Part 2 of Amanda and Allen's Wedding in St. Louis- The Wedding Day!  Amanda and Allen picked the beautiful St. Louis Union Station Hotel.  This hotel is part of the Original Union Station and is AMAZING!  So many details tucked away through out the hotel.  Amanda got ready with her Mom, her bridesmaids (two were also her sisters) and all her nieces. It was so sweet to see all of them help her get ready. The ceremony was held in a room with gorgeous light and an amazing sculpted ceiling. After their 5 minute "I Do's" the couple mingled with family and friends at their cocktail hour.  We stole them away for their portraits together before the reception. We wandered all over the hotel, getting some unique shots like the one on the glass floor that was lit from below.  They practiced their first dance and I love how we were able to capture the movement of her dress.  Their Reception was held in the Grande Hall, amazing curved ceiling and tile detail. Instead of the traditional cake they had ice cream cake (it was delicious). Slam Band kept the night lively and the dance floor full all night.  I love how they chose to do things a little un-traditional and went with what fit them :)

Thanks to all the wonderful vendors who helped make this Wedding Weekend Amazing.  Studio 1 Salon, Flower Pot, Downtime Productions- Slam Band and of course St.Louis Union Station Hotel

When Amanda and Allen asked if I would travel to St. Louis to photograph their wedding I was thrilled!  You know I love to travel AND to get the chance to photograph at an entirely new location to me is always exciting.  One of the neat things about a "Destination Wedding" is being able to spend so much time with the Bride, Groom, Their families and everyone attending the wedding.  I brought Alison along with me to help cover the weekend.  The day before the wedding we went out to Golf course where a large group of those attending the wedding were playing a round of golf at The Courses at Forest Park. I think we made them more nervous than anything, but it was a gorgeous course and such a fun memory to have captured.  The afternoon we had some downtime and Alison and I walked to the St. Louis Arch. It truly is an amazing structure, I have been up in in before but Alison was a first timer to St. Louis so we went up and saw the view of the city (I even face timed with my Mom up there :) All day the sky looked like it was going to pour on us (loved the drama it created) but it held off until that night when their were reports of tornado's just outside the city while we were at the rehearsal dinner.  The rehearsal dinner was held at 15 steakhouse, they had an amazing set up and the food was delicious. The tornado warnings didn't phase the Bride and Groom and they enjoyed being with all the guests that came to celebrate their wedding.

Check back soon for Part 2 of Amanda and Allen's Wedding weekend.

We recently featured Amanda and Scott's Cocoa Beach Engagement session.  I had so much fun photographing them that day and knew their wedding was going to be great.  Amanda and Scott were married on May 18, 2013 under the large Banyan Trees at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts with a gorgeous reception in the Museum. Its no secret that Amanda loves pink and her day was filled with pink details, from the beautiful flower arrangements and the 4 tier wedding cake to the Bridesmaids shoes and the guys pink belts. Amanda got ready at The Vinoy Renaissance Hotel , I absolutely loved her wedding dress by Demetrios. Amanda & Scott chose to do a first look before the ceremony. The hotel was quite busy but we found a quite tucked away spot, that just so happened to be in a great spot for the bridesmaids to watch from their balcony :) Everyone I met was so excited to be there to celebrate with them.  Congratulations Amanda & Scott!

Vendor's who helped make this day beautiful! Coordinator-Kathleen Reynolds, Carters Florist, Brides by Demetrios (Altamonte Springs, FL), Olympia Catering, DJ Shane, Shutter Booth, Chocolate Fountain Productions, Museum of Fine Arts, The Vinoy Renaissance Hotel.

I have been so excited to share this engagement session in Cocoa Beach! Amanda & Scott are getting married this month and I've been looking forward to their wedding for a long time!  They live out near the coast and decided on a beach e-session out at Cocoa Beach Pier.  I asked Amanda to tell me a little bit about the proposal and while she said it wasn't horribly exciting, I think it is super sweet!  Scott had scoped out the location and when he found it asked the lady that lived there if he could borrow her dock for an evening, of course she agreed :)  That night he had a candle lit dinner set up on the dock, along with a set table and music (awwwww) he had planned on proposing at sunset but it was an overcast evening, towards the end of the meal some dolphins started playing in the water near the dock and he said later it as a sign that it was the moment.  Of course she said yes! :) I think this is just a delightful proposal and I can't wait to celebrate with them in a few weeks at their wedding!

To say Maverick likes Spiderman may be an understatement. His Mom told me he was very excited about our photo shoot and was practicing his moves daily, which sent him to the ER for stitches....twice! Ooops! We needed some good alley's for Spiderman to play in and Historic Downtown Sanford was perfect.  Maverick was all about finding places to jump off, hang off or be intensely looking for people to save.  Adorable and so much fun. 

If you are interested in a portrait session that highlights your child's imagination you can contact me at rachel@rachelvphotography.com or 321-775-5787

I can't believe little Owen is turning 1.  It feels like just yesterday I was photographing him when he was only 5 days old! (check out his newborn session here) Its been so neat to see this little man grow, he has been walking for months now and is very interested into exploring the world around him.  For his cake smash I used a vintage highchair from Lila Photography Props. The cake was a homemade carrot cake made by his Mom Laura, with fresh blueberries on top.  The sign behind him his super creative Mom also made out of some old blue jeans and felt (quite talented isn't she?)  Owen enjoyed picking the blueberries off the cake and was fascinated with the candle.  Once he let us know he was done with his cake we let him clean off in the baby pool. And later as we were talking they cuddled up to read a story and I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of the moment.  Happy First Birthday Owen!

Taken at: Home

Cake & Decorations: Homemade

Vintage High Chair: Lila Photography Props

Interested in booking a session?  Contact me at 321-775-5787 or rachel@rachelvphotography.com

A few weeks ago I got a call from Alexis, She wanted to surprise her sister with a photo shoot of all her friends while they were in Florida for Jocelyn's bachelorette party. We met at the Grand Floridian at Disney before they went out for dinner. Alexis really put in a lot of details to this girls weekend, they had matching Mickey Mouse rings and sunglasses and those were just the things I knew about.  Such sweet girls, Congratulations again Jocelyn, hope y'all had a lot of fun at Epcot!

Aimee & Jimmy are expecting their first child in July.  For their Maternity session some of their friends let us use their beautiful property in St. Cloud to do our shoot and even took us out on the boat for a few shots :)  Aimee and Jimmy love the water and going out fishing together, so this was the perfect fit.  It was a beautiful morning with a soft (Carolina) blue sky and I think the pictures turned out beautifully.  I can't wait to meet Giuliana in a few months! 

                                                          "A sister is a forever friend". - Author Unknown

I have gotten to photograph several sets of sisters in the last few weeks. Including these little loves, Izzy and Gabby. I met them a few years ago and have gotten to see them grow, Izzy is now 6 and Gabby is 4.  Both girls take ballet and happily showed me some of their moves.  This shoot is a surprise for their Daddy and I hear that so far they haven't told him!  Such sweet girls!

Images taken at Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida

 If you are interested in booking a session with us please email rachel@rachelvphotography.com or call 321-775-5787

I can't believe April is more than halfway over! We have been having some beautiful weather here in Florida, but It's really starting to heat up now! Thankfully we had one of those gorgeous spring evenings when I met up with Nicolette in Hannibal Square to do some new headshots for her blog.  Her blog "Working on a Project" is a blog about creating, baking and of course her two adorable girls! She showed up in the most adorable pink dress (that had pockets- I love dresses with pockets) and told me it had been a while since she had her picture taken without a child or Husband in the pictures. But she had absolutely nothing to worry about, she knew how to work it in front of the camera! We had a lot of fun at this shoot and our time went by way too fast.  Make sure to check out her blog when you get a chance!

These sisters are full of personality and energy!  Lexia is 10 and Jazmine just turned 7.  They didn't want to be "watched" during their shoot and had their parents wander off while we did our thing.  Once they warmed up there was no holding back, playing around and laughing with each other and Jazzy was more than happy to show off her missing front teeth :) I had such a fun time with these two!

-Cranes Roost, Altamonte Springs, FL

Recently I participated with Project Dance Orlando.  I was thrilled to be a part of it because I grew up training to be a professional ballerina and dancing in my church. Due to an injury in my late teens my career path changed.  When my friend Chloe contacted me about photographing the worship night and class day, I was excited. Chloe and I were roommates at a summer Dance camp when we were teenagers, we kept in touch and randomly both married guys from Florida and ended up here in the Orlando area :)  

The classes were held at the Orlando Ballet Studios and the moment I walked in I felt at home.  The soft light pouring through the windows, the unmistakable smell of a studio, the shuffle of ballet shoes on the floor. It really made me want to put on my tights and leotard. 

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the weekend. I decided to do all black and white because I personally love the way it looks and how it takes away the distractions and focuses on the movement.

To find out more about Project Dance visit here: Project Dance

My brother is a very talented motion graphics designer and owner of Drones of Prey  (low altitude aerial photography & motion graphics) He was working on a project in Daytona and asked me to come up and help for a few days.  Some of the guys we were working with in a band and were playing a concert during Daytona Bike Week.  While we were mostly doing film work, I did take some time to snap a few pictures.  It was fun to play around with the stage lighting and smoke machines, definitely a different look than what I typically shoot but I love how they turned out.

Its been a full week.  Mr. V and I went to a wedding last weekend in Lido Key and since we got back I have been going non stop.  I can't complain, I love it!  Early in the week I met up with Tara Gidus, a registered Dietitian and Nutritionist also know as Diet Diva.  We met on Park Ave in Winter Park, She was full of energy and ready to go the moment we arrived, and I get a feeling this is what she is like everyday :)  We talked about her two young boys and the current projects she is working on, her energy and drive inspired me. Here are a few of the images from our shoot.

Margarita is the lady behind the blog Cupcake Cardio. She blogs about fitness and yes cupcakes :) ! We met up last month to take some new headshots for her blog. She wanted to have some professional images but also incorporate her love of fitness and cupcakes. I think we were able to do just that!  I really enjoyed getting to know her as we did the shoot and learned that she and her husband are getting ready to make a big move to Tennessee. Check out her blog and let her know you saw the pictures and wish her luck on her move.

Last week I photographed Maura and Allen's Engagement session in a place close to their hearts.  Allen works for the Houston Astros MLB team and was in Central Florida for Spring Training in March of 2008.  While he was here he was at Disney Boardwalk and saw a cute blonde walk by and he just couldn't let her walk away without talking to her.  Allen popped the question in December and Maura contacted me a short time later to ask if I would take their engagement photos at the place they met and went on their first date (awwwww). The day started out rainy, but my weather app assured me it would stop raining a few hours before our shoot time.  I brought umbrellas along just in case it was going to end up being a rainy shoot, but it turned out to be a perfect evening.  I couldn't have enjoyed my time with these two more, they were so sweet, playful and loving. Allen wanted to find a way to show how they met. We decided to take a series of photos to "recreate" that moment.  While it may not be exactly how it happend, I think it is such a cute way to commemorate their meeting.  And it goes to show...you never know where you will be when you meet the right one :)  

I cannot believe this little guy is already 5 months old!  Grayson is one of our Baby Plan babies, so I get to see him every couple of months and photograph his cuteness.  I love getting to see how he is growing and changing. In early February just before I left for Japan we did Grayson's 4 month shoot. He was very serious that day but we managed to get a few smirks. He has some gorgeous blue eyes and it looks like he is going to have reddish hair :) Looking forward to our next photo shoot in a few months! check out how much he has grown since his newborn shoot here.

* Baby Plan is 4 photo shoots: Newborn, 3-4 months, 6-7 months and 1 year cake smash.  Email me at Rachel@rachelvphotography.com to learn more about the special rate for the Baby Plan.

At the beginning of a new year we anticipate all the new year has to offer and set resolutions to better ourselves.  Its also a great time to set resolutions for your business and to think about the little things that can help kick it up a notch. Jeff Clark a local Central Florida Realtor called me up to get some new head shots taken, it had been a few years and he was ready for something new.  One of his area's is Baldwin Park, after discussing the look and feel we were going for in his new pictures we decided that would be a great place to shoot.  It was a delicious foggy morning (can I say delicious when referring to weather?) Not too hot and some beautiful soft lighting.  In no time we had some great shots and wrapped it up. Here are a few of my favorite. But which one did he choose?  Guess you will have to check out his website to find out :) http://jeffclarkcentralflorida.com/

If it's been a few years since you've updated your photos and you're ready for an update, shoot me an email at Rachel@rachelvphotography.com  

Had to include this picture I took, love the delicate web, dew and the foggy background

                                     "The world is a book and those that do not travel read only one page" - St. Augustine

It is no secret that I love to travel.  Like LOVE to travel.  I enjoy the whole thing, deciding, planning, packing, flying, customs, arriving, exploring, tasting, seeing.  It makes me feel alive in a way thats hard to explain. While I love being home there is just something about exploring another place that is unfamiliar to you and especially a culture that is completely foreign to my way to life. 

I think it all started when I was 4, my parents used to take tours to Israel and made the mistake of asking a 4 year old where she wanted to be baptised.  My answer "in the Jordan River where Jesus was", my parents thought "great this child will be 20 before that happens". But later that year my Dad baptised me in the Jordan River :)  I went back to Israel with my family twice more when I was 6 and 11.  Then it was 7 years until we went to Europe as a family.  I remember vividly green country side rolling by on the train from London to France and thinking "I want to see more, I love this".  This spark also caught my sister and between us both we have been to 5 Continents and 28 Countries. We have backpacked our way through Central America, Australia and Asia, Snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, Hiked the Great Wall of China, Skydived out of a pink Airplane in New Zealand, hiked a volcano in the dark in flip flops in Costa Rica, been volcano sledding in Nicaragua, slept in the back of a van for 2 weeks and eaten PB&J for every meal for weeks to save money.  The experiences are worth more than anything I could put a price tag on.  And after every trip it only leaves me wanting to see something new.

Now this brings me to my husband...He was born in Italy (his parents were in the Navy) but returned to the States when he was 3 months old.  He didn't even have a passport when we met, but since we have been married he has been to Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas.  But we are leaving for a trip to Japan and South Korea this week.  He will never be the same!  I cannot wait to share this experience with him!   And the best part and reason for the trip?  My sister moved to Japan in September and we are going to see her and she is going to travel with us the whole time :)  can't wait to see her!

Want to stay updated on our trip?  Follow me on Instagram to see pictures on our trip http://instagram.com/rvasquez

New Zealand 2010

"the Three Sisters"  Australia, 2010

Barcelona, Spain 2007

One of the hard things about moving to Florida was leaving my family.  And not that my family all lives close to one another, my Parents are in North Carolina, Brother, Sister in Law and Nephew are in Georgia and my sister had to out do us all and move to Japan. So when ever I get the chance to see them I soak up every minute.  This last weekend Mr. V and I drove up to Tybee Island, Georgia to spend the weekend with my Brother and his family.  It was a nice relaxing weekend, with lots of good conversation, seafood (for the rest of them, I had chicken) and just hanging out with my very active 18 month old Nephew.  Who is absolutely ADORABLE! He is a talker and knows how to sign too.  He kept us entertained and constantly moving.  On Sunday Mr. V and I took him for a walk on the beach and tried to fly a kite...it was so windy the poor kite didn't make it and our frozen fingers drove us back inside pretty quickly.  But the whole time Eli wanted to hold Uncle Stephens hand, it was so cute.  I restrained myself from taking too many pictures and overwhelming him. Here are a few of my favorites from the weekend.

Chasing the birds with Uncle Stephen