Confession time ...
I'M BAD AT GETTING MY OWN
FAMILY PHOTOS TAKEN
Well, I used to be. I just didn’t make time for it. Obviously, it's always been important to me. Obviously, I wanted them. But life happened and I got busy and it just got pushed further down my priority list.
In 2022, one of my favorite photographers was coming to Denver from New Zealand. I asked her to come take photos of us and she spent 13 hours with us. She went with us to get bagels, came home to make fairy wings and play in our backyard, and stuck around for meals and bedtime. It was the ordinary-est of days. And it was perfect.
Two months later? My son was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. I wish this circumstance on absolutely zero people. But it shifted me forever.
I was thrilled when she photographed us. But I was desperate for those photos after he was diagnosed. On his sickest days, I would pull them up as reminders of how strong he is, how connected we are, and good life can be for us.
They were my lifeline to hope. And they continue to be as he finishes his treatment over the next year.
I realized I was running out of time
So what changed?
Years ago, I was sitting with my sister and her son. We were doing something so ordinary that I can’t even recall what it was. He looked up and said, “You know what guys? This is the best day ever.” He then made up a song about how this was just the best day ever.
Those everyday moments are the very foundation for your little humans and their future. In your homes, with you and their siblings, is where they learn about trust and relationships. It’s where they learn that every day can be the best day ever if it’s spent with the people they love.
I started photographing when I realized the best days are the simple ones.
MY STORY ISN'T ALL SAD THOUGH. NOT EVEN CLOSE.
- The S. Family
Rachel is a talented and amazing storyteller. Plus she's GREAT with the kiddos. She nailed it and our photos are a treasure.
real words from real clients
If you need the down and dirty details about my experience, I've got that too:
I graduated from college with a photojournalism degree, um, a while ago. Then I traveled the world working with nonprofits, photographing and writing stories.
In 2014, I started photographing families. I quickly realized the posed stuff wasn't my jam and started photographing the stuff I thought families would want to remember. I've worked with hundreds of people and there hasn't once been a kid I can't win over.
Were you looking for more of a resumé-style about page here?
MY BAD ....
Catch me influencing:
SUrPRISE: I'M NOT JUST A PHOTOGRAPHER.
I contain multitudes.
So I moonlight as a fake influencer. GASP!
Really, truthfully, I am just a woman who is desperate for a space to talk about the complexities of motherhood, the ridiculousness of toddlers, the vanity of my favorite skincare products, and the reality of childhood cancer. Breezy, yes?
So this site is now that space, capiche?
ON THE CLOCK
