken. Not only will you feel more at home in front of the lens but you’ll be able to build a rapport with your photographer so that you will all feel like old friends come the weddings day.

4) Pose it perfect:

The most important thing about posing is to keep a straight spine. (Yes, just like your 3rd grade teacher said “Sit up straight!) Also try to remember to drop your shoulders and maintain a nice long neck.

2015-03-17_0001

5) Confidence is key:

Last tip is the most important - be relaxed and confident. If you two are a having a good time that will transfer that feeling to the images. Just have a good time loving on each other and playing around. PDA is good; which can also help loosen up your man.

47

Wishing you a wonderful engagement session!

Love, Rachel!

SHARE TO: FACEBOOKSHARE TO: TWITTERSHARE TO: PINTEREST
add a comment

So if you didn’t know, I have an alter ego - I’m a part owner of Cactus and Lace Weddings; we plan, stylize and photograph desert wedding elopements. So I’ve got two studios that I photograph under - Brilliant Imagery and Cactus and Lace. Cactus and Lace held a stylized shootout for photographers this year during WPPI; a yearly convention held in Las Vegas for photographers. We didn’t have just one awesome set up but three! It was a ton of work but so worth it! Everything came together perfectly. I can’t wait to do it again next year!

Our 1st set up we labeled Dreaming Darkly for our senior session and we had a real senior model for us. She was amazing - thank you Shiley!

Dreaming Darkly:

Motorcycle - Oil and Blood

Dress Alterations - Katie Eastman

Hair and Makeup - Rachel Harper

Model - Shiley Blackwell

2015-03-10_00082015-03-10_00072015-03-10_00062015-03-10_0005

Modern Desert was our set up with geometric shapes and clean lines with a hint of native american whimsy.

Modern Desert:

Florist - Miss Daisy Flowers

Suits - True Gentleman Supply Co.

Hair and Makeup - Brandy Norris

Cake - Gimme Some Sugar

Invites - Basic Invite

Planning and Design: Cactus and Lace Weddings

Models - Micah Jensen and Savannah Knight

2015-03-10_0001

2015-03-10_00042015-03-10_0003

2015-03-10_0002

Leafy Love:

Florist - Miss Daisy Flowers

Suits - True Gentleman Supply Co.

Hair and Makeup - Rachel Harper

Cake - Gimme Some Sugar

Invites - Basic Invite

Planning and Design: Cactus and Lace Weddings

Models - DeVale White and Carly Richardson

2015-03-10_00092015-03-10_0011

2015-03-10_00122015-03-10_0013

And we all come together at the end for one last hoorah!

2015-03-10_0014

Love, Rachel!

SHARE TO: FACEBOOKSHARE TO: TWITTERSHARE TO: PINTEREST
add a comment

Hello my fellow photographer friends out there!

WPPI is coming up! (A yearly convention held in Las Vegas for photographers every year.) I’m supper excited about it this coming WPPI because my alter ego studio - Cactus and Lace Weddings is offering a desert shootout for photographers! Cactus and Lace Weddings has teamed up with two other amazing photographers, Keala Jarvis and Jordan Burr, to offer this fully stylized shootout in the ever gorgeous Valley of Fire!

Here are the details:
Location: Valley of Fire
Tuesday March 3rd, 2015 – 10am to 4pm
Transportation from the MGM to the Valley of Fire and back.
We will also be providing lunch; as well as a few goodies for you too (maybe even the chance to win some prizes!)
Cost: $450
But if you sign up with a friend you’ll both get the Twofer Special of only a $100 discount - so only $350
Unlike most shootouts were there is one model and 40 photographers crowded around, this one will be limited to only 15 photographers. There will be 6 models and 3 separate set ups. There will be three small groups so that all participants will be able to photograph each themed set up. The set ups will be fully stylized – to the nines! – by Cactus and Lace Weddings with the help of some choice vendors.
Theme: Modern Desert – Super stylized wedding couple
Theme: Leaf Love – Elegant wedding with real married couple
Theme: Darkly Dreamy – One stylized glam senior session
To reserve your seat just email [email protected]. Spaces are limited so make sure reserve your spot ASAP!
C&LShootoutMarketing3Logos
SHARE TO: FACEBOOKSHARE TO: TWITTERSHARE TO: PINTEREST
add a comment