New Blog!

Thanks for coming to my blog!  Please feel free to browse and then visit my new blog HERE!!

Mary and Eric: Engaged!

To view a slideshow which more images from Mary and Eric's enagement session click here.

Email me at raquel@raquelleal.com for more information on engagement photography!

A Morning at the Coast: Ryann + Jody

Ryann and Jody are seriously one of the sweetest, cutest couples I've met.  They met in grade school many years ago and reconnected in college and have been together ever since.  They will be getting married this Fall in Three Rivers and I am so excited to shoot their beautiful wedding! 

They love spending time together at the coast so I met them over in dowtown San Luis Obispo to start our shoot and then we headed to Avila Beach.

Jody has been golfing since he was a kid so we snuck onto the Avila Beach Golf Resort to get some shots on the green.  I love when my couples incorporate a little bit of themselves into the shoot!

Ryann and Jody were eachother's first kiss and will be eachother's last too!  Thanks for being so wonderful and for sharing your love.  Can't wait for the big day!

Also, special thanks to my friend Dena  for making the super cute sign and Lisa for being my assistant for the day!

Michaela and Jonathan: Sneak Peek

My new website!

I've been working on this website for a really long time...too long actually.  But I finally got it up and running!  I am not web savvy at all but Showit makes it so easy to create your own website.  Please check it out and I would love to hear what you think of it!

Thanks so much! <3 Raquel

Click Here!

JENNIFER + ROBERT: ENGAGED

Jennifer and Robert are two of the sweetest people...ever.  We had so much fun on their engagement shoot and I am absolutely in love with the images!  Don't forget to check out the video below too!  Can't wait for their wedding this June!

JENNIFER + ROBERT: ENGAGED from Raquel Leal on Vimeo.

Music credit: Plain White Tees

Jennifer & Robert: Sneak Peek!

Here's a sneak peek of the engagement session that I had this weekend with Jennifer and Robert. The session was so much fun and we got so many great shots. I had a super busy weekend with a maternity shoot and a newborn shoot as well so I'll be posting those later this week.

The Knot Best of Weddings 2010 Pick

So I finally received the official email and got a copy of the magazine that proves it's really real! I was officially chosen as one of The Knot Best of Weddings 2010 Picks by past brides. I cannot thank my beautiful brides enough for voting for me! I am such a lucky girl! Of course I had to take some pictures to share!

The Other Side of the Camera

I've been working on a new website that I am so excited to get up and running and I needed some shots of myself to use. This weekend I got to spend a day out shooting with Megan Welker. It was our first time meeting and we totally hit it off. Megan was so much fun to work with and has such a bright future ahead of her! I can't wait to see what she captured!

Here is a sneak peek from our shoot:

And here is a shot I got of Megan shooting (love her rain boots!):

A couple of weeks ago I received a phone call from The Knot magazine and was told that I was chosen as one of the top ten wedding photographers in the Central Valley. I was both shocked and honored! I heard today that the magazine is out so I am definitely going to run out and get one first thing tomorrow! I'll post pics!

PS - Today is my little sister's 25th birthday!!! Happy Birthday Melissa! Love ya tons!

Back to editing...

Location, Location, Location

So I've decided to try to blog more often than I have been! I've been so busy lately with work, photography, my baby boy and life in general that it's hard to find the time! I'll be posting some pictures of Labor Day weekend soon...so stay tuned!

I've decided to post some tips on taking pictures from locations, to wardrobe, to anything you want to know!

First up - location. This is one of the most important things to consider when booking a photo session. I am an on location natural light photographer and love to have my clients choose their own locations. This really works great for both the client and me! I get to shoot in great new locations and the client gets to have a say in their photographs.

When coming up with locations think of places that mean something to you - where you first met, your first date, somewhere you hang out often, somewhere that you will feel comfortable...even your own home. Here are some examples of awesome locations that were suggested by my even awesom-er (is that a word??) clients!

Cherie and Steve at the laundromat - Steve's family own and operate laundromats and Steve had the brilliant idea to shoot in one and the photos turned out to be some of my favorites!

I did an entire family shoot in and around the home - with a young child and a newborn it's best to keep them where they feel comfortable and relaxed.

For Marianne's senior session we just drove up the road and found an awesome orchard with amazing light to shoot in and this shot has to be one of my FAVES of all time!

Here's one from Donny and Maria's engagement session that was totally Donny's idea. He's a member of the forcado bullfighting group so we headed into the ring for part of the shoot.

There are so many great locations out there - just use your creativity, trust your instinct and if you need suggestions I'd be happy to offer some! I'll post about choosing clothing next!

I'm off to pick up my little sis from the airport now for a fun-filled weekend at the coast with the best cousins in the world for Cherie's bachelorette party! I am so excited and will definitely have pictures to post on Monday!

Ciao,

Raquel

Cherie and Steve - Tulare Engagement Photography

This last weekend I had the privelege of shooting engagement pictures for one of my favorite couples - Steve and Cherie. Cherie is my cousin and one of my closest friends. We've been through a lot together and I am so lucky to have her in my life, especially living so close to me now (thanks Steve!). She started hanging out with Steve at my wedding, in Portugal in 2006 (summer of love) who just happens to be my husband Jason's cousin. I have known Steve for a couple years now and think he is a great guy - which is evidenced by his huge group of friends. We've become closer over the years and I am proud to consider him not only family but a friend as well. I have never seen Cherie happier and know that their love has only grown stronger as they have had to go through rough times together. I wish you two nothing but pure happiness and love for the rest of your lives and want you to know that Jason and I will always be here for you no matter what. Thank you for giving me the chance to take these pictures and document your love for eachother! I can't wait for the wedding and for you two to start procreating so our kids can grow up together! Love you forever!

To view their slideshow click here and leave a comment below for Cherie and Steve!