Hi, I’m Rachel.

I’m an adventure lovin’, thrill seeking, photographer and writer based in Phoenix AZ, and Minneapolis, MN. My heart beats for cacti, city skylines, handcrafted old fashioneds and potatoes in any form.

In 2017 I lost my mom to suicide and spiraled down the awkward and emotionally isolating experience commonly referred to as grief. My story doesn’t exactly have an a-ha! moment because the light bulb that lit up for me was on a dimmer switch but since her death I slowly discovered that grief doesn’t happen in a vacuum, but alongside a mixture of all the other human emotions—joy, hope, fear, anger, and even love. Grief’s imprint taught me that life is precious and sparked me to quit my 9-5, uproot my life to the desert, and pursue my passion for creative storytelling full time.

Now I navigate life with my camera in one hand and a pen in the other and my blog is a mashup of love stories, brand stories, mental health and grief stories (it’s a niche), and my “real life” (I can’t make this shit up) stories. I bring heart and a little humor to even the toughest of stories and candidly share about a range of topics including living through loss, grief, and new beginnings, and how to run a creative based business.

Latest From The Blog

Posts tagged wedding photography copywrtier phoenix arizona

Hannah + Luke | Say You'll be Wine, Forever

Hannah + Luke | Say You'll be Wine, Forever

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Haylee + Conner's Urban Industrial Duluth, MN Wedding

Haylee + Conner's Urban Industrial Duluth, MN Wedding

Rachel SmakAugust 14, 2020Clyde Iron Workswedding photography copywrtier phoenix arizona, wedding photographer scottsdale arizona, wedding photographer phoenix, wedding blogger, wedding photographer tips, wedding photographer new york, elegant dark and moody wedding, elegant dark and moody wedding photographer, elegant dark and moody wedding photographer colorado, elegant dark and moody wedding photographer arizona, elegant dark and moody wedding photographer chicago, elegant dark and moody wedding photographer new york, elegant dark and moody wedding photography new york, celebrating the holidays after grief, elegant dark and moody wedding California, new york commercial photographer, new york city wedding photographer, new york city photographer, nyc wedding photographer, nyc editorial wedding photographer, nyc wedding blog, new york city copywriter and website designer, clyde iron works wedding, urban industrial wedding photography, romantic wedding photography, dark and moody wedding photographer, dark and moody wedding photography, new york dark and moody wedding photography, duluth mn wedding photos, downtown duluth wedding, duluth mn wedding photographer, duluth wedding spots, duluth mn wedding photography, duluth wedding, duluth wedding locations, mn wedding, Minnesota Engagement, MN wedding reception, nyc wedding reception, new york city wedding reception, nyc wedding tips, nyc wedding spots, brick wedding, brick wedding photography

Amanda + Josh’s Urban Parking Garage Engagement Session Part One

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MacKenzie + Phil's Modern Vintage Minneapolis, MN Wedding

MacKenzie + Phil's Modern Vintage Minneapolis, MN Wedding

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Allie + Justin's Romantic Intimate Mountain Wedding In Goodyear, Arizona

Allie married Justin at the Palm Valley Golf Club, and we decided on a first look spot with palm trees and the mountains in the background. Allie wore a flower crown and the elegant wallflower, savored the moment as she walked up behind Justin. He turned and stood there, stunned, taking in her beauty. She lowered her bouquet to let him see her dress, and he started crying before wrapping her up in a big hug.

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