Once upon a time, I got my first DSLR (a Nikon D50 thankyouverymuch). It was a few weeks after my son, Tommy was born. My children soon became subject of my photography torture. I knew I needed to practice and learn, if I ever wanted to get great pictures of my kids.
That love for taking pictures turned into a desire to start a business, and here we are today!
There is no way I could have ever come half this far without the love, help, and support of great online communities full of photographers.

With the price of entry level DSLR’s dropping these days, I am sure most of you moms (and dads!) own something like a Canon Rebel, a Canon TSi, etc.
You CAN rock that camera! It is all about knowing how to use it properly.
Why not join Clickin’ Moms ? There is even a 10% off code, just use FRIEND

And just to show you a short comparison of where I was before I found Clickin’ Moms, here is a picture of my daughter Adelai. This was taken in the Spring of 2007, four or five months after getting my camera.
Hello, discovering Lightroom!!! Pretty process fabulous, huh?

She is doing it! Walking like she has been doing it for years.
A year ago she wasn’t even here yet, and now look at her. Taking over the house.
She is truly a blessing, my little Charlotte.

I am not ready for it. Nope.
I want her to be my baby forever. And let’s be honest at 5, 15 or 50 they are always your baby.
I am not ready for the cuddly infant phase to be over. It always passes too quickly and you end up wondering where exactly all those sleepless nights when they were a newborn went.
She is 2 weeks away from being one year old, and today she took nine steps. She also had her first set of piggy tails.

The first year is so bittersweet. You never want it to end, but you also can’t wait to see what happens in their future.

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As a lot of my clients and friends are aware, I try to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Not only in my business, but in my personal life as well.
Recycling, going to the thrift store, using cloth diapers, cleaning with vinegar instead of harsh chemicals and cleaning with towels instead of paper towels are just a few of the things we routinely do.
So, when I heard about Baby Momento , I thought it was a genius idea.
Everyone always forgets to send out holiday cards. I even have other photographers tell me they had them made for months and still forgot to send them out. This way you just fill out an email to everyone in your address book and it’s done.
I can’t tell you how many people purchase digital packages these days, so a website with digital and animated announcements is perfect!! Not to mention the site owner is sweet as pie and her cards are cute as can be. Hop on over there and check out some adorable designs.

No blog is complete without some pictures. Today was pensive look day, I guess. No one wanted to smile for me.

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Have you recently been married? Did you miss out on getting perfect bridal, or bride and groom shoots? Did you wish you would have taken more shots your wedding day, but couldn’t rock your dress for fear of ripping the dress?
This is your chance, brides of Kansas City!! Sunday, February 21st, I am offering a few spots for bridal portraits in Weston, Missouri. The setting will be the downtown area, and possibly an antebellum home, if time allows.
The very best parts? Free session AND free hair and makeup by The Salons very own Brian Jumper. He is a genius.
He also is the fabulous stylist behind my hair, just so ya’ know.

So. Email me at rachael@goodytwoshoesphotography.com, call or text 816-739-8430 because these spaces will fill fast. So fast, that one was taken even before I made this post!

All you need is a gown, your man and any accessories you may need.
Come on and ROCK your wedding dress!!

I am often asked if I went to school for photography. The answer is no. I am then asked how in the world did I ever learn?
Lots of time reading, playing, experimenting with my camera and editing software. Google became my best friend on answering questions for me.
Then I was asked to join Clickin’ Moms about 2 years ago. This is community of women (and men!!) who share the same love for photography and creating beautiful portraits. Not every one is a professional, some just want to learn how to use their camera a little better to take pictures of their own children.
There is a wide range of talent, style, ages, even different parts of the world. There is something for every one!
This is such a helpful group of women, and I have learned so much. I never realized that as a photographer, it is so so so so important to network with other photographers. Not just for your own personal gain, but for the friendships that blossom from one similar interest.
So there you have it, my spiel on one of my favorite website/forums.
Sign up today, and use the code FRIEND for 10% off your membership!! Click on the image below to take you there.

and because no blog is complete with out a picture, here are my little love bugs. Well, two of the three.
They are truly BEST friends.

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I love black and whites. They are so timeless and have a simple beauty. Another one of my 2010 photography resolutions is to use, enjoy and blog more black and white images!
What other way to start off this new tradition, than when a brand new baby.

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A few days ago I traveled out to Fort Riley, Kansas to photograph this sweet little 7 day newborn, baby A.
Hands down, no contest, she was the best baby ever. So cuddly and sweet, and with a big brother that loved to help!
Here are a few of my favorites from that day.

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One of my 2010 resolutions was to make more personal blog entries. I am not doing such a fabulous job!!
Yesterday, I took some pictures of my nearly 11 month old daughter (where did the time go?!) for an article about one year portraits and cake smash sessions for TAoPaN mag . I know she isn’t one yet, but I had some new ideas that I hadn’t got a chance to try out in my last cake smash session.

I traveled out to Belton, Missouri to met 8 day old baby S. So sleepy and sweet, he love to have his little picture taken.

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