Fearless Leader-Rachel

When I think of Rachel I think of a very FEARLESS Leader. You have been so great in teaching us so much and taking on a lot with this. I know that I am not the only one that feels like this. You were there whenever anyone had any sort of questions, we knew that if we put CC on ours you would be sure to be one to input and help out. I want to say thank you so much for starting this. It has improved my skills and because of you I have found a new love in photography.

THANK YOU!!

cc, Nikon D60, ?? sorry i didnt write it down

Isn't She Lovely?

This is Rachel. And I just LOVE her. This is no exaggeration... she's one of my closest buddies whose relationship we've actually cultivated online.

I have been having a very difficult time this summer dealing with miscarriage, exhaustion and loneliness... Rachel helped me through this. All the way from Ohio, she made sure I was taken care of with a massive and scrumptious ice cream sundae delivered via Alynn (what a night! Best surprise EVER!!!!)

We all have been inspired by Rach in our photography, but more than that, Rachel has inspired me to listen more closely to my heart and the Spirit. To be a better friend. To value those who truly lift us up. I cannot express how grateful I am to her and for her friendship.

Rachel, you're one of the very best out there and I look forward to many more years of great conversations and fun with you!!!

I'm Cyber-Hugging you.... and you can't breathe very well.... cuz I've got really really strong arms....

ps. don't you dare not like this picture... I know I shoulda/woulda/coulda got consent... but this is what I love about you... your laughter!

Picture Reminder

This is the last evening to get any picture you have ever taken in that reminds you of something to do with our beloved Rachel! Im sure she is worth working 7 years with sheep for so please post something to help her feel appreciated!

Rachel

So, I have no photo this week because I just got home from a 6 day vacation and just finished unpacking but, I'd like to tell Rachel she is inspiring. This website was just what I needed when I found it and I was inspired by her so . . . thanks so much!



Apparently I can't read either! (or I lost track of the days on vacation!) So here's my pic of my inspiration. I would have never taken this before finding this website. Static objects are so much easier and definitely in my comfort zone so, thanks for pushing me out of my box!

Step Back

This was taken a week ago, but I really think it makes me feel Rachel. A lot of the time, I don't get the picture I want and get frustrated. Rachel makes me feel calm and good about whatever picture I've taken, and that reminds me that I need to step back, see the whole picture, and enjoy it for whatever it is.

CC welcome!

Jumpin' In With Both Feet

First off- this is a picture I took a month or so ago, BUT I wanted to put something in on this challenge so this is what ya get.

When Rachel started this challenge I joined because I wanted to get outside of my photography box. I wanted it to be "fun" again. I've never really done stills/landscape so I thought it would be a great way to start challenging myself. This photo reminds me that before the challenge I wouldn't have tried to take this shot. Rachel/ this blog pushed me to try at other things. So while I KNOW that I'm still not good at landscapes (and realize this is a boring shot, but thought it would be great at the time- LOL) at least I know I tried. Thanks Rachel!

Branching Out

f/3.5

1/50sec

ISO 200

Thanks to Rachel and the blog she created for us. I have started to branch out and find more confidence in my photography. All of the support and constructive criticism I've recieved here has led me to step out of my comfort zone. This picture was taken yesterday at my FIRST official photo shoot. It was so exciting to put myself out there and start to consider myself a "photographer". I would never have dared take on this project if it hadn't been for this blog and the support I've recieved here. THANK YOU!!!!

CC PLEASE!!- this will to to a client and it's still up for photoshoping.

More to come on my blog once I sift through the not-so-great ones. I'll let you all know so I can get your feedback

Oh the Places You'll Go

This might seem a really really strange picture to post as a tribute to Rachel... but stay with me here. When mission 24 first started, I was still figuring out who I was as a photographer (still am, but I'm getting there!). I knew I liked to take pictures of people... always had, but then I would have these challenges that really didn't work to just take a picture of what I was comfortable with. I wanted to take a photo of something meaningful for that word, and I would really take the challenge seriously. At the same time, I really wanted to expand my photography skills, so I wanted to make sure that it was a good photo in itself, too. I ended up taking photos of some things I never would've thought to take a picture of, and I found that I really loved it. I started thinking of more photography opportunities for myself, and expanded who I am as a photographer. One of my favorite photos was taken because of a quest to fulfill a mission 24 assignment, no matter what. I entered photos in a magazine contest, and ended up with a couple of full page spreads and an ongoing relationship with the magazine as a photographer. Just this month I was given an assignment by the magazine to take a picture of a graveyard. Before mission 24 I would've panicked. Because of my mission 24 training, I knew that I could take a picture of anything and make it cool. Sooo... there you go. This post is a tribute to the growth I've experienced because of Rachel, and this photo of a graveyard is a symbol of the direction mission 24 has taken me... the expansion I have experienced as a photographer because of an idea that Rachel had, and made into something big. Not only did she set up a place for all of us to learn and grow, but she encouraged us all along the way, and helped everyone in their quest to become better photographers. Thank you Rachel, for starting mission 24, for personally encouraging me in my photography, and for being an inspiration all around. Love you!

Decor

Of course Rachel is an expert at making another man's junk into another man's treasure! She has some excellent stuff, and great ideas. I found these rod iron thingys at the store the other day and my wife decided to hang them to give a look of a faux headboard. It kind of works out.

It isnt the greatest picture but it reminds me of her! Thank you for all your advice, help at late hours, talks and encouragement. You truely are one of a kind!

Rachel Tribute: Calculator

I'm glad we can use past photos for this challenge.


I chose to use a photo that I took back in April for the challenge word "One." It was a word that I chose (in honor of my daughter turning 1), but I was having a hard time thinking outside the box of an idea to shoot for the word. This photo reminds me of Rachel for several reasons:

• She suggested photographing a calculator, which this obviously is.
• Way back at the beginning of the year, she taught me that I could still take good photos (up-close ones even) with "just" a point-and-shoot. This photo shows detail, texture, and focus. Before Rachel, I didn't know about the macro/flower function.
• Rachel encouraged me to not be afraid to edit. This was one of the first challenges I started editing pictures for.
• Rachel's pictures always have great color in them. This is a really great blue.

I really liked this photo when I took it, and I never got a chance to use it. so I'm glad I do now.

CC

Challenge: Tribute to Rachel

I think we would all agree that Rachel is a wonderful woman in all apsects of life. I have personally learned so much from her. So for the challenge thing of it as a chance to post something that reminds you of her, something you did together, learned from her, etc.

I know that people are busy as well as I so for this challenge it will be ok to post something that you might have taken a previous day! Please give it till Wednesday night September 16th at 11:59pm! That is almost a whole week!