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 arizona lifestyle photographer

Branded | Spikes of Reality

Rachel SmakDecember 11, 2020arizona brand photographer, brand photographer tempe, brand photographer in phoenix, brand photographer in arizona, brand consulting, branding, branding for small businesses, branding blog, brand photography gilbert arizona, corporate photographer in phoenix, corpora, commercial photography, commercial brand photographer in arizona, commercial brand photographer phoenix, Commercial and Editorial Brand Photographer in Phoenix, scottsdale commercial photographer, phx commercial photographer, nyc brand photography, nyc brand photographer, new york photographer, nyc photography, athletic photography, athletic wear photography, minneapolis lifestyle photographer, arizona lifestyle photographer, scottsdale lifestyle photographer, phoenix lifestyle photographer, nyc lifestyle photography, career photography, personal branding, personal branding photography, nyc personal branding

Branded | Free Spirited Stylist, Kim Webb

PhotographyRachel SmakJune 14, 2020Hair By Kim AZhair salon branding photographer Paris, hair salon branding photographer, hair salon branding copywriter Arizona, hair salon branding photographer LA, hair salon branding, hair salon website, hair salon photographer, hair salon photography, brand, brand consulting, branding professional, branding photographer arizona, branding, berdenas branding session, brand photographer tempe, brand photographer in phoenix, hair by kim az, hair by kim phoenix, hair by kim scottsdale, hair by kim webb, hair by kim arizona, hair by kim, hair by kim photography, Branding photographer, brand photography teaspressa arizona, brand photographer in arizona, brand photography tempe, brand photography gilbert arizona, brand photography arizona, brand photography gilbert, business, business marketing blog, photography blog, branding blog, photographers tempe az, phx commercial photographer, photographer tempe az, photographer scottsdale az, photographers scottsdale az, phoenix freelance copywriter, phoenix freelance photographer, phoenix freelance writer, phoenix lifestyle photographer, arizona lifestyle photographer, scottsdale lifestyle photographer, phoenix creative director, phoenix content writer, photography for business, small business branding, small business branding az, branding for small businesses, branding for hair salons, hair salon branding photographer Los Angles, hair salon branding photographer new york, hair extensions tempe, hair salon branding photographer tempe

Marsha + Joe Bartlett Lake Arizona Stylized Shoot

PhotographyRachel SmakFebruary 26, 20191970 bronco engagement, 1970 bronco engagement session, 1970 bronco stylized photoshoot, 1970 bronco stylized shoot, 70s Engagement Photos for Groovy People, 70s inspired stylized engagement, Adventurous Engagement Photographer, Adventurous Engagement Photographer Arizona, Adventurous Engagement Photographer California, Adventurous Engagement Photographer Colorado, Adventurous Engagement Photographer Minneapolis, Adventurous Engagement Photographer Minnesota, Adventurous Engagement Photographer New York City, Adventurous Engagement Photographer Utah, Adventurous Engagement Photos, Adventurous Engagement Photos Arizona, Adventurous Engagement Session, Adventurous Engagement Shoot, arizona boudoir photographer, arizona brand photographer, arizona commercial photographer, arizona content creator, arizona copywriter, arizona editorial photographer, arizona editorial photography, arizona elopement photographer, arizona elopement photography, arizona elopement session, arizona enagement photography, arizona engagement photographer, arizona engagement photos, arizona engagement session, arizona freelance copywriter, arizona freelance photographer, arizona lifestyle photographer, arizona photographer, arizona wedding, arizona wedding photography, arizona writer, Arizona's Premiere Photographer, AUTHENTIC ARIZONA WEDDING & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY, bartlett lake, bartlett lake engagement, bartlett lake engagement arizona, bartlett lake scottsdale arizona stylized shoot, bartlett lake scottsdale arizona wedding, bartlett lake stylized shoot, bartlett lake wedding, best places to take engagement photos az, Bohemian styled engagement, Bohemian styled engagement California, Bohemian styled engagement Phoenix, Bohemian styled engagement Scottsdale, Bohemian styled engagement session, Bohemian styled engagement shoot, Bohemian styled engagement shoot arizona, boho engagement photos, Bright and Fun Engagement Session | Renting a Bronco, bronco engagement, Classic Car Engagement, como park engagement photos, couple pose idea, Elopement photographer, Engagement is Full of 1970s Vibes, engagement photos Wedding Blog Posts, Engagement session with vintage car, escaping winter, Fearless Love, Green Wedding Shoes, Junkyard Engagement Session, minneapolis wedding photographer, mpls wedding photographer, mpls wedding photography, Outdoorsy and Adventurous Engagement Shoot, Outdoorsy and Adventurous Engagement Shoot Arizona, Outdoorsy and Adventurous Engagement Shoot Bartlett Lake, Outdoorsy and Adventurous Engagement Shoot Phoenix, Outdoorsy and Adventurous Engagement Shoot Scottsdale, phoenix blogger, phoenix boudoir photographer, phoenix brand photographer, phoenix commercial photographer, phoenix commercial photography, phoenix copy writer, phoenix copywriter, phoenix editorial photographer, phoenix editorial photography, phoenix engagement photographer, phoenix engagement photography, Phoenix Engagement Photos, phoenix engagement session, phoenix freelance copywriter, phoenix freelance photographer, phoenix freelance writer, phoenix lifestyle photographer, phoenix photographer, phoenix social media stratagest, phoenix wedding photographer, phoenix wedding photography, phoenix weddings, photography gear for beginners, photography gear guide, phx blogger, phx engagement photographer, phx wedding photographer, pinup engagement, pinup engagement session, romantic couple photos, Romantic Vintage Car Engagement Session At Sunset, scottsdale boudoir photographer, scottsdale brand photographer, scottsdale commercial photographer, scottsdale copy writer, scottsdale copywriter, scottsdale editorial photographer, scottsdale editorial photography, scottsdale engagement photographer, scottsdale engagement photography, scottsdale engagement photos, scottsdale engagement session, scottsdale freelance copywriter, scottsdale freelance photographer, scottsdale freelance writer, scottsdale lifestyle photographer, scottsdale photographer, scottsdale wedding photographer, scottsdale wedding photography, scottsdale wedding photos, scottsdaleweddingphotos, Sexy Romantic Couples, Sexy Romantic Couples Photography, st paul engagement photographer, st paul engagement photography, st paul engagement photos, st paul photographer, st paul photography, St- Paul MN Elopement photographer, St- Paul wedding photographer, St- Paul Wedding Photography, st- paul wedding photos, stylized collaboration, stylized shoot in scottsdale, stylized shoot with bronco, stylized shoot with vintage bronco in arizona, stylized shoot with vintage car, stylized shoot with vintage car in scottsdale arizona, sunset engagement, sunset engagement session, sunset engagement session in arizona, superstition mountain engagement photographer, superstition mountain engagement photography, Tattoo Engagement Session, Tattooed Couple - 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Keely + Allan Superstition Mountains Engagement

Boho Desert Engagement. I will never tire of deserts and a good golden sunrise. If you can't tell already, Keely and Allan are playful and we had a blast during the engagement session at The Lost Dutchman State Park in Mesa Arizona with the Superstition Mountains in the background.

PhotographyNathan AshbyFebruary 20, 2019arizona boudoir photographer, arizona brand photographer, arizona commercial photographer, arizona content creator, arizona copywriter, arizona editorial photographer, arizona elopement photographer, arizona elopement photography, arizona elopement session, arizona enagement photography, arizona engagement photographer, arizona engagement photos, arizona engagement session, arizona freelance photographer, arizona lifestyle photographer, arizona photographer, arizona wedding, arizona wedding photographer, arizona wedding photography, Arizona's Premiere Photographer, AUTHENTIC ARIZONA WEDDING & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY, best places to take engagement photos az, Bohemian styled engagement shoot, Bohemian styled engagement shoot arizona, Bohemian styled engagement shoot phoenix, Bohemian styled engagement shoot superstition mountain, Boho Desert Arizona Engagement Photographer, Boho Desert Arizona Engagement Photography session, Boho Desert Engagement, 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Rachel Roams | Chicago, IL: Travel Guide

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Confidence and skin care | a behind the scenes look at Lumene USA's lifestyle brand campaign

Photography, Life & Style, EducationRachel SmakNovember 3, 2018arizona brand photographer, arizona copywriter, arizona editorial photographer, arizona editorial photography, arizona freelance copywriter, arizona freelance photographer, arizona lifestyle photographer, arizona photographer, brand campaign, customized branding experience, every type of beauty, face wash, freelance copywriter, Glow Reveal Peeling face mask, how to find you brands vibe, i am enough, i am worthy, instagram, instagram feed, loving our skin, Lumene, Lumene Glow Reveal Peeling face mask, Lumene Skincare, Lumene united states, Lumene USA, minneapolis brand photographer, minneapolis commercial photographer, minneapolis commercial photography, minneapolis content creator, minneapolis copy writer, minneapolis flatlay photographer, minneapolis freelance copywriter, minneapolis freelance photographer, minneapolis freelance social media stratagist, minneapolis freelance writer, minnesota brand photographer, minnesota commercial photographer, minnesota commercial photography, Minnesota Editorial photographer, minnesota editorial photography, moodboard, organic skincare, phoenix brand photographer, phoenix commercial photographer, phoenix commercial photography, phoenix copy writer, phoenix editorial photographer, phoenix editorial photography, phoenix freelance copywriter, phoenix freelance photographer, phoenix freelance writer, phoenix photographer, phoenix social media stratagest, phoenix wedding photographer, real beauty, real not retouched, scottsdale brand photographer, scottsdale commercial photographer, scottsdale copy writer, scottsdale editorial photographer, scottsdale editorial photography, scottsdale freelance copywriter, scottsdale freelance photographer, scottsdale freelance writer, scottsdale photographer, scottsdale wedding photographer, self love, self love is real love, self-care, skin care cream, skincare, skincare routine, visual brand direction, visual direction

The Garden Solaris

Life & Style, TravelRachel SmakOctober 3, 2018arizona boudoir photographer, arizona brand photographer, arizona copywriter, Arizona ghost writer, arizona lifestyle photographer, arizona photographer, arizona wedding photographer, finding my next home, minneapolis boudoir photographer, minneapolis brand photographer, minneapolis content creator, minneapolis copy writer, minneapolis elopements, Minneapolis Engagement, minneapolis lifestyle photographer, minneapolis wedding photographer tips, minnesota wedding photographer tips, moving to Arizona, my apartment search, my studio apartment search, phoenix boudoir photographer, phoenix brand photographer, phoenix copy writer, phoenix lifestyle photographer, phoenix social media stratagest, phoenix studio apartment search, phoenix wedding photography, phoenix weddings, scottsdale boudoir photographer, scottsdale brand photographer, scottsdale copy writer, scottsdale lifestyle photographer, scottsdale wedding photographer, scottsdale wedding photos, why i moved after my breakup, why I moved after my moms suicide, why im moving, why im moving after my breakup, why im moving in 2018, why im moving to arizona, why im relocating, why im relocating after my breakup, why im relocating to phoenix

Why I'm Moving to Arizona

Life & Style, EducationRachel SmakAugust 11, 2018arizona boudoir photographer, arizona brand photographer, arizona copywriter, arizona lifestyle photographer, arizona photographer, arizona wedding photographer, minneapolis boudoir photographer, minneapolis brand photographer, minneapolis content creator, minneapolis copy writer, minneapolis lifestyle photographer, minneapolis wedding photography, moving, moving chronicals, moving diary, moving journey, moving to Arizona, phoenix boudoir photographer, phoenix brand photographer, phoenix copy writer, phoenix lifestyle photographer, phoenix photographer, phoenix social media stratagest, phoenix wedding photographer, relocating, relocating my business, scottsdale boudoir photographer, scottsdale brand photographer, scottsdale copy writer, scottsdale lifestyle photographer, scottsdale photographer, scottsdale wedding photographer, scottsdaleweddingphotos, the next chapter, Travel, why i moved after my breakup, why I moved after my moms suicide, why I relocated after my moms suicide, why im moving, why im moving after my breakup, why im moving in 2018, why im moving to arizona, why im relocating, why im relocating after my breakup, why im relocating to phoenix

Ashley + Dan Roller Rink Minneapolis Engagement Session

PhotographyRachel SmakApril 3, 2018Cafe Lucrat Engagement Session, Engagement, Engagement Photographer, Engagement Photography, Engagement Photos, Engagement Session, Loring Park Engagement Session, Minneapolis Engagement, Minneapolis Engagement Photographer, Minnesota Engagement, Minnesota Engagement photographer, Minnesota Engagement Photography, Roller Rink Engagement Session, St- Paul Minnesota Engagement Session, Wooddale Fun Zone Engagement, Wooddale Fun Zone Engagement Session, arizona enagement photography, arizona engagement session, arizona engagement photographer, arizona photographer, arizona commercial photographer, arizona copywriter, arizona editorial photographer, arizona boudoir photographer, Arizona ghost writer, arizona brand photographer, arizona lifestyle photographer, arizona freelance photographer, arizona editorial photography, arizona engagement photos, arizona freelance copywriter, arizona interior decor, arizona wedding photographer, phoenix weddings, phoenix copy writer, phoenix brand photographer, phoenix engagement photography, phoenix engagement photographer, phoenix engagement session, phoenix social media stratagest, phoenix freelance copywriter, phoenix freelance photographer, phoenix freelance writer, phoenix studio apartment search, phoenix editorial photography, phoenix photographer, phoenix editorial photographer, phoenix commercial photographer, phoenix commercial photography, phoenix boudoir photographer, phoenix wedding photographer, phoenix wedding photography, phoenix lifestyle photographer, mpls wedding photography, mpls wedding photographer, st paul engagement photographer, st paul engagement photos, st paul engagement photography, st paul photographer, st paul photography, my photography gear, Elopement photographer, St- Paul Wedding Photography, st- paul wedding photos, St- Paul wedding photographer, St- Paul MN Elopement photographer, como park engagement photos, 10 tips for second photographers, Mears Park St- Paul wedding photos, Mears Park Wedding Photography, Mears Park wedding photos