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Proud pup mom, type A creative, lover of the outdoors, Top Chef fan girl, and wedding and portrait photographer. Welcome to the blog!
HI, I'M RACHEL!
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micro WEDDINGS
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Happy Monday! I’m glad to be on this side of the weekend, because as much as I love being a Washington DC proposal photographer – I am experiencing some exhaustion!
This weekend I had the honor of photographing three (that’s right, three!) surprise marriage proposals! Plus an engagement session and family/anniversary session. I actually photographed five sessions in just 38 hours. I think what had it feeling extra intense was the heat! It was 95 degrees+ on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this weekend. It really felt like July! And if you live in D.C., you know it’s not just about the heat; it’s more about the humidity. Whew!
I swear I’m not complaining! I love being a Washington DC proposal photographer and am always excited to photograph proposals. They’re my second favorite (to weddings) event to photography because the level of excitement and joy is always off the charts!
Friday night I photographed a surprise proposal on the mall, along one of the tree lined walkways that flank the reflecting pool. One of the only nice things about what’s happening right now is that there are fewer tourists in D.C., so the city feels more like our own. It was so peaceful and quiet for the proposal, which would never happen on a Friday evening in the summer otherwise. (They asked me not to share the photos (womp womp), otherwise you’d see a sneak peek here.)
Saturday morning I met up with #REHPlovebirds Brittany and Clayton for their engagement photos. Their wedding is next month (rescheduled from June), and it was wonderful to finally meet them!
After their session I stopped in at Whole Foods, which used to be my fav treat. I haven’t stepped foot in a Whole Foods in over four months, since before quarantine. I must say, it was jarring to see the salad bars completely closed. It might seem silly, but I have such a connection with Whole Foods salad bar! About six years ago when I started learning about some health issues and had to cut out a lot of food (dairy, sugar, alcohol, most grains, seafood, eggs, simple carbs), it felt like the salad bar was my savior. I could get healthy, organic, hearty salads that included complex carbs and feel full and satisfied. Seeing it boarded up on Saturday was a poignant reminder that we’re still in the thick of it.
I spent the rest of the day trying to sleep and rest up for the next shoot that evening as a Washington DC proposal photographer. If you follow me on Instagram and saw the stories I posted, you know I was nervous! I was to photograph another surprise proposal at the National Arboretum, which I was super excited about. The nerve-racking part was that it was going to be a lot of waiting around in the wide open with no shade, in 97 degree heat and high humidity. Then after all that waiting, I’d have to shoot for about an hour in that heat! I packed an umbrella and lots of water, and I was actually good to go! The umbrella helped a lot!
Sam did a wonderful job putting together a beautiful proposal experience for his new fiancee, Tina! Their parents surprised her after, and it was just a wonderful occasion! (More on the blog soon!)
I rushed home to edit their sneak peeks to deliver before I went to bed. And then it was another early night so I could rise and shine bright and early to be a Washington DC proposal photographer for the third and final time of the weekend. Sam popped the question to Allie at sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial, and it was just perfect!
Sam had booked me for the quick version of my proposal packages because he knew at sunrise it would be a challenge to convince Allie to do full hair and makeup and get dressed up haha! He figured they’d do a full engagement session later when she will get to have input. So after I took a portrait or two for them, I was off to my final shoot of the weekend – Megan and Rob’s family and anniversary session in Arlington. Their family is so spirited and stylish, and we had the best time!
The rest of Sunday was spent relaxing and working – and eating. I have noticed that I eat a lot when I’m tired – is anyone else like that? I picked up Dunkin Donuts on my way home (egg & cheese on an everything bagel), AND ordered takeout – twice! throughout the day. Oink oink!
Check back this week for at least two more blog posts. I’m trying to balance blogging (which is a LOT of work!) and editing sessions so I can get them out the door quickly. Oh, and shooting and doing other work. I hope you all have a wonderful week and stay cool out there!
HELLO@RACHELEHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
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Rachel is a wedding and portrait photographer
Serving brilliant, elegant couples in Washington D.C. + Beyond
Copyright 2022 Rachel E.H. Photography | Website by Alex Collier Design
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