The Ultimate Selfie

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:

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)

Authentic

My third shoot with the Marvelous Rabba Melissa, and I’ve learned about what she craves: authenticity. She wants gorgeous art on her walls, but she isn’t looking for everyone looking perfectly catalogue chic. She wants the expressions and moments that speak to her everyday life in this phase. The “pouty snuggle face,” the “I’m just silly,” the “I’m totally teenager.” She wants to remember everyone, exactly as they are.

When she knew her brother and nephew were coming to town, she said it was an occasion to be remembered and documented. Our next step together is to mount her gallery wall with images we’ve printed together from this shoot, last year, and occasions before we were blessed to know each other when the littles were littler, and their wedding day. Their growth so far, to be added to for years to come.

Polished

Lesley and Andy Peters’ relationship with Keller Williams is a multi-faceted one that includes functioning as Operating Partners of three market centers, mentoring as MAPS coaches, and inspiring Atlanta with their own stellar real-estate team. Their passion and influence in the company landed them a spot on stage with none other than Mr. Gary Keller himself at Mega Camp in Austin two weeks ago.

I was floored when they requested that I capture their team. Moreso, when the walked out the door announcing that I had nailed their vision, and they looked forward to refreshing their picture with me roughly every 6 months to come, I may have *brushed my shoulder off…

https://thepeterscompany.com

ClientsRachel LinkwaldAugust 29, 2019atlanta real estate, atlanta photographer, atlanta, best atlanta photographer, branding, headshots, portraiture, shayna image, team photo, team, real estate team, keller williams

The Best of Each

“My sister and her family are visiting us and our parents from Argentina! Let’s have a photography session, so that we can each hang a piece of art of all of us together in our homes! But… with five grandchildren, how are you going to get everyone smiling??”

Honestly? I’m not.

But if you are going to admire a piece of art every day in your home, and pass it down, it should show every single person at their best. That’s why each piece is a carefully constructed custom art piece. Before, and after:

Can you count the changes? Comment below!

These were some of the sweetest kids. Sam’s smile pushed me over the edge. But you know the drill: out of routine, something chaotic and exciting and new, kids feel and show every moment of it. That’s why it’s my job to show the BEST of each precious human.

Soon, these will look like this on their walls!

The Grandkids

Coming this week to your wall, Tracey!!

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I can’t wait to hang this metal of your angels with you.

…And see how your mom is loving her gallery down in Florida! Capturing cousins is magical.

Powerhouse Couple, Indoors and Out

Did you see that video where I was losing my mind about shooting in the new Shayna Image Studio/Compound?

“How’d that go?,” you wanted to know.

Laura and Craig Lerman, a realtor and lawyer respectively, each needed new headshots but desired different looks. So we captured Craig in the studio…

…and for Laura we stepped outside…

It was incredible to be able to get two very different looks in the same space in the matter of minutes.

My big takeaway from this shoot, was that although my chic french doors and ring doorbell haven’t yet been installed, I should still guide clients to the private side entrance to the studio. Otherwise, coming in the front door, they might be busted by my little ones, and then we get a “helper” for the session, who should be in bed.

Lesson learned. Fortunately for me, Laura and Craig are seasoned parents of six who totally embraced it. Laura kept calling MS her “fashion consultant,” and my daughter ate it up.

Laura is loving Real Estate, and you should learn more about her at www.lermanteam.com and on Facebook.

Craig is a Law powerhouse, working with businesses, corporations, and estates. Please visit www.lermanlawpc.com and follow him on Facebook as well.

The Marriage Maven

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.

House a Home

We moved! One by one, we’re tearing through the boxes, putting things in their new spot, and figuring out what has yet to be found. Settling in. For me, what transitions my new house into my new home is putting the family art up on the walls. So while I have much more to go, tonight we decided to begin to make our mark on our space.

These are images printed on matte standout metals, and assembled from two different family sessions.

Just a hundred pictures left to go!
Another step closer. The transformation is incredible.

Entwined

She has my dining room table.
I have her moving boxes.
You know those insta-friends? The people who explode into you life and you know it was for good reason, even before you know each other?
When nearly a year ago, I photographed her family, and didn’t want to leave afterwards, I knew.
Melissa is a talented and gifted woman with a Maharat degree from Yeshivat Maharat, a job in Jewish Camping at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and a smile that looks like this:

Melissa SG Headshots-June 25, 2019-2.jpg

Now you know you want to be friends with her, too.
We each were actually having really horrible days. I am so grateful for the time we had capturing these in my back yard. It was needed respite.

ClientsRachel LinkwaldJune 27, 2019atlanta photographer, art, atlanta, photographer, best atlanta photographer, headshot, headshots, maharat, Jewish, jewish campComment

A peek into a consult...

Yesterday’s pre-shoot consultation was AMAZING!! Want to know what happens at one of these?

We had spoken on the phone so that I could learn about the client, her goals, and then review her options and pricing. Then we scheduled for me to come over.

I showed her all the goodies. She was interested in glossy metals, but wondered if I could produce something that would flow with another gallery she already had.

Oh, you mean a wood-mounted print? Like this?

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No problem.

We discussed the image combinations she desired: one with the whole extended family, individual families, grandparents with grandkids, and individual kids.

She showed me what they plan to wear, and it’s PERFECT. The color scheme of blue, white, and black will be phenomenal in her space! The girls’ dresses poof and move and show light and I can’t wait!!

Then I took pictures of her walls where she wanted prints, and measurements. That way, once we finish her shoot, she can see on my computer exactly what her images will look like in her home, on her walls!

I swiped her cc for retainer, and then packed up. But of course, we really hit it off. So we talked. Because one of the best things about my job is the new friends that come along with it!

What to Wear Part 3

Two Fridays ago, I mentioned that I like thinking about styling a client in one of three categories:

In Designer’s Dream, your focus is on your finished product and how it interacts with your space. Is your style modern? minimalist? shabby chic? nautical? Do you have prominent colors that echo through your space? Do you want a piece of art that not only features your family, but compliments you home style?

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You are looking for fabrics with movement and texture. Everyone doesn’t need to precisely match one another nor your room, but should be in complimentary color groups. When we design your shoot, I can guide you into the color group that is flattering both to you AND your room!

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Forward

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.”

PersonalRachel LinkwaldJune 2, 2019kindergarten, graduation, photography, best atlanta photographer, atlanta photographer, atlanta, chaya mushka children's house, chaya mushka, children, growthComment

What to Wear Part 2

Last Friday, I mentioned that I like thinking about styling a client in one of three categories:

Classically breathtaking
True to you
Designer’s dream

Today, let’s think about #2: True to you. While Classically Breathtaking evoked emotion in the way of timeless artwork, True to You is painting a picture of who you all are, right now. You want your personalities to shine. Bold fabrics, colors, and textures that are just a step up from what you wear every day. Stay away from logos or graphics that will draw attention away from you and your energy. Think about color groupings, rather than precisely matching. Shades of blues, greens, oranges, but variations on the theme.

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Click the image above for the pinterest inspiration board. Next Friday is Part 3 of What to Wear!

EducationalRachel LinkwaldMay 31, 2019wardrobe, true to you, shayna image, best atlanta photographer, atlanta, photographer, photography, photographic prints, photoshoot style, galleryComment

Adventures Beginning

We met during this shoot, and hit it off: so much so, that at her gallery design appointment, she invited me to travel with her to the other side of the world - and I accepted! I meet clients so that they can tell their story- in their home, and to future generations. Sometimes, I get to become a part of their story, and them, mine.

A picture from our trip to Israel!!:

We might have had a little fun:

What to Wear Part 1

As I see it, there are three different directions you can go in when styling your shoot:

Classically breathtaking
True to you
Designer’s dream

Today, we’ll look at #1, Classically breathtaking. You are the art. Clothes fit the following criteria:

Fabric that moves.
Neutral colors like white, creams, beiges. Avoid patterns.
Timeless pieces.

If you are pursuing this look, avoid jeans, which will always communicate the current era. We are going for breezy and classic.

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Click above to open Pinterest board for inspiration. Special shout out to Eliana Naomi whose gorgeously curated boards helped launch my search.

Check back next Friday for Part 2: True to You!

EducationalRachel LinkwaldMay 24, 2019styling, what to wear, classic, breathtaking, best atlanta photographer, photographer, photographic prints, photography, photoshoot syling, atlanta, atlanta photographer, breezy clothes, timeless, family, family photography Comment

Next steps

Sunayana is another wonderful example of client first, then immediate friend. I can’t thank Vivi enough for bringing us together. The baby from this shoot is now beginning to sit, and I am IN LOVE with her! We’re planning our third shoot for this now foursome. Where is our next shoot location??

ClientsRachel LinkwaldMay 22, 2019locations, art, gallery, family, photography, photographer, atlanta, best atlanta photographer, custom art, photographic prints, heirloomComment

Welcome!

Hi! Have we met yet? Even though I'm frequently called "Shayna," it's actually my daughter's middle name. I'm Rachel! I'm a native of the Atlanta area, where I currently live with my husband, daughter, and son. I'm a rollercoaster junkie, sushi addict, advanced scuba diver, and list maker.

That thing you think photographers do? Nope, I'm doing something different.
Receiving a bunch of digitals? That's like paying a baker, and having them hand you the ingredients and telling you to "finish it yourself."
I put custom finished art on your walls. Because your grandchildren aren't going to dig through your dropbox for the moments that matter.

Follow me as I share adventures, new works, educational info, and some personal entertainment.

PersonalRachel LinkwaldMay 20, 2019rachel, shayna, introduction, about, scuba, personal, photographyComment