Elegant. Timeless. Cherished | Wedding Photography
Serving Michigan and beyond
Travel area: Within 300 miles See details
Rachelle Wakeman
OWNER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (1X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Based out of Grand Rapids, MI, Rachelle Rae Photography specializes in wedding photography and portraiture. This talented artist strives to capture those timeless moments that make up a joyful celebration. Photographer Rachelle would love to document your authentic love story and create a breathtaking album brimming with emotion.
Native to Grand Rapids, Rachelle loves her home and knows it like the back of her hand. She adores traveling because this enables her to experience new environments and hone her artistic skills. Rachelle is incredibly passionate about covering magical events, be it your engagement, wedding, or post-wedding celebrations, and would love the opportunity to bring your vision to life.
Rachelle Rae Photography offers a selection of wonderful packages designed to provide the experience couples need for their special day. Rachelle will happily travel to your venue and provide anywhere from six to ten hours of coverage. She can work additional hours upon request and enlist a second photographer to ensure no magical memory goes undocumented. You will receive your beautiful photos as prints, canvas, albums, digital files, and more for you to share with your loved ones and proudly display in your home.
Details
Photo Shoot Types
Bridal Portraits
Day After Session
Engagement
Photo & Video
Digital Files
Online Proofing
Photo
Printed Enlargements
Second Shooter Available
Social Media Sharing
Wedding Albums
Photo & Video Styles
Artistic
Classic
Documentary
Dramatic
Lifestyle
Modern
Wedding Activities
Getting Engaged
Rehearsals & Parties
Wedding
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Rachelle Wakeman
Photographer/Owner
With over 15 years of photography experience, I’ve found my true passion in capturing love stories and life’s most meaningful moments. My approach is more than just taking photos—it’s about building a connection with you, making you feel comfortable, and celebrating what makes your story unique. I genuinely care about each couple I work with and am dedicated to creating images that reflect who you are and how you feel in this special season of life. From the first hello to the final gallery, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s create something unforgettable together!
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.022 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Rachelle, a highly recommended wedding photographer, received outstanding reviews for her professionalism, communication, and exceptional photography skills. Despite facing unexpected circumstances that prevented her from photographing a wedding, her ability to find a replacement seamlessly and still deliver stunning photos impressed clients. Clients praised her for capturing beautiful, natural moments and exceeding expectations with timely delivery of high-quality images. Rachelle's attention to detail, artistry, and ability to create a comfortable atmosphere were highlighted in multiple glowing reviews, making her a top choice for couples seeking a talented photographer.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 5
James B
5.0
10/23/2025
Rachelle was absolutely phenomenal! From start to finish, she went above and beyond for us. We had multiple changes along the way — including a last-minute decision to elope in Las...
Vegas — and she handled everything with so much grace and professionalism.
Her photography business is the definition of crisp and prestige. Rachelle is incredibly detail-oriented, flexible, and friendly. She truly listens, works with your vision, and somehow elevates it beyond what you imagined.
And the photos — wow! Every shot was stunning and perfectly captured the emotion and magic of the moment. We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer to document such a special time in our lives. Highly recommend Rachelle to anyone looking for someone who not only takes beautiful photos but also makes the entire experience unforgettable.
Jamie M
5.0
10/21/2025
We hired Rachelle for our wedding, and she EXCEEDED our expectations. She is the sweetest person and made us feel very comfortable throughout the whole process. She is very communi...
cative, flexible, and thorough. She truly cares about her clients and the quality of her work. She captured so many unexpected but special moments. We are truly able to relive our wedding day through the amazing photos she captured. I highly recommend Rachelle Rae Photography!
Any questions?
Dana D
5.0
7/23/2024
Rachelle is amazing! She is so easy to communicate with, easy going and has a bubbly personality. Our engagement session with Rachelle, was so fun, and we loved the pictures. Unfor...
tunately for our wedding, Rachelle’s mother’s health declined and she informed us about this, and that she would not be able to photograph our wedding due to this, but she was able to find us another photographer for our wedding who did an amazing job taking her place. Rachelle also communicated with me all the way up until the other photographer showed up to the wedding and even communicated our plan to the other photographer, this helped take some stress away knowing Rachelle was communicating everything we wanted to the new photographer. Rachelle was very thorough when discussing what our vision was and making sure we got what we wanted, while being honest about lighting issues from a photographers perspective. Even though Rachelle was not able to photograph our wedding, I would still recommend her to anyone that asked. The photos we got back were stunning and we love them, and she does an amazing job.
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 07/23/2024
Dana, it has been such a privilege to work with you and Tyler! Thank you so much for being...
so understanding with the passing of my mother. I'm so glad we get to work together again soon!
Rachael S
5.0
4/24/2024
Our wedding photo album came in (created and put together by Rachelle) and EXCEEDED expectations!!! Rachelle was our photographer for our engagement and wedding. She is truly the ...
best. Took the time to create the image and vibe for our photos and then created our wedding photo album of our dreams!!! Thank you Rachelle !!!
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 04/24/2024
Rachael and Matt, you were the best to work with! Thank you so much for your kind words. I...
consider myself so fortunate to have been able get to know you throughout your wedding journey! XOXO
Evie B
5.0
8/08/2023
Rachelle was recommended to us by a friend, and I am so thankful she was available. She did her homework, got to know what we wanted, and was clear about her expectations. Day of, ...
she was professional, fun, and easy to work with. My husband was really unexcited about photos, but he found the process with Rachelle enjoyable and relaxed.
And then there are the photos... they are so beautiful. Rachelle captured the most glorious, natural shots that highlight both the beauty of the venue and how happy we were that day. Her ability to find romance in scenery is exceptional.
Her timeline is also really wonderful. We got one sneak peek photo two days after the wedding, and then around 60 more within a week and a half. The rest are coming in a few weeks.
In sum, she's prompt, hard working, and exquisitely artistic. Her rate was worth it.
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 08/09/2023
Thank you for these kind words, Evie! So glad to hear that your husband didn't find the pr...
ocess toooo bad. :-) Your day was lovely, but the love you showed for each other was the very best!
Dana W
5.0
7/30/2023
I can’t recommend Rachelle enough! She was so wonderful to work with and easy to communicate with. Rachelle made the day run so smoothly, making sure she got all of the shots I req...
uested. The photos far exceeded my expectations!
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 08/09/2023
Dana, your wedding was a DREAM and I feel so privileged to have been part of it. Thank you...
, from the bottom of my heart!
Amanda E
5.0
6/29/2023
Rachelle exceeded all expectations and did a beautiful job with our photos in spite of extenuating circumstances. The lighting at our ceremony darkened very quickly and she worked ...
efficiently to adjust to this unexpected element. Along with this our time restraints at the facility and the fact that we had major delays. With all these set backs she worked well under the pressure to give us absolutely individualistic and stunning photos. We HIGHLY would recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer. She was worth every penny and we could not believe how well our photos turned out with the circumstances she worked with.
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 06/30/2023
It was so great working with you and Tommy! It was an honor to create your images…and what...
a beautiful evening you had. Thank you, once again, for allowing me to be a part of your lovely wedding. 💙
Bailey W
5.0
6/25/2023
Rachelle was so easy to work with and immediately made my husband and I feel comfortable behind the camera. She is very talented at what she does and if you’re lucky she’ll bring a...
long her assistant, Annie. If you want beautiful pictures and an even more amazing person to work with then book Rachelle!!
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 06/30/2023
What a privilege to be a part of your day and capture all the loveliness! Loved witnessing...
all the fun you and Paul made throughout your day. Thank you for your kind review. It means everything to me. 💙
Kurstin S
5.0
6/08/2023
Rachelle was so kind, professional and had wonderful communication! She did my husband and I engagement photos and wedding day photos. They turned out exactly how I pictured. Our g...
oal was to have timeless professional photos and she did exactly that! She has worked at multiple venues all over Grand Rapids so she has so much experience working with the venue and knowing where the best lighting is! I would highly recommend Rachelle and will definitely work with her in the future. Thanks Rachelle!
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 08/09/2023
Kurstin! You're the best! Loved how we always saw each other's vision! Can we go back? <3
Kristine B
5.0
5/29/2023
We booked Rachelle after our family friends recommended her and we are so happy we did. Not only are her pictures beautiful, but her and her partner (Julie) are the sweetest!! Ou...
r bridal party had a wonderful time. We got several comments after our wedding from family/friends on how discrete they were both at the church and reception. We loved her so much we just booked her for our newborn photos!!
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 08/09/2023
Kristine, you and Will have been such a pleasure to work with and your sweetness and kindn...
ess was exemplary! Thank you for including me in these special chapters in your life. <3
Abbey S
5.0
5/27/2023
Amazing photography! She took time to get to know us and make us feel comfortable behind the camera. Took tons of photos from all different angles that I never thought I need. Made...
our dreams come true and then some! Highly recommend to make your day perfect!
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 08/09/2023
Abbey and Andrew, we always had so much fun together, from your engagement session to your...
wedding...we traveled all over the state! So thankful to witness and capture your special times. Thank you!
Adria R
5.0
3/21/2022
Rachelle is the absolute best!! So easy to communicate with and such a professional. Besides her fantastic photographic skills and eye, she gives helpful direction for those of us ...
who don't necessarily feel 100% comfortable in front of a camera. The 2nd shooter she had along with her for our wedding was also very talented and professional. With Rachelle you can be confident your engagement and wedding photos will turn out beautifully and that she will support the whole vision for your wedding. She takes all details into account and works seamlessly with other vendors. Book Rachelle Rae Photography and confidently check this very important item off your planning to-do list!
Response from Rachelle Rae Photography on 08/09/2023
Adria, your wedding was beyond beautiful and so special. It sure was a hot one, but it all...
became part of your special wedding day story. So thankful you allowed me to be part of it.
Taryn F
5.0
3/09/2022
Rachelle was our engagement/ wedding photographer and we are so grateful that we entrusted her to capture our day. Rachelle is both professional and personable and great at what sh...
e does. She communicated with us regularly in preparation for our wedding day and helped us establish a schedule to ensure that our day ran seamlessly and that she did not miss any special moments. We were extremely satisfied with the quality and quantity of images we received from Rachelle and appreciate the extra time she took to personalize our wedding album so that we can look back on our day and enjoy the memories forever. We thoroughly enjoyed working with Rachelle and would recommend her to anyone in search of a wedding photographer.
Sarah G
5.0
8/15/2021
Rachelle (and her assistant Annie) were awesome to work with! The pictures for our wedding came out beautifully, and we're so excited to have these moments in time captured for us ...
to cherish forever!
We booked her "elopement" package for our wedding, and I'm so glad we did! We got all the pictures we wanted from our special day!
We would absolutely work with her again (and hope to someday, maybe for family portraits?), and we'll definitely be recommending her to friends and family!
Jenni B
5.0
9/28/2020
Rachelle was so amazing to work with, and was so accommodating even with all the hassle of having to change our original date due to the coronavirus pandemic! She went above and be...
yond, and my husband and I are SO happy with how our photos turned out!! I highly highly recommend her!!
Jessica P
5.0
7/28/2019
Rachelle is amazing!!! Both our engagement and wedding photos were so unbelievably beautiful and truly captured me and my husband perfectly. In addition to her talent, Rachelle is ...
so personable, friendly, and professional! She was so helpful in answering questions and offering advice when needed throughout our entire engagement. The photo booth pictures are the highest quality photo booth I’ve ever seen! Can’t wait to use Rachelle for future family pictures! :)
Jerry S
5.0
2/04/2017
From our very first meeting, we knew that Rachelle was going to be the perfect photographer for us. We didn't even bother to meet with anyone else.
Rachelle was very easy...
to work with and was very flexible with our availability to make sure that our engagement photos went off without a hitch. She was even willing to go out on a cold winter day to get some truly beautiful photos of us. Her detailed knowledge of photography and lighting helped to create some beautiful settings in places that you wouldn't even think would allow it. We never would have thought that photos could be taken in a empty parking lot and be some of our favorites just from her keen eye.
When it came to the wedding, Rachelle and her second shooter did an amazing job of getting pictures without us even noticing they were there. They did a great job of staying out the way and yet got some beautiful shots of us. Once again, her ability to use different photography tricks made for some amazing shots of us and our wedding party. We couldn't wait to share all of our photos with our friends and family, and these photos will serve as beautiful reminders of our special day for years to come. We would recommend Rachelle to anyone looking for a photographer for their event, whether it is a wedding, engagement photos, or any other occasion you want lasting memories of.
Emily S
5.0
10/20/2015
We hired Rachelle for our engagement photo session and our wedding. Rachelle is amazing...she's so personable and focuses so much on getting the perfect shot. She was efficient and...
flexible and was always available for communication! We got married on October 3rd and got our photo preview back a week later and are absolutely in love! I think I've looked through it 100 times :) And we can't wait to get our full portfolio of photos...Rachelle (and her assistant) did a phenomenal job capturing the emotions and beauty of the most important day of our lives! Finding the right photographer and someone who could capture exactly what we wanted was one of the most important decisions we made, and we definitely made a great choice! We highly recommend Rachelle Rae Photography!
Ashley B
5.0
7/25/2015
I wish we could give higher than 5 stars because I just don't think this describes how happy my family and I are with Rachelle. We are waiting on all of the pictures still, but the...
first 100 that we have seen have all been AMAZING!
On the day, Rachelle was buzzing around making sure that she got all the details we put into the day. It is very nice to have someone looking at all the small details. She was also very diligent to make sure we got all the shots that we needed to before and after the ceremony.
During the reception, we had a photo booth, which all the guests loved. She also did an amazing job to capture all the fun everyone was having, especially my husband and I. She got some amazing shots that really will help us remember everything from years to come.
If you are looking for a sweet, caring photographer that really wants to give you everything you ask for, book Rachelle now. She is fantastic!
Anonymous
5.0
9/18/2014
We couldn’t have picked a better photography company than Rachelle Rae Photography. Rachelle and her photography team were professional, courteous, driven, caring, detail-oriented...
, creative, friendly, and so much more.
Here are just a few of the many reasons why Rachelle was the best pick. Rachelle was nice enough to drive to meet with us a few months before the wedding to sit down and discuss all of the details of the wedding for 3+ hours. Time flew by talking with her because we enjoyed the conversation so much, and it was so nice of her to care about getting every single detail. Rachelle also held to her word of unlimited time, being that she began the wedding day during the preparations early in the morning (8am I believe) and stayed until we had our grand exit at midnight. What a long day for them, and she did not miss a beat. The photos came out perfect. She captured everything we wanted and more. There are too many great shots to choose from for framing. Being the groom of the wedding, my favorite part about having Rachelle as our photographer is the value. She was about half the price of all of the other photographers, and we liked her work the best anyways when we were shopping around. She also included a photo booth for our reception and came to shoot our wedding party a few days before the wedding at a lakehouse we rented for the week (I believe this was in place of engagement photos).
We could not have picked a better photography company. I highly recommend Rachelle Rae Photography. You’ll be happy you picked her too.
Kristin G
5.0
1/02/2014
Rachelle goes above and beyond! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect photographer! She begins when you want her to and stays as long as you want. Her wedding package includes s...
o many things it made things easy for planning!
Elizabeth M
5.0
8/27/2012
Rachelle is an AMAZING photography and I absolutely LOVED having her for my wedding and engagement photographer. She was just starting out when I booked her so I was a little conc...
erned about her lack of experience but I was proved wrong. She is so easy to work with, super fun, and she has the ability to capture personality within the picture. She wasn't afraid of a challenging shot and we got so much for the price we paid. I couldn't find a better deal and have been recommending her to everyone I know. I will definitely use her for future family sessions.
Service area & Contact info
Travel area: Within 300 miles
Additional charges may apply
Curious to learn more?
Start the convo
*=Required
Use this secure form to reach out and share your wedding vision.
Rachelle Rae Photography
Rachelle Wakeman
|
Owner
Typically responds within 24h
Wedding vendors in Grand Rapids
- Wedding Vendors/
- Wedding Photographers/
- Michigan Wedding Photographers/
- Grand Rapids Wedding Photographers/
Why use The Knot to message vendors?
Messaging our verified vendors on The Knot is free, safe and secure. Conveniently track vendor messages and planning details all in one place. Our mobile apps make it easy to stay in touch with vendors while you're on‑the‑go. For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.