If you clicked to know more, pull up a virtual chair, grab your favorite warm bevvy and I'll give you the quick run down on who Rachel Vanoven really is.

I'm probably a lot like you. Photography just kinda fell into my lap, starting as a hobby for a young, newlywed, stay-at-home-mom. I got good enough that people wanted to pay me for pictures -- a much needed income for our growing family on a railroader's salary. 

I never planned on *gestures around* THIS. The international travel, the clients all over the world, the conferences and videos and education and being a "name" in the industry. All that is super fun, but honestly? I'm just happy to be here. Doing what I love and teaching other photographers how to be successful.

One thing about me: I legitimately love helping. So please, if you're struggling with something, even if you've never purchased a thing from me...reach out. Send me an email in the box below, shoot a DM through my Instagram, or comment on any of my posts on social media. When I was first starting out, I remember a photographer I really looked up to -- I emailed her asking some questions and she actually responded and helped me out.  (Skye from Work of Heart -- forever thankful!)

Besides my work, you'll probably hear me talking about grieving the loss of my mom to cancer in 2017, having all three of our kids by the age of 25 and adjusting to the empty nest life, how my marriage is one of the best things in my life, my kids are my happy, I dream of being an wildlife rehabber, and in my 40's I've become something of a tattoo addict. 

Now that you know all that, we're basically friends -- and hopefully if I can ever sit and listen to what's going on in your life, we'll be able to jump right in and skip the whole getting to know me part.

Oh, and I'm a hugger, let me know if you're not cool with that!

- Rach