The End of a Decade ~ Rachel Clare
December 31, 2009 | Filed Under Family, Mine | 3 Comments
It’s December 31st. 2009.
And, it wasn’t until two days ago that I realized (through someone’s Facebook update, of all places) that tomorrow starts not only a new year, but a new decade. For some reason, this made a total impact on me. At the time, I couldn’t pinpoint why, but after pondering over it for the past two days, I’ve come up with some very definitive reasons why my realization hit me so hard.
What’s funny is that tomorrow is just another day. A Friday. I will wake up, say prayers, feed the baby. I likely won’t make my bed, because that’s only happened, ummm, 3 times since Maura was born. Welcome to life with a wee one. I will brush my teeth, put on my slippers, pad into the kitchen and start my kids’ morning ritual of hot chocolate milk. But there will be no PBS or Disney cartoons tomorrow because we’ll be watching the Rose Bowl Parade. The mailman won’t visit our house and most businesses will be closed. People will either be sleeping off the havoc they wreaked on their bodies the night before or up, celebrating a new year. But as I mentioned, we’ll not only be celebrating a new year, but also a new decade.
This is significant to me for a few reasons. I look back at the “aughts” as they will be called (JT informed me of that last night and when I said, “Where did you learn that?”, he answered, “NPR”. Duh.) and realize how much I’ve changed.
In the past 10 years, I’ve:
lost my grandmother
married my best friend
graduated from college
backpacked Europe for almost 9 weeks with the previously mentioned best friend
bought and renovated a historic home (okay- JT renovated. I made lemonade.)
bought and renovated a not-historic home
given birth to three beautiful children
lost two pregnancies
started a business
met some of my very best friends
This list is small compared to the detailed mental list I have running through my mind. Being the very nostalgic and sentimental person that I am, it’s hard for me, in a way, to leave behind this decade so full of life-changing events. Each one of these things listed above has shaped me- has made me who I am. I am forever grateful for the events of this past ten years- all of them, good and bad, happy and difficult, because they’ve placed me here, where I’m at now.
While I mourn (on some level) the end of an era, I’m positively giddy at the prospects of a new year and a new decade. I look forward to the changes that will occur in my life- good and bad- because they will continue to shape me, and I pray for the ability to handle everything that comes with grace and a positive spirit.
I’m an extensive goal-maker. I’ve got lists of goals- they’re divided into categories. Seriously. I’ve got goals for my body, goals for my spirit, goals for my mind, goals for my house, goals for my family. I’ve got daily goals, monthly goals, yearly goals. And now, tonight, I’m going to make a list of goals for this decade. Note: they will include racing in a triathlon and opening a studio space, among lots of other things.
I don’t ever want to be one of those people who lives looking back and mourning the past. I never want to be one of those people who are always looking into the future and saying “as soon as….”. I want to be the person who appreciates the lessons of the past, looks with hope and excitement to the future and lives with fullness and wonder right here- in the present.
Happy New Year to you. Happy New Decade to you. May it only get better from here!
xo,
Rachel Clare
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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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!
Memo: I don’t do these ~ San Diego Child Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
August 11, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Family | 8 Comments
Before I even start, I need to make sure everyone understands that I don’t do big families. I “do” big families in terms of: I like being a part of a big family, I’d like to have a big family, I think big families are nice; but I don’t photograph big families. Just wanted to make that clear.
That said, Jen and her family (the WHOLE family) came over to San Diego for a week at the end of July and they asked if I would do some shots of them. I obliged (because it’s Jen, mind you!). It was actually most enjoyable (I only had to swap one head- that’s pretty impressive!) and I really enjoyed spending time with her family. The kids were cute, I loved the colors they all wore, and the light turned out to be really lovely.
Larsen Family, here’s a little peek. Your disc is coming soon! Thanks for being most easy to work with!
Changing ~ Farmington NM Child Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Family | 2 Comments
Remember this little lamb?
Here she is one year later. The changes! I can hardly believe what happens to a child between 6 months and 18 months. It’s astonishing.
It was a joy to photograph this beautiful family again- I love it when a client becomes a friend. The lighting was lovely the morning we met, and little A. was as cute as can be. Watch out you guys- this girl is going to be a knockout and you’re going to have your hands full!
At Their Home ~ Durango, CO Family Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
July 27, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Family | 6 Comments
This was a shot from their session last summer…
… Here they are now at their new home outside of Durango Colorado (*drool*). The session went smashingly well with one exception- little J. totally hates me. It’s cool. Next time I’ll bring sugar. We’ll see how he feels then.
You guys are FAB. It was great to see you and get to check out your new locale- it’s gorgeous! Thanks for spending the afternoon with me.
In The Hills ~ Farmington NM Family Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
July 24, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Family | 8 Comments
A year ago, I photographed handsome little E. (and a few shots of his Mama). He’s even more handsome and enjoyable than he was last year (could it be?). And now, there’s another little body to photograph! (Little H.’s eyes are something else!)
I asked them where they wanted to go for their photo shoot. I was so happy when they said they wanted to head out to the hills and sandstone and pinon trees where they’ve purchased land to build a home. The views were breathtaking, the sunset unreal. I love sandstone, and I miss it very much. There was no shortage where we shot, and I love the images we captured. Thanks for a lovely (if not very WARM) evening you guys! It was lovely getting to see you again!
Last but not Least ~ Inland Empire Child Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
July 10, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Family | 4 Comments
One more post from our fast trip to Kansas a few weeks ago….
He’s cynical. A thinker. Makes jokes that most people don’t get. He and my JT get along fabulously well.
She’s a bookworm who can always recommend the latest (or not latest) greatest read. And I miss her book club terribly.
I had the pleasure of doing a family/child shoot for them while we had some time in Lawrence. It was fun to see them again, and I’m shocked at how their children have grown. They were easy and up for anything. Just my kind of people.
Maria & Family ~ Inland Empire Family Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
June 28, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Family | 19 Comments
We went to high school together. We had classes together and a few mutual friends. I always liked Maria a lot, we just had different groups of friends. Therefore, we didn’t keep in touch after high school. Fast forward 11 years. We meet up at a photography workshop in Phoenix last year. “Maria?!” “Rachel?!” And now, we’re great friends!
Maria 2nd shot for me in Kansas City last week at Micheal & Kari’s wedding. By wild chance, she ended up in Lawrence Kansas (where we lived for 4 years during grad. school) with her cute little family and I’m so grateful they did! Gives me one more friend to get to visit when we go back.
While I was in town, we got together for a quick family shoot for them. Their children are adorable (yes, same parents for all 3 kids- they just got lucky with a beautiful blonde!) and were so happy and fun. We cruised the farmer’s market, walked Massachusetts St., had hot dogs and cotton candy and watched it melt (did you know that cotton candy will melt??) in the humidity. It was so fun to spend some time with their family, and I’ve got to say- these hot dog pictures are some of my favorites!! I hope she turns all three into canvases.
RAD winners ~ Riverside CA Teen Photographer ~ Rachel Clare
June 13, 2009 | Filed Under Children, Family, Teens | 1 Comment
Last fall I donated a session to a silent auction for RAD- Riverside Against Drugs. I’m proud of the organization, and I’m so happy that this lovely family won the auction. These children were absolutely delightful! I’ve been around very very few sets of siblings who get along so well. Put simply, they’re best friends. I can tell.
B is home from her first year of college in Virginia on a volleyball scholarship. She’s self-confident, happy, and loves having her picture taken (a photographer’s dream right?).
L is the nicest 13 year old boy I’ve ever met. In my entire life. Like, he voluntarily hugged his little sister. And laughed when his older sister jumped on his back. Not only that, but he’s one of the only 13 year old boys I’ve ever met who doesn’t hate me (because you know, most of them are like, “Woman! Get that camera OUTTA my face! I’m only here ’cause my Mom threatened to take away my iPod!” and L was so not like that).
And little A was just sweet and smiley and happy to be outside, having her picture taken. It was a lovely evening, and I was happy to spend it with a lovely family. Thanks for making my job EASY you guys! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek!
