Rachel Clarke :: Photographer » Rachel

A new beginning!… Rachel May Photography

Rachel — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:52:53 +0000

The time has come to say good bye to RClarke Photography and say HELLLLOOOO to Rachel May Photography!

For more information visit http://www.rachel-may.com and the blog at http://www.rachelmayblog.com

See you there!!

Something new… VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:07:44 +0000

I haven’t been blogging on my own life too much recently – and I believe it’s important for all of my clients to get to know who I am and what not. So as I was pondering what I could do bring more of me to the blog I looked over and saw that little buddy man had scribbled on the back of one of the girls lunch plates. And then an idea was born – a brand new series is coming along with the new brand (Which is right around the corner btw!!) And it’s called – Kids live here.

Enjoy.

-R

Father’s Day Winner!! … VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:44:12 +0000

I’m sorry this is delayed – as my little Vanna White has had the tummy bug! I had every intention on doing this yesterday and she was alseep on the floor practically all day! But thank God she is MUCH better today and was the perfect little helper!

Congratulations….

And just because I would have loved to see all of you guys win – I’m going to give Daddy Hicks & Daddy North half off the session fee. Happy Father’s Day!!

-R

Identity :: VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:20:38 +0000

A few nights ago I was watching a video on the internet from the Freedom Tour featuring the lovely Jasmine Star. It was chocked full of amazing information about your identity and brand as a photographer. One of the things that she said that stood out to me was “You can rent a camera or a lens, but you cannot rent your brand.” And it is SO true. People may see that you take great pictures of X,Y, & Z but are they going to remember who you are? People know Nike for their check mark, and Walmart for that bright yellow smiley. The same goes for us as photographers – there is something about someone’s brand that sticks out and makes a mental note in people’s brains about who we are and why they love us.

A few months ago I met the amazing and talented Korie Lynn her work seriously stood out to me, and the more I saw the more I LOVED. I would change one thing here, and another there. Fast forward to last week and I found myself in the most uncomfortable situation ever. Not only had I hurt myself, but I had hurt my friend. I had taken her identity. Something she had worked SO hard at. You have no idea how hard it was to look at what I had done – and not feel like a complete pile of poo. There was me in my work no doubt – but there was too much Korie there. She had inspired me to no end – and to the point where I lost Rachel. I have spent the last week … away from blogs… away from reading about others – and centered on myself. Thinking about what I love. Who I AM, Rachel in the raw. And it’s SO perfect for my new brand coming.

I am pretty, I am feminine, I am soft, I am real, I am dreamy.

This post goes out to all of those out there in this creative business searching for their identity. Stop looking at others, and look within. Because within is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen.

-R

What makes a Dad… :: VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:46:48 +0000

“God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad”
-Author Unknown

To celebrate the complete AWESOMENESS of the Dad’s out there – I am offering up a free photo session! If you know a dad, or are a dad yourself who would be interested in a free photo session – Just leave a comment below with your name and what you would use the photo session for! All entries must be in by midnight of Wednesday 6/23! Good luck!

And Happy Father’s Day to my Dads (Yes I am lucky enough to have 2!) & the amazing father of my 3 children! I love you JJ!!

-R

Michael & Gretchen :: A Country Engagement :: Spotsylvania Virginia Photographer

Rachel — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:39:57 +0000

Everything about this session is just beautiful. The people. The love. The locations. Michael & Gretchen have HUGE hearts. From the words of a photographer friend of mine “They give, and give, and give… and they love every minute of it. They share a beautiful vision to invest in and change kids’ lives, forever. And they plan to spend their lives doing that, together.” It gives me chill bumps just thinking about how awesome these two are. And I get the amazing opportunity to photograph their wedding!!
Michael & Gretchen – I had SO much fun photographing your engagement session and cannot wait for your wedding in August!!!

-R

Style Shoot! :: Finale! :: VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:06:31 +0000

This is Kay! She was a bridal model for the shoot! I ADORED the yellow in this. Her shoes, the balloons, the bouquet, her sash, necklace…. And to top it all off there was this amazing trunk!!

HUGE thanks go out to Lindsey Bledsoe for organizing this!!

Hair Credit: Paul Mitchell School Tyson’s Corner
Makeup Art: Tracie Rosales – http://www.tracierosales.com/

-R

Style Shoot :: TRES! :: VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:22:41 +0000

This is Christine! This girl is just gorgeous! And so much fun!! THE perfect model! You asked her a question and she did not move or answer until the camera came down!

Christine, I really hope to do more work with you in the future – you were an absolute charm!!

HUGE Thanks go out to Lindsey Bledsoe for organizing this!

Cupcake Credit: Courtney Weeks - http://www.flickr.com/photos/courtneylynweeks

Makeup Art: Tracie Rosales – http://www.tracierosales.com/

Necklace: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinkingedgedesigns

Earrings: http://www.etsy.com/shop/anjvan

-R

Style Shoot :: DOS! :: VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:16:36 +0000

Here is part two of the style shoot, This is Annie & Jay! Everything about these two was just fantastic! I LOVE LOVE LOVE her shoes… I actually bought them for myself a while back out of impulse because they were SO cute!

The light was just amazing, I believe filtered light through the trees is my new fav!

HUGE Thanks go out to Lindsey Bledsoe for organizing this!

Hair Credit: Paul Mitchell School Tyson’s Corner

Makeup Art: Melissa Ervin - http://www.themakeupchick.com

-R

Stylized Shoot :: UNO! :: VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:39:09 +0000

As I was sitting around one afternoon I called up a photographer friend of mine to see what she was doing and she told me she was on her way to a stylized shoot with another photographer. So of course I was like REALLY!? I made some phone calls to see if it was possible for me to go, and thanks to the AMAZING friends and family in my life I was able to go! Talk about last minute!!

There were different models from wedding to maternity, kids to bridal… it was so fun!

Today I am blogging about Alison & Kenny – an engaged couple!

HUGE Thanks go out to Lindsey Bledsoe for organizing this!

Hair Credit: Paul Mitchell School Tyson’s Corner

Cupcake Credit: Courtney Weeks - http://www.flickr.com/photos/courtneylynweeks

Makeup Art: Tracie Rosales - http://www.tracierosales.com/

-R