vanessa-raquel

NEW BLOG

2012-02-22T23:12:00.003-08:00

NEW BLOG NEW BLOG NEW BLOG

I will be @ http://vanessaraquelphoto.zenfolio.com/blog to continue on in my blogging.

MUCH LOVE

Love and be loved.

2012-02-14T19:53:00.000-08:00

Waiting for Siah to get home so I can shove the food I made (could feed an army!) down his throat =) I'm so thankful for my honey and the past few months being married. It's flying by and I'm taking every moment in and just loving it. I could go on and on- and on and on!

Oh and... I'm SO grateful that Indie is still apart of us. She was hit by a car last Wednesday. Luckily, she walked away with 2 broken toes and severe skinned up legs that are all stitched up. She'll be wrapped up for a good month then hopefully back to her floppy self. We love her and all the joy she brings us.

Much love to you all.

SENIORS!

2012-02-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

THIS IS FOR YOU!

iamblogging

2012-02-07T15:19:00.000-08:00

Good evening.

I borrowed my cousin's baby to get some newborn shots today. He is the sweetest thing. And I might be a little obsessed with his little owl hat. Love it!

Just a little closer look at my new cards! I am getting excited to officially get going on doing some more design work- mainly for invites of clients I work with. Announcing some new things coming up SOON!

Nothing too wordy today. I just am excited about all of this newness and life.

MUCH LOVE

New things!

2012-01-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone's day is off the chain awesome today. It's just another great day to be alive =) Yesterday I spent the better portion of my day re-designing my business cards. I am SO happy I took the time to do this because my last card was a fail (First one below). I have a ton of other drafts and ideas- but I didn't save any of them! (Now I wish I would have to show you my thought process). But my first few designs were just too busy for a little card, the letters were too small, and the paper I chose was flimsy and weird. So 500 business cards later, here I am beginning again. And I really like what my 2nd design brought me!

I brought in many elements from the first card to get what I wanted but make it more practical. I wanted something quirky and creative so I threw in the "tape" effect and made the front extremely simple. Ignore the email address... I'm in the process of switching my email to another name to make the address shorter. Try writing "vanessaraquel@vanessaraquelphoto.com" 50 times a day... it gets old! Don't know what I was thinking when I first made it. So anyways... living and learning!

It's been fun venturing into the design world. It is far above me, but I'm slowly learning! I am working on a few projects for clients and am loving it! I will be posting some of my work here and there and soon putting my portfolio on my website. Yay for new things!

Old stuff.

(Back, Front)

Much love!

For today.

2012-01-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

I am Vanessa. A new wife.
I drop things, burn things, misread the directions.
I trip, slip, and find creative ways to fall.
I am in a constant state of dreaming and my head is in the clouds.
I am scatter brained, forgetful, and inspired.
I have messy hair and chipped nails.

To be perfect is certainly not a concern of mine. But to live and give others life is what I'd die for.
I am not in the business of impressing others, but to urge others in the direction of doing what they love and what makes them free.

All this to say... Being newly married forces me to find new discoveries about myself daily. Like I said in my last post, I have been through a year of constant change. My life is slowly returning to some sort of normalcy, (as normal as it will probably ever be) and now I am looking at what the past year has produced. I have never been over-confident with myself. The past 3 or 4 years I have been figuring out who I am and getting comfortable with... me. The more I figure out who I am, the more I realize I am not normal. I mean... yeah... who is? But really... I am NOT normal. haha! I really don't mind. I just see that I don't fit into this society the way people would like me to, and I think I am finally ok with not fitting that mold. I still dream like a child. I sing, I dance, I laugh uncontrollably at all the wrong moments. I am not as bold as I'd like to be, but my heart is fully in the things I put my hands to and my words are always sincere. I didn't go to college or read a ton of books, but here I am with a business and a vision inside of me. I am nowhere close to where I want to be... but slowly and surely I am getting there. I fall everyday and my heart goes so far, but my Jesus picks me up and calls me lovely.

Today I am excited about life.
Let your brain be fueled with inspiration from your heart.
Never stop doing what you truly love and what makes you happy.
There is a purpose in the things God has placed in your heart.
Go. Jump. Dig in deeper and challenge yourself.

Expectation.s.

2012-01-03T11:29:00.000-08:00

Hope your 2012 is off to a wonderful start! I love this time of year and the refreshing it brings. Thinking back at the past year... SO much has happened! Sometimes you don't realize it until the year is gone. I must say I am quite satisfied with my year.

-January: Travelled for a few months in Asia experiencing a different culture and doing mission work.

-April: Got home from Asia, started full time photography, turned 21, and got engaged!

-May-August: Enjoyed planning my wedding while shooting some great weddings during the summer, started at my new church LWC, bought our first home.

September- October: Got married, moved, and got our puppy, Indie. And the list goes on...

I loved this year. Of course there were many challenges and changes along the way. I feel like because it was a year of CHANGE it was a year of discomfort and a year of growth. Through it all, I have grown to be so in love with God and he has been SO good to me through this year. I can only look forward to next year with expectation of growth in my personal life, relationships, and business. It doesn't mean it is going to be easy- my biggest trials produce the biggest growth.

So... blabbing on! I am just excited to see where this new year brings us. I already see challenging things ahead- but I don't have to fear because God is using it to shape who I am and produce character.

This winter I am really focusing on my studio work. Now that I have my own place and some equipment I have been having a lot of fun dinking around with posing, lighting and props. I am focusing on photographing newborns and babies. I am so excited for the upcoming shoots! I know I am going to learn a ton. If I haven't been learning enough!!! So spread the word about Vanessa Raquel Photography! I started off the new year with my new referral system that I am super excited about! Check it out and join in! ! ! !

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2011-12-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

Fellow friends, bloggers and all!

THIS IS FOR YOU! =)

5:48

2011-12-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

I am high on life. And Jesus.

Every day is a new adventure whether I am sitting at home working in my PJ's all day or out and about. This season always makes me so thankful and happy to be alive. It's been an incredible year with so many things happening- can't believe it's almost over! Looking forward to exciting things next year.

I don't really have anything else to ramble about! Except for I am really liking this Instagram thing. I just realized that I am great at capturing everyone's special moments... except my own! It is so hard to get out the huge camera everytime something happens or everytime we go somewhere. But now that I have a decent camera on my new Iphone it has been a joy to be able to just snap and upload and keep memories of my own =) Here's some snapshots from the last few days....

Looking forward to doing more shoots involving babies this winter with my set up indoors- yay!!

If you or anybody you know need portraits of their newborn or baby preferably under the age of 2 let me know =)

Much love!

Busy-nessa Busi-ness Busy-ness.

2011-11-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

Thursday |ˈθərzˌdā; -dē|

noun

the day of the week before Friday and following Wednesday

HAPPY THURSDAY, FRIENDS! These past few months have been crazy busy! I am so thankful for this past season that has caused me and my business to grow. I have been forcing myself to be pro-active and get into my community and get the word out about Vanessa Raquel Photography!!! I've had a blast meeting new people and especially attending Business Girls Network meetings every Wed. I am hoping to attend more network meetings once winter gets started. If you know of any good ones, let me know! I have found I LOVE networking and meeting new people- especially small business owners.

'Tis the season for FAMILY PORTRAITS!! This fall I've had a chance to work with some pretty awesome families. Most families of which I already have a relationship with and have watched the kids grow up. It's special to me =) If you or anyone you know needs some quick photos for Christmas greeting cards- Spread the word!!!

THANKS A HUNDRED BILLION TIMES OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!

Indie.

2011-11-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

Meet Indie.

She brings much joy to our little home. Yes, she is as sweet as she looks!

I have been asking Josiah (my husband) for a puppy for awhile now. We decided we wouldn't get one for a few months, maybe more. Josiah found these black lab pups on craigslist a few hours away for a VERY reasonable price. We decided we would get up at 3 the next morning and make our way to Stewart, Mn and arrive early to get the last female. As soon as we made it to Stewart and met little lovie Indie, we knew she was ours. She has been such a blessing to us and I know she will be even more of a blessing to have when my hubby is away. WARNING: you will be seeing more, many more, photos of her. She's j u s t t o o c u t e ! ! !

Let me see the world behind your eyes.

2011-10-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Such a beautiful day to be alive. Me and Siah took time this morning to slow down and spend some time with the Lord. We did a devotional about reaching out and being a light to the world. Memories from my trip to Asia kept replaying in my mind. There are just some faces that are burned in my memory forever.

Calcutta, India.

School in the middle of the slums in Poipet, Cambodia.

Journal Entry from a day in Cambodia
3/29/11:

Today we visited a school in the slums of Cambodia. We sat in on a class and gave the kids some cookies for break. I've never seen children with such excitement over a simple snack. They were all smiles from ear to ear. Their big cookie faces and squinty eyes stole my heart. There was one girl who was alone and crying (girl with the hat on the right) I walked over quickly to see what was going on. I held her hand and brought her over to a teacher. She had told the teacher the kids were stealing her hat and making fun of her. The teacher explained that the little girl wore a hat because she was ashamed. Her parents shaved her head so that when they go to the borders of Thailand she can look like a boy and beg for money and food. The girl just cried and cried. I held her until class was starting up again. I've heard these stories a billion times, but actually witnessing and putting a face to a story breaks my heart. Each one of these children have stories. I could never imagine my future children going through anything like this.

People accuse me of posting photos of children around the world to give people a guilt trip about what they are not doing and to feel bad for all we have. This is not my motive, however. My heart simply longs to bring an awareness to people who have never seen such conditions. I love when the lightbulb switches "ON" when people finally realize this life is not about us and our own little world. We have been given all we need to reach out to people in need whether it be in our backyards or around the world. It all starts with a simple awareness and a broken heart for those in need.

My awesome sisters and mother in law are leaving in a few weeks to work with a team to stand against the horrific reality of human trafficking in Cambodia and Vietnam. I am so blessed to have people in my life who have such huge hearts to bring justice to such a large issue. I am so proud of them and can't wait to see how the Lord moves through them!

(Left to right) My 2 sister in laws- Rachel, Sarah, Mother in Law- Susie and another team member Laura Cram. Be praying for them as they are being bold to face some big issues in Cambodia and Vietnam.

vision.

2011-10-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

vision |ˈvi zh ən| •noun the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom

My past few weeks have been building alot of foundational pieces for this little business of mine. Now that I am in a stationary location in my beautiful little country home I feel like I can have more long term goals and a vision to work towards.

I have been regaining my inspiration and going back to why I do what I do. The beauty of owning your own business is you have the freedom to make it YOU. You get to pour yourself into your product and believe in it. You get the joy in seeing people enjoy and be satisfied with your work. I commit the work I do and my business daily to the Lord and go where I feel him leading. All of the glory goes to him! I love the way he provides and gives me more joy in just honoring him in my life and business.

In Proverbs it says that "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he."

This does not only pertain to my business, but to my whole life. Without vision and without hearing from the Lord, my hope and everything in me perishes. People with no vision or goals for their lives are so easy to get off track and veer from the plan they once had in their heart. It is SO easy to go that route. We are a generation who needs divine vision and hope from the Almighty.

Lately I have been thinking alot about how almost all of the photoshoots I do are about the future. Whether it is seniors anticipating graduation and moving forward, engaged couples ready to join their lives together, weddings celebrating the couple's future together, or a mother anxiously awaiting her newborn baby they all are preparing for the future and looking to the road ahead. As a photographer, I get to be apart of the bigger vision of each clients life. I get to take part in what will soon be their future. I absolutely LOVE it. The Lord gives me so many opportunities to build relationships with my clients and speak life and vision into their lives. There is just no joy like experiencing that! I feel like I am apart of something so much bigger than my little life and little business.

There is just a little tidbit into this mind! lately it is constantly running with new ideas and inspirations to better make my business represent who I am. Vanessa Raquel Weigel. That's me!

SOOO while we are talking about futures.... I am booking weddings off the wazoooo right now! I am looking forward to meeting with each of my new clients and working with them next year. Right now is the big season for family portraits! So if you or if you know of anyone who is in need of photos for the Christmas season- I would LOVE to be of service to you!!!! Thanks for sticking through this rather long post. You guys are great.

Just the beginning...

2011-09-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!! Nice of you to stop by =)

As you probably know... I am a newly and happily married woman. Today me and my wonderful husband, Siah did a little project together.

I've been wanting to do something unique with kitchen stools for the island in our kitchen. This morning we were picking up some shelves for the garage and at the sale I found 2 little stools and I snatched them.

If you were to make your own: Here's How!

Step ONE:
Pick up an old burlap coffee sack from your local Dunn Bros
(THANKS DBROS) and pick up a cup of coffee along with it

Step TWO:
Take an old upholstered seat/stool cover and remove it from the legs.
(I'm really bad at finding terms for this stuff by the way)

Step TREE:
Figure out what part of the burlap you want seen on the chair. Grab a staple gun/ hand stapler and small staples.

Step FOUR:
Pull the fabric tight and staple each side.

Step FIVE:
Stick it back on the chair/stool and there ya have it! Enjoy =) Many projects to come!

The finished project.

The LOVE OF MY LIFE.Taken on our honeymoon as we explored neature (nature |ˈnā ch ər|) noun
1 the phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations : the breathtaking beauty of nature.

The WEIGEL's. Loving. (love |ləv| noun) 1 an intense feeling of deep affection

Climbing the fire tower! The view was absolutely INCREDIBLE with all the colorful trees. After this we went to a pumpkin patch and conquered the corn maze. Welcome harvest =) (harvest |ˈhärvist| noun_ the process or period of gathering in crops : helping with the harvest.

Hope everyone is feeling as blessed and alive as I am today. Thanks for all of your love and support.

Much love,

THE WEIGEL's!

My problems fell out of the back of my mind.

2011-09-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

I had my itunes on shuffle and good old Relient K tunes begin to play.

"I'm pressin on, pressin on." I KNOW you know it!

Well, it just describes my day... no matter how outdated it is! I have just decided to skip out on being stressed about these last preparations for the wedding and enjoy the madness (good madness) that will be happening in t-minus 8 days! I've waited for this day my whole life and I couldn't be more blessed with a more amazing mate.

Tonight I found some time to just enjoy myself and clear my mind. It's about time I post photos in all of this craziness. Here are some photos from my soon to be home! I've been having fun collecting little things to make it unique and ours.

Made my first espresso tonight with my new espresso maker! I've ALWAY wanted one. I was satisfied with my first cup. Can't wait to have people over and seat them on my front porch to supply them with a bottumless cup of yumminess!

Yes, We started a "WEIGEL TRACTOR FUND"! This is definitely a long term goal, but with a penny here and penny there and some faith... I think we can do it. lol

Small Beginnings: I am no cook, that's for sure! But I am striving to be grand.

I decided to start simple and small with Chicken and broccoli on tonight's menu.

I look forward to exploring this home cookin ALOT especially with all of my new pampered chef tools =)

Here are 3 of my favorite finds:

-Tea holder deal: I bought this before we even bought the house at goodwill for $3.00. It is cute, useful, and it matches the kitchen perfectly!

-J.R. WATKINS products: I discovered these products a few months ago and absolutely love them! The scent and the squeeky clean feel. (I will admit.. I REALLY love the super cute vintage labels.)

-Vases: I think it is considered a vase anyways! I found these cute little vase deals at wal-mart for a few bucks. Every other time I go there I try to pick up one. They have cute little sayings and they are easy to be creative with.

We finally picked up our new kitchen table from my auntie Deanna! I absolutely love the character and all of the memories of dining at this table with her 6 kids. Maybe someday I will have my own 6 kids sitting around this beauty. haha =)

The apron automatically makes you a better cook... DUH!

Well, There goes my ramblings! More to come soon as I pull more of the house together and learn how to cook. Have any tips?? LET ME KNOW! You guys are great.

Much Love...

We're on to something good here, we're gonna make it after all! -Pressing On, RK

Project: Weigel Home

2011-08-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

My world is marked by the goodness of God. I am constantly taken back by the beauty of the Lord and all the good things he has done in my life. I treasure these good things.

One of these good things:

As of last week, my fiance is a proud home owner of a home we will soon both be living in! A little farm house out in the country completed by a big old barn. The front porch faces a field where the sun rises in the morning. The inside was completely and beautifully re-done. All wood floors, granite tops, authentic embossed metal ceiling panels, and brand spankin new dishwasher and oven. These are just my favorite things besides everything! I couldn't think of a better house to fit us. I remember a few years ago I starting thinking about what kind of home I would want if I were to buy one. Well... this one is even better than what I imagined for a first home. We couldn't be happier.

Time to start learning how to be a good wifey wife and home maker ! Cooking, cleaning, yard work, and gardening here I come! =)

Happy Home making!!!

More photos, DIY's and updates on projects coming soon.

Some inspirations for me lately:

atypicaltypea.com

bucketsofburlap.com

and of course anthropologie.com

If you have any inspirations or ideas of your own- Let me know! I'd love to hear.

CLASS OF 2012!!

2011-08-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Being a photographer, this is my FAVORITE time of the year. I spend majority of my time meeting with inspiring young people and taking their photos. I decided this year to try to meet with every senior I book a shoot with. It has been fantastic getting to know everyone and knowing what makes them tick and what makes them who they are. I absolutely love it! When it comes to the shoot, it is more about making the photos to fit their personality and their uniqueness. I just love it love it love it! This years seniors so far have been so inspiring to me! So young and full of life with big dreams. I am pumped for this fall season =)

Thanks to all of you who keep up with me and support my crazy life. I couldn't do it without you! Here's to another successful year =) Much love

Invite Design

2011-08-08T19:53:00.001-07:00

F O R T Y - D A Y S . . . .

Until I am a happily married woman!

I decided to challenge myself and design my very own invites.

I loved designing everything from scratch and creating something from the little I know in photoshop =)

Me and Siah have been so incredibly blessed during this season of our lives. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for our marriage... we have so much to look forward to!

To all of you beautiful brides out there... I am booking weddings for next year and I am ready and waiting to hear from YOU! Keep it real everybody....

-VanessaRaquelPhoto

EVERYBODY EVERYBODY!

2011-06-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

I am SUPER excited about this!!

Wednesday!!

2011-06-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

Wendsday. Wednsday. Wed. WEDNESDAY! I think that is the first time I spelled that right! I've had trouble with that one since 3rd grade.

Because it is the middle of the week and I love what I do- Here is a little update for you!!

First of all... only 86 days until I marry Mr. Josiah Daniel Weigel!!

Secondly... We shined up "Mint", our good old custom Ford Explorer last week, and my precious friend Sarah took some engagement photos for us. We are so excited about them and can't wait to share more with you!

I attended a seminar at Living Waters Church a few weekends ago called Kingdom Creativity. Kristen D'Arpa and her team were so inspiring the way they moved in their gifting that the Lord gave them. It was absolutely incredible to witness and experience what God is doing in the world of creativity. The truth is that everyone is creative. God is thee creator and thee most creative IN THE WORLD and he created us IN HIM IMAGE. He gave us the gift and ability to create. Whether it be in the art world, music, business, or everyday life. My eyes were so opened to different forms of creativity that God has placed in each of us. I was SO encouraged.

Also I am SUPER STOKED about a new project coming up that I will be doing for Abort73. Check out their website!! (http://www.abort73.com/)

I was asked to take some photos of their new T-shirts for the website. I love what they stand for and their approach to spreading awareness about the truth about abortion. I bought a shirt last year and I absolutely love it. It starts up some pretty interesting conversation with people around me and it opens up so many doors for me to share the truth and in that, share God's love. More info on that coming soon!

ALSO... Me and my lovely friend Tasha are working on putting together a photo workshop for EVERYONE! It is our heart to just get together with a bunch of people who share the passion of photography to get together and expand our knowledge and in the process, getting to know eachother and creating a little community of creatives. I know you are out there! We are SUPER excited and more info is in the works.

The tentative dates are set for

THURSDAY, JULY 7th from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 16th from 2:00-6:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, JULY 21st from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

We plan on having the workshop in Elk River. More info soon!

Email vanessaraquel@vanessaraquelphoto.com if you are intersted!

Invite friends, Invite yourself, Invite everybody!!!

There will be a small cost to cover materials and snacks!

My Daddy

2011-06-19T21:39:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a pleasant father's day! Here's a tribute to my hero, friend, role model, and inspiration... my dad.

I know you think your dad is the best, but truly... mine is! I might be a bit bias. Nahhhh haha

But truly- I have such a strong, caring, selfless, hard-working and loving father who has always been there for me. His heart stretches around the world to help those in need.. no matter the circumstances. His passion to share the love of Christ to the world and to his own family is contagious to all who are around. He is such a huge support in many different facets of my life and it is what keeps me going day to day. I hope you all got to honor your father today and give him a big hug... And for those of you who didn't.. We all have the best daddy in the whole world and his name is JESUS!

Up and at em!!!

2011-06-02T03:09:00.000-07:00

I find it ridiculous that I did not sleep one minute tonight. But I find it super funny at the same time. Just sayinn...
in s o m n ia... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

randompointlessrambling.

WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING!!

2011-06-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

New and Improved Website is UP AND RUNNING! Take a little look- see and let me know what you think! Thanks for keeping connected and for your never ending support.

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2011-04-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

children of cambodia.

Thailand

2011-03-22T01:48:00.000-07:00

We are here in Thailand having a great time working with Victory Asia teaching english camp for kids. It's basically a summer school that goes on for a few weeks and they learn english! Nuff said. It's been great to serve and help out wherever is needed. I have enjoyed staying in the same place for more than a few days.

The trip is winding down and I'm getting ready to hit the road for home in 2 weeks! I'm so glad to be ending the trip here with the ministry we are with. We get daily worship and chapel times with the college students here, awesome fellowship, alot of time to spend in the word and bible studies. I can feel God's presence so strong here no matter where I am! It is so refreshing and encouraging! I also have gotten opportunities to join the worship team for a few sets. I SO miss corporate worship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I have been soaking it all up and loving it here!

We took the kids to an open zoo where you get to feed the animals. Super fun day!

Roaming the night market.

Yes, I tried a cricket yummm