Derrick and Erica booked me to shoot their wedding on June 1st this coming summer. Looks like June wasn’t soon enough… they took a little bit of a short cut

Here’s the scoop.

Mid October of last year I sat down in Starbucks with Derrick and Erica to book their summer wedding date. This incredibly gorgeous chick in a leather jacket with some of the most gorgeous hair I’d ever seen and her awesome fiance who was funny and adored the hell out of her. We hit it off INSTANTLY. Our personalities meshed so well and I knew that not only was I going to have a blast photographing their wedding, but I would also develop a great friendship with them.

About a month ago I got an e-mail from Erica with a rough draft of the timeline for the original BIG wedding they were planning for June. She seemed a bit frazzled trying to work out details pertaining to timing, invitations, guests list etc. Not more than a week later I received another e-mail from her that said ” I know this sounds crazy, but…… I think we are canceling our wedding, have you ever shot an elopement?”  My jaw dropped and I stared at my screen for a second trying to think of what to type in response. I decided to just pick up my phone and call her. I remember how she sounded on the phone talking to me that day, a combination of nervousness, relief, and excitement all at the same time. “It wasn’t about us anymore”  She explained very quick and simply how planning this big wedding was making them unhappy. The stress and the fear of trying so hard to make so many people happy made it clear that they were sacrificing their own happiness. She said, “We want it to just be about US.”

I couldn’t have been happier for them. I told her how much I admired her and Derrick for having the guts to pull the trigger and make such a bold decision. Just to remind you all, I MYSELF am getting married in just 8 short months… and to put it nicely.. I want to rip all of my hair out sometimes. I COMPLETELY understood everything they were feeling and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t toyed with the idea myself! Planning a huge wedding isn’t for everyone and I know that I will be the happiest woman in the world on my wedding day and it will all be worth it. However, I am not going to act like everything involved with creating this big day is sunshine and rainbows.. because it AIN’T!  For this incredible couple, it was enough to say “we’re done”.

As a photographer, I am used to the routine of making sure to capture every detail, emotion, kiss, and hundreds of guests. I am also used to watching the bride and groom barely see or talk to one another alone for the entire evening and THAT right there, is what Derrick and Erica’s decision was all about. This decision was about THEM. Him and her and their crazy love for each other. No RSVPs, no big ceremony, no timeline, no cake cutting, no worrying about guests lists or table settings… Just the two of them in an awesome, personal, ceremony that THEY wanted. It was the two of them, Derrick’s brother Trevor, the officiant, and myself. 5 of us. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever been a part of. They got married at the fabulously cool Rochester Brewery with amazing light and good beer. this day was a perfect representation of them and who they are together as a couple.

I showed up to their house Saturday morning to find Derrick with a cup of coffee and Erica with a mimosa while she got her make up done. Relaxed and happy as could be. The vibe and atmosphere in their home was bright and uplifting and filled with excitement. STRESS FREE. They couldn’t have been happier with the choice they made. When it was time to head to the brewery for the ceremony, I smiled to myself in my car as I could see her hair and headpiece through the rear window of their truck. I thought to myself… I am following behind my bride and groom, in a red Chevy Silverado, on our way to a brewery, to capture them elope…this is too cool!  It was a true “F*CK IT!” moment for them. If I had better words I’d use them… but thats the truth

Here is a look into Derrick and Erica’s PERFECT day.

Derrick and Erica have two Australian Shepherds that are everything to them. Not only were these dogs gorgeous and awesome to photograph, but they had the most amazing personalities! It would have been impossible to tell their story without including them. I immediately fell in love with them and now…. I HAVE TO HAVE ONE.. Thanks alot, guys.

As a photographer, this was my first time having the honor of capturing a groom help his own bride get ready. I witnessed Derrick gently zip his future wife into her wedding gown, help her put on her jewelry, and hold her dress on the way out to the car. It was incredible to watch and I found myself getting emotional behind my camera at multiple times during this day. these moments are some of which I will never forget.

As I stood behind the bar to photograph them sign their marriage license,  the officiant looked up at me and informed me that I would have to sign as witness. “WHAT??” was my reaction, ha! ….Derrick then looked at me and said, “What, Erica didn’t tell you?”. It was such a funny and crazy moment for me! I had already felt like I had become so close and connected to this couple throughout this experience that this was the topper on the non-existent wedding cake This was yet another first for me! Never had I been involved in a wedding ceremony so intimate that it required the photographer to sign as a witness. SO COOL!

Then it was time to tell the family the big surprise….

Erica and Derrick – I cannot even begin to find the words to express how lucky I feel to have been a part of this day. To be the photographer that you chose trusted to capture these unbelievable moments in your lives is extremely humbling. I love you both and will never forget this experience. I know you will have a perfect life together and I look forward to our growing friendship! You are bold, courageous, down to earth, and a joy to know and I wish you all the happiness in the world. So much LOVE!

-R

]]> http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?feed=rss2&p=1098 4 http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?p=1059 http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?p=1059#comments Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:24:23 +0000 Rachel Smaller Photography http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?p=1059 I am so excited to share Laura and Brandon’s engagement shoot! Brandon is a firefighter for Troy and when Laura told me they wanted to do their shoot at the station I was pumped! They aren’t the first couple I have shot at a fire hall but each time I am super excited to try new things and push my limits as to how far I can go with their equipment Brandon was super cool about letting me climb where ever and ON whatever I needed to get the shots we wanted and it was like a playground for me as a photographer.

It’s been a while since I have done a Small Talk post and lately life has been a little disorganized for me and it’s quite unacceptable. As I have spent the last couple of weeks getting my schedule, home, office, and HEAD back in order, I decided that I would do a Small Talk Music Notes edition. Music is huge to me. Sometimes it’s everything. Music is an enormous part of who I am as a person and one of the things that makes me tick. Not only have I been a drummer since the age of 13 but my parents had amazing taste in music. Their appreciation for good sound rubbed off on me the day I was born, I’m convinced.

I like multiple different genres of music. Rock is my number one and is the closest to my heart but I love many flavors. Lately I have been drowning in soul. I started listening to Ed Sheeran over 3 years ago when a good friend of mine sent me a song file and I had never heard of this british kid with a dreamy voice. I instantly loved his music and lyrics and I have continued to follow him ever since. Over the past few years I have gone in spells where I don’t necessarily listen to him every day to weeks where he is the only think in my headphones. He’s one of those artists that never gets old and it always feels refreshing to play his album, even if you’ve heard the songs hundreds of times. It’s been really cool to see him gain popularity here in the U.S., it’s like watching someone grow up and being so proud of them, if that makes sense Watching him perform at the Olympic closing ceremony this year was phenomenal and I was so happy for him. I now hear his lovely voice grace my car stereo as local detroit radio stations are playing his songs. He has since recorded a duet with Taylor Swift featured on her new album and is packing his bags to be the opening act on her RED tour. CRAZY! He is on his way to the top for sure, it’s been a long time coming. If you haven’t heard of him I feel sorry for your ears and it’s my suggestion that you fix that!

You can find him here

enjoy!

Fall session!

When Maygan chose me to photograph her senior portraits she knew she would want two sessions. A lot of my senior girls decide to add on a second shoot so that they can have two different hair styles, more locations, and sometimes they just want different seasons for a totally different feel. Miss Maygan wanted to have both a bright summer shoot as well as a colorful fall feel for her photos. Here is Maygan’s second half and I had a blast during our shoot!

Maygan you are stunning, adorable, funny, and a complete crazy nutcase and I love it! Enjoy your photos and I hope the rest of your senior year is as fabulous as you are my dear!

Northville Michigan Senior Portrait Photographer

I had a blast with Miss Maygan shooting her senior portraits! This little lady is a senior at Lakeland High school this year and she is nothing short of a total knock out!

Enjoy!

]]> http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?feed=rss2&p=945 0 http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?p=923 http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?p=923#comments Wed, 03 Oct 2012 21:29:54 +0000 Rachel Smaller Photography http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?p=923

Alright SO, I decided to shake things up a little bit. As much as I liked putting together my “RAVE LIST” in August… I knew when I did it that it was kind of a test run and I would surely be changing up the concept and making it a little different. It was very similar to MANY other photographers’ personal posts I had seen and so I really wanted to make it more ME. So even though I will continue to post personal blogs about what I’m loving as far as travel, food, products, fashion, music etc. , I am going to split it up and post smaller tid bits at a time and more frequently throughout the months.

INTRODUCING “SMALL TALK”

(clever huh? )

I have come to love my last name. I think it’s pretty sweet. There was a time when I really didn’t like the fact that SMALLER was my last name. The fact that I was a fairly round, chubby kid when I was little didn’t help, instead, it made me a walking oxymoron and the target of endless jokes and laughs made by elementary and middle school bullies. Nevertheless I grew up and am now pretty damn proud of myself. Not only am I proud of my work, what I have accomplished so far, and pretty much how I look , but more importantly, I am proud of who I am and my last name. I’m grateful for where it’s gotten me and I am proud of the man that gave me this last name. So, I figured that since it’s the name of my business that I should continue to incorporate it as much as I want in whatever spin off I do. I wanted to create personal posts that were both short and sweet and also shared a little look inside who I am as an individual. I want to feel like we’re having little mini conversations every once in a while and what better name for my series than SMALL TALK. I love it and I hope you will too.

So to start off my new SMALL TALK series I decided to do a fashion freakout and feature one of my absolute FAVORITE style pieces. I am currently freaking out over combat boots.

I have always had an edgier style of fashion and I have loved the combat boot for such a long time but for the past few years I was too much of a WUSS to wear them. I regret to say that I have my weak insecure moments when I care way too much what people think or what the “current look” is telling us to wear. So I kept a little of my bad ass tucked away while the stores filled up with nothing but sheer pink fabric, buttons, and ballet flats. I know… it was stupid of me. By the end of this past summer I got excited for boot season and I pulled out my boots, grabbed a few more old pairs that I found at vintage resale stores and I have been wearing the CRAP out of them. kickass, leather, bitchin combat boots. I’ve been wearing them everywhere and I can’t get enough. I love all the different colors and styles I have collected. They go with every outfit that I like to wear, leggings, long sweaters, skinny jeans and jackets, and I can even soften them up a little with a pair of tights, boot socks and a cute top. Within the last couple of months I watched as the trend exploded and there were knock off combat boots everywhere. You know when Macy’s has one of their cute little round tables covered with nothing but 7 pairs of combats that its all the rage. A part of me was a little disappointed that I hadn’t had the guts to wear them years ago and lead the trend before it was “in style” but who cares, I’m happy that I didn’t have to spend $150 for a pair of brand new ones and that most of mine are authentic, old leather boots worn in either by me or some other mystery person who graciously dropped them off at a resale. All I have to say is that it’s VERY ME.

Commerce Michigan Senior Portrait Photographer

I am excited to finally post the gorgeous Darian and the second half of her senior session. Darian is pretty awesome, not only was she outgoing and super fun to hang out with and not to mention magically beautiful, but she rides and has a crazy love affair with horses. Darian and her mom, Michelle, who I may add is just as cool and funny, brought me to her stables where I met her horse Tali and spent the rest of the evening photographing her in her favorite place. It brought the most amazing, pure, and sincere emotion out of Darian and it made for some of my favorite images I have ever shot. There is really something to be said for portraying the real personality when it comes to the way I photograph high school seniors. I spend a lot of time working with them and getting to know who they are and what makes them unique so that I can bring that out in their portraits. The more I make a point to get to know them and what makes them tick, the more I can guarantee that there wont be any awkward poses, fake smiles, or random locations that don’t represent them. I want each and every one of my seniors to look and feel natural and genuine in their images in addition to giving them photos that are 100% different from any one else in their class.

Hope you enjoy these shots of Miss Darian

And the other love of her life? Kenai! her golden retriever! This girl LOVES her animals and let me tell you, they love her right back. So naturally, it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t take a few with her pup. I have to say though, as I was there to witness this first time that Kenai had ever been to the stables, I have never seen a dogs eyes bug out of their head as much as Kenai’s did when he saw those big horses as they came walking up next to him!

Darian- I can’t even explain what a great time I had photographing you! It was definitely a day to remember and a phenomenal day for me as a photographer. Enjoy your last year of high school my dear, it’s going to FLY!

]]> http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?feed=rss2&p=870 0 http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?p=851 http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?p=851#comments Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:02:14 +0000 Rachel Smaller Photography http://www.rachelsmallerphotography.com/?p=851

They’re here!

I finally made the decision to switch from giving my clients their files on DVDs to USB flash drives! I originally decided to do it over a year ago but for some reason was convinced I should wait… who knows why! I am actually a little bummed I waited as long as I did. As of a couple months ago I made the switch and I am so glad I did. Not only do DVDs have a shelf life and may eventually fail to be read by your computer, but  APPLE, as fabulous and lovely as they are, have decided to release their new Mac Book Pros without a disc drive in the machine at all. So again, Apple and their glorious product lines are leading the creative industry in technology and new, more efficient forms of media. And so, it gave me the extra push. Knowing that the number of clients that I have who will inevitably be owners of the new Mac notebooks, the thought that they wouldn’t be able to open their images without the hassle of finding another computer was enough.

I then started putting together an image in my head of what I would want to present to my clients as far as packaging for their new fancy little USBs. I am extremely happy with what I have put together for you! This awesome premium USB gift box set up is now what my clients will be graced with when they receive their frozen moments I have captured for them. I will also be providing them with a an instruction card with directions on how to correctly back up their drives in order to ensure that their photographs are in multiple safe locations just in case something should happen. Ya never know! You want to make sure that even if your dog swallows your drive or your kids get a hold of it and you find it in the sink or the toilet that you will have a sound mind knowing you have your images backed up

So, here it is. Enjoy

RED LIGHT

I was driving home from shooting a wedding the other night, it was close to 11pm and I was sitting at a red light thinking about how tired and burnt out I was. I remember thinking about how my back and shoulders were sore and waiting for the light to turn green. I looked over and through my driver’s side window, I saw a young girl sitting in the left turn lane at the red light next to me. She was by herself in an older car, maybe a family handmedown.  I watched her as she looked down at her phone, her face being illuminated with the blue glow from the screen and she smiled. As she held her phone with both hands a huge smile came across her face and I watched her as she turned her head down and closed her eyes for a split second. She laid her phone down in the passenger seat and put both hands on the wheel, leaned forward, and let out a big deep breath.  It could have been a multitude of things, a text from that boy she was waiting to hear from saying I miss you, a funny picture from her best friend, a message from her mom with a simple, “I love you, be careful driving”? We are going to ignore the fact that she was looking at her phone while in the drivers seat. Any other day I feel pretty strongly about no phone while driving but thats not the point this time. There is a bigger purpose to my story.  The point is, this moment I witnessed was something that stopped my brain in it’s tracks. This made me feel small and hopefull and inspired all at the same time. My mind forgot about the complaining thoughts of tiredness, and work, and my silly sore shoulders and gave my attention to sharing this moment with this stranger.

It seemed to happen in slow motion for me, we seemed to sit there in that intersection forever with the red light flooding into our cars and covering our faces. I felt lucky to catch such a moment. The small moment to me was a big moment to her. This moment that made her smile sitting at that red light in the intersection alone in her old car.  It reminded me how big life is. She is experiencing something in her life and going through things in her days and nights just like everyone else. Completely unrelated to me and my life and things I will never know about where happening in the car just feet away from me, like a separate world inside her car. We have all had a similar moment as she was having. It could have been a variety of things that she was feeling when she let out that breath. Relief, happiness, excitement, hope, whatever it was it was good and it made me smile for her.

I have been that teenage girl, driving around at night by myself to clear my head. I have been that girl heading home late from work or a friends house with just my radio and the street lights to keep me company; wondering if that guy was going to call or getting a call from my best girlfriend that made me smile. I remember nights driving around wondering if I was going to find out where I was going. At the end of the day all of those things are just a desire to be accepted. Acceptance is huge and I think everyone is striving for some form of it. Whether it be from a love interest, a friendship, an employer, your clients or customers, or a significant other. No matter how confident or self assured you are, everyone is searching for acceptance from someone. That fact is what made me feel so connected to this girl.

This moment may not have been as significant as I interpreted it to be but it was enough to evoke emotion from both of us and it made time stand still for me.  It made me think so hard. It made me feel lucky to be where I am, it made me realize what I have been through and how far I have come since I was that girl in that car. I no longer have to wonder if that guy will call, I will be taking his last name next year. I no longer have worries about where I will go or what happens after highschool and for all of that, I am grateful. However my thoughts and wonders have not gone away, instead they have evolved into something very different. Where am I going with my career? What more can I do to satisfy my creative drive and be more of the individual I know I am? How do I make myself happy and find time for the adventure I know I need? How do I improve myself to be the best friend and wife I can be? I haven’t figured it all out and I am a LONG way from finding out where I am headed. In a way thats exactly how I like it. I know though, that I am who I am from being that hopeful girl sitting in the drivers seat at night with bright eyes and an open heart.

Okay I figured it was time for a personal post this time. It’s been a little while and frankly I’m just in that kind of mood. So I have seen several professional photographers post monthly favorite blogs and I have gotten inspiration from close friends and fellow photographers of mine. As much as there has been going on lately, I know that most of my many clients have come to really enjoy getting to know me personally and follow my blog. There have been clients that said they hired me not only because of my work but because they loved how they felt a personal connection with me from reading my posts. I feel the same way sometimes when I am hiring someone to do something for me. I want to feel like I know people as well as possible, so I am excited to share some of the things that have been making me smile over the past few weeks.

RELAX – So the month of August has definitely been a crazy month for shooting and most of all for traveling. Matt and I have traveled every single weekend so far this month, each time to a different lake house of either our friends or family. This past weekend we headed up to Sand Lake to our friend Tim’s. It’s one of our absolute favorite places to be and we’ve been partying up there for years. It was Matt and I and our big group of friends that all head up for a weekend on the water. It’s the one place that we go where I really feel like we get to relax and not think about anything other than what we are going to drink and what toy we are going to ride. We had 3 Sea Doos, 2 stand up jet skis, a super sexy malibu wakesetter, and a keg. We were set. On top of it all… we get to watch the most amazing sunsets on that lake. I don’t think that there has been one time in the last 6 years where there wasn’t a great sunset while we were there.

LISTEN – It’s not any breaking news that I listen to A TON of music. ALL THE TIME. I almost can’t do anything without having music playing. Lately Dave Barnes has found his way into my headphones quite often. His words and tones have been really good medicine for me and it has been good for everything from when I need to de-stress and reflect on all the crap to when I am editing a bazillion photo shoots and need motivation. It instantly fills my whole house with a really warm feeling when his voice comes on. Music is such a part of who I am and my soul so I have a feeling that there will most likely be a “Listen” category in all of my Rave Lists.

SHARE – If you don’t know what Instagram is…. or haven’t at least heard the word.. then there’s really no excuse and I can’t help you.. For everyone else, you obviously know about this fabulous smart phone app that has everyone addicted. I have been using it for a while now and it’s just been something that I liked and when I felt like making one of my photos look kinda cool I would use it.. but over the past month I have been obsessed all of the sudden.It’s a super quick way for me to share my photos on all of my social accounts without having to post it to each one. I love being able to share my images and memories with friends instantly and enjoying theirs as well. I love getting a little glimpse in everyones day and how they are seeing the world. I feel like I have had so many incredible experiences lately and I have been having trouble controlling myself from sharing everything I see.

STYLE –  I may not be the prissy, designer bag carrying, UGGs and a skirt wearing (GROSS!) kind of girl… but I admit I am a sucker for a killer pair of shoes! Fall is on its way here… as sad as it is, I know we can all feel it. Upside… BOOT season. I have been craving a pair of these kickass madden boots. In a lot of ways, I can’t wait for Fall and this is one of the reasons. You will very often see me in a pair of boots and a leather jacket. So I may not look like I’m ready to sit down for tea but I’ve been told I pull of the whole sexy chick thing pretty well

GIVE – We recently went to grand rapids to see a certain band that we like (you’ll read about it in the next section) and hung out with them a little. Their Merchandise manager, Brock is a really cool guy and has started up an amazing non-profit organization called A DREAM 2 BELIEVE that he is president of and its pretty fantastic. Just like the popular brand, TOMS, where when you buy a pair of shoes they give a pair to someone in need, A DREAM 2 BELIEVE gives a shirt to a child in need for every shirt sold. Not only is the merch really sweet, but it’s run by and supported by great people. I have bought mine and I can’t wait to get it in the mail and wear it… YOUR TURN!! Please check them out at ADream2Believe.com and find them on Facebook and Twitter!

CONNECT – Usually these guys would normally make it into the LISTEN department but tonight it’s a little different. If you haven’t heard of the band THE CAB, then you’re missing out big time. I started listening to them over three years ago when they were playing in the basement of Clutch Cargos in pontiac and there were MAYBE a hundred people there.  I’ll never forget when Matt and I started dating and it hadn’t even been a week yet when we were sitting in his car out in front of my moms house with “I’ll Run” playing through the car stereo. We both agree that we fell in love that night listening to their music. Since then Matt and I have literally NEVER missed a CAB show. If they come to Michigan, no matter what city or how long the drive is, we are there. I had been lucky enough to photograph some of their shows and get a chance to talk with them casually here and there. When Matt and I got engaged last year we knew our song would be I’ll Run and we are hopeful that it works out that they may be playing our wedding. We went and saw them play in Grand Rapids a couple weeks ago and after their set I went outside to make a phone call and ran into Alex. He stopped and gave me a hug and asked me what I was doing all the way in Grand Rapids, I was shocked that after how many people they meet and talk to that he would still remember me. We ended up going out to dinner with the rest of the guys and the crew and then partied on the bus with them for a few more hours. It all really felt surreal to me and at the same time it felt like we were just hanging out with friends. It was such an amazing night and it was a buzz that didn’t wear off for a while. We have watched them sell out bigger and bigger shows over the years and now they are getting ready to go on a world tour with Maroon 5 this September. We literally are watching each other dreams come true and its absolutely unreal. I really can’t find words to describe how amazing the guys are to their friends and their fans. We watch them stay after every single show for hours and meet every single fan, they stay up all night answering fan mail, and they make every person who comes in contact with them feel good. Everyone has shit they go through, for lack of better words. That night really couldn’t have come at a better time for me, I was in need of some good energy. It was so uplifting to be around these guys who are so positive, caring and considerate and most of all welcoming. I found myself on this high and I love the connection we have made with them.      A, M, J, D, C – we are so grateful for all of the hard work and passion you guys put into your music and your relationships. I can’t begin to tell you how excited, proud, and happy we are for you and everything you’ve done.  We look forward to every time we get to see you and we have had such an incredible time. This tour is going to be killer and all I can say is to be mindful of each moment. Soak it in and remember it forever. Thank you guys for the love and all the experience. We consider you guys friends of ours and you should know that we will always be here and that you have family here in the mitten