Inspiration starts early

For me I started very early.  I'd beg my mom to let me go stomping through the woods with her.
"You're too little and mommy has to walk too far today for this picture".
"But when?" I would whine....

The whining didn't last long...soon she started taking me on her walks...her photo shoots of trees, old barns and endless waterfalls.  She showed me how the shutter opened and closed...how to adjust the lighting, how to zoom and focus.  She showed me how to be an artist.  She never shut me out, she always showed me how to be safe, how to have fun and how to see everything in a different and unique way.  Later she taught me the tricks of advancing film, cutting the strip and dredging the papers through chemicals...to make MY photo come to life on a sheet of Kodak photo paper. 

I never thought I'd be fortunate enough to make a living from something I loved so much.  I worked hard at saving the world and "changing lives"...and enjoying learning everything I could about art and photography while I pursued my education in the environmental field.  Fast forward to so many years later...as I sit in my home office and take a break from editing more photos in my digital darkroom , I decide to rearrange...and I get an unexpected visit from my mom.  She showed up on an old 8x12 piece of Kodak paper...a picture that captured one of the best memories of my life...standing next to my beautiful mother as she taught me how a camera worked in one of the most comforting places in the world.

In this little packet of pictures I found...she had tucked away (for safe keeping) my first OFFICIAL photo project when I was 14 years old...a positive/negative image I took of my key chain (complete with Kings Island FILM picture viewer)...the first photo I developed in a professional dark room, that wasn't my laundry room at home (where I learned the art of developing film).

Mom, I miss you more than you'll ever know but thank you for setting me up with a true gift that supports me, my family and helps me to change lives...one photo at a time.

Me and my beautiful mom, Sharon...somewhere in Florida!

Mr. & Mrs. Woodruff

I know we say it with every couple...but we so enjoyed being with TJ and Kerry. We met them at our local Starbucks and really hit it off. We told them at our consultation how much we loved our clients and how they often became friends...and to our amusement one of our current couples strolled into the coffee shop while we getting to know TJ and Kerry...it really showed we aren't salesmen IN THE LEAST! TJ and Kerry booked us on the spot and we were soon scheduling their engagement session at UCF (where they met and fell in love)....and then we got to planning for the wedding. TJ and Kerry were fortunate to have lots of family nearby to Central Florida and they knew they wanted an outdoor, rustic, relaxed and fun wedding day. Their wedding was the first we've had the pleasure of shooting at their venue, Tanner Hall (an amazing bright space) owned and operated by the City of Winter Garden. The hall sits directly on Lake Apopka and allows for awesome sunset photos...as you will see!! Kerry was probably one of the most READY-TO-GO brides we've ever photographed. While we were unpacking our equipment in the parking lot she already had her mom on the phone with me making sure we were still coming!! We were well ahead of schedule but all she wanted to do was get her gown on and kept asking "can I get dressed yet?" quite impatiently. She was so cute and excited and it's such a good feeling to see a bride so ready to run down the aisle to her groom!

We had a blast...and I can't wait for BELLY/BABY PICTURES!!! 

Your Photographers for Life,

Rachel & Bill