RACHAEL EARL » PHOTOGRAPHY: Lifestyle Portraiture and Wedding Photography

Okay, so I’m so completely excited that my husband Dan and I are getting a photo session on Friday from the fabulous Sloan Photographers! We won it way back in a contest they had, and it’s going to be a couple’s session-just the two of us! That NEVER happens once you have kids! It’s coming at a great time since it’s going to be our 9 year anniversary on March 11th, so it’s like so totally perfect!

This got me thinking…we know everyone does Christmas photos. Birthday photos sometimes (for your kiddos). Weddings. POSSIBLY if you’re a guest or attendant at a wedding… Come on people! That doesn’t give us that many times during the year when we can go out and have fun, and just document ourselves/our life/our achievements/what have you!

So…get out there and find a good reason for a photo session! Leave a comment on this post (if you’re in AZ, or going to be in AZ, that is!) with the best/most unique reason to schedule a photo session, and I will grant it to the person with the best answer!!! For serious. Because I love contests.  I also love Rainbow Brite legwarmers-see?  That’s a good reason to take a photo!

The contest is closed!!!

Angie is a singer/songwriter originally from Poland, who approached me about wanting some cool photos for her press kit.  She had some great ideas that we were able to bring to fruition, and I think they turned out very cool, and very much like what she wanted!

I love the shadows in this next one:

One of my faves-I love everything about this photo:

We had a little “wind” action going on-I love the movement!

I think Angie looks totally cool in this photo:

And I love how the light hits her face-totally gorgeous!

Thank you, Angie!  You were a ton of fun!  Also, thank you again to Carolyn and Summer for your help!!!

From yesterday’s Valentine’s Day wedding…

So, this is the 9th Valentine’s Day that I have celebrated with my husband, Dan.  We’re coming up on our 9th Anniversary in March as well.  And while it’s not the big, highly celebrated 10th anniversary, it still feels like a huge milestone!  With 1/2 of marriages ending in divorce these days, so many more having other issues yet staying together, I feel like I’m in an elite club of happily married people!    I love you, Dan!!!

Oh, how I love my little girls, so what better way to send Valentine wishes than with photos of them?  Happy Valentine’s Day! 

I bought a bunch of these cute suckers this year, and couldn’t wait to use them!

Well, really, I’m just in…from Sedona and the Grand Canyon. We had an amazing shoot, and there will be a ton more images to come, but here are a few:

Now, GOODNIGHT!

I was so excited when Angie contacted me about doing some shots for her press kit. She is a phenomenal singer and musician, and an absolute pleasure to work with. Not to mention, she is totally gorgeous! My job was pretty easy that day! Here is a quick preview-lots more to come!

Thank you to Carolyn for being my amazing stylist that day, and also to Summer for allowing me to use your amazing home (and amazing piano!) for the shoot!

So who was in those previews? The Sloans, of course! They happened to be the lucky winners of a session from my donation to Nie Nie! THANK YOU for donating-I know it’s a cause very dear to your hearts. We were all about the 80’s + Rock n’ Roll that day, right down to my radical old Sony Boombox (er…”Cassette-Corder”…that doesn’t sound nearly as cool). I “Sloanified” some of these images due to the highly 80’s nature about them. That’s right…I just made up my own word.

Oh, and “In Your Eyes“? That was the song Angie was singing after this shot:




Love how Paisley is “flying” like the planes in the background!


Maddux is a rockstar!


Loving the air guitar!




Yes, these are vintage BluBlockers. Yes, they are awesome.


Paisley had her first taste of sugar that day…and she loved it!



Oh, so who makes a better John Cusack??? My vote goes to Angie, but Matt was a VERY close second! And I was a VERY distant third…that image isn’t gracing the blog!
Matt wins for the most ways to rock a boombox…



BUT…Angie did take this shot that I love!

My husband is so excited for the Superbowl, and NOT because the Arizona Cardinals are in it. We are Steelers fans! And yes…we have pretty much been shunned by most of our home state for the past couple of weeks.

So, GO STEELERS!!!

Just because it’s fun to post teasers (and because photos of this family included several with no heads), here are two to dwell on until tomorrow.