Gratitude ~ Riverside CA photographer ~ Rachel Clare
June 15, 2009 | Filed Under Just Because, Mine
Last week, I got in on a Twitter conversation between two wonderful photographers, Dana and Tara. They were discussing the fact that they wanted to have a little challenge over the weekend - a personal photo project rather than a client session. It was determined that there would be a challenge to capture 5 images expressing gratitude. All were invited to play. I took the challenge, grateful for the time to be introspective. Here’s what I came up with:
1. My pseudo-job. How great is it to have a job where I can stay at home with my beautiful children, meet wonderful people, photograph amazing children (and families and couples and newborns), and get PAID. I feel like I’ve found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and am so lucky to be associated with other outstanding photographers. Here’s an image from a session on Saturday. (more of this handsome hunk tomorrow…)
2. Our garden. Excuse me. I should say HIS garden. Because while I pull a few weeds here and there, water occasionally and enjoy mass amounts of fresh produce each day, I’ve done very little work. I’m so grateful for a husband who has put so much time and energy into our fantastic garden, and feel very blessed to have such a supply of good, healthy food. Thank you, JT, for all of your work. I love you and am grateful.
3. Picnics. Here in So. Cal, there’s this fantastic amazing month called June. And in June, it’s nice. Like, 70-degrees-all-month-nice. This period of time has oddly been named “June Gloom” which I don’t understand at all, because it makes me EXCEEDINGLY happy every single day. It’s lovely to be able to take my dear ones to the park, have a carefree picnic and watch them play. In nice, cool weather. (Really, I belong in Portland or Seattle, don’t I? I’m pretty sure I do.) Not only the lovely weather, but I’m grateful to have the resources to be able to stay home with my littles, where I can be the one to teach and guide them. This time in my life is precious and I’m grateful every day (even on the hard ones) that I’m a Mother and can enjoy this time in their lives. Which brings me to the next thing I’m grateful for…
4. I’m grateful for our growing family. Yep- I’m expecting, and so grateful. After two difficult miscarriages last year, we’re thrilled that this one looks like a “go”. My family means the world to me, and I can think of nothing greater than being able to add another little body and personality to the mix.
5. My faith. I had a hard time deciding what to photograph for this one… I settled on this, though I can’t tell you why. My faith grounds me. It’s what makes me who I am. It penetrates me to my core and without it I would be very much lost. It gives me such a clear and distinct understanding of who I am and why I’m here and where I’m going. Because it’s so personal to me, I won’t share much more. Just that this is the most important thing in my life and that which I’m most grateful for.
If you’re a photog who participated in this challenge, leave a comment with a link to your blog!
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29 Responses to “Gratitude ~ Riverside CA photographer ~ Rachel Clare”
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Awesome Rachel!! I love your picnic one, I LOVE picnics and it has been way too long since I went on one. I think you have inspired my weekend plans now! Love the belly too! Congrats!
Wow, Rachel… that is beautiful… I love the faith picture:-) And much congrats to you and your family! To check out my link, go to http://www.accentphoto.wordpress.com
Thanks for playing Rachel…looks like we’ll do this once a month for awhile…watch our twitters for the next challenge in mid-July!! So much to be grateful for–BUT only one thing to congratulate you on!!! yay for baby bumps!!
RACHEL! Sorry, can’t help it, must congratulate you first on your pregnancy — hooray for you! OK, now I can get on with your ‘regularly scheduled’ commenting, lol. Such a very lovely post of gratitude and imagery. I love this little exercise and getting a peek of this part of our lives. You’re so talented, keep up the beautiful work and thanks for sharing. Your heart is as beautiful as the images you share
soooooooo happy for you - your bump looks amazing, here is to a healthy and happy pregnancy!
Now these reasons are why I love you, your work and your spirit without ever meeting you in person. I love this. I’m going to make a little gratitude journal myself. Thank you for you. AND CONGRATS!!!! XOXOXO
I love your post. So sincere. I’m glad your pregnancy is going well… You look beautiful!
Congratulations on the pregnancy!! That’s so great! I am happy for you! Great lil’bump!!
oh Rachel, what a beautiful post.
love every word and every image.
congratulation on your new baby….
What a beautiful post Rach. Lovely images and wonderful words. Your bump looks great! I am so happy all is well with this sweet little one and soo looking forward to comparing our growing bellies next weekend! Love you my wonderful friend!!
You guys have made me cry! (Can I chalk it up to hormones?) Thank you for your kind words. I should add a 6th thing on my gratitude list- my wonderful friends, near and far, whom I’ve met in person and not in person!
xoxo!
R.
CONGRATULATIONS RACHEL!!!! I had no idea - how exciting!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! (and yes, I’m SHOUTING!!!!!) That’s fantastic Rachel - I had no idea. So you must have been freshly pregnant at Learnfest, yes? Very cool. Beautiful images, and wonderful insight about you. Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations! I love the photo of the flowers (yes, I know their name, but I don’t want to try to spell it!). I think it’s a beautiful representation of your faith.
Rachel, I knew it! You had that glow about you on Saturday. That’s why I asked if you wanted more. But you held out and didnt say a word. Congratulations! I’m happy for you
Susan, was it a glow or just 8 extra pounds?
Gorgeous images and blog by the way! I am super jealous of your garden. Good for you guys!
Here are mine- http://www.jewelimage.ca/blog/
Hi Rachel!
I wasn’t a part of your fun activity, but I love your post and the pics that you chose to go along with it. I have recently found your work and have become a fan. As a new photographer it’s post like these that tell me to keep plugging along at this new found love of mine.
Thanks for sharing!!
So exciting… congrats on the soon-to-be new arrival! Great images too!
Hi Rachel! Congratulations!! Your belly looks so cute! I love all the photos. What a fun challenge you guys came up with!
Rachel I love this post and am SOOO excited that you are pregnant. Congrats. How fabuous and please keep taking those bump self portraits so we can see you in all your glory! Take care. Oh and if anyone fancies a peek you can see my gratitude post here… http://www.sarahgardan.com/blog/?p=2419
Um, Rach I totally didnt even know you were expecting! Congrats! When are you due? Great post.
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you. You look so cute with your little baby bump! I’m jealous that you get a cool down in june!
rachel! that is such fabulous news…i had no idea! congratulations, take good care of yourself and thanks for sharing these images. as usual, i am blown away by your talent and beautiful spirit.
I love this…..all of this and love that little bump…..so great Rach!
Yay Rachel!! Congratulations on the pregnancy (I still owe you an email btw) and I absolutely loved what you shared, both words and images, with what you are grateful for. I should do this little photo challenge too!
Congrats! I’d scrolled past this before but didn’t realize that prego belly was yours so was surprised when I saw you that you were pregnant. Three is fun. I’m so excited for you.
Congrats Rachel!!! Is this your “official” announcement?? Loved your post too - you have a beautiful way of expressing yourself!
What a beautiful post Rachel! Huge congratulations on your pregnancy- I will be praying that all goes well for you and the baby. I can identify with the “June gloom” because my sister who lives in Riverside just mentioned that a couple weeks ago! Too funny! It’s hard to relate to it here in Michigan.