Rachel Clarke :: Photographer

Trendy Tuesday :: VA MD DC Lifestyle Photographer

Rachel — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:05:09 +0000

I was flipping through a magazine last week and saw an outfit that combined some silver and gold jewelry peices. I must say I am not a huge gold fan – but I really LOVED this. So this weeks outfit was inspired by this and the idea to treat yourself. Sometime’s it can be so therapudic and fun to get pictures taken of yourself! For you, or for the one you love!!

GUESS “Drea” Cotton Top

J Brand Women’s 12″ Pencil Leg Jeans in Ink

Corso Como “Feature” Ruffle Flat Sandals

kate spade new york “Cortes” Single Paillette Necklace

kate spade ‘cortes’ triple paillette necklace

Nordstrom Shell Cuff Bracelet

Big thanks to Bloomingdales & Nordstrom for carrying these items!!

-Rachel

Sneak Peak :: Stevenson Ridge :: VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:12:47 +0000

It’s amazing, full of character, and an experience you don’t want to miss.

The full post coming next week.

-Rachel

What is it Wednesday…. Competition? :: VA MD DC Lifestyle Photographer

Rachel — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:13:25 +0000

Yesterday I had the opportunity to have coffee and chat with 3 local photographers: Nancy Balogh , Laura Gordon , and Jo Habecker. We were talking about the community of photographers, and it was just so amazing how so many of us are so open and willing to share and contribute to each other’s success. I would never in a million years consider any of these awesome people my “competition.” Everyone has a contribution to make to this creative society. They have their own eye, and a definition for photography. You could put us all at the same scene, and each of us will come up with a different end result. Composition, Exposure, Depth of Field and then there’s the Post Production. Some people adore sun filled images, while others enjoy darker contrasty versions. Some love sun flare (ooh ooh me! ), some love closer crops, some love to see it all. It’s just so amazing how many different things can come out of the same set up. I think when we are all starting out, sometimes our work will resemble who we idolize the most. But over time our work morphs… into our own particular style. I am still walking through this journey, but I believe that my work is starting to have its own defined style. I am finding myself through this journey, alongside all my friends. NOT Competition.

-Rachel

Trendy Tuesday :: VA MD DC Lifestyle Photographer

Rachel — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:12:52 +0000

One of my favorite things to photograph is an engagement session. The love between an engaged couple is just so fun to capture – to learn who they are and how they interact… its just fascinating!!

So for today’s Trendy Tuesday I am featuring a pair of great outfits to wear for an engagement session!! The dress is from one of my favorite designers, Kate Spade!! I just LOVE polka dots and PEARLS!!! Then a Ralph Lauren polo and Citizen of Humanity jeans for HIM.

Her outfit: Dress from Kate Spade , Earings & Bracelet from Bloomingdales, Shoes from Nordstrom.

His outfit: Polo & Jeans from Bloomingdales, & Shoes from Nordstrom.

Enjoy!

-R

Mercy Me Concert with Aaron Shust :: VA MD DC Lifestyle Photographer

Rachel — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:34:27 +0000

When I first heard that I *might* be going to this concert at the Hilton Memorial Chapel I was overwhelmed with excitement. When my Grand daddy passed away this past October, my Grandma had a Mercy Me cd and we listened to it over and over again. I would say they played a huge role in helping us through that difficult time. I would have given anything to have brought my Grandma to their concert, but she is in Georgia – maybe one day they’ll make it down to Atlanta? Anyway, The second best thing I could do though, was to take my mom. And come to find out it was my mom’s first concert ever. Can you imagine how meaningful this was? And just such a blessing from above. I didn’t spend nearly as much time taking pictures this time as I did at the Chris Tomlin concert, because I wanted to really experience this with my mom. It was just amazing, and until you worship with 3300 people – its a feeling truly unexplainable. GOD was there, he was shining down on us, soaking up and loving every one of us lifting him up.

Aaron Shust opened for Mercy Me. He was sick, but you wouldn’t have known it – he was amazing!!

And then, Mercy Me came out!!

-R

What is it Wednesday :: VA MD DC Lifestyle Photographer

Rachel — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:32:52 +0000

Today is all about my new office!! I am reallllly reallllly excited about this. I mean…. just completely over the moon. I’ve never had an “office”, my desk has always been in another room. Right now my desk is in the living room and is kind of taking over, which stinks…. really bad. To have an area solely dedicated to my work, and away from the rest of my life is just dreamy. So much of the time my work is constantly staring at me and calling my name…. to be able to put it away and have an actual work schedule… AHHHH. I can’t wait!

Here is what it looks like today…

The walls are primed, the trim is painted and I have begun taping to start painting! Once the painting is finished we can call the carpet people and get that delivered! Thennnn I can decorate! I have SO many plans and ideas for this little slice of paradise! So many amazing places of inspiration have helped me form these ideas from http://thecreativemama.com/ to http://pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com/ ….

A couple of my ideas..

Id like to find a door like below, but instead of a map being in the windows – I will display some of my favorite pictures. Can I just say I LOVVVVE the door knob. <3

I love this framed wall paper.

But because my walls are so much smaller – I think I am going to do something smaller AND I want it to be functional. So I am going to buy some cork, & cover it with the below fabric. So I can use it as a cork board – but you won’t have to see the cork! It will be framed with trim like the above picture!

The next piece is a complete splurge and its not something I have to have or KNOW that I will get – but I sure do want it!!

I love the wainscoating in the below picture, and will probably incorporate this at a later date as well. It would be perfect to go right under the wall shelf in the room!

So yea, this is what I’ve been thinking and dreaming about. And its SO close to being done. I can’t wait.

-R

Trendy Tuesday :: VA MD DC Lifestyle Photographer

Rachel — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:44:31 +0000

When I saw this orange top on nordstrom.com I knew it was going to be my centerpiece – the piece that I plan the other pieces around! I just love how bright and feminine it is!! I’m not normally an orange person – but I’m really loving this top! You can’t really tell from the collage below, but the shoes have a hint of orange in them as well from a few orange beads. I think the orange in the lady’s top compliments the baby girl dress SO well. Then with the young boy’s outfit, a bright blue top to contrast with the orange top and the tie it has a an assortment of bright colored polka dots! I also conveniently found matching father/son pumas!!

Daddy’s outfit: Lacoste Shirt, Boss Jackson Jeans, & Pumas

Baby girl’s outfit: Janie & Jack Dress, Kenneth Cole Shoes, & Head band from Etsy

Little boy’s outfit: Did Too Shirt, Gap Jeans, Mr Charlie tie, & Pumas

Mommy’s outfit: Sweet Pea Top, Sanctuary Freestyle Pants, & Nine West Shoes

Enjoy!

-R

What is it?!?! It’s a…. :: Fredericksburg Virginia Photographer

Rachel — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:17:40 +0000

It’s a SNEAK PEAK!! Last Friday night my good friend Liz from Love & Laughter Photography went down town with the winners from the Help Me Help Haiti give away and did an all available light session.

This session has me seriously thinking about becoming an all black and white photographer. Why? When I look at an image in color, I see the color, the tones, everything in the image. When I look at a black and white image, I see EMOTION. I FEEL what is going on in that photo. It is so much more attractive to me. And as an artist shouldn’t my art be something that I FEEL with my entirety, something that I absolutely love and stand behind 100%?! It’s just an idea floating around here in my brain. Lots of changes going on with my photographic journey… so be sure to stay tuned. Who knows where I’ll turn next!

-R

Trendy Tuesday! :: VA MD DC Photographer

Rachel — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:21:08 +0000

We were on our way home from a church gathering tonight when I realized it’s TUESDAY!! Trendy Tuesday!! So, sorry this is late – but you know what they say! Better late than never.

This Trendy Tuesday is inspired by kids – what to dress them in for a fun relaxed photo session. Especially when you have different sizes, and boys and girls. How do you make this WORK? Well here is one set put together from Gap, Old Navy, and Footlocker! Lots of fun bright colors including turquoise, pink, blue, and yellow!! I am a serious sucker for some Chuck Taylors – especially pink ones! AND, I know Im not the only one itching for some SPRING color!!!

Outfit number 1: Shirt, Jeans, & Scarf all from Gap.com 2: Old Navy.com Shirt & Gap.com Jeans 3: Old Navy.com Shirt & Gap.com Skinny Jeans… All Converse from Footlocker.com

The great thing about Gap & Old Navy is that they are sister companies – so a lot of the time they will have a lot of the same color schemes to work off of!

Happy Tuesday everyone! Be sure to come back tomorrow for What is it Wednesday!

-R

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways! :: VA MD DC Lifestyle Photographer

Rachel — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:01:30 +0000

You are sweet. You bring me flowers, and milky ways, and a coke and a smile for no reason.

You are strong. I love your muscles.

You are smart. You will soon be an Engineer!!

You are talented. There isnt a thing that I can think of that you can’t do.

You are caring. When I am sad – you make me happy.

You are a great father. These kids love you to mars and back.

You are hot. Loooove that new Bannana Republic outfit on you. And of course I’ll bring up those muscles again.

You are fun. Even though I tell you I don’t like it when you tickle me – I really do.

I could sit here all day writing things that I love about you, but then there would be no time to cuddle with you! But I just want you to know that I love you so very much. Happy Valentines Day Justin Jay!!