I designed this logo for the Old Charm Bed & Breakfast in St. Mary’s, PA. The client, owner Michael, wanted something modern yet mixed with a traditional and of course, charming feeling. We went through a few rounds of ideas and settled on this. The actual filigree illustration in the rounded square is based on the top of a chandelier that I found and loved. He chose the colors of maroon and limey green — they are favorites of his! Looks like he’s already implemented it on his website too

I looove working on projects like this – they are the dream for a designer!

In one word.

ABSOLUTELY.

If you are like me, you prefer to switch lenses often, sometimes as much as I want to keep my 50mm 1.4 on all the time, it’s just not possible when I need a wide angle. Since I can’t afford a full-time assistant right now (other than loverly Amy who will work with me for pennies when she can), the shootsac IS my assistant. I could only get the basic bag now, hope to get a fun cover later, but even in black it’s so professional I don’t know that it’s necessary. Anyway, in short this bag really is all that it promises to be. My only  thought for an improvement would be on the flap, a small zippered area for memory cards so I can easily find them and switch them out without digging around in the deep pockets. Other than that though, it’s pretty much perfect. I love it! Thank you Jessica Claire for making a really cool product that is worth every penny!

I was so excited to get it, I ran out to Fed Ex to pick it up the day it came in because I had to have it for my Friday/then Saturday wedding.

And these two were taken by my sis Amy who was able to help me out at this wedding, she got two good ones of me doin the ‘thang.’ I like the second one, I look like I know what’s up. ha! Don’t you love how they have the bride get ready in this crazy children’s room? Makes for colorful pictures, that’s about the only good thing though

Next purchase is the shoulder strap for it. I do think it’s necessary, I’ll get ahold of that pretty soon hopefully

Night all!

Here’s what I can say. It’s WEIRD, NICE and OVERWHELMING.

Weird because the days and nights and weekdays and weekends sort of run together when you work out of your home and your office is across the hall from your bedroom. The signifying events that remind me what day it is are when I have a wedding on the weekend, when church is on Sunday, or when The Office & Grey’s are on – and now since those season finales already happened I’ll probably walk around in a groggy fog. (that was a joke)

Nice because every day feels a little like a Saturday in some ways, and because I don’t have to get dressed for work, leave the house, and I get to snuggle with my hubby when he wakes up every morning. My kitties sit behind the computer and in the office window keeping me company. I can listen to my music as loud as I want and be as fidgety as I want without bugging anyone. I am having quiet/devotional time again with the Lord and this is good. I can run downstairs and eat and I’m spending less money on food because there is less temptation to go out. Nice – because no one tells me waht to do, when to do it, and I can do everything MY WAY… that part I really love.

Overwhelming because everything is always top-of-mind all the time. I go to sleep thinking about the photos I need to edit and the albums I have to design and the clients I have to contact and the business expenses I need to track and the emails I need to sort through the papers building up on my desk and the organizations I’m a part of and how I’m going to pay for everything I need and whether we’ll be able to make it next year. I worry about how kids will fit into this schedule. I think about work more than I ever thought possible. When I’m home I feel like I should be working. When I’m working/editing/designing I feel like I should be cleaning or being a good housewife. And when I’m cleaning and being a good housewife, I feel like I should be editing pictures or working on my website.

So yes… it’s different. Life is completely different now… but this is good. I hope this doesn’t sound like complaining, because I’m not. I am so amazed I have this opportunity in my life, and I am so thankful to God for giving me talents, support and a network of encouragement to make it happen.  This is where I’m supposed to be. Having that confidence means everything in the world!

photo by Amanda Kifer of Expy Images

1) JUNE 27 HAS OPENED UP!

If you are getting married June 27 and still need a photographer, you are in luck – my date just opened up. I will give you a special 25% discount on my packages if you book me. This means my top $1800 package will only cost you $1350, and my middle package of $1500 will only cost you $1125.

2) I NEED A COUPLE FOR A SWEET PICTURE

I have a vision/picture/technique I really want to try as well as some new lighting equipment. I need a couple willing to model for me this week to do this. It has to be this week because the cherry blossoms/flowering trees are almost done and that is an essential part of the picture. You can wear bridal gowns or treat it just like a couple picture in casual/or funky wear. Whatever you want. I will give you a free 8×10 of the picture and the digital version of it as well if you will indulge me. Please contact me if you are interested!! It will be quick, just maybe 30-40 minutes for me to get the shot I want to try.

Thanks everyone – please share and retweet!!!

-Rachel

Soo….today was my “last” day as a full-time Art Director at Engel O’Neill. I will still be working with the agency in a more contracting role when they need me, and it’s exciting to leave a place with such a great and positive relationship. Technically I’m doing one more short project next week and then they’re having a little lunch for me.

It’s hard to process all this – I actually feel relatively emotionless due to the amount of things going on right now – its like… so much, sadness/joy for the holiday – sadness about my grandmother’s diagnosis, hope that God will do his will and praying for healing/comfort, and excitement/mixed emotions about going 100% out on my own!

There will be a lot of changes in life now and I have a lot of new routines to start and projects to tackle. I am so excited about it all and I hope to blog next week about some past projects I hadn’t gotten to share yet.

Happy Easter everyone!

This was an invitation created for a GE reception held at a planetarium. It was really fun because I used a combination of vector imagery and photoshop with brushes to create a starry night, hill scene. The constellation is the leaf motif from the hybrid paint scheme. It also had a matching little thank you card!

The most recent edition of Stairways Magazine, UP created with the team. I was really happy with this one because the colors were really great (blues and teals, my favs) and it was a winter theme. My goal was also to get way more consistent with the design so I we have a really nice, not busy template and created something I think will be easily updateable each time.

We also are almost done redesigning our website, and it will be up very soon!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

For example, with my day job, EO work:

• I am slow, then slammed, then slow then slammed. I haven’t archived files in months (which is bad, but also good cuz it just takes up agency time)
• I haven’t gone through my work email and filtered/deleted since September, meaning 930+ to sort through, and home since the same, so probably even worse as all my gmail and puremotif goes there.
• I have 2 important projects I’m in the middle of, but right now, they are on hold so I’m twiddling my thumbs. At any moment though, they could break out and go crazy.

And with freelance and my business:

• I had one wedding this past Saturday which was beautiful and another at New Years. After that I have no weddings until May, (when there are THREE!)
• I do have some family photo shoots coming up, but not a whole lot of graphic design work.
• I have an album I’m waiting for the couple to decide on images for, so that will be some time when it comes
• I’m really in a place where I need to say yes to any and everything that comes my way freelance wise, so I book up enough work to tide me through till weddings begin in spring.
• I will soon need to spend some time compiling and organizing everything tax-wise for the 08 year. I did oK keeping it organized, but still not good enough.

And at home:

• I had the ambition to do Christmas Cards this year, but it’s not going to happen, I just don’t have the manpower/time and I can’t afford the ink/paper to print them. I’m really bummed about this.
• I got my wonderful new elliptical for Christmas already and it is set-up, I had time to workout 3 days last week, then no more. It’s not that I don’t want to, I really want to. I just can’t get to it!
• The house is an absolute and utter mess.
• This is a problem, because my in-laws and brother-in-law and his girlfriend are going to spend Christmas with us for four days.  That’s 6 people in a small 3 bedroom Erie City house, with ONE BATHROOM. Count them. ONE. So, that’s going to be really really interesting. I’m so excited to see them, but to get my house ready for guest useage is going to be a lot of work. I’m really praying this week and weekend affords time to do that.
• I am however done with all my family Christmas shopping, couldn’t do friends this year, and most of the wrapping, except for one of my presents for my hubbie that got messed up in shipping
• Wrapping presents and doing tons of laundry last night took me like 5 hours instead of the 2 I was hoping for.

And in general:

• I am always 3-8 minutes late for everything. I don’t know why
• But today, I was 10 minutes early for the presentation at the Manufacturer’s Association.
• I say I’m going to go to bed by 11, but last night I don’t think I closed my eyes until 1:30am, and this generally happens to me.
• I want to be blogging more.
• Brian and I had another little tiff about our schedules and conflicts and life and expectations last night. It ended wonderfully with laughter and teasing, I love that we can take our fights and turn them into jokes… but still, it will always be an issue I’m sure.
• Snow makes everything take longer.

That’s all. I guess this post was more for me. ha.

Work is crazy. Work outside of work is crazy. Last night was a big website night with Danielle. Today, I am going to see Sarah Palin with friends. I’m pretty excited. Regardless of what side you’re on, a big political name coming to your hometown is an awesome opportunity.

I can’t wait until election day is over. I’m so sick of all the political advertisements, speeches, rhetoric, debates, lies, twisting of facts, etc. Let’s just get there already and move on!!!

Last night was rough with self-confidence, doubt, anger, frustration, and general overwhelment and loneliness. Trying to figure out your passions and how you should be spending your time best, where you belong, where you should move on from and where focuses should be is an intense task. Thankfully a friend stopped over and that helped, then my hubby came home and was wonderful. He even said “you know what? We’re having a great night. There I said it. I’m deeming this a great night.”  It turned from awful to great within an hour or so, and that was spectacular.

Anyway I’m just trying to take it one thing at a time. I needed to blog to get it all out of my system. Thanks for thoughts and prayers. Love.

I’ll leave you with my cousin Paul’s myspace. I’ve been enjoying his old-school style of raw music, fun, entrancing.

Also, here’s two really awesome pictures of Amy taken on her moving day, helping me prepare for Bekah’s senior pics

Me to my boss, Nancy:

I heard a rumor that you used to shoot weddings?

Her response:

A lifetime ago.

so much to take from that. I don’t know why, it just felt really deep.

Back to the grind today. Mike’s sermon was awesome this weekend. God’s love is RADICAL, and we need to show it to others! Love washes over a multitude of things.