Ray & Grace Photography
  • Home
  • Portraits
  • Weddings
  • Boudoir
  • About
  • Blog
  • Collaborate
Picture
Blog

2020 in Review

1/8/2021

1 Comment

 
Picture
Hey everyone! I can never help myself and I want to do a year in review post (even though the year in review happens to be 2020). But I think it's important to take a good look at where you've been in order to figure out where you want to go. 

January and February of 2020 were mostly spent at home surviving on maternity leave. In March, when I originally planned to pick up sessions again is when the world effectively shut down (and then continued to open, close, reopen partially, etc.) This generally resulted in the majority of this year's sessions being shot outside. Here's a glimpse of some of my 2021 projects.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
But fortunately in early March I did get to squeeze in a day of boudoir minis before and I photographed several BEAUTIFUL ladies at the Hive House in St. Paul.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
In early May, I held Mommy and Me minis and it felt like a great way to segue back into shooting and a new season.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Speak of new things, people continued to request newborn photos from me even though I really don't specialize in newborn photography. I do think I'm continually getting better at it though! Back in April, I even made a little tutorial video about how to shoot your own newborn photos at home during the initial  stay-at-home orders.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
This summer I also got to photograph some newly-turned 18-year-olds in the name of senior photos! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
There were a few engagement sessions in the mix too. Good thing for love, right? I feel so heartened just by looking at these photos and remembering how sweet it was to watch these couples interact with each other. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
I'm so in love with so many of the sessions I had this summer. I utilized the glowy fields and long grass at Willow River whenever possible, My other go-to spot was Lake Elmo Regional Park.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
My fall sessions had an array of vibes. There were some gorgeous colors to be found, especially at Homestead Parklands. My day of mini sessions at Tamrack Nature Center was nearly canceled due to blizzard conditions. And somehow, I only had perfect days when I traveled to the west metro to shoot at Burwell Park.
Picture
Picture
Picture

I ended the year with tree farm minis at Willow River Company. It was a blessedly warm day (which meant people weren't red and shivering) and I love how every session turned out!
Picture
Last, but not least, I shot 5 covers for Hudson Neighbors Magazine in 2020!

I'm approaching 2021 with cautious optimism. I'm keeping my plans and dreams big but my feet on the ground. Things to look for in 2021: a WHOLE rebrand, more boudoir, new session packages, and the same me, but I like to believe that I get better with age. And I also believe that nothing good happens without hard work and a top notch network of support. And I gotta say, I know I have both!

Happy New Year once more friends!
1 Comment

Favorite Outdoor Session Locations in the Twin Cities

5/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
I was thinking lately if I had to just choose only a few different outdoor spots for photo sessions, I definitely have some clear favorites. So, today I'm listing out my top three favorite places to take photos in the Twin Cities.

​Depending on the season, area, and time of day, photos taken at these locations can look drastically different. 
Picture
The first one is Willow River State Park in Hudson. If you've ever been, you know that it's a massive park. The waterfall area is gorgeous as you can see from the two photos above. But there are lots of other great areas to shoot!
Picture
This grassy areas and field near the campgrounds is one of my favorite spots. I love that you can see dark pines in the back and I love the grass stalks that add texture and whimsy.
Picture
This big, endless looking prairie is just yards away from the green grassy area. You'd never know that those two spots are so close together and provide two totally different looks!
Picture
​

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is another go-to of mine in spring or fall. 
Picture
​The birch trees, the vibrant fall colors and well as the gentle light greens in the spring make for gorgeous photos, no matter the season.
Picture
Picture
But also look check out how Lake Elmo photographs in late summer! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Dreamy, dreamy, dreamy. I joke about enlarging these clients' photos over my fireplace. I haven't done it... yet.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
In and around The Guthrie Theater and Mill City Museum in Minneapolis is one more frequently visited venue by me. Between the glossy blue building, the backdrop of the city and the ruins, it's extremely versatile and a perfect location for family photos, engagement pics, or branding and headshot photography.
Picture
Oh man, I thought I was cool when I managed a mirror selfie in this area a couple years ago.
0 Comments

2019 in Professional Photos

1/8/2020

2 Comments

 
Picture
Hi, hi, hi! I've pulled myself off the sofa, put that baby down for a nap, and am excited to dig into blogging again after a big ol' break. I knew I would be pulling back from blogging regularly this fall/winter due to the high volume of sessions and weddings followed by our baby's arrival. But I'm glad to carve out some time to start recapping life and work again!

Anyway, this was a far more fantastic year I could have dreamed of. And when fantastic things are happening, you really ought to have pictures of it. Fortunately, one of the perks of being a photographer is knowing other photographers who happen to be mighty talented. This year our family got professionally photographed various times, in very different ways, by some very exceptional photographers. Let me share! (Above headshot from this summer is by Scherer Photo Co.!)
Picture
Picture
Picture
Last winter I got bitten by the boudoir photography bug and started offering boudoir sessions. THEY WERE SO FUN! Fun enough that I was inspired by all of my beautiful clients to have my own boudoir photos taken which I did by Britt of Render Photography. I literally had the time of my life getting my hair and makeup done and then getting to roll around the dreamiest studio all scantily clad. Britt made me feel so very comfortable and dangerously confident, I have to say. Best of all, I declared this experience as "educational" because I felt that by putting myself in my clients' shoes, I would be able to better serve all my boudoir babes.
​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
As life would have it, Joe and I found out we were expecting our fourth baby in the spring. After experiencing a miscarriage in the fall of 2018, we were thrilled. My friend Rachel ended up taking some photos for us just around our 9 year wedding anniversary and we were able to squeeze in some pregnancy announcement pics into the session too. These are probably my favorite photos of Joe and myself that we've ever had taken.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
You're probably all like "Rachel, could things get more magical?" To which I respond "Hold my beer." In the summer my friend Jenessa of Scherer Photo Co. offered unicorn mini sessions with Sparky the unicorn and how could I NOT sign my family up for those? Of course it was hot outside and my kids were totally expired after having attended a birthday party earlier that day and were being rascals during the shoot. But that's how magical Jenessa is. She still managed a bunch of adorable photos even with my kids in surly moods. I bow down to your talents, girl! And of course when my kids were all done, I'm like "Outta my way! My turn for pics with Sparky!" And I regret nothing.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Can't stop, won't stop. We also obviously needed fresh photos in October for our holiday card and updated photos of our kids NOT taken by me. Enter McKenzie of KNZ Photography who managed to make us look all normal and delightful. You can't even tell that I'm alternating between yelling idle threats and also bribes in the form of McDonald's happy meals in order to get these kids to freakin' smile (and not look like lunatics). At this point I was about 30 some weeks pregnant and in the middle of my own busy season. My feet hurt, my belly was bursting, and I was not feeling like a babe most days, but I still love these preggo pics of myself and I'm so, so glad we made this session happen.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
To finish off our year (and complete our family), we had our baby's birth documented by Brianna of Brianna Lane Photography. (SHE IS OUTSTANDING) Our boy's arrival was a little wild, but he was born healthy, alert, and beautiful. Archer's whole birth story and more photos is on my personal blog if you want to read about it. I will forever be grateful to Brianna for doing such a phenomenal job of capturing one of the most important days of our lives.

Yes, I know. So many photos. So many fake eyelashes. At this point you're probably glad you aren't married to me (or one of my kids) as you can see how many photo sessions I subject my loved ones to. But I think eventually they'll be glad that I was hyper vigilant about recording our lives. Because from my experience, I have to say that life goes by pretty fast and those teeny, wrinkly babies become big kids practically overnight, those first dates turn into 15 years together in a blink of an eye, and everything changes constantly whether you want it to or not.

SO. At this point I am still on leave but will be back to shooting next month. In the meantime, I'm hoping to get all my ducks in a row for 2020 and catch up on 2019 session recaps.

Thank you to for reading, for caring, for hiring me, and for supporting me this past year! So much love to you all in 2020!

​Rachel
2 Comments

Maternity Sessions | Willow River

9/13/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture
Last weekend I shot a few short mini sessions at Willow River State Park. My first two sessions of the day happened to be maternity shoots! It was so fun to be a part of the excitement and anticipation. The first set of pics is from Mallory's and RJ's session. They are expecting a baby girl, just about any day now! I'm on the edge of my seat waiting to hear for news of her arrival. Mallory basically photographed like a goddess and I'm so thrilled I got to take these photos for their family!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
I also shot photos for Kayla and Jeremy who are expecting a baby boy in just a few short weeks. They were such a fun couple to work with and a breeze to pose and prompt. Hoping for more sessions with their sweet family in the future!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
So, people! Stay tuned for baby arrival news and family photos for these adorable couples in the near future!
3 Comments
    Picture

    Welcome to my photography blog!

    Rachel again! Here's where you'll be able to find blog posts about all things photography: recent sessions, upcoming events, and just fun musings on photography in general. Can't wait to fill 'er up with content!

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018

    Categories

    All
    Birthday Party
    Birth Photography
    Boudoir Photography
    Engagement Session
    Family Sessions
    Maternity Session
    Minnesota Weddings
    Mommy And Me Minis
    Outdoor Sessions
    Pregnancy Announcement
    Ren Fest Wedding
    Summer In Review
    Wedding Photography
    Weddings
    Wisconsin Weddings
    Wreck The Dress
    Year In Review

    RSS Feed

RAY & GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY 
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | PORTRAITS | BOUDOIR | HUDSON, WI
COPYRIGHT 2020
  • Home
  • Portraits
  • Weddings
  • Boudoir
  • About
  • Blog
  • Collaborate