A couple of weeks ago, an article I wrote was featured on a local website that highlights all of the kid/family friendly outings + events in and around the Bloomington-Normal area.  Melissa is the hard-working, big-hearted genius behind the Macaroni Kids Bloomington-Normal + I have completely enjoyed getting to know her better since she launched the site in 2010.  I was honored when she asked me to contribute my thoughts on photography + why I do what I do…  You can find the original article here.

My husband came home from visiting a friend over Memorial Day weekend and shared with me a comment that his friend’s wife made to him about inexpensive pictures she had taken of their 3 month old son.  According to my husband, he feigned disgust at the notion of commercial studio prints, with what he described as a gag and a scold.  Always a comedian… Her response, however, was more serious in nature, ‘What?  They are only pictures and I needed something quickly.  Why does it matter?”

As a photographer I must admit that even though I know it wasn’t meant to hurt my feelings, her comment did sting (a bit more than a bit).  But it also pushed me to start thinking more in depth about why I do what I do; to see if I can put into words what I carry in my heart; to see if I can actually answer her question…Why does it matter?

I get it.  There are a lot of great cameras out there, there are a lot of photographers, there are a lot of opinions and there are a lot of options.  So why spend your hard earned money to have your children photographed professionally?  Why create an album filled with photographs of you while you are still hanging onto that extra 10 pounds of baby weight?  Why do you need more images of what your kids look like right now…well, right now?

Why?

Because it does matter.

I have a 15 year old, who grew up way faster than I thought she would.  And three “almost four” year olds who suddenly became preschoolers overnight.  You don’t invest in professional photographs for the here and now, you do so because of what they become to you in future years.  The memories, the moments, the reminders of the time that flies by so incredibly fast.

Life isn’t something that is lived only in the biggest and grandest of moments, it is found in the cracks between.  The day to day, the mundane, the ordinary…that is what you are going to miss the most when your children grow up.  The drool constantly drenching his shirt.  The shoes she insists on wearing that don’t match anything in her closet.  The snuggles for story time while they are still small enough to fit on your lap together.  The way he reaches over to tenderly rub her back when she falls down and skins her knee.

Those little things are the very things you are going to so easily forget (even if you don’t believe me yet).  One day, a day not as far from now as you’d think, you will wake up and realize that there is so much you wish you could revisit.  And my job?  It isn’t just to take pretty pictures.  My job is to help you remember.  To capture the parts of your life that are found in those cracks: the personality and the details, the relationships and the love, the laughter and the tears.  To suspend in time your children exactly as they are right now, to document who you are to them today, to photograph who you are as a family…all of you imperfectly beautiful.

Why does it matter?  Because it matters to you.  Maybe not now.  Maybe not tomorrow.  But someday.  Someday it will matter more than you can imagine.

And when someday comes, you will be so grateful that you spent a little more to capture them…and you.

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yesterday, i put a call out on facebook in search of a couple families who would be interested in doing some day in the life sessions.  i had such amazing feedback, that i decided to expand what i initially had in mind + invite even more families (couples, even individuals) to participate.

if you are interested, send me an email at rachael@rachaelmariephotography.com to let me know you want in on the fun + i will send you all the details!

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I am so excited to announce this year’s recipient of the giving season session!

When I received the following email from Heather, tears filled my eyes as I read the story she shared and my heart was instantly warmed as I felt the love she has for her friend.  What an incredible woman, someone more than deserving of the gift of a family session.  I am very much looking forward to meeting you, Lori, and your boys + photographing your family.

Lori is one of my dearest friends and this has been the the most difficult year of her life and the life of her two boys Ian (age 6) and Aaron (age 4). A few days after Christmas last year they lost their husband and father, Chuck. Chuck was diagnosed with an acute form of Leukemia right before Thanksgiving last year, and despite Chemo treatments he passed away just weeks later. Both Chuck and Lori had realized that the diagnosis was bad, but never ever thought that the disease would take him so quickly.

This year has been a whirlwind of emotions for Lori. She’s a stay-at-home-mom who never fathomed she would be a widow at 33 with 2 small children. But despite her incredible sadness, shock, and anger over losing Chuck, she has been a rock for her two boys and inspires everyone who is lucky enough to know her. She gets up everyday and makes sure that it’s the best day it can be for Ian and Aaron.

When I saw your post about a deserving person, I instantly thought of Lori. She hasn’t had any professional family photographs taken since Chuck passed away. So to have some beautiful photographs of her and them together I know would mean a lot to her. I like what you said in your post about how a photo can “neatly wrap up all of the goodness in life, stuff it into a single image and with one glimpse evoke so much feeling.” Having a first family portrait after losing Chuck would show just that. It would be something that both her and her boys will be able to look back at and remember that despite all the sadness of this last year, they are still a family and there was still joy.

Heather, thank you so much for nominating your friend…and Lori, I am so happy to be able to gift this to you this holiday season!

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A few mornings ago,  I woke to snowflakes dancing outside my window and a light dusting of snow on the ground, filled with the sense of wonder that inevitably fills my heart each and every holiday season…wrapped up in the feelings of gratitude and hopefulness that mark this time of year.

Whatever you celebrate, it is undeniable that this is the season of giving.  And the very best gift I can think to give, is one who’s magic grows with each passing year.

Beginning today, through December 20th, you have the opportunity to nominate someone you know who has had a difficult year…and after reading through your nominations, I will choose ONE recipient (be it an individual, a couple, a family) to receive a complimentary session and disc of images.  Think of someone in your life who has had a difficult year, someone who is financially strapped, someone who has faced hardship; friend, family, neighbor…it doesn’t matter what the actual circumstances are, just that they truly and honestly need and deserve this gift.

My only requirement is that whomever you nominate live in the Bloomington-Normal area or be willing to travel here for their session. The recipient will be announced on Thursday, December 23, 2010 + the session must take place in January or February of 2011.

Photography has this incredible ability to neatly wrap up all of the goodness in life, stuff it into a single image and with one glimpse evoke so much feeling…my hope is that through your act of kindness, someone’s holiday season shines a little brighter than they had hoped this year.

*Application submissions must be submitted to rachael@rachaelmariephotography.com and include…

Your name, phone number and email address.

The nominee’s name, phone number and email address.

Their story, in your words, about why you feel they need and deserve this gift.

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I am always looking for ways to give back to our community…through volunteering or donations, however I am able to help.  This Sunday, I will be photographing the local Jingle Bell Run/Walk for the Arthritis Foundation (there is still time to register, I believe!)…and I was so excited to see a little feature for rachael marie photography up on their page today!

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Just wanted to let you all know that I am planning on being in the Chicago area on October 15th + may extend my visit by a day or two if there is any interest in adding on additional sessions.

Send me an email at rachael.schirano@gmail.com if you want to schedule a chicago session!

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rachael marie photography was featured today on the wesbite, Macaroni Kids Bloomington-Normal!

You can find the article here.  (Thank you, Melissa, for such an amazing feature!)

And if you haven’t had the chance to check out Macaroni Kids yet, you really should!  It is a website featuring all of the area’s events and activities for children and families + if you sign up for the free newsletter, the details will be delivered right to your inbox!

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