What is “lifestyle” photography?
I am a lifestyle photographer, which is different from posed studio work. Lifestyle photography means we photograph you, relaxed and comfortable, either at home or on-location such as a local park or garden.
You will always receive the classic "everyone-look-at-the-camera-and-cheese!" pose, but the rest of your session is spent getting images that speak to you on an emotional level-- laughing, playing, interacting with your family in real, organic ways.
For newborn photography, that means the focus is on your little one, of course, but it takes place in the comfort of your own home, in the nursery you lovingly created, with baby usually in a simple onesie or swaddle or just a diaper, to keep the focus on what matters most: your new family. When you look back at these images, I want you to see the strength, confidence and authentic love that exists within your new family unit, in your own home...simple and uncomplicated and real.
Does my package include the digital files?
YES. The images we make together are your memories— you should be able to have them, fully. I always include the custom edited, high resolution digital images as part of your session package so you can print and cherish your memories for years to come. You can print your images through my lab— and I keep pricing affordable to encourage you to have professional-quality prints!—but you are by no means obligated to purchase an additional print package on top of your session fee.
How do I book my session?
When you inquire, I send out my package collection information and pricing. Select the session(s) you want to book, and fill out a few pieces of personal information. You will have a short contract to initial and sign. Then we talk over phone or email to figure out a date that works for you for your session! For newborn clients, I get your due date on my calendar and we wait to schedule the actual session until your little one is here.
I require a deposit to reserve your session time at the time of booking-- this allows me to hold your session spot on my calendar and prevents anyone else from booking it. The remainder of the session fee is due immediately before your session, and can be paid online or via check.
When should I book my session?
For newborn sessions, most expectant mamas book anywhere from a few weeks to several months in advance. The earlier you book, the better likelihood of my availability— I only take a limited number of newborns each month so that I can give booked sessions my undivided attention. I also send out wardrobe and styling advice and a guideline for "what to expect” during your session, so having time to plan in advance is helpful.
For family, maternity, senior sessions and branding sessions, I recommend booking a few weeks in advance. During the summer and fall months, my schedule has booked up quickly and since I'm a mom myself, I only take a select number of sessions a week so that I can give enough attention to my existing clients-- and my two kiddos at home!
What if it rains on my session day?
If it’s just overcast, we can absolutely get outside and shoot. Sometimes those overcast days help create the most GORGEOUS images! But if it’s actually raining, that’s a different story. I always keep a few rain days in my pocket for this exact reason-- we live in Pittsburgh, after all! We have to be prepared for dreary weather at a moment's notice. If we have planned to shoot outdoors, we’ll reschedule! I don’t make anyone take pictures in the rain…unless you’ve got some littles who are just itching to go jump in some mud puddles!
Can I order prints, gallery walls, and albums too?
Yes, yes, yes! I’m proud to partner with one of the premier print labs in the country, offering high-quality prints and albums for you to fully remember your memories for years to come. While you will receive the digital files and can print your images anywhere, I offer affordable prints through my lab because I believe EVERYONE should have their professional images hanging on their walls and bound up in an album for big and little hands alike to love on.
There is something sacred about walking through your home and seeing your joyful family reflected back to you— when you’re having a bad day, when you’re lugging the third load of dirty laundry through the hallway that morning, when you’ve lost sight of the magic in a sea of mundane. Printing your images forces you to slow down, practice mindfulness and show gratitude for your blessings, and that can make all the difference between an ordinary and an extraordinary day.
What should I expect on the day of my session?
You should expect to have FUN. My clients continually say how comfortable they felt working with me, which makes the difference between a gallery you adore and cherish for years... and, well, ending up on AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com. Sessions are an opportunity for us to take an hour or two to forget about the laundry and dirty dishes and embrace with full hearts the love of your family. When you’re at ease and having fun with the people you love, it translates into authentic images.
Yes, you may feel a little uncertain and nervous in the beginning because we all do when we’re in front of the camera. But you can also expect for me to give you lots of coaching or guidance. In no time at all, you'll find yourself and your little ones interacting in REAL and organic ways to create memories you’ll treasure forever. In other words, expect to feel completely and wholeheartedly like yourself. And expect to love it.
What should I wear?
Are you like me and have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? Have I got good news for you! I am committed to taking all of the stress out of the planning process for your session.
When you book, you get a styling guide with advice on what to wear so you look and feel your best. But the best part is that you'll also receive complimentary access to a personalized styling tool that allows you to effortlessly style and shop the whole family’s wardrobe right from your couch. You'll be able to virtually assemble photo-ready outfits in minutes, and then add them immediately to your shopping cart-- taking all of the stress out of shopping, planning, and coordinating all at once. Trust me— it’s a game changer.
how and when will i receive my images?
My editing turnaround time is 2-3 weeks. You’ll receive a link in your email to an online gallery of your finished images— from there you can easily share on social media, mark your favorites, and order prints directly from my professional lab! Your gallery will be live for three months—after which time I recommend downloading your images so you can keep them forever. Better yet, let’s get them printed and hanging on your walls or bound up in an heirloom album for you to see and love on every day!
“I saw Rachel’s work on Instagram and thought there was something special about it. Little did I know that the person behind those photos would be so very special – the kind of person that is so genuine and filled with light, that she finds the light in you and reminds you of it. It’s rare that you meet someone like this, let alone receive photos of your family that are absolutely stunning. Rachel came in with a calmness that was needed and she knew how to make us feel comfortable. She was great with our baby boy and did not rush the shoot at all, which resulted in photos that we will cherish forever. Rachel’s photos truly speak for themselves and we look forward to more photo shoots with her!”
