Have you gotten it yet?  No?  Okay, maybe this will help…
Yup!  That’s right!  We have our very own BABY FESKO!!!  How exciting is that?  In the words of my hubby, “It’s amazing!  You’re eating cereal and pickles, and it’s turning into a human!”  How amazing is the human body, right?  Well, we are definitely on an adventure that’s for sure.  Knowing I already had weddings booked in November and April we had a small window to try to conceive, and we are so fortunate that our little gummy bear stuck the first time!  I am also fortunate for experiencing very little side effects!  Hardly any morning sickness, very little fatigue, and a hubby that will get the dog food out in the mornings because it makes me gag just walking into the garage.  Keep us in your prayers, as all of you mom’s know there are many steps between now and delivery!  We are looking forward to meeting our special little Christmas present this December, and keeping you as updated as we possibly can through the process!  Again… it’s that consistency thing.  Happy Mothers Day, ya’ll!  Hugs!

Scott and Michelle met at a conference in Atlanta, which he was hosting.  When he spotted her from across the room Scott went over to introduce himself, and usually being a very articulate person could barely come up with the words to say.  After friending her on Facebook, they began passing messages back and forth, and eventually a cross country romance blossomed.  With two busy schedules, they managed to find time to fly 3,000 miles to see each other; and one of those visits was so Scott could propose.  After 40 years of waiting, Scott was Michelle’s first and only boyfriend… and what an amazing catch.  Some things are definitely worth the wait.  I have such deep respect, and admiration for these two; and hope our paths cross again soon.

The color theme running all through this wedding day was flawless, and there were no bad angles… anywhere.  The wedding was held at the beautiful Rancho Las Lomas, which is not only a venue but a private zoo as well!  While the wedding guests mingled during the cocktail hour, they were also welcome to roam the grounds to see the tigers, zebras, llamas and crocodiles.  Scott and Michelle were married on a perfect Spring day, with hardly a cloud in the sky.  The day was so full of love, not only for each other but for their friends and family as well.

I was so honored to be a part of this amazing wedding, and felt so privileged to work with all of these top notch vendors!  Make sure you check out the rest of Scott and Michelle’s story in the current issue of Smitten!LOVE this shot of Scott seeing her come down across the bridge…A hug from Dad…Ladies… here is the importance of a second shooter! I captured one shot, while my fabulous assistant (Ally Stepp) captured the other.  Both are equally precious and important, how could I not have one without the other?Check out these details!!!Ceremony and Reception: Rancho Las Lomas, Silverado, CA
Planner: Bella Notte Events
Florals: Emporaflora Floral Artistry
Caterer: 24 Carrots
Cake: Beverly’s Best Bakery
Music: LSM Entertainment/DJ Tasos
Bride: Marylinn’s Bridal, Pronovias
Groom: Friar Tux, After Six
Paper: Social Savvy Invitations & Fine Stationary

However, I’m so excited about the upcoming mini-sessions, and am so thrilled that the response has been so great!  With only a few spots left I thought it would be a great idea to have a contest!

So… I was really ugly as a kid.  I’m surprised I had any friends at all… seriously.  And we couldn’t afford the glasses I wanted, so I ended up with these things as big as saucers… and ended up having the same pair as a 65 year old woman at church.  Not kidding.  I think there’s a reason I was always behind the camera.

See???  Aren’t they horrible?  And look at the size of my forehead in the one on the right.

Worst ballet pose ever!  And who in their right mind lets themselves be photographed with a zit on their chin (on right)??

Ok… so here’s the deal… I showed you mine, now you have to show me yours!

Contest Rules:

1. Must be over the age of 18 to enter
2. Must be free May 12th for a mini session (session will only be rescheduled in case of weather)
3.  LIKE “Rachel Fesko Photography” on Facebook
4. Email your WORST family photo to: rachel@rachelfeskophotography.com with “Worst Family Photo” in the subject line.
5. You have until Thursday May 3rd, 2012 to send in your photos
6. I will upload a gallery to my Facebook Fan Page with all of the photo entries, and the picture with the most “likes” (not comments) gets the free mini session!

Contest ends Wednesday May 9th, 2012 at 11:59pm. Already scheduled sessions are not eligible.  Winners will be notified via email, facebook and twitter.  Session includes 30 minutes of camera time, 3 digital files and 3 prints.

Good luck!!

A few weeks ago I posted on Facebook that I needed a bridal model for an idea that struck me.  One of the benefits of liking my Facebook page is that every once in a while I need models… which means you get a free session!

Jess was one of the first people to respond, and was so sweet to get off early from work so we could do the session with plenty of light.  I was so thrilled that Jess wanted to do the session; first of all because she’s GORGEOUS, and secondly because she wanted to have a bridal session before her wedding last August but couldn’t work it into the budget.  I was so excited to catch the spring blooms, and drag out the infamous purple couch.  Enjoy!

Dress: Anjolique
Bouquet: Carolyn Shepherd Design Group
In forgetting my ladder, I had to climb the tree for this shot… but I think it turned out so much better than it would have!

Now, I go over to the house, turn my head to where his office is… there’s no puff of cigarette smoke going out the window, no feet up on the chair resting, no baseball game on, no computer humming… I think that’s when it hit me… that he was gone.  I know I saw him in the hospital bed, watched the nurses turn off the machines and saw his heart stop beating… but it wasn’t until that moment of looking to the right, expecting to see him that it hit me.  I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have the reassurance that I would see him in heaven, or if it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit being my comforter in these moments.  I don’t know how people handle death without God there holding them through it; because I know I need to be held, but I know my husband is hurting more than I am.

Dad’s last request to me was about a week before Thanksgiving last year.  All he wanted was a picture of all of us together.  I was more than happy to oblige, and I felt that we needed it to be a big deal.  So I brought out the backdrop, waited until the light was perfect and dragged everyone out into the driveway while the sun was setting.

I ran into a photographer friend of mine this week, and she complimented me on the photos we took that day.  She said that as photographers our lives are wrapped around taking pictures of everyone else’s happy memories, and that we forget to capture our own families memories.  She told me that she committed herself to taking more pictures of her family this year… me too.  I’m so thankful that every time there was a birthday or holiday Mom and Dad Fesko always brought out the camera, and I’m resolved to do that more.

Dad,

I’m so thankful that I had the last 7 years with you.  I hope that when you got to heaven Jesus had already finished up that log cabin retirement home you promised you’d build Mom, so you could rest and just chat with Him on the front porch.  I hope you get to do all the things you missed, and you couldn’t do because of your health.  I hope you know we love you and miss you; but I’m so thankful that you have full use of your heart, veins, lungs and legs again.  I know it’s going to be a while, but just save a spot on your lap for me so we can talk again okay?  And find my grandfather, and my “uncle” Paul… give them a hug for me.  I know you guys would all get along.  I’ll miss you everyday.

Love,
Your Favorite – Rachel

Dad trying to be serious… and the result…