I like to think I am a pretty good mix of fantabulous with a strong dose of redunkulous.

I write this thinking “Will anyone even read this?” and here you are…….reading this……which totally makes my day! So, I guess if you’re here I should strive to make this worth your time.

A word of warning: I can be really totally ridiculously talkative. Most of the time it’s because I love to tell stories and get people talking, but sometimes I do it to cover how crazy nervous and anxious I get in certain situations. I can’t help it but the good news is I know I’m going overboard in the “talks too much” category when my hubby pinches my knee and gives me “that look” to chill me out. So, lucky for you he’s here to read/edit what I write in case I digress (which can happen more than I like to admit).

To be really honest, I have lived an awesomely unique life that shaped me into a person who is always itching to learn more, do more, and share/receive knowledge with everyone around me. I spent the majority of my childhood overseas in Turkey & Saudi Arabia (I missed the 80’s in the US but am slowly catching up – there’s still plenty of references to movies/pop culture that can go over my head), studied abroad in Belgium, London, and Dublin, and have continued to travel to many more beautiful places in the USA and abroad.

My next favorite thing after travel? Reading. Hands down. Nothing better (well, avocadoes might be close. MIGHT. I’ll have to think about it). My parents had to make a rule that books were not allowed at the dinner table because I had no problem reading at a table of 10 people. That’s not very sociable, so thank you mom and dad for teaching me to interact with humanity when the situation arises, although I do admit there are still times I will sit in a room full of people and read, especially when it’s a book I just-can’t-put-down.

In case you were wondering, I studied International Affairs in college & learned Arabic but have never actually worked anywhere close to a field utilizing my degree. I’ve been told that’s normal. It makes for interesting conversation with my co-workers though.

So, how did I end up being a photographer? I have been taking pictures of my friends and family for as long as I can remember. I was that person in school that everyone went to (and still does – thank you Facebook) to see if I had a particular picture of someone. This was casual and just for fun, so no pressure.

When I returned from London after my first visit, I was so upset that the pictures I took were nowhere near the quality I wanted for hanging in my house. Thereafter, I set out on my goal to learn anything and everything I could to capture the images I saw in my mind and ensure they would come out exactly as I saw them and I see things in incredible color. The brighter/more vivid the better. I just cannot help myself! As the saying goes, go big or go home, right?

It has been an amazing and wonderful journey. Can I be corny enough to say it was the activity that finally “completed” me? Once I became elbows deep in the passion and fun of photographing, the thoughts of “If I have this I will be happy” faded away. It is incredibly fulfilling and my artistic side is always brimming with bliss.

My hope is that the images I take bring some joy & colorful delight for anyone who views them.

You still with me? YOU ROCK!!! Here’s a reward: An AMAZING story, guaranteed to warm your heart, about my dog that disappeared for four years and then came home.

BTW, I am an aspiring photographer specializing in artistic photography, family photos, event documentation, and more!

E-mail: AspiringImagesbyRachel {@} gmail.com