As she had 4 of her 5 kids together for Thanksgiving, we took advantage and had a photo-date. Cameron, we missed you and your cute wife! Hopefully soon, we'll get everyone, all together.
And now, though a little off-topic, I want to wish Shara well as she heads to Hawaii next week to run her first 26.2.
I'm so proud of you, friend! xoxo!
Jordan is known far and wide for his ability to quote movie lines. He's phenomenal, and the following are just a snippet:: 
Jordan! You slay me! 
It's no secret that there are pressures and expectations placed on women, and even more on young girls, to look and behave a certain way. If we're not all 5'10'' with perfect hair and perfect complexions and perfect teeth and perfect clothes, weighing in at a measly 105 lbs., we're not quite good enough. Isn't that right? Isn't that.... wrong? How horrific it is that children, as young as five and six years old are focusing on looks and weight! I'm absolutely in love with the Dove Campaign and all that it stands for- that women are unique and individual and beautiful in all of their shapes and colors and sizes.
We, as the leaders of this amazing group of young women, have been increasingly aware and concerned about our girls and the pressures that they face. We decided that we needed them to know how beautiful they are- in all of their varieties- inside and out. We have had a few activities this summer focusing on wellness and health, finishing them off with a mini-photoshoot. I look at these pictures and I see a glow in these girls that I hope they can see for themselves. I have high hopes for each of them- the biggest being that they will always know how beautiful each one is, and how much she is loved.
Some people might say that I'm their teacher. Not so.... THEY are the ones who teach ME, every single week.
Such beautiful girls! I love it!
(07.07.11 @ 01:57 PM)Love those girls...and the photos, of course! Rachel, you are amazing!
(07.07.11 @ 02:13 PM)How fun!!! they are all such cute girls with amazing personalities :o)
Beautiful girls!
(07.09.11 @ 08:58 AM)
I loved photographing Jenner in downtown Laguna a couple of months ago. It was so fun to see her, and she's exactly as I remembered, only about 6 inches taller.
I've known Jenner since the 4th grade. We played ball together, yo. Yeah, that's right. I was a BASKETBALL player. Yep. From 4th grade to 6th grade. I was short (I'm still short). I was a good guard. But that's about it. Jenner played ball all the way through high school. It was those long legs, I tell you. But, to protect the innocent (*ahem* my pride), I shall refrain from posting our 4th grade team picture here.
Jenner made my job way easy. I love it when people are comfortable in front of the camera! J, it was a pleasure to hang out with you. I can't wait to do it again soon!
xo, Rachel
Let's hear it for those Sergio Rossi pumps!
i like er.
(10.05.10 @ 11:07 PM)This looks like a catalogue shoot! Stunning.
(10.06.10 @ 02:48 AM)wow. she is gorgeous!
(10.06.10 @ 08:30 AM)I love those pics. Your gorgeous Jenner and great job Rachel!
(10.06.10 @ 07:41 PM)I had so much fun with you! You are an amazing photographer and so comfortable to work with!!
(10.06.10 @ 08:03 PM)Love the photos Rach. She is stunning! And the shoes. LOVE!!!
(10.07.10 @ 01:26 AM)
It was loud, to be sure. 7 kids, ages 7 months to 7 years. Yikes. But through all of the commotion, the screeching, the laughter, the tears, and then (after bedtime) the silence, we got to hang out, and just chat. And just enjoy being together. Today I made her go outside for 3 minutes with her littlest one and take their pictures, because she doesn't have any images of the two of them together. I'm glad she indulged me. :)
Thank you to JT for being so helpful, for being patient, and allowing us to go out in the evenings. Thank you, Jen, for coming. I love you, I miss you already, and I'm counting down the days til we play again next month.
Aww! She is as beautiful outside as she is on the inside....and so very lucky you "made" her do this! Your post made me all teary eyed.....you two share such a beautiful bond and friendship and that is a rare thing to come by. So glad you got to spend time together. I can only imagine how crazy things got with 7 kids!!
(07.11.10 @ 06:06 PM)Sheer magic - so happy you two have found such a close connection in each other and that you are able to spend so much time together this summer. Truly a gift!
You are an incredible pair! (next time I would love to see pics of the two of you TOGETHER!)
And congrats to you all for surviving 7 excited kids under 7! That deserves an award!
(07.11.10 @ 08:41 PM)Sooo sweet! I love the story of your friendship, too. Thanks for forcing her out to get her pictures taken! I love seeing Jen with her babe!
(07.11.10 @ 08:47 PM)Such a sweetnstory and bond you guys have. These images are priceless!! How about some of the two of you together??
(07.11.10 @ 08:59 PM)Dana & Helene, we already have big plans for a photo session together. We just have to formulate when and where we're going to have Ms. Tara Whitney shoot us!
(07.11.10 @ 09:23 PM)These are so precious - love the last one! Did you guys venture to get one of all 7 kids together??!! That would have been a challenge!! :)
(07.11.10 @ 10:02 PM)you two are brave, hilarious, sweet and gorgeous. your amazing story and beautiful images make my heart sing...love you both! :)
(07.12.10 @ 08:16 AM)yay!!!! Jen!!!! She is so pretty. Rachel, I'm so glad you got photos of her and her little guy together.
(07.12.10 @ 08:17 AM)Sniffle....I love you dear friend. Thank you SO MUCH for these. I'm so so soooo happy we took those few minutes, even if I did feel sweaty & gross. Gosh my baby is cute. :P I so wanna buy that house for sale next door so we can sit out on your porch & talk each night. I miss you so much already & I too am counting the days for our next "playdate". Thank you for putting up with my crazy crew. Telll JT I owe him one...or a million. :) xoxo
(07.12.10 @ 12:10 PM)Fabulous images Rachel and my goodnes Jen you are gorgeous and that little man of yours is SOOOO cute! Thanks for sharing ladies (Rachel -your talent and Jen - your gorgeousness!!)
(07.12.10 @ 02:12 PM)Beautiful photos Rachel!! And beautiful Jen and her little boy! Sounds like your weekend together was wonderful!
(07.13.10 @ 03:48 PM)Oh my goodness these images are so sweet! Jen, you are GORGEOUS and your little man could not be cuter!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!
(07.15.10 @ 11:14 AM)Oh gosh....love it! Can't wait for our photo shoot and some Rach time!!
(07.19.10 @ 12:07 PM)LOVE these - what a great gift!!! This makes me want to have a reunion of all the great people who spent $1000 to meet each other. :)
(08.14.10 @ 04:34 PM)
Rachel....I'm seriously stunned!! OMGOSH...I'm screaming through my house...hahaha. I LOVE THESE. YOU are amazing. I'm so lucky to have you in my life. You're not only an AMAZING photographer, but an amaizing person. Lucky me :) Thank you soooo much!!
(12.01.11 @ 01:50 PM)Shara, you win. Nicest comment ever goes to YOU. :)
(12.01.11 @ 02:25 PM)What great images! Sometimes it can be hard to capture connections and real emotion with older children, but you nailed it! They look so happy & loving. Wonderful work!!
(12.12.11 @ 04:32 PM)