check this out!

Just found out I was mentioned on www.monkeywhale.com for my work with the band Apache Relay. "Monkeywhale.com is a North Carolina based new media experiment with a dedicated staff of videographers, audio-engineers, photographers and bloggers" for my work with the band Apache Relay.

Michael Ford, Jr. and the Apache Relay : Behind the Scene

by Carolyn de Berry on Saturday, December 26th, 2009
Love these guys.  Their cd, 1988, has been on constant rotation in our house since the morning they dropped by to visit our Kitchen. Also, it features some very hot photography by Nashville-based photographer Rachel Williamson.  Smart move, fellas!  This album is good stuff, indeed.  Sometimes they remind me a bit of Ryan Adams, but without the gut-wrenching desire to end it all.   They’ve got their own thing for sure, which you can clearly hear (and see) in their video.

Friendly, polite, funny, and obviously having a good time out on the road, Michael Ford, Jr. and the Apache Relay might just become your newest favorite band.  Paste Magazine didn’t name them one of the “Eight Most Auspicious Musicial Debuts of 2009″ for nothin’. 

To see the video filmed in Harvey's Kitchen by monkeywhale, click here:  

http://www.monkeywhale.com/video/harveys-kitchen-michael-ford-jr-apache-relay/check out the band's myspace here: http://www.myspace.com/mfjrandtheapacherelay

Here's some photos from the most recent photo session I did for the guys.  Apache Relay has new managers, Brad and Ed http://www.projectdaybreak.com/ who helped out with the vision of the photo with the bike.  The guys were thrilled to see the results and sent it out with their Christmas Newsletter.

Hope you're enjoying your break!  I am, this break is MUCH needed!

-Rachel

it's all in the family..

I recently did a session for three sisters, and their kids. They wanted these photographs to be a gift for their parents, what a sweet idea! It was so fun! We started with individuals of the kids, then the grown-ups ;) then a group shot. And last but not least, some Christmas pj's! These kids were adorable!
-Rachel

sweet little Clayton

I recently did a session for Martha and Chad Upchurch and their little boy Clayton.  They had me into their home and it was so fun!  We got some great shots while he was awake and then he fell asleep just in time for us to get some shots of him on the adorable blue and white couch.  So cute!
Isn't Martha beautiful?  I love the way she's looking at Clayton in this image..
It was great to meet all of you-- enjoy the photos!
-Rachel

Pope Family

The Pope's had me into their home to photograph their adorable son, Noah.  Oh my goodness was he cute! We were able to use the natural light in their home for these photos.  Stephanie had a gorgeous home and Christmas tree that worked perfectly!  I love photographing in the client's home, it's such a comfortable, personal setting.   It's also great to have all of your clothes and props there with you!  How cute is Noah's little toboggan hat that he's wearing towards the end?

Stephanie, it was great to meet your sweet family.  Thanks for having me into your home!

Rachel

Jared & Heather

I really enjoyed working with Heather and her sweet mother Brenda as we planned out this special day.  A few weeks after I photographed her niece's wedding, I got a call saying that Heather was engaged!  

Heather has two sisters (they all look alike!) and they were both her bridesmaids.  Jared and his guys were looking "classy" (their word of the day) and so was little Gavin, Heather's son.

It was a lovely wedding on a beautiful day with a slight chill in the air.  After the reception, we headed outside for some group shots and Jared's brother handed Heather an old photograph of him as a little boy.  Heather loved it.

I love the shot of Jared looking down at Heather, and the one of Gavin laying his head on Jared's shoulder.  You can tell they all really love each other and are going to make a beautiful family!  Thank you for letting me be a part of your wedding day!

my 2nd shooter Cassie grabbed this shot of Heather's flowers.























what a handful! Cassie also got this shot below.