Christmas Card Outtakes ~ Inland Empire Child Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
December 11, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Mine | 5 Comments
In the two weeks before I gave birth, I needed to distract myself. From the discomforts of being almost 40 weeks pregnant, from the baby weight, from the fact that I knew girls who were due after me who had their babies before me. Distractions included decking the halls with signs of Christmas, putting up our tree on November 6th (oh yes, we did. and I may do it again next year!), and working up our Christmas cards. Granted, there was one blank window waiting to be filled by a certain little person who had not yet made her grand entrance into this world yet, but for the most part, I got them done. That’s the only reason that this mother of a 2-week old (and an almost-3-year-old, and a 5 1/2 year old) was able to get all her cards mailed today. Because they were essentially done before the babe arrived.
Here are some of the pictures of Elias and Rowan that I decided not to use on the cards, even though I think they’re darling…
Place Your Bet!
November 11, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Mine | 21 Comments
…Okay, so truth: you probably won’t get any prize in the mail, simply because I know myself well enough to know that after having a baby, I’m simply out.of.commission. for a few weeks, but I thought it would be interesting to know who wins. FYI- I’m technically due the week of Thanksgiving. Praying for an early arrival though, of course…
Comment on this post and include your guesses for the following things:
Gender of our new one (no, we don’t know what we’re having!)
Date of arrival
Time of arrival
Weight
I hope to post soon (tomorrow? oh wishful thinking…) with news!
And, a few shots of sweet Rowan that I took this week. I actually made the headwrap for myself, but *ahem*, it’s a tad small for me. However, it fits her like a charm!
Headed for the Hills ~ Inland Empire Child Photography ~ Rachel Clare
October 23, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Mine | 12 Comments
Anyone who knows me well knows me moderately well has ever read even one of my blog posts, knows that I don’t love the weather in Southern California. I know, I know. Most people think it’s the whole reason to live here. I’m not a fan. I hate the heat, I miss the rain, I desperately miss autumn and winter. Oh how I love autumn and winter. My soul is LONGING for fall- literally. I miss snow (and no, I don’t want to have to drive an hour+ every time I want to be chilly or see snow), I miss seasons. I miss jeans and scarves and sweatshirts. And the fact that I can wear them for 6 weeks every year doesn’t make me feel better. All that said, the weather as of late has been hard on me (especially in my extremely pregnant state). On Sunday, we just had to leave. So, we headed for the hills. I only wish we’d have left on Friday night and not returned until Monday, but we’ll do that soon.
We drove into the San Bernardino National Forrest and found our way to Lake Gregory, near Crestline. What a lovely little mountain place. Now, mind you, it was not cold. It wasn’t even chilly, but it was nature and mountains and water and ducks and the feeling of a small-mountain-town. It made me feel at home.
We didn’t stay long- just until the sun set. Long enough to fill up our souls a little and enjoy some time away from the congestion and noise of the city. Rowan fed the ducks leaves. Elias wandered and found little natural treasures like sticks and pinecones and acorns. JT skipped rocks. I took pictures and sat on a log. It was lovely and calm and quiet. And that’s exactly what I needed. Rest assured, we’ll be back up in the hills before long…
Can the Dog Come Too? ~ Riverside CA Child Photography ~ Rachel Clare
October 19, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Family | 11 Comments
YES. The dog can come. The dog can always come! (Though I must admit, I’m partial to bigger dogs over smaller, “yippie” dogs, as we call them, but that’s just a personal thing. I’m willing to shoot any kid with his/her dog. Seriously.)
I had a totally enjoyable, though utterly too hot, session with the B. family on Saturday afternoon downtown near the Mission Inn. (Interjection… what IS this 100 degree weather in mid-October?! BLEAH!! Okay. I’m done.)
I love meeting new people, and these folks were no exception. Erika is a gorgeous mom (with a rockin’ dress, I might add) with two darling children who have the most contagious smiles. And Tiny, the dog, was as easy-going as any pit bull I’ve ever met. She’s full grown. And very small. And thus, the name Tiny. Don’t you love it? I so love it.
Here’s a teaser for you guys… looking at these just makes me smile!
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3 Boys and the Beach ~ Orange County Child Photography ~ Rachel Clare
October 14, 2009 | Filed Under Children | 6 Comments
Just a quick peek at the cute C. kids. They’re such good friends and it was so much fun to spend a morning watching them interact. Oldest brother E. is so patient and kind. Middle A. has the greatest grin right now, and little O. had a few “moments” that morning, but I loved watching him wander the beach and discover things.
Tara, you may not have gotten a girl, but you got three stinkin’ adorable boys.
I will ALWAYS post good out-takes. This one may be my favorite from this whole summer!
My favorite shot of the day… such joy!
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In the Garden ~ Cannon Beach, OR Child Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
September 29, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Family | 7 Comments
I’m catching up on some sneak peeks from my sessions in Oregon (to those who’ve waited, THANK YOU for being so patient!).
I met this family about a year and a half ago when little T. was just a wee one. He was a wee one fighting a big fight. It did my heart much good to see an energetic, happy little boy. It was such a joy to photograph him and his sweet family. And, I might add, both of his parents are actors– let me just express how EASY it is to photograph actors!! They were just happy to be there and were absolutely unconcerned with being in front of a camera.
Thank you, all three of you, for a lovely hour in the garden. I hope to see you all again soon!
Keepers ~ Inland Empire Wedding Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
September 17, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Weddings | 7 Comments
I was scrolling through some wedding images tonight and came upon these two, taken by the wonderful Maria Hays who second-shot for me. I laughed right out loud! This crazy man was the life of this reception, and his expressions had us rolling- it’s just fantastic to get to relive them!
Seriously… have you ever seen something so funny!?
Mine, at the beach ~ Inland Empire Child Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
September 15, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Mine | 19 Comments
Slowly… slowly… I’m digging my way out. When it rains, it pours, right?
I decided to take a break from the monstrous list of things I need to get done and edit some images of my own kids from our time last week on the Oregon Coast.
We had “lovely” weather- as in, warm and sunny. Exactly the type of weather I was secretly hoping not to see, but alas, it followed us up there. Fortunately, it didn’t ever get “hot”, so I was able to deal with it…
Just a few captures of my littles enjoying a day at the beach…
I completely understand why some animals eat their own young. It’s because they’re SO DANG CUTE. I seriously feel the urge sometime. Like during this shot…
E’s reaction to someone yelling “Watch it! HUGE wave coming!!”. This face is PRICELESS. (ps. that water is like 42 degrees or something… it’s no wonder he freaked!)
2 1/2 year old M. ~ Riverside CA Child Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
September 3, 2009 | Filed Under Children | 1 Comment
Know why I was instantly taken with this child? Because she’s 2 1/2 and at 2 1/2, it’s all about becoming independent and making your own choices. The pearl necklace and flag? All her- and I couldn’t have been happier. Because that’s what capturing these moments is all about- remembering that child (or infant, or teen, or wedding) as he/she/it is, right then, at that moment. Little M. is discovering who she is, she’s learning and growing and developing her own self. Everything about this process is fascinating to me and I love those free-spirit children who have opinions and tastes and desires.
I met up with this sweet little ball of energy and her grandparents down at the Mission Inn. They were the winners of a silent auction I donated to last winter, and it was fun to get to finally meet them. A lovely couple and a completely captivating young granddaughter.
Hangin’ in there ~ Rachel Clare
August 25, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Mine | 8 Comments
Me. Not him. He’s fine, I think.
Looked a little nervous upon entering his classroom, but it didn’t help that we were 2 minutes late. Will fix that tomorrow…
I made him a gargantuan-sized lunch, just to make sure he wouldn’t be hungry. I sent him with a whole 32oz. Nalgene bottle of water. I made him a well-balanced breakfast. We remembered to say prayers, brush teeth, comb hair.
And I held myself together and faked excitement and positivity until after Rowan and I left him in his classroom with all the other sweet-faced little Kindergartners. Thank heavens for Jackie O-inspired sunglasses, because my eyes were on the very verge of overflowing. I was somehow able to keep the face-crumpling emotion in check until safely in the car.
Rowan said, “Mommy, why you cryin’?”
“Because I already miss Elias.”
“…But we’re comin’ back, okay?”
“Yes Row, we’ll come back and get him this afternoon. Do you want to go for a walk?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
I told him last night, as we had our first “take 10″ (thank you, Jen, for the wonderful idea) that I was trying hard to be brave, but that I needed him to be brave too… for me.
This a.m. as we were racing out the door, I made him put on his backpack for the token first-day-of-school picture. Thank you, sweet little Elias, for not disappointing me with a nervous, forced-smile picture. Always the big cheese, he is. This series told me that he’s not nervous, but totally excited.
He’s being brave today. Just for me.
