Let me introduce you to Corrie. And then, let me tell you why Corrie is a big deal for us.

I’ve only just begun to get to know her, but here’s what’s clear: she has passion and drive, but seeks balance and tempers her decisions by really checking in with herself. She’s energized by change and opportunity. She’s very talented, transitioning from Marketing at Turner Broadcasting into Real Estate. She’s got a couple spunky kiddos who tell her exactly what they think. She really understands people. She asked my husband to take a personality assessment- and told him spot on what he was before he revealed his results.

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And here’s why all of this is so important to my family…

My husband and I are both small business owners. You already know what I do. My husband got into real estate, grew his business, took on Pam, an amazing partner, and then was hired by his brokerage to coach other Realtors. He now coaches 79 Realtors, and helps them explore their goals, desires, and actualize the steps necessary to grow and better serve their clients. He was recently able to hire Candace to assist with coaching!

The twist? While helping others launch and scale their businesses, Billy determined that his clients deserved more attention and a higher level of service. SO NOW THE FAMILY HOME GROUP HAS CORRIE AT THE HELM!! She is here to help the business explode: to provide top-notch service, and to execute the vision Billy has always had for his real estate team.

If you have ever started your own business, you understand the excitement, the nerves, the amazement, of seeing your baby to a place where you bring in leadership.

Corrie is the match we’ve been seeking. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY, CORRIE!

I remember jumping, sweating, learning… Liora and I used to take a dance workout class together. It was a hip hop class- choreography oriented. What’s strange, is I can’t even recall how we became friends before that. I know we were, it feels like we always were, but I can’t flag the start.

But I remember the pause. Already a brilliant pastry and paint artist, she returned to school to pursue a degree in the medical field. She wanted to put all her love into her education and her family. I’ve also seen her bloom in her art.

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Liora ultimately is pursuing a career as an ultrasound technician. Currently, she’s applying to phlebotomy and medical assistant positions. Besides proficient, this woman is so kind, empathetic, and warm, she’s guaranteed to bond with and soothe anyone she assists.

Alexandra is an artist. When she reached out to me, there was a perfect understanding of what we are trying to accomplish when you work with me. She wanted us to build art together. She did, however, throw me for a loop when she asked about the process of booking three sessions in a year.

I told her I have a two-session discount that could easily be adapted…but why three sessions? Clearly there was a goal…

She mumbled a bit, talked about capturing different environments… then came out with it: she was expecting!! She imagined a gallery in their home that tells the story of their evolving family through this time: a family of three, a family maternity session, and as a family of four.

I definitely squealed through the rest of our consultation.

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Our session was delightful, learning all about Adam’s work as Executive director of local synagogue Or VeShalom, which I had the pleasure of attending for a few years, and getting Stella’s full spunk. They are such a dynamic family! But what was truly fun was capturing this image, with Stella completely unaware of why we were taking it:

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We’ve been waiting all these months until Chanukah to finally make the announcement. May this family have nothing but joy going forward.

Speaking of going forward… it’s almost time for their second session!!

Adrienne and I continue to evolve together, both in friendship and artistically, through the years. We first bonded in middle school choir. Decades later, she’s making a living as in interior designer and muralist. And we keep hiring each other! Beginning with murals in my children’s old rooms, most recently she’s the artistic brain behind my photography studio (hire her!) And I’ve had the chance to create her maternity, newborn, and last year’s family picture. Which brings us to this year!

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Mike, who tours with the band, Hinder, playing bass, endures Adrienne’s and my endless reminiscence year after year. He has such a softness with his girls.

Hanna hears you. Life is full of struggles and transitions, and she invites you to breathe through it all with her. Check out her Yoga and Healing practice, with zoom offerings during this time, at http://healwithhanna.com/ , https://www.facebook.com/healwithhanna, and https://www.instagram.com/healwithhanna/

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Q: Rachel, how do you get most of your clients?

A: Via Instagram, Stacie messaged me, and said she got my name on NextDoor. So the answer? I get my clients through YOU!

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Stacie was looking for a referral, because she’s going through a TON of transitions, and needed a refresh on her headshot that reflected these next steps in life. Work in plastics manufacturing, a new home, and a new little walker under her new roof! I’m thrilled that someone made the connection for us, and it was so energizing to end our dynamic session excitedly discussing future sessions and her friends’ photography needs! Now she gets to pass it on.

Elisheva bid on a session with me at an auction to support The Jewish Fertility Foundation some time ago. We got together for a socially distanced session at her home, in front of her favorite tree.

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Among her favorite things, which include a passion for helping children, American Sign Language, and promoting exercise health, is snuggling her sweet children and puppy. The images that made her coo weren’t perfectly posed, but rather when there was a connection. She loved this image, but unfortunately, puppy Oreo’s face was hidden behind them. That’s why you hire a photographer who can photoshop! I can’t wait to see her face when she holds the finished mounted print.

Falynn is a heavily pursued architect, who recently transitioned firms and was ultimately wooed by OTJ Architects.

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Her ingenuity keeps her creating and building both professionally and personally. Based out of Washington D.C. and Atlanta, she’s continuously impacting both her work and her community. I’m proud to have been a project of hers myself, one could say, and be able to admire her not just as a brilliant woman but as a dear friend.

I rifle through the stack of mail, and see something personally addressed. The anticipation of opening a holiday card, in a sea of impersonal correspondence, is tangible. I slide my finger through the envelope, and find warm greetings bedecked by images that I poured my soul into. The elation of creating art… and having it mailed back to you!

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I am so grateful that Adrienne Rodden, whom is an incredible interior designer and muralist I’ve known since High School, hired me for the third time to capture the journey of her family- and that I continue to have opportunities to hire her, as well!

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Sara Sloan is a powerhouse. She started her business only a few years back, and exploded onto the scene with a growth mindset and vision. Now that her team’s in place, she’s ready for you to know their faces and their energy.

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She envisioned downtown Alpharetta as our backdrop. We had so much fun scouting out little nooks and trendy spots. Shout outs to South Main Kitchen, Korner Soak, and Truck and Tap!

https://www.sarasloan.com/

I have such a soft spot for pre/post upshern sessions. It’s such a sweet, sentimental session: the last moment of your baby truly being a baby! That soft, feathery, uncut hair. And then the dramatic transformation after the ceremony.

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(You definitely want to click each image to expand)

And here’s our plan for their living room!:

Even more exciting? We have our follow-up session to come! You’ll have to hold tight a few months to see this sweet big boy with his new do’.

This family was a referral from Melissa, and there’s nothing like working with someone who is there because they trust someone that loved their experience and art, and are ready to embrace the same. Thank you to everyone who shares my name and work.

Creating art requires a tremendous amount of control.

Something you totally lose when you decide to not only capture an image, but simultaneously jump to the other side of the camera, try to look good, and wrangle your kids. I admit it: every year, I struggle taking my own family portrait for our walls. And then every year, I say, I’m another year wiser, they are another year older, let’s give it a go!

This year, rather than going epic, like I enjoy doing for my clients, I said, let’s keep it really streamlined. Just us, in the new studio. Not my usual style, but a greater likelihood for less stress.

HAHHHAAAAAAHHAHAHAHA! It was a terrible experience! But we got this gem at the end:

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Which works for me, since these were some of our other images:

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Next year, I will once again say, “I’m another year wiser, they’re another year older, why not?”

LOLOLOL! (*cry)

Kayla and I met through our dear friend, Danit. Years later, when she learned my family yearned to move to her neighborhood, she urged us to consider her street. We would be friends! Our kids would be friends! Two days later, she and her family decided their next steps were living in Israel. So we are not neighbors. We bought her house instead.
Kayla is the genius behind the podcast, “First Year Married.” (Update: now “How to Glow”) She fills you with warm, interesting tidbits and fantastic ways to reexamine situations. She also takes coaching clients. And you need not be in your first year of marriage to grow with her! Before moving, she inquired about a branding session for her business. It was beautifully full-circle that we were able to complete her session at our home.
Check out First Year Married at www.firstyearmarried.com, on Instagram, and on Facebook.

On Thursday, my children dressed up for my daughter’s kindergarten graduation, and I had to whisk them outside to capture the occasion. Before I had children, I would sometimes see images from friends’ preschool graduation ceremonies, and scoff, “That’s not a REAL graduation.” I had no idea the tremendous emotions that would accompany each milestone.

Chaya Mushka Children’s House took in my toddlers starting 5 years ago, and have provided a home of love, guidance, structure, and inspiration. They recognized the individualized strengths in each, and paved and beautifully individualized path. My family is heading in a new direction, and while they will not be by my side, they will be at the core of who we are. http://chayamushka.org/preschool/

I watched my daughter cross the stage with poise and confidence, reflecting on when I wore her as a baby only a blink ago, and trying desperately to look “fine.”