Rachel Owens Photography

Paradise

Rachel Owens Photography — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:47:25 +0000

Most people seem excited about the cooler weather and full onset of autumn.

Me. Not so much this year.

I keep staring at my laptop background and wishing I was here again….

This remains one of my favorite photos of all times. Maybe it is the peace that washes over when I look at it.

Changes

Rachel Owens Photography — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 02:37:43 +0000

Sometimes life changes. It’s a part of life. Just look at the leaves. Sometimes those changes aren’t bad, just different. A few months ago various circumstances in my life changed and I started working out of the home again. And yet I’ve continued to photograph. I’ve had to say no a lot (which has broken my heart!) but I’ve still kept my foot in the door for a few portrait sessions.

But no more. I’m worn out. I need a break. I rarely have time to photograph just for me any more and work on some projects I’ve wanted to work on for some time. Due to the demands of two jobs I feel uncreative and depleted. So, it is with both regret and excitement that I’ve decided to officially take a 3-4 month break from portrait photography.

And the break coincides perfectly with winter, which, let’s face it, isn’t the best time for outdoor portraits! Sometime in February I’ll reassess the situation and let you know the plan.

Until then, keep stopping by because I plan to keep posting….maybe some shoots I’ve done and haven’t posted, and hopefully more photos like in this post. As the sun burned off the frost this morning, it made a thick fog for about 30 minutes. It was a glorious morning reminding so much of “Morning’s Beauty” from last year.

Field of Dreams

Rachel Owens Photography — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:39:25 +0000

The end (literally!) of a recent session. Makes me want to follow him into his baseball dreams!

Young {at heart} Love

Rachel Owens Photography — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:00:02 +0000

There is not much about this image that is not beautiful. And that is not a boast in my photography work, but rather a compliment to the subjects and the moment between the two of them. Don’t you hope you look this amazing and full of laughter at the same age?

At the Cross

Rachel Owens Photography — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:32:12 +0000

I shot a small wedding for an octogenarian couple (I know!) this weekend. In the midst of taking wedding photographs, I found this little gem.

As I edited it, the words of the hymn (see bold below) came to mind. They seem so fitting.

Alas and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart
Rolled away, rolled away

It was there by faith I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day

Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown
And love beyond degree

At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart
Rolled away, rolled away

It was there by faith
I received my sight
And now and now and now
I am happy all the day, all the day

Remains of the Day

Rachel Owens Photography — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:06:24 +0000

Or should I say, remains of summer days. I am in complete denial that fall is upon us. And that I might have to wear a coat to church tomorrow morning. I used to like this time of year. I’m not sure what’s happening to me! In any case. I’m holding on to summer as long as I can. It’s a good thing our roses are still in full bloom helping me believe the cold is not about to win over us.

Todd and Lauren – Engaged!!

Rachel Owens Photography — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:34:52 +0000

Can I just tell you how much fun I had taking engagement photos for my brother and his fiance, Lauren?! Wow! It was the perfect treat on my birthday! They drove the distance to be with me so it was my pleasure to give them this gift. I love hanging out with Todd and Lauren because they know how to have fun.

See what I mean?!

So indulge me while I indulge in sharing these photos with you. Don’t forget to go see one of my other favoritesI posted last week. Todd and Lauren, I love you two so much! I can’t wait to continue to see you grow together as a couple. And I definitely can’t wait for your wedding day! Thanks for letting me have fun with you in this way.

Didn’t Todd do an amazing job with the ring?! Lauren loves the beach, so I found this tiny starfish my mom had and thought it would be a fun way to display the ring.

Lauren had brought Todd’s soon-to-be ring to show us so we grabbed some shots with it too.

And because Scrabble letter photos are all the rage in photography right now….

And because I adore my younger (albeit much taller) brother, I give you my favorite of him.

Kitty Love

Rachel Owens Photography — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:51:58 +0000

I know this was posted a few months ago on this blog (not “i heart faces”) but I’ve since made a new crop and some other changes. I’m still in love with this image after all this time. Don’t you want to kiss that wee kitten too?!

“Best Face Photo From Summer 2011″

This photo was entered into the I Heart Faces photo challenge.

To see other photos participating this week, go here.

Sun Kissed Engagement Photo

Rachel Owens Photography — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:32:27 +0000

This weekend my brother and fiance came to visit. We couldn’t not go out and capture some memories from this time in their lives. There’s this place I drive by from time to time and ever since the first times I saw it I have wanted to photograph someone there. Todd and Lauren seemed like the perfect couple! The place was everything I hoped it would be. I’m sure as I keep editing there will be more photos from this session coming. This is one of my favorite shots from the day.

It’s not your typical engagement pose, but since I’m not usually one to like posed shots, I guess that’s why I love it. It was just a casual moment in the midst of a transition but we all agreed it was a keeper. The radiance of the setting sun, combined with the haziness of the sun, combined with the gentleness of their interaction makes for, in my opinion, a stunning portrait!

And for the first time, I’m linking up to the “I Heart Faces” challenge. This week’s theme is “A Touch of Sun.”

Winding Path

Rachel Owens Photography — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 01:48:20 +0000

Around birthdays and anniversaries I like to reflect on life. My life specifically. Since this weekend was my birthday I was taking a little time out to take stock of where I’m at in life and where I want to be.

Even before this weekend I was thinking about posting this photo on here. It’s another I took while in Cades Cove. It was a shot I only had a split second to take through the front windshield. Most of the time on the loop, especially in this part of the road, we were following a line of cars. Somehow we weren’t at this moment and I saw the beauty of this winding road.

I guess because this image was fresh in my mind it made me think about the similarities with my current life. I’m on this road called life. I can see this small portion of “road” in front of me and that’s it. I keep trying to strain and figure out what is next – what twist, what turn, or maybe I’m just hoping for a straight part! In the midst of all my struggling to see the next part ahead, God keeps reminding me I just need to enjoy the part of life I’m in, take in the beauty of the part of the road I’m on and trust Him with the unseen parts beyond the portion of the road I can see.