Rachel Halsey Photography ~ Photo Blog

I really do want to be better about posting my personal photos on this blog. It’s so easy to get caught up with client images and deadlines and this or that, etc. but when I think about all of the reasons I got into photography, I think about Christmas.

Let me explain.

In 2001, I was twelve years old. It was this Christmas that I asked for my first 35 mm SLR camera – A Minolta Maxxum 5. I loved that camera with all of my heart. I remember how excited I felt when I opened it up… I put that first roll of film in and the rest is history (as they say). I can honestly say that this is one of the biggest and earliest events in my life that absolutely shaped the way I saw things. From that Christmas on, I preferred looking at things through the viewfinder of my camera. Capturing something on film was empowering to me – I could turn something ugly in to a beautiful piece of art work (“beautiful” of course being up for debate). I could freeze time. Forever. I really do believe that even at such a young age, I “got it”. This is what I was supposed to do for the rest of my life.

This Christmas, I opened up a beautiful 50 mm 1.2 portrait lens from my generous sister and sweet husband. My heart immediately remembered that Christmas half my lifetime ago… Who would’ve thought I’d be here? I certainly didn’t… but boy, am I thankful.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. It’s a time of family and love and hope and wonder… and I always get so excited about capturing those things so that I can re-live them year after year. Ever since my brother and sister have had children, I have viewed Christmas even differently than before. Christmas has become somehow even more exciting and magical and I look so forward to seeing the huge smiles on those tiny faces that I love more than life itself.

~

i’m thankful for such a lovely life – for being able to walk and run and see. for a job that i love -
for art and love and grace….

for so many things.

i’m thankful for my first thanksgiving in years as a “new hampshire resident”.
i’m thankful for a husband who loves me enough to adventure across the country just to be closer to my family :]

i’m thankful for my family – my sisters who are friends. that we can laugh with and at each other:

i’m thankful for all the little moments – the quick, better-catch-em-while-you-can moments…
the moments that make me love being a wife, daughter, sister, auntie, etc. ;]

i’m thankful that i live close enough to watch my niece and nephew grow up.
i can’t imagine loving any little munchkins more than these two…

i’m thankful for the opportunities i’m given each day and the second chances that come with every sunrise.
i’m thankful for a weekend set aside to spend time with the ones that mean the most to you.
where love will always run wild and hugs are always available.
a place where feelings are hurt and forgiveness is asked for – a place of safety and comfort:
home.

seriously – what’s better than a day of adorable little ones dressed as various insects and fowls?

I absolutely love it <3

Yes you did!

While I was home in New Hampshire for Christmas, I decided to offer a very limited number of portrait sessions for my lovely hometown :]
One of the sessions I did was of the Preston Family – and they were so precious!
Their toddler, Julia, wasn’t quite sure at first about having her picture taken, but it didn’t take her too long to warm up to the idea :]
We met in downtown Portsmouth and the Hilton Garden Inn and it was perfect! I will definitely try to shoot there again at some point.
Jon, Dawn, Julia, and “the rest of the fam” – we had a blast and you guys are great to work with! Enjoy!

Warming up:

Julia could have played with this ornament display all day!

A sweet family shot:



Love the feel of this one :] So adorable :]

And beautiful parents to boot!

So happy!

And to finish… One of my faves – this has such an old fashioned feel to it, don’t you think??

Can you believe it’s already that time of the year to start planning for Christmas cards?! I know that I can’t believe it… and yet – here we are!
I have decided to plan no more than 3 shoots per weekend from now until the middle of December which means that space is somewhat limited so please BOOK TODAY to take advantage of this “special”.
a $50 retainer is required to hold your date :]

And now – for some of the yummy designs:

These cards are amazing quality and are completely customizable. If you don’t see a design that you absolutely love just let me know and I will work hard to make sure that we find one!

Pricing is as follows:

~ Half an hour shoot with lots of images to choose from for your card
~ 25 hand designed Christmas cards (with envelopes)
$100

Each additional set of 25 cards: $35.00

Additional half hour: $55.00

 

Plus shipping, if applicable.

 

Email me today for availabilty/to book!