Where do I begin? Well to start, I own my own wedding planning company in Chicago so when it came time for me to pick a photographer, it’s safe to say I was extremely picky in what I was looking for. I understand that loving your vendor team is... more than just the work they produce; in order to be happy with your team, you have to love their personality. Especially photographers, they are literally with you longer than you’re with your soon-to-be-spouse, so if you better love being around them! I actually hadn’t worked with Rachael before I signed with her for my wedding. I hopped on a zoom with her and immediately fell at ease because of her genuine nature and fun/goofy personality. I could tell we would be friends outside of the wedding world. We had our engagement shoot with Rachael and is it weird to say I had a blast? I do love taking photos but even my [now] husband thought she put him at ease and really directed with poses and kept the conversation and laughs going. The photos were OUT OF THIS WORLD which I truly couldn’t be happier about. So when our wedding was postponed from Fall 2020 to Spring 2021 and there was “no end in sight” we decided to push our wedding to 2022 and “elope” on our second date. Rachael was an absolute sweetheart among the transition, while she did not sign up for it, she allowed me to vent (ha!) and was one of my biggest support teams. As we started planning our elopement in Texas in May 2021, we were really stuck what to do with photography. Do we hire a local vendor or fly Rachael out with one of her elopement packages? Weighing pros/cons and everything in between, we felt the most excited and comfortable bringing her with (the only vendor we flew in!) to capture our big day. I’m currently honeymooning and could not wait to write her a review, despite we only have our **UNREAL** sneak peak back.
After reviewing the photos, sliding back and forth between the mini gallery [just about 100 times] I shed a few tears and immediately reached out that she is verbatim, the *best* photographer ever. I work with countless fabulous photographers, don’t get me wrong, I love SO many that I can’t really favorite just one. But there is something very special about Rachael’s editing style, ability to work with the elements, her happy go-lucky spirit and overall talent. I wish I could put into words how much she heightened our big day and will allow us to look back at the photos, smile, and relive the day. Spending the money on a photographer is well worth it. You will never regret having amazing photos, because it’s more than the photos you get back. It’s the memories you can look at when you’re having a bad day, and to pass down to your children and grandchildren. Do yourself a favor and set up a call with Rachael. She travels nation and worldwide (hopefully we’re working an Italy wedding together next year ;) ) and will be your new best friend, and favorite photographer of course. Cheers to you Rachael, I appreciate you more than you know. I can’t wait to have you capture our “wedding” next Fall.
- Danielle & Phil