When I first met Rachel several years ago, she was about a year-and-a-half away from her own 10-year wedding anniversary, and was already talking about how she wanted me to do a celebratory photo shoot for them when the time came. It’s crazy to think that at that time, neither one of us (strangers to one another) realized that in the intervening years, we would become both colleagues, and friends. Rachel is a special human – she truly brings positivity and kindness with her, radiates warmth and goodness, and really is one of the gentlest and most beautiful women I have ever known. She is creative and intelligent, rejoices in beauty of all sorts and has both the softest hug and the loudest laugh.
Making this photo shoot a reality was an incredible honor and pleasure.
Rachel and Ashley, 10 years married, finally got their wedding photos! We started with a First Look at the AKP studio in downtown Pensacola, on the garden path where Rachel has shot others many, many times. The sun was golden behind them as they canoodled by our loropetalum wall, and (as you can tell from the photos), they genuinely delighted in seeing one another dressed to the nines! We spent the rest of the session on Pensacola Beach, in the same spot where they had their actual wedding ceremony years earlier. The clouds rolled in creating the most gorgeous silvery skies, and the bride and groom danced, laughed, snuzzled, and drank whiskey while we shot away.
The best part of this session, however, was witnessing Rachel’s reaction when she saw her photos. As tears rolled down her cheeks, it was an important reminder how important it is to do what we do – to document moments, celebrate connection, and create art that will stand on its own legs for years for an individual, couple, and family. THANK YOU, Rachel, for trusting us to do this for you. It was truly an honor.
Principal Photographer: Aislinn
