Erin Rachel

Dear Blog...

2010-07-20T21:15:00.003-05:00

Dear Blog...

You have been so good to me!

With almost 250 posts...

more pictures than I could count...

and over 18,000 visits!

Thank you!

Dear Blog Readers!!!!!!!

My new blogsite is up and running!

I am BEYOND thrilled....beyond....please jump over and visit!

Please be sure to change your rss feed.

If you have been receiving an email when I update, you will no longer be receiving that.

P.l.e.a.s.e. come visit me at my new home!!

AND please leave me a comment letting me know you've stopped by

We want to hear from you!!!

www.erinrachelphotography.com

Sneak Peek...with two cute kiddos!

2010-07-14T15:32:00.003-05:00

I am on a mini vacation for three days with my family in Destin, FL.

It's just three days, but I will take three days anytime!

While here I had a fun time with the Speights Family yesterday evening!

We had amazing sunlight, beautiful beaches and a beautiful family!

That whole mix equals amazing-ness!!!

Believe me there is more to come from this session!!

Check back soon...I have several session to catch you up on:-)

Hannah's Two! | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-07-07T10:13:00.006-05:00

Two years old on July 23rd.

Where does the time go?

It seems like yesterday I was there waiting to see

my niece's birth.

Now she's singing songs, talking up a storm, counting to ten,

singing her ABC's, recognizing her letters, coloring, eating her favorite... M&M's,

giving hugs and kisses, running around playing chase...

This girl is going to be a heart stealer...:-)

Hannah we love you and can't imagine our world with you!!!

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Tanglewood Tarpons Swim Team | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-07-03T14:19:00.000-05:00

Last Monday morning I met up with the

Tanglewood Tarpons to shoot their team and individual pictures!

Good luck with the rest of your swim meets!!!!

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Jessica...Brandon...Andouille| Erin Rachel Photography

2010-07-01T20:47:00.008-05:00

About 8 weeks ago I get a phone call and email from Jessica asking about

me doing an engagement session for her and her fiance, Brandon. They live in Metairie,

but love to come to his parents lake-house on their free weekends ...just

to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of life and relax! So they wanted their

session there...which is 15 minutes away from me!

We emailed back and forth several times nailing down a weekend that

we both could fit the session into our schedules!

We figured it out and in the meantime

we found each other on facebook...we started messaging

back and forth I found out she randomly found me on google.

We started chatting about outfits, she told me about their "baby" Andouille whom they adore,

I started learning more about their wedding plans,

I found out she works like crazy, Brandon is laid back, she is high-strung,

Brandon loves candy, they love Law and Order...They make a good team...and

I knew they would be fun, right away!

Saturday June 19th the clouds rolled in and the bottom fell out...literally I think we got

several inches within an hour. About the time I'm picking up

the phone to call Jessica, she is already calling me! She was worried about the weather...

I was too but was hoping it would pass!

She and Brandon were packing up and getting ready

to head out to the "country". We decided that we were confident it would pass

and we would still work with what we could and shoot for 5:00pm.

As I pull up to the lake-house it's still drizzling...I'm praying hard that it passes!

The sun was hidden behind the clouds- it was a yucky day.

Brandon and Jessica drive up a few minutes later and we meet for the first time!

He starts unpacking his truck, she and I are chatting away...she's got to finish

putting on her make-up and then they are ready! I meet Andouille and I know

it's going to be good, no matter what the weather is like!! haha

As we I am ooh-ing and ahh-ing over her ring...yes it's by far one of the

prettiest I've seen! No lie...Brandon gets two-thumbs up! Wow!

Then the next conversation goes something like this...

Brandon - "Jessica...we don't have any of our clothes."

Jessica- "Brandon you are joking...aren't you?"

Brandon- "NO!"

Jessica- "No you are joking..."

Brandon- "No"

Jessica- " I don't even know how to re-act, I have planned these outfits and pictures for 4 weeks! "

So to say the least we pretty much had to post-pone the session.

We figured out that since the next day being Sunday was also Father's Day and

I had church...the o.n.l.y. time we could fit this in was at 7am Sunday morning.

They agreed and said they would be ready!!!

Brandon was headed back to Metairie to pick up clothes and make-up bags!

Poor guy...

Sunday at 6:15am I am dressed...camera in one hand coffee in the other...ready to go.

I had a few extra minutes to spare and I decided that chocolate sprinkled doughnuts were the best and that they would make our session h.a.p.p.i.e.r. at 7am in the morning!!!

I think that was the best $7.00 I have spent in a long time!!!!!

Jessica was all worried...but if I'm not mistaken it ALWAYS works out right?

Sunday at 7am...

The weather was perfect...the lighting was to die for...she said her hair was better...

and she was in her cute outfits!

After two hours of fun filled times together...many laughs...cute outfits...fun times I am happy

to be able to share with you their e-session!

Like I said...it always works out for the good...I simply love what we captured between Jessica, Brandon and Andouille...

After 29 GB of images...1,110 images that I culled through, edited 300+ images,

text messages...and waiting patiently...I wish I could show you every single image but I can't...so you can see more {HERE}on the Slideshow...

This is by far one of my favorites from their session...

although seriously I have wayyyy too many favorites!

Thank you Jessica and Brandon for such an amazing session!

Congrats on your Wedding Day coming up!

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Mommy & Daddy to be | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-06-28T14:55:00.007-05:00

As the sun was setting and the beaches were clearing out,

I met Michelle and David to start one of the most

a-mazing sessions to date...

Yep...you heard me right.

It was somewhat of a new place for me...Destin, FL. Yes I have shot other sessions

there but it's not my every day "backyard" where I shoot...you know?

Do you get my point?

I was able to discover new places.

They were fun places.

Colorful places.

Beautiful places.

We laughed and had fun and that's what it's all about.

Feeling comfortable with a little black box (aka a camera) in your face

Yet, you can still be YOU!

Hence the reason for soooo many images on this blog post...

and...I could have posted a gazillion and one more but I just...well

I didn't want to have anyone bored out of their mind...ha

The date of this session marked exactly a month until Michelle's due date.

(Yes a month...isn't she cute!!! AHHHH!!!!!)

I know they are beyond thrilled and beyond excited to be first time parents in July.

Just a side note...to let you know how a-mazing David and Michelle are...

we went out for gelato after the session...yes!!! l-o-v-e

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Marlins Swim Team | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-06-22T15:00:00.003-05:00

Slidell Athletic Club Swim Team

The Marlins

2010

Two weekends ago I shot the team and individual swim team portraits!

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Sprinkles...Chocolate...Fun! | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-06-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sprinkles + Chocolate + Love =Fun

This is a sneak peek of the fun that I had with Jessica & Brandon

on their engagement session!!!!!

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Dad's Day...| Erin Rachel Photography

2010-06-20T13:33:00.003-05:00

Happy Father's Day to my mentor, friend, and Daddy...

I love you!

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A Busy...that I'm not used to! | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-06-19T15:04:00.005-05:00

Early mornings, late nights, messy clothes, three baths a day, swimming,

sand, water, snacks, juice, cries, laughs, shopping, splash pads, swim suits,

running through the condo, squealing contests, dirty diapers, nap times,

coloring, feeding ducks, eating M&M's, playing with tractors, going up and down stairs,

taking walks...

hopefully you get what I'm saying. I have been busy...a busy that

I am soooo not used to!

But all of that to say...I had {FUN} the last 4 days with my nieces,

nephew, sister, sister-in-law and parents in Destin, FL.

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Mr. & Mrs. Doug Kellum | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-06-14T12:10:00.004-05:00

May 29. 2010

This day started a new journey for Doug and Kelly.

It was a day filled with family, joy, emotion, fun, worry, tears, laughing and love forever.

As the girls were busy getting all gorgeous, we would look through

the window trying to predict what the weather was going to do.

At the time it was raining and dreary.

As the girls drove off to the venue, Vintage Court, it was still raining.

With the help of umbrellas, strangers and friends we got the girls

in the car safe and most importantly d.r.y.

Kelly made one of the best decisions of the day when she decided

to keep the ceremony outside. It had stopped raining and the sunlight was amazing.

The guys arrived at Vintage Court at 6:30pm and we ran outside

skipping over the rain puddles and to find dry land!

Wah-lah...

I absolutely fell in l.o.v.e. with these images.

A few mintues after 7pm Kelly and her Dad, arm in arm, walked

down to meet Doug.

There, Doug was nothing but smiles...peeking around the trees

to see if he could see her.

Kelly relished every minute with the two most amazing men in her life:-)

This picture...

Yes this picture...

Every time I see it, I think I fall more in love with it.

I love when I see moments like this...

I love when two people create moments like this...

I love when I capture their moment like this...forever.

Kelly & Doug's wedding day could not have been more perfect for them.

Click HERE to see more of their perfect day.

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I've been away...Having fun :-)

2010-06-09T17:30:00.004-05:00

I pretty much have disappeared from work, computer, home and life for the past few days. Spending time with some great friends in North Carolina!

The reason I'm blogging is not to tell you about my vacation...but instead...tell you about

my guest post while I was on vacation:-)

Two weeks ago I got a facebook message from a friend, Sarah, who is an avid blogger. (She is sooo creative!!!) A mom of three happy kiddos, a piano teacher, a pastors wife and a good friend! She asked me if I would be willing to write a "guest post" for her while she was on vacation. I was super happy to be able to do this and help her out at the same time.

Check out her out at: www.harriganhowdy.blogspot.com

Tomorrow I have to get back in the swing of things, so you will be hearing from me soon:-)

A post isn't the same without a picture:-)

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Mini Beach Trip | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-06-04T20:22:00.004-05:00

Of all times that I don't have my toe nails painted...I somehow get inspired

to look down and take a picture of my feet...yes my feet...

I know what's going through your mind-

w.e.i.r.d.

But guess what?

I had the camera in my hands and pretty much, anything

I like, all of a sudden becomes legit!!!! :-) Somehow...someway :-)

Since I hit it off tonight with random-ness I will move on!!!

Yesterday I headed over to the beach with my parents for a quick trip.

I haven't taken my camera out until tonight. Just to take some snap shots

and capture a few memories, with two of my favorite people in the world :-)

Yes... unfortunately there are tar balls on the beach...

I think we were all hoping it wouldn't happen but it's here.

Well I just finished off a "little bit" of

Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip ice cream

from Cold Stone Creamery. I should head to the gym n.o.w.!!!!!

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Summertime Fun | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-28T22:14:00.004-05:00

Summertime Fun!

My niece and nephew go back and forth from their little pool to the slide...back and forth...back and forth. Loving every minute of it!!

I got a new camera this week...the Canon 5D Mark ii and had to try it out!

I thought these

were some perfect little models:-)

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Melissa and Michael say "I Do" | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-27T20:49:00.004-05:00

Almost a week ago Melissa and Michael said "I Do" and it was all southern and charming!

I was honored to be a part of their day!

As I stood in the wedding to witness their marriage, I was still able

to shoot at their first look and at the end of the reception.

Since the two of them chose to see each other before the wedding ceremony, they

had a "first look", with just the two of them and of course photographers :-)

This was a special time for them to be alone for a few minutes.

Their day was beautiful, I'm so happy for them!

This next set is my favorite!

As I am sitting at home editing... Michael and Melissa are on an island off of Cancun:-)

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Cassidy Brooke | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-25T13:49:00.006-05:00

This past weekend Cassidy came in from Colorado, to shoot one of my best friends wedding.

We met almost a year ago, at an internship with Sarah Barlow, in Nashville, TN!

So when two photographers are together what do you think is going to happen?

Yep, an all out photo session at one of the most amazing places around here!

We couldn't have asked for better lighting and more fun!

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Melissa and Michael say "I Do" | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-22T23:17:00.002-05:00

Today at 11 a.m. I had the honor to witness Michael and Melissa say "I do".

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Amber + Brandon. May 1, 2010

2010-05-15T20:47:00.005-05:00

It was close to a year ago that I spent the day with Erica & Brad on their wedding day, shooting their love story. It was then that Erica's twin sister, Amber, met Brad's best friend Brandon.

Did you catch all of that?!?!?!

Well almost a year later Amber and Brandon said "I DO".

Two weekends ago, I got to spend the day with Amber and Brandon shooting their love story.

Everyone was scurrying around, busy as ever, prepping and dodging the rain.

As I looked at the weather channel and saw that there was an 80% chance of rain, I prayed h.a.r.d.

A girl after my own heart here..

I love fun wedding shoes!

When Amber and I met up for coffee three months ago to talk details about her wedding and catch up on life, one thing she really wanted

was outside pictures. We had planned on taking the wedding party to a spot and spending some time outside for pictures. Well...yeh that was plan "A"

Onto plan "B" for pictures!

As I took the guys outside we literally were out there for 5 minutes and it started drizzling raining...

we ran inside, took some family formal shots...then the rain stopped...so the groom and I ran outside...

here it came again so we hid the groom and brought the bride out for some formal shots...about 20 minutes before the ceremony...the rain stopped so all of us girls ran out back for some quick shots! Thankfully they had planned the ceremony to be inside and it was beautiful and sweet.

Man I am loving these...I had to stand on a chair to take these pictures!

O.K. for the record...he's tall but I am short:-)

With rain comes wind and I won't complain about that!

You see why?!?!?!

They chose to not see each other before the ceremony!

So we snuck this one in:-)

This is my all time favorite...

I get nothing but

smiles!

So simple...so sweet!

Love Love Love

Yes! When a Bride and Groom trust me enough

to sit on the ground...uh huh, I like and I think they will too!!!

I was thanking the Lord for this 10 minute gap in the drizzling rain.

for the two of them to have some time together and get some portraits.

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Call me weird if you want...BUT this is my all time favorite!

Yes see you can call me weird, it won't hurt my feelings:-)

I could post my other 100 favorites but check out the slideshow for the rest of their day!

I'm soooo happy with the outcome of Amber and Brandon's day, in spite of the rain.

Thank you for letting me be a part of capturing your love story.

I hope California treated you well on your honeymoon:-)

Click HERE to see more of Amber & Brandon's Wedding Day.

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Cousins | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-09T21:12:00.005-05:00

Jeremiah, Hannah & Leah-Kate were due for some cousin pictures.

So a few weeks ago I took them out with the help of their "Yay-Yay" and Moms!

We took these pictures all in about 15 minutes!

Whamm!

...and I am kind-of loving them!

Jeremiah loves to hold the baby!

He is going to be such a good big brother!

This picture is so Hannah...she is saying

"Hold You?"

Doesn't she have some amazing eyes?!?!?!?!

Jeremiah is some deep thoughts!

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Happy Mother's Day | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-08T21:31:00.011-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mom's!

I am thankful to have the best mom in the whole wide world!

(I honestly think any daughter who adores their mom thinks that!)

She is always there...

the good times and the hard times

the laughs and the tears

the talks and the prayers

the burdens and the cares

Thank you Mama for investing in my life and so many

others as well!!!! I wouldn't be who I am

today without you...You are the BEST!!!

I love you!

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Kelly. Doug. Engaged. to. be. married | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-07T21:36:00.006-05:00

Kelly called me almost a year ago when she got engaged

to ask me to shoot their wedding this Spring.

When Kelly and I met over coffee to talk details about her wedding

I knew from the start we would hit it off!

She's so easy going, fun, beautiful and beyond excited

to be marrying her best friend!

I was sooo anxious to do their engagement shoot and meet Doug!

After dodging rain we made out with a

gorgeous Sunday afternoon! The weather was p.e.r.f.e.c.t.

Since Kelly is a teacher and coaches the girls high school softball team and

Doug is an avid softball player himself, it was only fitting

to start off at the field!

(Which by the way I have waaaayyy too

many favorites from this session so just a friendly "warning" :-) )

From there we headed out towards the water and found one of the most

amazing places to shoot! I think these are my

all time favorites...now!

I was jumping up and down

on the inside when I saw this place!

It's perfect for these two since on their "Get to know you survey"

pretty much everything they like to do has water

involved!

I couldn't decide...I love them both!!!!

Gorgeous!

Our last stop, Fort Pike, was amazing!

Agree?!?!?!?

The lighting was perfect, texture and color made it fun!

They are so much fun, so easy going and so in love!

They make me fall in love with my job even more!

I L.O.V.E. the lighting in these next two.

I can't wait to see y'all in a couple of weeks when you say "I Do"!!!!!

Click {HERE} to see more of their engagement session!

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Storyboard | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-06T22:23:00.005-05:00

So for you that follow me on facebook, twitter or here on my blog, you might have been wondering what I was ecstatic about recently?

Well I can finally show you! and you could have one too!

I think it's the perfect gift for a Mother, Father, Grandmother, Grandfather, Aunt, Uncle Cousin, yourself or anyone! I know mother's day is here this weekend but don't forget Father's Day is coming up in June!

It's a storyboard with 8-10 images from a session! This particular storyboard is an 11x16 but when it's framed is a 15x20. I printed it on foamboard so you could easily not frame it and tie a ribbon on it to hang it up.

I had it framed at Balli Gallery! Whoa talk about top notch, check them out!

On my nephews storyboard I simply put his name and underneath that what he loves!

I fell in love with it myself!!!!

Can you see why??!?!?!?

If you are interested in one from a session contact me!

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Boots...Water...Field...Laughs and 2 years old | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-04T12:51:00.005-05:00

So this is probably my most challenging session to date!

Yes! You heard me right, even with my own nephew:-)

He wouldn't look at me, he wanted to go the opposite way,

he wasn't interested in anything I had to say or do! ha

But I was quite ecstatic about the outcome...

He loves his boots, he loves water, he loves tractors, he loves bubbles

and anything that has to do with be "ou-ide" (outside!)

I can't believe he is 2 years old!

Jeremiah your "E.E." loves you!!

Happy Birthday my little man:-) I had fun celebrating

your birthday yesterday!

I will be posting about his birthday present in the next day or two!

I hope you like it as much as I did:-)

You might even want one!!!!!

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Basic Photography Workshop #6 | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-02T15:34:00.002-05:00

Last weekend I had the privilege to teach 7 aspiring photographers

the Basic Photography Workshop at the Home School Cottage in Slidell.

If you know me at all, I am totally in my element when it comes to teaching.

I love every minute of it!

I love sharing knowledge, seeing others learn and most of all establishing

new friendships! I love people:-)

We had a great 4 hours full of hands on projects, class time and of course

answering a bunch of questions!

If I could show you all of their images from their projects you would probably

be amazed! I know I was. This workshop was full of creativity from top to bottom.

We dodged the rain the whole morning and it looked like it was going to

start pouring a.n.y. minute. Sooo...obviously the park is not the most ideal

place to go take pictures:-) I didn't want to have to worry about

camera equipment getting rained on....that would so not have been cool!

So we hopped over to a run down gas station.

Yep you heard me right, a run down gas station!!! It was a cool place!

We had lots of detail, texture, fun and cover just incase it started

raining. It never did rain, just had to deal with the wind but hey that's

better than being soaking wet:-)

Below are a couple of pictures that won the

contest in our hands on projects:

Congrats to Grayson for winning the "fill the frame" project!

Congrats to Alicia for winning the "thirds" project!!!

Congrats to Stacey for "picture of the day". I loved the randomness of it:-)

Thanks for a great workshop! Y'all were and are amazing!

Keep up the good work and practice:-)

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I couldn't resist | Erin Rachel Photography

2010-05-01T19:19:00.005-05:00

Ok so I couldn't resist another sneak peek this week.

I'm not one to normally do sneak peeks but...

I give in sometimes:-)

hmmm as I am sitting here

loading, downloading and backing up.

It was tooo tempting and I had to give in!

I couldn't resist...

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