rachel cowan

elder handy

2012-01-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

my favorite foursome of gals....

2011-12-05T00:44:00.001-07:00

who are turning into quite stunning little ladies! their eyes = amazing. we had a quick mini shoot one night before Sunday dinner. Last two are some of my favorites. I love my niece's!

Rowland Family

2011-11-19T22:31:00.002-07:00

this last one is a fave. we met up for a late morning session. it was bright and cold and they were definitely sports without coats! i've known her since i was just a little girl. It always fun to catch up and, of course, meet her great family.

Thanks Rowlands!

Grandparents + Grandkids

2011-11-14T23:00:00.006-07:00

Of course it had to start snowing! It's Utah and in November don't expect anything less. The snow and freezing weather changed our original plans, but this worked just as well. We made it snappy in hopes that having pictures done wouldn't be any more torturous ;)....and I hope we succeeded. Have you ever seen such a gorgeous set of cousins? Each and every one are just beautiful and were so good. As you can tell, I couldn't get enough... Enjoy this great family!

Clement Family

2011-11-11T14:39:00.001-07:00

i love this picture. my favorite images are always the ones with more than a smile, but filled with emotion. If it were mine i'd blow it up- BIG.

this little sweetie just turned one and was hamming it up for me.

this one would be big too!

Mom brought a crown because the little princess loves them and turned 1!

all of us, with little ones, can relate to a few tears shed during family pics ;)

a few images pulled out at random. You can always tell how is session is going to go in the very beginning and this one definitely went the candid route. It is them and playful and keeps little ones happy. This family is a pleasure to photograph! Thanks you!!

update

2011-11-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

I'm so behind on this blog...and life! For now I will call it a success that I'm getting pictures edited and the job done. Hopefully, soon i can catch up, but no promises. So no offense in any way, shape or form if you don't end up on here. Instead, I'm trying to be good and attend to the boxes calling my name and the kids yanking my leg.

To all those I've had to turn down this Fall (and Summer when we went to Chicago) I'm so sorry. Hopefully, next year their will be NO moving of any sort involved. I thank you all for your inquires and hope in the future I will be given the opportunity to take your pictures.

Hickcox Family

2011-10-26T00:20:00.008-06:00

A fun little shoot, for a fun little fam.
Made even better when blog friends meet up as real friends too!

Cami blogs over at All Things Lovely, and it truly lives up to it's name. She's fun, down-to-earth, and has great sense of style. If you head on over, you won't be sorry. Promise.

Cami jokes about how goofy a family she has--and she does not lie.

This family is playful and funnnnny which makes my job a joy....
'a family that caw, caw, cawwws together, stays together.' right guys? alright maybe you had to be there for that one ;)

In love: gingham, green eyes, legit eyelashes, mccalister boots, fall leaves, 18 month boy with a face that just begs to be smushed! Oh.... and that last B/W.

Thank you Hickcox's!

Carl + Lillian

2011-10-20T01:06:00.005-06:00

a mini session with these two. it's the kind of marriage you dream of having after 'x' years. Carl is a character and had us laughing the whole time. He even whipped out his Nikon and gave me a self portrait! And, Lillian is just gorgeous. I smiled all the while editing.

Great couple and time....

Thank you!!!

Hastings Family

2011-10-18T15:17:00.003-06:00

a gorgeous residence, the perfect evening, a super fun family and two adorable baby girls made it a pleasure to shoot. a large group makes for a large show on the blog. Thanks you and hope you enjoy Hastings Family!!!!

loving this one

2011-10-12T21:54:00.000-06:00

color or bw?

more coming in the next few days....

the Fab Forester's

2011-10-06T00:37:00.000-06:00

An evening spent kicking back (uh, except for a TODDLING one year old) and casual with these three on the grass. It was close to perfect. Especially when I'm treated to a cozy pub, a hearty turkey sandwich and good conversation afterward ;)

My trusty number one assistant (and sister) finally steps behind the lens and this time has no baby in belly.

I love her bright lipstick, pretty skirt, stripes, sweetest baby boy, silly Dad, a perfect Fall evening and being able to shoot the ones i love. Until next time Forester's!

2011-09-22T16:53:00.001-06:00

uploaded and this gem stood right out. straight outta camera (unless you count resizing for web).

i love. isn't she gorgeous?!

more coming soon.....

tameisha + nate

2011-09-18T23:32:00.001-06:00

These two fit, like two peas in a pod, with a giant German shepherd snug in between.
They are laid back, go with the flow and happy to oblige when I'd say,
"One more."
"No, OK, this is it. Just one more."
"Oh, but this could be so cute, almost done. Just one more..."

An evening with a threat of rain turned beautiful. It was windy (so windy!), but I dare say it added a bit more sexy to the scene. I loved it.

Meisha and Nate, you make quite the striking couple.
And now with a couple of the big things outta the way (the location, the dress, and ahem, the engagements), I say "Get to planning!"
{No, actually Lisa said that, but she's right.}

Thank you for the opportunity to photograph your beautiful selves!
Enjoy!

Theler's {extended family style}

2011-09-05T23:50:00.006-06:00

Wow, check them out...all 27 of them! I learned big families are fun mixed with a bit of chaos. The Theler's are fun and I got a peek into what their time together is like. We had crazy weather- thunderstorms, rain and wind right up into the shoot. Glad the sun finally shone.

I love their yellow, sunburned cheeks, pinkish evening glow, cousins and seeing families together.

Thank you Theler's. Hope you enjoy the glimpse into your pics. More coming your way real soon...

Caden- newborn

2011-08-31T00:15:00.008-06:00

(anyone else love newborn turtle necks as much as me?)

(little hand coming up on the left...she wants in too, like only a big sis would ;) love it)

the longer my love for photography grows, the more i realize i like the real, raw deal. being at home, being a family, being a newborn...i don't think it gets much better. it is perfect in every way. i think its what you'll want to remember most.

i love a head full of thick hair, fuzzy shoulders, tiny toes, big blues, giggling sis and seeing that look in the mama's eyes.

sweet Caden and family come from Chicago. they were a family we just clicked with. if we lived closer we'd be bff's. i'm almost sure of it ;). thank you Bennett's for your complete awesomeness- in.every.way. hope you enjoy the peek!

The Jude Turns 1

2011-08-03T23:28:00.002-06:00

The Jude- beautiful, sweet, happy happy happy, active, 1-year-old baby boy whom i love so much! It doesn't help to post pictures (from late MAY!) when i miss him so much- everything is cute. But, isn't he a charmer?

business time....

2011-07-19T22:54:00.000-06:00

touching on a few of the company's headshots. shot interiors as well. different and fun.

My three plus one

2011-06-28T01:14:00.004-06:00

she is liking to pose these days...for a few minutes at least. especially, when she gets to call the shots.

this one of mine is a character. pulling his own stunts left and right.

(**some reason or another love this one of him sucking those lips together.)

this ones in the busy phase right now. the hardest stage to photography 18-24 months. didn't help we naively took these at nap time.

me favorite of me three. big sis is always taking care of her bros'.

well, maybe this new crawler was just as hard and the usually happy peanut wasn't.

love this of mama and baby

no real success in attempt of a cousin pic, but i still think they're cute. when they were all dunzo our trick was to whip out a peep, but soon realized that was their only interest!

these were taken as Easter pics and somehow I just got around to going through them. Ya, I know its nearly July! Seemed as though all our plans were going against us for our outdoor planned shoot when black clouds rolled in, raining cats n' dogs, developing pink eye an hour prior, falling garland and then just as we're getting started realize it was nap time. Ah, shucks. As the sayings go- ~~you should of rescheduled~~ you get what you get and better late then never.

LUCY

2011-06-23T20:57:00.004-06:00

**first time in awhile i've noticed such a huge difference in picture quality when i upload the images to blogger. if they are gritty/blurry on your screen please know they are as clear as a sunny, blue sky. #frustrating

and....

thanks Lucy for being as sweet as ever!

Handy Family

2011-06-15T14:11:00.006-06:00

Meet my cousin, his cute wife and their two adorable, red-headed boys and you get the Handy Family! It is always a pleasure to see family interact as their own little family does. Plus, I love when a Momma isn't afraid to be playful in front of the camera and that is exactly what Kallie is...although, that might be mandatory for keeping up with a busy 3 year old ;). A large sneak peak of much more to come! Thank you guys, I hope you enjoy!!

2011-05-28T15:13:00.003-06:00

so much coming up! well, when i have time to post that is!!

adam + ashley = hitched

2011-05-03T23:03:00.006-06:00

reception

array of emotions as toasts are being made.

(i didn't even ask, they just did. #experience)

can you tell i had a blast capturing their wedding? it was new, fun and exciting. in true Rachel form, I probably shared one too many images, but this time i think i got a good excuse- my first wedding! In general weddings are stressful events. Being a hectic, overly packed day at the temple i watched nearly ever couple come up the stairs with stress written all over their faces except this couple- they were literally gleaming from the inside out.

to Ashley and Adam, thank you for being one of the most laid back, giggling couples ever. i feel honored that you asked me to photograph your day. thank you, thank you. although, i have only been around you guys a few days, it seems you are off to a great start...
congrats!!!

just a few....

2011-04-28T14:04:00.002-06:00

to share :)

Ashley {bridals}

2011-04-11T22:28:00.002-06:00

This is one of my favorite images. It shows this bride is easy, relaxed and really knows how to strike a pose. Bottom line- she is FUN. I had to keep reminding myself I had longer than .5 seconds to compose a shot- she wasn't going to run away or cry. How refreshing!!

just in case there is no dancing at the wedding ;)

My first hand at bridals and as you could imagine I had a wonderful time shooting this cool couple. Thanks to Ashley for wanting a big, elegant building feel for bridals and then trusting me with the ideas thereafter. You guys were total champs! Hope you enjoy.
And.... looking forward to your wedding, you've picked a good day!

Aubri (gets up close and personal)

2011-04-10T08:09:00.001-06:00

My beautiful S-I-L!!!

Lifestyle-shoot Teaser: The Clement Girls

2011-03-22T22:44:00.001-06:00

look at these sweet little gals! got me excited for Easter with their yellow dresses. a hint of spring is in the air!!!!

Headshots

2011-03-14T10:34:00.000-06:00

just to share a few :)

Jude Bear

2011-02-28T21:45:00.002-07:00

hello, i'm 8 months.

And, as if it is even possible he is getting cuter by the month! Look at this him workin' the tank top onesie! stud.

The Green {Gals}

2011-02-22T23:12:00.002-07:00

Meet the youngest of the Green Gals. Six months, sitting up, one sweetest personality and the cutest thing. That first picture melts me and I'm not even her mom!

Meet big sis at the dreamy age of 3. Full of expressions, beautiful blues and need I say is adorable?!

pulling those moves again :)

uh-oh Mom breaks out the tutu...

fun stuff to chew on....

wait, huh? I'm not supposed to do that....

cause you want pictures like without stuff covering my face?

awe, well that's no fun at all!!!

learning the price of beauty and being pretty is hard work.

k, this isn't so bad

seriously?!

love this

(i was being good and then in the end got carried away with bw's. sorry :)

Despite the forces going against us (think fire alarm, being on the 5th floor with stroller, bags and two little ones, elevators are obvi not an option, walking down the spiraling staircase with lots of people and having to evacuate into the miserable frigid temps) I think we got some good ones. After seeing these gals and getting a taste of their fun personalities, I wasn't worried. Good times. Thanks Green Family!!!!

like toast

2011-02-18T14:00:00.009-07:00

burnt out.

no more 365 for me.

it was time for me to decide to stop.
I DECIDED is key.

instead of continually feeling guilty if I didn't take a pic

or crappy ones of nothing that inspired me.

instead of being fun,

it felt more like a chore.

and that ain't cool, right?
it may seem silly to have such feelings over a little commitment,
but that is exactly it.
it was a commitment.
not easy to quit
a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g

I'm going to continue on shooting

what inspires me

WHEN it inspires me.
putting my time

energy
and passion
into what is important to me.
people.

planning and playing with me camera again.

may be daily

may be weekly

relief.

fresh excitement.

more of what pure and unforced is on its way.....

****phewie, feel better now that i fessed up :)

Day 157

2011-02-09T13:51:00.000-07:00

begging, begging, begging for hot cocoa and enjoying it.

Or in his case, maybe just the marshmallows. He cuts the chase to the good stuff.

Day 156

2011-02-08T17:36:00.001-07:00

hiding from me and the lens. it's okay i'm used to it.

Day 155

2011-02-08T08:29:00.002-07:00

fashionista Ava already keeping up with the trends- socks + heels.

Day 154

2011-02-07T08:34:00.001-07:00

Ava comes home from a birthday as a decked out Princess Ava and looking SO grown up! You like that pose she came up with on her own?

Day 153

2011-02-05T22:22:00.002-07:00

funky floor and my #1 shoe.

Sprout Family

2011-02-04T22:38:00.007-07:00

I introduce to you the Sprout's. She my cousin, he her husband. Add the two of them together and you get their cute little addition, Sidse Rose.

my favorite images come from this big ole' tree they are tucked beneath so playfully.

It turned out to be the perfect day. Not too bitter cold and we found ourselves enjoying the winters air.

There is that tongue popping out again. Tell me what is it about a tongue + a baby that is so incredibly cute?!!

squishy leggies. pink boots. and...

all smiles!

uh-oh guys...... who's under there?

hehehe...just mom and dad

You better believe I made them have a few minutes on their own. Family pictures are very important, BUT just as important (in my opinion) are pictures as a couple. The relationship of two. Trust me when I say you will be happy you have those memories in documentation as well in the years to come. Ya will so just trust me! They always make for some of my favorites too.

But then we ended the day as a whole. The shoot made me think why not? Why not be out in the snow which surrounds us for months each year a bit more often? Of course I realize it may be cold, but that is what hats, scarves, boots, blankets and all those cute accessories are for. It is what we live in, it is life. Snow is playful, unique and there is something about the sparse serene-ness of it all that I love. If you can't tell, I quite liked the shoot and made me want more. Shall we go play in the snow?! We might get cold, but we won't lose any digits. Promise.

Once again, in true Rachel fashion I probably shared one too many images. Its okay, I've self prescribed it as a disorder ;). Thank you Sprout family for the outing! Hope you enjoy the large preview!!

Day 152

2011-02-04T09:25:00.001-07:00

"livin' my life like its golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden"

SOOC goodness.

Day 151

2011-02-03T11:38:00.001-07:00

i thought this image turned out so cool and different!!! the heart shape is fitting since it is February. wanna know what the heck it is.....

a tiny heart slinky we got the night before at a birthday party extended from her eye to my camera lens and setting the focus directly on her eye.

Day 150

2011-02-03T00:27:00.000-07:00

i caved. #1sourceofnutritiontoday.

Day 149

2011-02-02T19:04:00.001-07:00

A whopping ten degrees this morning at ten o' clock. Frigid. Made the Groundhog Day news that much better with an optimistic end in sight!

Day 148

2011-02-01T16:43:00.006-07:00

slightly alarming when you see red-bloody colored hair and skin. relieving when you hear he colored on himself only to be a lion.

Day 147

2011-01-31T15:13:00.003-07:00

baby blues and binks.

having a little too much fun trying to get this kid to move with a little bait...

the determination is coming! (don't be mad at our little game "Mama". it was all in good fun.)

Day 146

2011-01-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

24/7. Pretty confident there is nothing she enjoys more.

Day 145

2011-01-28T13:22:00.002-07:00

a colorful, rabbity sorta lunch.

Day 144

2011-01-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

stripped socks....

bowleggies....

and rolls of chub, make my boy irresistible!

Day 143

2011-01-26T10:17:00.001-07:00

brrrrr baby it's cold outside

Day 142

2011-01-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

this spot of the little stream looked particularly blue as the sky was reflecting into the water. I just wish it was shot on the ocean. That would mean I would be somewhere warm with sand in my toes!

Day 141

2011-01-25T14:16:00.003-07:00

i like the bland colors of this photo, feels soft.

Day 140

2011-01-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

looking so innocent and sweet. keyword- looking :)

139

2011-01-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

i'm usually not one for added textures, but i played around with this lion head a bit and just added a touch.

138

2011-01-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

Early one morning this weekend, it was so beautiful outside! Inversion MIA we needed a walk in the sunshine. We ended up downtown and it was the perfect spot to let the kids run wild- mud free.

Day 137

2011-01-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

i love any sorta stone path. especially, when it is sided by moss.

Day 136

2011-01-22T13:10:00.001-07:00

this coulda, woulda, shoulda, maybe had the potential to be cool, but it just isn't. trying a long exposure although it was just too bright and couldn't leave open long enough. oh well, that is my picture for the day!

135

2011-01-21T13:11:00.001-07:00

5:50 am

7:05 am

7:25 am

sometimes there is more than one benefit to waking up early

134

2011-01-20T13:04:00.007-07:00

Although I know it ain't goin' last, there is something refreshing about seeing green grass....even if it is covered in frost!

133

2011-01-19T12:59:00.013-07:00

cooking dinner and look over to find these two just hanging out arms around each other-one nakie, one movie star. that is when i dropped my spatula and went for the camera. i took a few, but for some reason Ava directing Slade caught me because being the older sibling it is her role 'to a T'.

132

2011-01-18T12:56:00.005-07:00

one of those things that usually is the ugliest thing in the world, but with the light hitting the dirty snow just right, it seemed beautiful. thus showing us that, in its own right, everything is beautiful.

Lucy {round 2}

2011-01-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

Better late than never, right? Little Lucy hit her 1 month mark the day of these photos, but I think is over 2 months now! For some reason this picture above caught my eye and has been a favorite. I love that little bubble on her tongue and those big eyes.

she was bright eyed nearly the whole time

she finally gets sleepy...

gotta yank that binky....

stretchy, stretchy, stretchy

but stays out like a light. Noelle, thanks again!

Day 131

2011-01-15T21:27:00.001-07:00

my #1 assistant is hot and puts up with me making her pose :):):)

Day 130

2011-01-15T21:24:00.001-07:00

although i like the feel of this photo, go away muck!

Day 129

2011-01-14T21:22:00.000-07:00

distracted daze

128

2011-01-13T14:39:00.001-07:00

morn'.

couldn't decide color or bw. everyday as i take Ava to school, i'm smitten with the hazy, bright sun shining sky.

127

2011-01-13T14:35:00.002-07:00

hunkering down = headless birds

126

2011-01-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

prints.

125

2011-01-11T17:47:00.001-07:00

afternoon light.

one of my favorite times of the day. golden, soft, warm touches on the world. And...the hubby's close to comin' home!

124

2011-01-09T16:52:00.016-07:00

who cares what you look like doing it, its the end result, right?

and the look she gave after I asked her about a boy at school. death.

123

2011-01-08T16:47:00.001-07:00

my second favorite position he sits in.

see what naughtiness he was up to when I quickly ran downstairs. Oh boy, climbing has gone risen to new measures :(

Day 122

2011-01-07T16:45:00.001-07:00

snow and shadows.

Day 121

2011-01-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

my boys and their imaginations.

Day 120

2011-01-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

lightening bolt.

Day 119

2011-01-03T16:58:00.003-07:00

icicles

Day 118

2011-01-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

......at the car wash, yea.

Day 117

2011-01-02T16:51:00.003-07:00

inversion gunk.