I had met Ashley a few months back when she did an Everyone is Beautiful Session. It was so amazing to hang out with her again on such a special occasion! Ashley wore a turquoise sweet dress, and silver ballerina slippers...for a while. We decided that we would add some character to the photos and add her green converse shoes.
So now I am posting this Blogshow on her 13th Birthday. She is growing up into a beautiful girl and I am glad that I was able to capture the last few months! Happy 13th Birthday Ashley!
When I asked Ashley for 5 favorite "ROCKIN' Random" things she responded with the following in this order:
1 - Llamas
2 - Shopping
3 - Hockey
4 - Basketball
5 - Soccer
Almost two years ago, she went through a major life change. It knocked her to the ground and she wasn't sure if she would get back on her feet. With the support and love of wonderful family and friends, she bounced back stronger, happier, and healthier. It was a journey but one that left her "a better person than the one she was before" and for that, she is very thankful.
Like most moms, she wasn't one for taking care of herself ahead of others. Everyone and everything came first. So the first task she assigned for herself was to take time for her. Rachel took on the motto "If Mama's not happy; nobody's happy." It certainly made a difference in her healing.
Rachel had left university after attending for a year and a half right out of high school. She always said that she would go back but along came marriage, a daughter, bills and obligations and that goal was always put on the back burner. So in the fall of 2008, she started back at UPEI part time, while working full time, to finish her business degree. It gives her a great sense of pride to be working towards this goal and she is thoroughly enjoying it.
Since this was a Everyone is Beautiful - Boudoir Shoot, I can only show you a handful of shots. I believe privacy in these sessions is of the utmost importance. As with all of my clients, especially boudoir clients, I have discussed this with Rachel and she has agreed that these photos could be posted.
Rachel's
"When I stumbled upon your website with the boudoir pictures - I had done a little modeling in my late teens and remembered how great it was for the self esteem then. As I drove to the session, I thought, "What are you doing?" but that thought disappeared as Rachel made me feel comfortable immediately.; The session was so much fun; I would do it again in a heartbeat.
As for the result?I could not be more pleased with the photos. They are tasteful and beautiful. You have such an eye for detail and are busting with talent; It can be seen in my pictures. The whole experience was what I needed to get my self confidence back. I felt great during the session and if I have a low day, I can grab my book of photos and say, "Not bad for 36, Rach. Not bad at all."
I have recommended to all my girlfriends a boudoir session with Rachel Peters. Rachel is so warm and sweet, I felt comfortable immediately and that speaks volumes considering I was dressed in lingerie! The shots were tasteful and beautiful. Rachel has a talent to not only pull the beauty out of each person but to capture the environment in the shot which adds to the beauty. The shots do not look staged - they are natural and captivating. The boudoir session is one of the best things I could have ever done for me. I feel great about the results and will have these beautiful pictures to look back on when I am old and gray. I'm thinking a family shot of the three dogs, my daughter and I will be next.... I'm thinking Rachel would find a really cool location to shoot those!"
Stunning! Both Rachels in this blog are inspiring!
(06.17.09)This is a great story and I love that the photos have captured Rachel's strength and beauty! What an inspiration!
(06.17.09)I want to book a session...do you have any appointments left this summer?
(06.17.09)Beautiful pictures Rachel.
(06.18.09)Inspiring pictures.
(06.23.09)
As we roamed around looking for a great location for photos, I remembered what it was like to be that age. Friends, Boys, Boy Friends, Music, Friends, Boys, Boy Friends, Music, repeat X 100. Oh and lets not forget school. It is a great age to capture and spend some time with as it brings you back to that time.
sweet pics :)
(06.13.09)These sessions are awesome!
(06.13.09)Great photos!
(06.14.09)
Everyone is Beautiful sessions are just that - capturing the things about you that make you beautiful. There is no measurement of beauty, and I recognize that everyone is unique. These sessions are dictated by you - letting you capture you when you feel most beautiful. Maybe that's you wearing your favorite t-shirt, or hair tied in a ponytail, or you wearing your most comfy pair of jeans. It may be you wearing your lingerie that you take out only on special occasions, or that intimate thing that only you know about. These sessions are meant to make you feel comfortable, and empower you in whatever you feel most comfortable.
As you can imagine, people that book these sessions, are extremely nervous and don't know what to expect. These sessions are completely professional and the pictures will not be published or made public, unless specified by you. Many clients have come to me after their sessions and thanked me for empowering them at their best. I always feel rewarded after each of my sessions, but a recent session, reinforced why I do what I do, and made me realize that I can make a difference.
Trienke is a new client & now friend, that found herself living a life that so many do. Here's Trienke's story:
It seems that being single is not accepted, that you need a partner in order to be counted among the people. Wherever you turn, people are asking questions like, "Where is your other half? Are you seeing someone? Are you looking? You're not getting any younger. I was 19 when I got married. I don't understand why a girl like you is still single." But to a single person in our society, those are questions that seem to come from every corner and every occasion.
After years and years of hearing this I have come to realize that it does bother me and it does hurt to have the obvious pointed out over and over again. The pressure is immense! All I seem to be hearing is that in order to feel valid and accepted I need to have a partner. What is wrong with being just me and being single? Why can't people ask me about me and just me? It took a wise woman to step up to me and bluntly tell me that I need to stop looking and to start living: stop worrying about finding the one; stop wondering about when it will happen; stop listening to what people are saying, and to embrace being single; stop and focus on myself and my relationship with life. What a relief to have someone tell me this. What a relief for those blinders to fall away and just to come to the realization that I am perfect just the way I am, that I am just as important and accepted as the rest. Such a relief to the point that I would like to have a photo/glamor shoot done. No partner, no kids, no special event to celebrate! Just because I am fearfully and wonderfully made... just me... being single and fabulous. I don't mind talking about being single. I'm ok with that so no need to tiptoe around the subject. Just don't make it an issue. Don't make it to be my sole purpose in life. Now these are all my own observations and I might be the only single person that feels like this but somehow I doubt it. So I've decided to stop looking and to start living. Now if only everyone else just does the same...let's all let go and let God!
Woo hoo! You go girl! You look fabulous, and GREAT pics Rachel, as always! Great location too!
(06.07.09)Being YOU is BEAUTIFUL.
BE-YOU-tiful!!!
This is amazing! I think I have to book a session now! I'm definetely going to pass this along to friends :)
(06.08.09)I love this idea! Great colors! I would love to do this! Please send me some information :-)
(06.09.09)Thanks Rachel for doing this!! It was SO much fun and empowering!!! You're a sweetheart!
And yes, everyone that is even half interested in doing something like this... DO IT!!! You'll love every moment of it!
I have to say these pictures are stunning, the colors are so beautiful they just come right out and pull you in. I love checking your blog weekly, your work is fab and I will be spreading the word.
(06.13.09)
We live in a society where social acceptance is to most people a critical means of life. We also live in a world where media and pop culture dictates what is beautiful or who or what we should look like. Unfortunately, this beautiful is hours of work, layers of makeup and endless editing to hide the flaws and cover up the "soft" spots. The reality is that we are not privy to the editing and endless labor. So the Everyone is Beautiful sessions tear down the boundaries, and let beauty of all sorts be captured through the eyes of a lens.
Rachel Peters Everyone is Beautiful sessions are just that - capturing the things about you that make you beautiful. There is no measurement of beauty, and Rachel recognizes that everyone is unique. These sessions are dictated by you - letting you capture you when you feel most beautiful. Maybe that's you wearing your favorite t-shirt, or hair tied in a ponytail, or you wearing your most comfy pair of jeans. It may be you wearing your lingerie that you take out only on special occasions, or that intimate thing that only you know about. These sessions are meant to make you feel comfortable, and empower you in whatever you feel most comfortable.
As you can imagine, people that book these sessions, are extremely nervous and don't know what to expect. These sessions are completely professional and the pictures will not be published or made public. Many clients have come to me after their sessions and thanked me for empowering them at their best. I always feel rewarded after each of my sessions, but a recent session, reinforced why I do what I do, and made me realize that I can make a difference.
For more information on participating in an "Everyone is Beautiful" Session, just for fun, email me at "Everyone is Beautiful"
I love it ! thanks alooot :)
(06.25.09)ahh love these, Happy Birthday Ashley!
(06.25.09)Ashley is gorgeous!
(06.26.09)Love her eyes, nice idea for semi pics!
(06.26.09)I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE
(06.26.09)HER DRESS!!! So cute!
Such amazing photos of my Niece from such an amazing photographer. You are so amazing Rachel! XO
(07.07.09)