Rachel Bell Photography

My blog has a new home...

2009-03-16T15:33:00.001-07:00

It's time for me to move on and my blog now has a new home. Here is the link to come visit:

www.rachelbellphotography.com/news

I hope to see you there!

Truly Simple, Truly Love...

2008-12-12T18:08:00.000-08:00

Surrounded by the people they hold most dear in their lives, Emma and Andrew were married today. Even the ice storm subsided and the sun peeked out just as they were headed to their ceremony at Portland City Hall.

I always believe that each day we should learn at least one new thing. Today I learned a number of things. I learned that you can purchase Tabasco sauce in unbelievably large jugs...straight from Louisiana!

I learned how to walk gracefully through the snow and icy sidewalks with very high stiletto heels. I'm not sure I'll ever try it, but it is quite impressive!

I learned that there are people willing to travel halfway around the world (from Brunei) and brave driving in an ice storm to be by their loved ones sides and bear witness to a union filled with promise for the future and true, pure joy.

But what I learned that was most important was really a reminder of things that sometimes get forgotten in the daily grind. I learned to live simply, remember what is most important and forget about the unnecessary details that cause stress and unhappiness.

Andrew said it so beautifully when he was thanking everyone for being a part of today. He said sometimes people walk down the aisle worrying about their floral arrangments. When he was walking to City Hall holding Emma's hand, all he was thinking about was the life they were going to share together and how much he truly loved the woman standing by his side.

Emma and Andrew thank you so much for such a lovely day. You are an inspiration to me...truly simple, truly love!

Sara and Mike - Blustery Day but Lots of Love

2008-11-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

After much weather watching, the rain stopped long enough for us to meet for Sara and Mike's engagement shoot. We came prepared for all types of wet weather, but what we didn't expect was the incredible wind! But even bone-chilling gusts from the north didn't faze our climbing fences, scaling rock walls and keeping warm with a pair of four-legged cuties as well!

Sara and Mike...thank you for sharing your love and joy today and bringing this "old lady" on some fun adventures! Here are just a few of my favorites. I can't wait until October...enjoy!

Baby Feet and Taking the Leap...Tick Tock, Tick Tock

2008-11-15T12:26:00.001-08:00

After the last of my three beautiful children were born, I decided the factory was closed for business. I held to that thought until I did this gorgeous little baby's session. Now, I really am done myself, but I still felt that little pang of "just one more". However, knowing full well that "just one more" will have me so old on the other end that I will be drooling in the corner as they ask me for the car keys, I have decided to invest time in my new "baby".

I am taking the leap and expanding my studio to continue sessions indoors through the long winter months and those unexpected weather days. My main reason for growing is so I have a wonderful place for my new Red Shoe Sessions. These sessions are designed for women to have confidence in their bodies and love their skin...an issue near and dear to my heart! Find out more about "what's your sexy?" parties coming soon.

In the meantime, as I start nurturing my new studio baby, here are some images of the baby that got my clock tick-tocking...

Gift Cards are Here!

2008-11-15T12:20:00.000-08:00

Give the gift of memories this season…or any time of the year.

New appliances break and clothing goes out of style, but images that preserve the special moments of your life will be with you always. Gift cards are a wonderful alternative for the person who is hard to buy for or who has everything.

Here are just a few of the many ways you can use our gift cards:

Newborn/maternity sessions for little miracles
Children/families to document special moments
Engagement session for a newly promised couple
Sessions for the not so new but deeply in love
Red Shoe sessions – What’s your sexy?
Sessions for everyday or milestones
Any prints or albums…simply everything!

Please contact me to help you create a gift card package that is right for you...

New Holiday Card Options

2008-11-05T18:26:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to be able to be rolling out new options for families who would like to order holiday cards. I am now offering 5x5 folded cards which can be left blank inside for personal notes or have customized text added. Any of my 5x5 designs can be used for this type of card. Here are some new designs I am very excited about!

The biggest leaf pile ever!

2008-10-25T16:48:00.001-07:00

I started my holiday card sessions today and it was just a gorgeous day...no wind, not too cold and leaf piles everywhere. We had loads of fun and I am still finding little leaf crumbles in the pockets of my jeans! The families were fantastic and the hot chocolate and treats went quick. What a blast! Here are just a couple of fun moments during the shoots. I wish I had the time and space to post all of my favorites...

Holiday Card Session - Part II

2008-10-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled by the response I have gotten about my holiday card session! I am always so in awe of people who are well prepared in advance and the little envy monster pops out when I am lacing up the old sneakers, pounding high test coffee and getting ready for the 11th hour holiday sprint...gifts, food, holiday cards, you name it. I procrastinate on my own stuff so much that on Christmas Eve, after a glass of wine, I am asleep with my head on the turkey and gravy! But I digress...

A number of people asked if I could schedule holiday card sessions outside of the dates I had originally set. I would love to! If you are game to dress cuddly and warm, then I will be out there, camera in hand, snapping away. Please contact me to set a date and just allow enough time for the printers to do their magic with your holiday cards or else you may be snoring face down in a plate of turkey like me!

In the meantime, here are some more new holiday card designs...

Last Minute Foliage Holiday Card Photo-Session...

2008-10-20T23:30:00.000-07:00

I have decided my brain is oddly wired as evidenced by the way ideas have a way of popping up for me at the strangest times like 2am, the grocery store or while watching Survivor...

Last week, while waiting on the tedious line for my son's school pick-up, I was staring at a gorgeous maple, all decked out in full fiery glory. The idea of shooting portrait sessions under that tree popped in my brain. The next thing I knew I had fleshed out 15 minute family photo-sessions complete with holiday cards.

I know it is not a lot of advance notice but I was afraid we would lose our foliage with one good wind storm so I have lined up this weekend - Oct. 25 and 26th in Gorham as well as Tuesday, Oct. 28 and Wednesday Oct. 29 at Deering Oaks in Portland. Since notice is so short, if you'd love to do a session but can't make the dates, please let me know and I can arrange another time that will work for you. Also, I PROMISE to give more notice next year!

Give me a shout to find out more about the fun, easy way to get your cards taken care of while enjoying the foliage and some tasty snacks as well! In the meantime, I have been having so much fun designing the new 4x8 and 5x5 holiday cards. Here are just a few of some of the new designs.

Enjoy!

New Year's Resolution...in October?

2008-10-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

If a New year's resolution is made in October...will it stick? I am going to give it a good ol' college try! It has been quite a while since my last post and a journal is just not a journal if nothing is going in it...right?!?!?

So, I am going to make my resolution to return to the face of the earth and keep up. It has been such a wonderful, crazy, hectic, inspiring past few months. Even though I am now just coming up for air, I wouldn't trade any moment of the journey. I am thankful each and everyday!

So, moving forward I will keep in touch, journal and share the fun adventures. Stay tuned...

A Real Family Reunion!

2008-09-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have met so many wonderful people from all over, but the Davis family REALLY travelled a distance to come enjoy all that Maine has to offer. Caitlin came from California to meet her sister, Meaghan from Portugal. They were both reunited, along with their beautiful children, with their mom who just returned from the Galapagos Islands - the end of her world travels. This was a true reunion, complete with funny moments - like colorful fashion statements and belly raspberries...

To the quiet, emotional moments - alone or feeling the joy of being a part of such a lovely family!

Fun at Pinelands

2008-09-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

I had such a fantastic time with the Bedard family during their family session. This was our second summer together and I just cannot believe how much the little ones have grown!

My Website is Finally Finished - Yay!

2008-09-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to finally have my new website up and running! Yes, there is life after Life Simply Happens and I am so excited for all the new adventures to come. Angela and I have been so fortunate to have met so many wonderful people in our time together but we have developed different interests. We have decided to support each other as we go down separate paths. From that, for me, Rachel Bell Photography was born. Please take some time to visit and peek at my work. I hope you enjoy the images as much as I did taking them and being a part of so much love and happiness!