World Changer, Story Teller

It’s interesting. When I meet a client for the first time, we frequently open with “getting to know you” questions, divulging where we are from and the like. Caren and I somehow skipped right over that, and plunged right into dissecting Ozark and talking about mortifying Zoom mishaps.

Which is amazing. She connects so easily, something you might not expect from someone who is equally comfortable presenting in Federal Court.

Caren is a civil rights and voting rights attorney, transitioning from her work at the Southern Poverty Law Center. She’s going to be the legal director for the National League of Women Voters. If you are saying “wow,” you’ve got that right. And if you haven’t heard of these organizations - go Google them now.

I wish Caren tremendous luck changing the world. And I hope she continues to have amazing anecdotes to show for it.

ClientsRachel Linkwaldatlanta headshot, atlanta, atlanta photographer, Atlanta head shot, head shot, headshots, headshot, jewish photographer, lawyer, southern poverty law center, league of women votersComment
Insight and Action

WORKING WITH AMY IS AMAZING.

She is literally all the things you would want. She’s sweet, kind, confident, pays attention to details, timely, does exactly what she says she’s going to do when she says she’s going to do it, takes initiative, I could seriously go on. She will not only hear you, but hear everything between the lines, and be proactive. She’s solution-oriented. You will never sit around wondering where things stand. And yes, all of this was apparent from the moment of booking: she wrote me at 12:23 on April 13th asking for information about headshots, and by 1:50 that day had every detail discussed, planned, contract signed, and retainer sent. This lady GETS THINGS DONE.

Are you a start up? Or an international company working on US market entry? Let me be clear, if you work with Amy and the Sapient Search Group, not only will you see a comprehensible and actionable trajectory, but your progress will be a PLEASURE.

Makeup credit: Rena Pollack

https://sapientsearchgroup.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/solomon-amy/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiragoldetsky/

More on Sapient Research Group:

Sapient Search offers a variety of strategic recruitment solutions to help organizations function at their highest level. We support technology companies of all sizes in close partnership on technical, business, and operational roles via contract, contract to hire, and direct hire placement. What sets us apart? We understand the critical nature of technology search. A strong technology framework is the foundation of every successful company. With a significant impact on your bottom line, competition for technology talent is fierce. As a boutique, relationship-based business our mission is to help our clients win top talent and grow their business, while developing a long term partnership. Our unparalleled work ethic, dedication and high level of support will help your company succeed. We have a robust team of recruiters, some of whom come from technical backgrounds themselves, and are highly successful with hard to fill positions. Our process Our consultative approach to recruitment begins with a deep dive into your organization to tailor our search process to your needs. After gaining needed intel we are able to target, market and recruit the most highly sought after talent to best suit your unique situation. Our in-depth screening process produces a low ratio of candidate introduction-to-hires and ensures the interview, feedback and offer process is geared for success.

ClientsRachel Linkwaldatlanta headshot, atlanta photographer, Atlanta head shot, atlanta, head shot, headshots, headshot, branding, canon, Jewish, outdoors, studio
Who BeyondTrust Trusts

Stacy and I go way back. Back before I had my own photography company, she was a participant on a Social Justice trip I led. We hit it off, and I had the opportunity to delight in her Grandmother’s unbeatable latkes. When I branched out and began doing photography solo, she hired me, as a newbie, to capture her maternity and newborn pictures. Years later, I’m thrilled that when she thinks of photography, she thinks of me.

She is the Director of Product Marketing for BeyondTrust, a security software leader. They had a huge conference in Boston, where they brought in a photographer for headshots. Not everyone from their Atlanta office was able to attend, so returning home, Stacy decided to hire me to finish the job. The trick was that they needed to match the images from Boston. No problem!

Can I tell you how ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL each of these people were? Truly, I found each employee to be kind, thoughtful, and warm. BeyondTrust clearly cares about even more than competency. They are building a team of people that you want to be a part of.

Stacy thought it best that we do some branding work, as well. We cased their massive facility for images that she felt would be helpful in future communications.

I am grateful for continued relationships. Thank you, Stacy and BeyondTrust, for trusting me. I’m at your continued service.

ClientsRachel Linkwaldatlanta headshot, atlanta, atlanta photographer, Atlanta head shot, alpharetta, headshots, headshot, head shot, jewish photographer, pregnancy, team, beyondtrust, security softwareComment
The Moment is Now

Dana reached out looking for a last minute photographer, wanting to capture the moment with her family before her mother was scheduled to begin Chemotherapy that week.

My stomach lurched. Both my mother and mother in law are, thanks to G-d, cancer survivors.

Dana’s mother is battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer. But she wanted to keep it quiet during the session, because her brother still didn’t know about it. He has Fragile X, and she wanted him to enjoy the session.

I wondered if I would. I wondered if I would keep it together.

It was an expectedly emotional process. Both the session and when we viewed the images and came up with a plan for them. I am so grateful to begin the process of creating an album for her, one that she will be able to pass down to her daughters.

I wish Dana and her family a lifetime of health and joy.

Update:

ClientsRachel Linkwaldcancer, canon, atlanta, atlanta family photographer, atlanta photographer, Jewish, family photography, heirloom, family, graduation, generational art, generations, portraits, portraiture, portraitphotography, outdoors, album, pancreatic cancerComment
Game for Anything

Can I tell you about the ridiculous amount of fun I had with Ellie?

She works as a Psychiatrist with her own practice. Much of her work is Telehealth, and she’s putting together a fantastic new website. But she’s pretty camera shy, and has little to show of herself. We needed her clients to get a sense of her.

She arrived game for anything. We wanted some headshots, some branding, and lots of material for use on the site and to cover her for any needs that arise. So we got to make maximum use of the studio and grounds: shooting indoors and out, rearranging to create a variety of scenarios and backdrops. It was amazing to really put my location to use.

We did headshots first. One outdoors, one indoors. So she could present different vibes as is called for by occasion.

I learned that Ellie lives in the world of “YES!” She claimed she wasn’t creative (not true), and allowed me to guide and suggest. But as vulnerable as I imagine she felt, she excitedly not only tackled every concept presented, but contributed her own nuanced ideas. It all felt so synergistic.

Click each to view

You want to work with Ellie (Elyssa) if you want a team mate. Someone who will be receptive, malleable, enthusiastic, and willing to challenge both you and herself. https://www.elyssabarronmd.com/

ClientsRachel Linkwaldhead shot, headshots, headshot, ph, photographer, atlanta, atlanta headshot, Atlanta head shot, atlanta photographer, atlanta family photographerComment
The Chameleon

I’m grateful that the Jewish Moms of Atlanta (shout-out!!) directed Eriana straight into my studio. She’s a woman you notice. Full of intrigue and a winding story of how she found herself on an unexpected journey: both professionally and personally.

She’s starting work at Honeywell as a Sr. Business Development Manager. She has a fantastically varied history before this in the beauty industry, and then connecting baby products to big name brands. I asked if she did relatively the same work in all of these different sectors, but nope, she’s always crushing something new. Seriously, check this woman out: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erianarivera-rozo

It’s no surprise that she’s so prepared to transform herself in so many different roles, companies, and industries. She told me a fantastic story of her family origins in Columbia, and her mother’s discovery that she had Jewish lineage. The Spanish Inquisition not only caused so many to flee, but to then bury their identities. But her mother, and Eriana, embraced the discovery. It didn’t negate what they knew or who they believed themselves to be, it enriched it. It’s evident that Eriana sees each new role and revelation as an opportunity to learn, grow, embrace, and elevate.

ClientsRachel Linkwaldatlanta, atlanta photographer, atlanta headshot, Atlanta head shot, atlanta family photographer, canon, Jewish, head shot, headshots, headshot, introduction, jewish photographer, portraiture, portraits, portraitphotographyComment
Style

Sara wanted a session commemorating her son’s upshern (3rd birthday). Originally, she had in mind that we do the session before the party, since they were dressing up anyway. Ultimately, she decided to separate the two, as she wanted a low pressure session where it would be the only thing on her mind.

We shot in their home, moving only a couple pieces of furniture and taking advantage of the lovely light in their space.

We reviewed the images together, then she chatted with her amazing interior designer (I need to get her name and link her here!!), and together, we created a vision, and I edited her images accordingly.

Left: our design, virtual on the wall, Right: the actual installation

It was tremendous fun creating images to fulfill our final vision.

EDIT! And then…

Sara reached out, craving one more image. She wanted a color shot, to gift her husband for his office:

ClientsRachel Linkwaldatlanta family photographer, atlanta, atlanta photographer, children, daughter, editing, Jewish, heirloom, family, family photography, home, jewish photographer, living room, living room art, portraits, portraiture, portraitphotography, photoshop, photography, photographer, photoshoot style, art, home art, custom art, gallery, gallery design, love, simcha, timeless, upshern, shayna image
3/3

*Edit at bottom

The final installment…

Alexandra was coy when she first called, requesting to learn about three sessions in a year. She finally came out with it, and stopped claiming it would be nice to capture different seasons: she wanted to capture her family as a threesome, through maternity, and then as a foursome. She wanted to tell the story of their growth.

SEE PAST SESSIONS HERE

May I present, the family of four:

Most fun, was creating their wall gallery!

We’ll be hanging them in their living room, over a new couch due to come. I can’t wait to see them up!

I have to say, this has been a really touching journey. It’s so beautiful to be a part of people’s growth, milestones, fears, and celebrations. This family has so much joy, so much humor, so much sass and spunk. Every part of the process with them has felt like a celebration. I’m so grateful. And I will try not to cry when I see this on their walls. Thank you for this opportunity.

ClientsRachel Linkwaldatlanta family photographer, atlanta, atlanta photographer, art, home art, custom art, living room art, maternity photoshoot, maternity portrait, maternity, baby, siblings, sister, brother, baby brother, family, family photography
The Matriarch's Reunion

There’s a common scam photographers get, someone asking them to capture a “reunion,” and then pay the other “vendors” for them…

But I knew this one was legitimate, because the call came directly from Ramah Darom, explaining that their retreat center was hosting a family reunion, and that family portraits had been requested. Eliana, who runs the retreat center, said that she was coming to me because she and the family wanted to gift finished artwork to the matriarch for her home, as they were gathering to celebrate her 80th birthday.

I wanted to capture the sun rising behind the family over the lake. The two hour drive in the dark up through the mountains was stunning nonetheless. They really do have the most fantastic venue, and as I trekked, I reminisced about my pivotal time working there.

Ramah had put together an outstanding itinerary for them, featuring truly quality together time. I arrived as they were finishing their breakfast buffet, and then went to fine-tune the location I had in mind.

It was muddy, and there were tire tracks… and I was thrilled that the family was good sports about it, because it was PERFECT.

I got to know the family a bit. They had ventured in from all over, including California and Israel. They were a vibrant group, whom while diverse, were cohesive under Elaine’s leadership. When she and I had our selection appointment, she took me through their journey as a family. One of discovery, adventure, and risks with a big payoff. She had a clear vision for her family, and this reunion felt for her like the culmination of all her goals and efforts. She has such deserved pride for all that the generations she created are achieving.

I can only dream of glowing the way Elaine does when I’m 80. To have such sharp and radiating memories, and tangible proof of a life that was worth living. May we all experience such joy.

ClientsRachel Linkwaldatlanta family photographer, atlanta, atlanta photographer, art, cousins, children, canon, Jewish, family, family photography, heirloom, jewish camp, jewish photographer, love, outdoors, portraits, portraiture, portraitphotography, photoshop, photography, photographer, water, ramah, ramah daromComment
Fall in Frames

Keep scrolling for a transformation

Jennifer’s empty frames have been taunting her from her walls for a while now. She assembled a beautiful gallery, and dreamed of featuring family. She only needed the art.

So she knew exactly what she wanted when she came to me. Something that showcased the character of each of the children… and Shnitzel. Let’s not forget Shnitzel the dog.

The family packed personality. Each child skipped down the path with their own brand of excitement.

Daniel’s parents were in town, it was fantastic to be able to include the grandparents as well!

Jennifer really wanted fall colors- but the trees were only just starting to turn at the time of our session. I told her not to sweat it: fall trees she wanted, fall trees she would have.

Check out the transformation!

What do you think? Are you feeling the fall?

Rachel Linkwald
Flexible and Sustainable

It’s interesting to meet someone who seems, in their essence, to embody the core characteristics of an item the sell. Yoni is the singular American employee of the Dutch company, Juunoo. Their goal is to reinvent the construction market with reusable partition walls, focusing on walls that can be repositioned and reused countless times. Yoni oozes their mission: he’s someone who sees situations as malleable, looks for the core essence, and can see potential in everything.

Rachel Linkwald
Goals

Joanne was early to our session. She calculated the distance, but knew our rainy morning brought unpredictability, and didn’t want to chance running behind. I was impressed by her attention to detail and honor of time.

Soon I was impressed by so much more.

Which version makes her eyes pop more?

She confessed that she wasn’t particularly interested in being a realtor, but became licensed anyway, because it would make her so much more capable as an administrator to a real estate team.

She wants to add value and knowledge, but also is pursuing a role that supports her ultimate goal: challenging, exciting, people-driven work that enables her to be present with her family. She desires flexibility, and can bring so much to the table, that she would be an asset to anyone who wants someone who would arrive early, pursue above-and-beyond education and doesn’t demand 9:00-5:00.

We bonded over the idea of being passionate about your work, but working to live, rather than living to work.

I wish Joanne so much success.

ClientsRachel Linkwaldatlanta headshot, atlanta, atlanta photographer, Atlanta head shot, keller williams, kennesaw, kennesaw real estate, headshot, head shot, headshots, real estate, realtorComment
Stacey Davis

Stacey is dedicated.

She’s given herself wholly to her family, including her son who needs extra love and time, for years.

She’s finally at a juncture where she’s able to launch herself. Into a new career in real estate, into building new relationships, into exploring her next phase. So I was delighted when she decided to do headshots, that she chose to also do a branding image, and hair and makeup as well. This day was hers. It was about her: reinventing herself.

I gave her two versions of her branding image. The second is sized as a Facebook banner and fades to white, so she can easily add text and use it on her website and social media.

I wish Stacey so much ease and support. She’s offered it for years, and I hope she receives it for years to come.

ClientsRachel Linkwaldhead shot, headshots, headshot, photography, photography compound, photographer, studio, outdoors, real estate, realtor, keller williams, branding, atlanta, atlanta headshot, Atlanta head shot, atlanta real estate, atlanta photographer, atlanta family photographerComment
New role, new shot

When Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez transitioned into the role of Director of Family Education and Engagement for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, she decided to celebrate with a new headshot, new look! Overseeing the camping initiative, PJ Library, family experiences, and working with the preschool educators, she felt that an image with bright energy was our next move.

What do you think? Did we nail it? Do you feel like you know her?

ClientsRachel LinkwaldJewish, jewish camp, jewish photographer, atlanta headshot, atlanta, atlanta photographer, Atlanta head shot, maharat, jewish federationComment
A Streamlined Look

OTJ Architects is a firm based out of Washington DC, with satellite offices through the nation. I had the pleasure of photographing the headshots of two of their Principals based out of Atlanta previously. With staff throughout the nation, the firm decided they wanted a streamlined look for their website showcasing their talent. They had a specific look in mind: casual, waist-up, black and white with the option for color, with a white backdrop. I was thrilled to have these two back in the studio!!

Check out my previous post to see how this look was created!

ClientsRachel Linkwaldotj architects, headshots, head shot, atlanta headshot, atlanta, Atlanta head shot, atlanta photographer, architectComment
A lesson, and sass.

When you are testing lighting for Thursday’s headshot clients requesting a specific look, and your sassy 8 year old test subject strikes a pose…

Lighting for this scenario is trickier than you would imagine. Want to learn more? See behind the scenes!

Educational, PersonalRachel Linkwaldinversesquarelaw, whitebackdrop, lighting, headshot, headshots, sass, daughter, photography, photographer, atlanta headshot, atlanta photographer, atlanta family photographerComment
Embracing the storm

This year’s family session was a continuous metaphor for our times.

NEVER did I expect that this year’s family session would take place at the beach. But beauty emerged from the storm… literally.

When my husband and I had both been vaccinated, we were seeing little impact from Covid on children, and infection numbers were nonexistent, we took a leap and booked a theme waterpark/hotel for the last week of vacation before school. Because most schools were starting before ours, we assumed a light crowd.

Then the numbers skyrocketed, and we were seeing a tear of infections in our neighborhood in children. Including a hospitalization. I tried reaching our booking via email and received no response. I tried calling, and was passed from system to system. Finally, the Friday afternoon before we were scheduled to leave on Sunday morning, I reached a human, who reported they were booked to capacity, totally slammed.

I postponed the reservation.

The twist? We had already rented out our own home for while we were away! Determined to give my children a safer vacation, I jumped on Airbnb and booked a condo for Panama City Beach… for 36 hours later.

Fresh air, sand and salt.

We hauled my photography equipment, optimistic.

Then, the night we had planned to shoot, with best window of time for sunset being 7:00-7:30, the weather did this:

WhatsApp Image 2021-08-10 at 6.27.01 PM.jpeg

I made everyone just stand at the door and wait.

I said, either this means we're going to run for it, have 5 minutes to nail it, and the sunset will be SPECTACULAR... Or we will have absolutely nothing.

This entire vacation AND the result of this photoshoot, all of it, was about a leap in faith. Being spontaneous and wild and jumping into chaos, and hoping for beauty.

In the ocean, my children learned they could battle the waves or embrace them. They could get slapped in the face and choke on the salt, or they could put on their goggles, take a deep breath, and dive into them. Even moreso, they could submerge, and relax beneath the turbulence. The choice is ours.

What fun would it be without an outtake?

I plan to print as a gallery wrap for our living room.

PersonalRachel Linkwaldatlanta family photographer, panama city beach, beach photography, family photography, family, beachComment
Waters

In 2018, we did our first Cohen family session. Their three precious girls dipped their hands in the water.

In 2019, we recreated that image.

In 2020, we paused. Covid took precedent.

In 2021, we captured it again.

Each year, we capture their growth, and mirror both the past, and what we desire for the future.

In 2019, we added metals to the year prior. In 2021, we reinvisioned the arrangements completely, forming new groupings to tell new stories.

We are continuing to select matte metals for Avital, not only because it lends cohesiveness to her expanding galleries, but because she raved: “I love these with my kids! I don’t worry as much about fingerprints or damage. The kids love exploring them and touching them and pointing to themselves, and I know these are durable enough for that.” She also loves treating their parents to accordion albums- tiny leather-bound brag books they can carry in their bags, and display on their shelves.

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Relatable

So I get a call from Maya. She’s just had a new baby, her second, and she is unsurprisingly exhausted. She knows she wants to capture this transition beautifully, but she also wants it to be EASY. She asks if we could do a lifestyle newborn family session in her home, and I’m delighted.

As we talk, she reveals she has a 3 year old that is, shall we say… a powerhouse. And that she can be a bit rough with her new baby… Ben.

I’M SORRY, SAY WHAT??

Because I’m pretty sure that it was exactly five years ago that I, exhausted to tears, told people that my rambunctious 3 year old daughter loved her baby, Ben, “aggressively.”

Ohmigosh. We. Are. The. Same.

Needless to say, I felt trained for the job!

What’s great, coming in as the better rested outsider, is that I was much more equipped this time than with my own.

They were delightful. Really, truly delightful.

Does it make me long for the days, when my two were exactly like this? For a moment. And then, nope. I’m so thrilled to watch mine become real little humans.

It’s really remarkable to reflect, via my clients, my own journey thus far, and get to witness theirs.

This (unedited) is the mockup for their 20x30 semi-gloss metal in their kitchen. The one of the two kiddos will be a metal in their playroom, and the other two are prints to be framed in the home.

The finished installation!

ClientsRachel Linkwaldatlanta family photographer, atlanta, family photography, family, newborn, newborn photographyComment