New Blog!

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

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!

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