zac & meagan...

Just a few weeks ago my brother-in-law, Drew's younger brother, married his love Meagan.  They've been together so long and we've been through so much with them, it was so exciting for the whole family to see them finally get married, to celebrate and enjoy with them their beautiful day and beginning of a new season!

Being back at Shove Chapel and also reminded me of Drew's and I's wedding a year and a half ago (WOW! time goes by fast!) and so I went back to our invitations and one of my favorite poets ever.

"I love you without knowing how or when or from where.  I love you straightforwardly, without complexity or pride: So I love you because I know no other way."  Pablo Neruda (Translated from original Spanish)

Hmm...I love being married.  

Back back to this blog...we are just so excited for Zac and Meagan to finally be married too...and live only 5 minutes away from us!

A beautiful fall wedding and gorgeous fall weather.  I have to admit that I'm always conflicted about whether or not I want to photograph or just enjoy family and friend's weddings, but as a photographer I just couldn't have asked for a better day all the way around.  So enjoy and as always, please let me know what you think!!

PS - Still having issues with my rounded corners and logo.  I'll try again, again, again next time...:)

ben & shawna...

A beautiful fall day and a beautiful fall wedding in Divide.  What more could you ask for?  Not much!

Ben and Shawna, thank you so much for letting us share in your amazing and beautiful day!  We so enjoyed watching you soaking it all up and capturing all the details for you!

PS - so I tried rounded corners here and i know, it's a disaster!  So much work and it's just a mess.  I don't have the energy to clean it up today so forgive me :)

a year's worth of reflection...

Now that my fall has calmed down a little bit (just the tiniest little bit you could ever imagine) I wanted to write a blog to reflect on my first year as a full time photographer. 25 weddings down for 2009 and 75% booked for 2010, (Holy Cow!!) I wanted to take a moment to thank those who really matter to me and have supported me so much this year.

I can't believe it's already been a year since I was so overwhelmed with bookings I finally quite all my other jobs and decided to dedicate myself full time to this venture...it was such a God thing and it still is really.  RHP's growth this year has been overwhelming to both Drew and I but also such a blessing.  I would have never dreamed all the things this year held but that's just the way the Lord works sometimes...he dreams bigger than we do and I love that.

I also have to thank all my clients.  I HAVE THE BEST CLIENTS IN THE WORLD!!!!  I wouldn't have learned all the things I did this year if it weren't for all the amazing couples and families who entrusted me with their beautiful moments.  I'm so honored and thankful, especially for all those who booked me in the very beginning. I owe you all so much and as I look back sometimes I think...I can't believe they hired me!  Yikes!  I'm thankful for your time and support and I'm so looking forward to capture more of your moments in all the years to come.

Finally, thinking about all my blessings, I'd love to direct you the newly updated RHP website and the newest section, 'RHP Giving Back.'  Now that I'm more established, I look forward to trying to give back in a few little ways this coming year...

1.) We are now offering a 10%, active military discount on all packages, weddings included!  This is just our little way to honor and thank all those around us who work to defend our freedom every day.  We are so thankful.

2.) One FREE Wedding! See the website for details but we will be offering one free wedding to a deserving couple who could not otherwise employ a photographer in the 2010 calendar year for their special day.  If you or someone you know would be blessed in this way please email me their story!  (Wedding will be scheduled in February 2010)

3.) One FREE Family! Already fulfilled for this year, we'd also like to bless a family in the 2010 calendar year with a photo session for the next Holiday season.  Keep it in mind and let us know if you or someone you know would be blessed in this way.

Last but not least, I'd like to announce an exciting new travel policy for RHP!!!  Being a total travel guru myself I'm often limited by work itself to travel as much as Drew and I would like to.  I'd just love to travel for work however and so to that end, ALL DESTINATION WEDDINGS ARE NOW FREE!!!!!  Send us somewhere new and all it will cost you is our travel expenses!  We'd love to come and help capture your very special day! Please contact us for more details!

Stay tuned as always for lots of new weddings coming up in the next few weeks, including what I'm sure will be an amazing wedding, in Sante Fe, on my birthday!  I can't wait for that and hopefully a countdown of my favorite images of the year.  

Thank you all for staying tuned and I look forward to sharing more great images and moments with you soon. Maybe I'll even get a few more comments too! ;)

Have a great snowy evening!

RachaelHope

PS - if you have a minute, check out all the new albums on the website!!  All new and fresh and updated.                Some old stuff but so so much new stuff!  Hope you enjoy!

Brooke & Bobby...

Over the summer two of my new favorite people got engaged, Brook and Bobby!!!  Though I've known of them longer than I've actually known them personally, they have quickly become dear to my heart over these last few months and Brooke especially has become a dear friend up here in Boulder!  Of course when they asked me to take their engagement photos I was so honored and super excited!  We've been waiting and waiting for the perfect fall day and last week it finally came!  We had a great time in Old Arvada, my new favorite place, and enjoyed some fall color, balloons, and the cool bike Bobby is restoring for Brooke.

These two have been together for a long time and I know I'm not the only one that can't wait for their wedding next July.  This is a precious couple and you can see it in their faces that they are so in love.  

Love you so much B&B!!!  Thanks for letting me be a part of your engagement!  

 

my precious family (the ham, macphee, wagner family...)

A few weeks ago my amazing Mom succeeded in getting our whole family together for a family portrait session, our first in about 5 years!  To say the least, many things have changed for our family in the last 5 years.  Some things have been very difficult and we are all so thankful for the grace of God, but the majority of happenings have been so exciting and our family has grown!  Two high school graduations, two weddings, lots of movings here and there....and my little brother's voice dropped (sorry Seth :)...it's been a crazy ride but we've entered into a new and joyous season in the Ham.MacPhee.Wagner Family.

We had a great time taking pictures on a very brisk fall day in the Springs.  Taking your own family photos (Bekah and Mom helped take Drew and I's) is quite a feat and I had to search out our old tripod - a piece of equipment I rairly see.  I was so pleased with how they came out though for my first try and I think the MacPhee's first official Christmas card will be in order!

So, enjoy these and enjoy your family today.  I know I will :)

PS - Of course we also included in our family day our adopted sister Maggie Turner!  We love you Maggie and we'll miss you this coming year.

I think we look like a super fun bunch don't you?! 8 people and 2 dogs!  Wow!

My absolutely incredible parents...I can't express how much I love and admire them.  Isn't my Dad so handsome and my Mom so beautiful?!  I hope I look like them after I raise all my kids someday :)

My super awesome and debonaire brother Seth.  He's such a responsible and thoughtful 17 year old and you should see him in his ROTC uniform!  He is goin places I tell ya!

Shiloh...my sister, my best friend!  She is totally rocking her first year of college AND a full time job.  She is also one of the funniest people you'll ever meet and gives the best hugs ever.  The good wrap all around you and snuggly kind.

The newlyweds, my sister Bekah and her husband Aaron Wagner.  They are enjoying married life and leading incredibly anointed every week for a multitude of services at New Life Church.  They are truly gifted and I can't wait to see all the places they go and people they touch.

Me and my amazing husband Drew.  He is such a godly husband, talented engineer, Rockin soccer player, fantasy football enthusiast...I could brag all day long.  He's such a blessing and the reason I am who I am and do what I do.  

Our baby, Manchester MacPhee (aka: Grand-dog #1)

Bekah & Aaron's new puppy, Rocky (aka: Grand-dog #2)

We love you Mags!