people always have 100 reason not to have family pictures taken. they are too fat. they don’t have anything to wear. its to hard to fit into a schedule, and on and on.
but photographers? we have the worst excuses! so many of us do not have great family pictures. its easy to say ‘i can just do it myself’ but trying to put the camera on the tripod and run, doesn’t really equate to a real family session.
my husband is deploying to iraq in the fall and we had never had real family pictures taken.
i knew deb schwedhelm lived in kansas, but being the airhead that i am, i had NO idea how close she was. and now she is moving!
i had to get a session booked ASAP. i wanted to make jim a small book of all 4×6’s for deployment (much like we do as OpLove photographers.) because he always commented on what a great idea it was and how he would like to have something like that.
i can’t say enough amazing things about our experience, and about deb. she worked around my husbands crazy schedule, my crazy wedding session schedule, and booked us on fathers day. she was so nice through out the whole thing.
she did an amazing job picking the location and taking so much time with us to get the perfect light and the perfect portraits.
here are a few of my favorites (yes, she finished this already! can you say rock star?!). she was even nervous about my reaction to them. seriously? she is such a real person, i think i love her. 
i am so happy we got this done. i can’t believe we waited so long to do this.
Your family is gorgeous! Love all of these, she did a great job! My hubs is deploying later this year as well.
Great pictures!!!! David is leaving again at the beginning of the year!
Gorgeous family, gorgeous images, gorgeous ALL AROUND!
I love these, Rachael!! The one of you and dh is stunning! I think I’m going to have to work up the nerve to contact her in the fall for our family pictures <3<3. A little drive to Tampa seems totally worth it after seeing these
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these Rachael! Deb did an amazing job and y’all are one beautiful family! What an amazing thing to do for your family!
Each and every picture is just absolutely stunning. They are simply gorgeous. Your family is so beautiful and she truly captured you all!
What a gift to have gotten your family pictures taken by such an inspirational woman and photographer. She is a gift to this industry. I love your photos! You have a beautiful family!
Love these! You have such a gorgeous family to go along with the gorgeous images!
These are so beautiful! I love the one of your entire family together. What a treasure! Best wishes for your husband on his deployment…and to you while he’s gone!!!
These are unbelievable and I’m so glad you got them done and had such a great experience!! Yayness!!!
these are gorgeous! that b/w is yummy! you have a beautiful family and i love the pics!!!
OMG, I love these. Beautiful family!!!!
These are beautiful. You have such a beautiful family. deb did an amazing job!
They are beautiful!!! She did a fabulous job!
Rachel, I love it!!!! Oh my GOODNESS, to be photographed by a photog rockstar??? how awesome is that!? I’m glad you worked it out before she has to move again. Ive been following Deb for a long time now. It’s neat to kind of “know” somebody she’s shot! They are just wonderful!
Umm how gorgeous are you guys?!! These are fabulous! Deb did an amazing amazing job!
Very nice! She did a great job, and your family is beautiful!
Absolutely stunning! The one of your daughter in the road took my breath away, so amazing! They are all beautiful. Hooray for you getting this done!
OMG- I cant even pick a favorite or express how fabulous these are. GORGEOUS pictures, all of them- incredible composition, processing, and emotion. WISH I had some like this of my own family- they are priceless. I have to add- that might be one of the prettiest black and whites I have EVER seen in all my life. holy smokes!
Love every single one of these!! So talented and such cute subjects!
love that second image – what a darling girl!
oh rachael!!! #1: YOU are gooorgeous! #2: your kiddos (and hubs) are precious! #3 the images are just amazing… full of emotion and love! i’m especially swooning over 2, 5, and 6, but i love them all!!!
You have a beautiful family. I’m glad you shared them. You are gorgeous! And I absolutely love the one of your oldest daughter on the dirt road. They are all wonderful!!!
Wow, I bet you just love these! Y’all are a beautiful family…be safe hubby!
They are great! The one of you and hubby is just gorgeous!
The black and white of the baby on the chair gave me cold chills! Amazingly beautiful!
You have a gorgeous family! These photos turned out GREAT!
Hot Mama!!!! Love the ones in the field with the chair! Gorgeous fam!
Awwwww that B&W pic of your little girl is to die for!!
The photos turned out great, beautiful family!
STUNNING family!!
Lovely images, I’m sure your hubby will cherish them
Oh. My. Gosh. Seriously gorgeous — too many favorites to list. And you look amazing, I adore your haircut!
I love love love love looooooooooooooove these!!!!!!
You have an adorable family! LOVE his shirt in that last pic!
The shots are wonderful and you have a beautiful family!
Oh wow, these are wonderful!! I’m so glad you have these gorgeous photos of your beautiful family!!
Beautiful!
These are AMAZING!!!!!
You have a beautiful family! These are fantastic!
Breathtaking photos. I am in awe at how beautiful you all are.
I just remembered that this was happening so finally remembered to check! Just gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Totally reconfirms my obsession with Deb S and her work.
You all are beautiful Rachel. Congrats!
Ahh gorgeous pictures and your family is adorable.
OMGosh … gorgeous!! Y’all are such a cute family and the pictures rock big time!!
Beautiful captures of your family. You must be thrilled!
Love these pictures!!!
Your family portraits are fabulous!
these are awesome and you are beautiful!!