As a St. Louis lifestyle photographer, I’ve always been the one who notices the little moments, like the hand reaching for Mom, the glance between siblings, the light falling just so across the kitchen floor. Fifteen years spent working with little ones, including teaching in a blended classroom with neurodivergent children, taught me to watch closely, move gently, and make space for every child to simply be themselves. My own experiences navigating ADHD, learning disabilities, and my children's IEPs have only deepened that understanding. Now I bring that same quiet attention to every family photography session.
I care deeply about how your family's story is told. My approach to lifestyle photography begins long before I pick up my camera. From the moment you book, I take the time to truly get to know you. What does your family love to do together? Maybe you make pasta sauce on Sundays, spend afternoons at your favorite playground, or gather for a game of backyard soccer or a favorite board game. I want to know what you love about your children and the chapter you're living right now.
The most meaningful photos of the story your family is living right now, to treasure now and for years to come
For families who want to be gently led through an artful photography experience
Meet Rachel
nostalgic
raw
real
It’s about remembering this season exactly as it feels…
this isn’t just about taking pretty photos
I love creating an experience where families simply enjoy their children and feel truly seen in a beautiful way. Being in front of a camera can feel unnerving, so as your film photographer I care deeply about helping you feel comfortable, relaxed, and connected, even through the imperfect moments. Children are children, and those moments are part of the story too.
My lifestyle documentary photography sessions are a gentle dance of leading and guiding, then stepping back to watch with my camera and heart as the moments unfold. With a documentary approach, careful attention to detail, and kindness are at the heart of it all, I'll leave you with a gallery that shows what your love looks like, and what this chapter of your family's story truly is. Moments that take your breath away.
Families often tell me how patient I am with their children, how thoughtful I am about every little detail, and how comfortable I made them feel. Most of all, they tell me their photos feel like them.
What I love most about being a St. Louis Photographer
Heather H.
“We’ve had the absolute best experience with Rachel! She is incredibly kind, patient, and has a true gift for making everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera.”
You'll usually find me wrangling my dog on a walk, caring for our cat, or spending time with my two girls, ages 17 and 10. Girl mom over here, though I adore all children. I grew up in the '80s and '90s and will always be a lover of nostalgic films, anything Nancy Meyers or Diane Keaton that just hits right, which is maybe where my love for film and film photography began. I love slow fashion and thrifting, quality over quantity, antiques, road trips, and Sunday drives. And CBS Sunday Morning is the one time each week I actually sit and watch TV. My kids know it's my version of church.
My roots run back to my grandparents' farm in Iowa, where I spent long days on the tire swing, running through fields, and dancing for the cows. Their English heritage lived on in a simple teatime tradition, nothing fancy, just tea at two o'clock in the kitchen. Their humble way of being taught me that the simplest things are often the most beautiful. It's why stories like *Anne of Green Gables* and *Little Women* have stayed with me forever: girlhood, coming of age, and a family life lived with love and intention.
But my greatest inspiration will always be the families in front of my photography lens. Becoming a mother deeply changed me, and I carry your stories with me like an invisible, beautiful thread, woven together with the families and ancestors who came before me.
When I’m not photographing newborns, mothers, and families in St. Louis
You're so often the one behind the camera. This is your turn to be in the story. From maternity photography that honors the anticipation of what's to come to intimate motherhood sessions in the thick of everyday life, these intimate sessions are a visual love letter to you and the beautiful chaos of a mother's heart.
Motherhood Photography
The tiny fingers, the sleepy weight in your arms, the way your home shifts to make room for someone new. My approach to newborn photography is gentle, unhurried, and rooted in the comfort of your own space, in your own nest, so you remember not just how they looked, but how it felt.
Newborn Photography
Lifestyle and documentary family photography at home, or a place that feels like home and holds meaning for your family, exactly as it lives. The morning cuddles, the kitchen dance parties, the beautifully imperfect in-between. An unhurried, guided session where you get to simply be together while I capture what it all feels like.
Family Photography
Family, Motherhood & Newborn Photography in St. Louis
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