Rachel Vanoven

05/28/2026

Video is easier than photography...true or false? 👀

05/28/2026

Before I head into busy season, I’m going to tryyyyy to catch up on all the families I never had time to share on here 🥹 Travel sessions can be hectic, especially when they span two different states and multiple families…but next week kicks off summer families, senior sessions starting and a handful of warm weather newborns!

So here’s the California/Arizona minis from March (April?? When was I there lol?) that have been sitting in my “to post” folder 🫶

05/25/2026

I taught myself newborn photography with a little window very similar to this one back in 2008 — it wasn’t “perfect”…but learning to work with available light (and a very very basic hobbyist camera/lens combo) helped me become the photographer I am today.

And from a mom’s perspective, this kind of every day window light is how I remember my now grown kids when they were little: when I look at old memories, I’m not worried about catchlights, I just want to be transported to the days when I could hold them in my arms 🥹

So if you’re struggling to use the light in your clients’ homes, your studio doesn’t have a giant window, or strobes stress you out—this video is free inside the freebie bundle: https://rachelvanoveneducation.com/checkout/new?o=230048 along with another newborn video from this year’s Newborn Bootcamp! 🫶

As always, you can ask questions here in the comments or inside the app/facebook group!

05/20/2026

These boys have grown so much in the nearly 9 years since that first September evening when I let them play with my camera in the parking lot of a Mexican restaurant. 🥹

Not only was it wild to spend a few hours getting to know Colter, Cooper and Cale for the young men they’ve become — but this session ended in a spot I used to know like the back of my hand…Rick Riddle’s old nursery/tree farm. I photographed hundreds of people here, filmed so many Collective videos and watched countless Indiana sunsets.

Most of the trees are gone now, but it was magical to photograph these four for one last golden hour session.🥹

It was the perfect way to wrap up a season in all five of our lives that somehow seem to always cross paths at just the right time. ♥️

05/19/2026

This little doll baby was the perfect model to train my assistant, Sara on filming live videos — at 5.5 weeks old, she was a wee bit past the super sleepy baby stage for traditional newborn portraits (I’m mostly boycotting those still lol) but definitely slept long enough to knock a few basic poses out AND get some awake macros in!

05/14/2026

The live is over! Thanks to everyone who joined! I'll be uploading the final video if you missed it!

SOOC from the end of Miss Baleigh's shoot!

05/14/2026

We are LIVE right now with an older newborn session using ONLY window light from one tiny window 👀

Baby is around 6 weeks old, so this won’t be one of those super sleepy, perfectly posed “ideal condition” newborn sessions…and honestly, that’s what makes it valuable.

We’ll be working through:
– awake posing
– sleepy transitions (if baby allows it 😅)
– reading baby cues in real time
– using limited natural light intentionally
– and how to pivot when sessions don’t go perfectly

Also training a new videographer during this one, so y’all are getting the REAL behind-the-scenes chaos today 😆

Non-members can join this livestream too!

Learn how to photograph older newborns using only natural window light in this live newborn photography session.

05/07/2026

Tonight’s Pajamas & Prosecco is OPEN TO EVERYONE 🥂

Not just Collective members or photographers already “good” at marketing. Literally anyone wanting to learn more about content, branding, social media, community building, and making people actually CARE about what you post online.

We’re going to be talking a LOT about what’s happening behind the scenes right now with taking over Hilltop Bar + Grill and why personality matters more than perfectly curated branding ever will. (Hint: So if you're not a photographer but own ANY business, this might be a good one for you to join!)

We’ll get into:

– Why some posts get ignored while others get shared everywhere
– Creating content that feels human instead of corporate
– Storytelling, humor, captions, community building
– Turning attention into actual customers
– The new Collective affiliate program and how members can make extra income
– The new Go At Your Own Pace Newborn Bootcamp (and looking for FREE testers 👀)

Usually these nights usually end up feeling like a giant business/marketing rabbit hole mixed with wine and chaos and that's why I love them so much lol

Pre-register below and then come hang out tonight in your pajamas with us! 🥂

Learn content marketing, affiliate strategy, branding, and business growth ideas for photographers.