Renee Stengel Photography

08/30/2022

Happy Birthday Jill! What a fun night we had!!

We need to get you back in the water soon!

😘

05/24/2022

One of the best days EVER! I had an absolute blast visiting Kimber of Water Bear Photography in Florida for a few days in April.

And to top it off, I was able to play Safety Assistant for Kimber at this beautiful elopement set against the most amazing Natural Spring - and followed by an Underwater bridal session IN the Springs! Wow! What an incredible day!!

I'm not sure there will ever be more magic than on the days I get to capture an elopement and then we jump in the water! Jeff and Sarah, wishing you both all the best and many more adventures together!

Bride:
Gear: ,
Makeup:
Hair:

02/07/2022

So proud to call this woman my friend ❤️

Carolina Clutches

02/05/2022

Well. January you were cute and all. Three weekends in a row of snow (a first for Charlotte). And it was particularly hilarious that the snow occurred on a Sunday/holiday Monday. A holiday Friday/Saturday. And a Saturday. Three weekends of snow and ZERO snow days of missed school for my boys. that was hilarious. 😂

But. As cute as you were. It’s time to move on now. Mkay? I didn’t move south for WINTER!

For the love. I need my 70° February days… now! 😂☠️😂

10/05/2021

Everybody doing ok? Just checking in!

And since we all took a nice break from social media today (or just headed to Twitter ;) I thought it was a good time to say hello and welcome back!

So. Tell me. Who thought their accounts had been hacked 🙋🏻‍♀️

And. Um. How did it take you to figure out it wasn’t just you? ⏳

Ok. Anyone look at the same 5 posts on their app more than 3 times today?? 🙆🏻‍♀️

Today was too funny! Honestly, the flood of Twitter memes made the shutdown 100% with it! 😂. PLEASE share your Fav in the comments!!

08/06/2021

I know the hardest part of the last 18 months for so many has been the distance from family.

My side of our family all live in California, and while I have had some late night rabbit hole internet searches on RV rentals (more than once!) I don’t think anyone is ready for ME to drive something with more than 4 wheels across the county!

But last weekend my sister flew out with her three girls and it was the BEST GIFT EVER!!

Those six cousins fell into step instantly - 20 months apart felt like nothing within minutes of being back together.

It was so very good to have “my girls” in my house - and in my POOL! (Don’t worry! Tons of pictures coming soon!!)

And very fun to take them to Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and visit our favorite Heart Wall by Evelyn Henson ❤️

We can’t wait for you to come back next summer sweet girls!!

04/09/2021

“Beautiful Mess”

My camera sprang a leak within a couple minutes of getting in the water.

We were already delayed because the yard guys had shown up on a different day than usual and I had to have a conversation explaining that this wasn’t a pool party, that this was my work, yes, my actual job, yes, in the pool, yes, with a camera 😂. And No, they couldn’t mow the lawn while I worked.

Oh. And I forgot that I had stored all of my weights in an old suitcase in our master closet. Had to find those.

I hadn’t used my full gear in nearly 15 months. It was spread from one end of the house to other, I thought I had collected it all. But. When we got outside I kept remembering “one more thing” that we use...

This is the pool deck halfway through. I got out to grab a snack.

I looked around and said “what a mess!”

Nicole looked over to see the biggest grin on my face. “You love it don’t you?”

“It’s the most beautiful mess I’ve ever seen....”

Oh my friends. I’M BACK!

Underwater Kids NAPCP (National Association of Professional Child Photographers) Professional Photographers of America Professional Photographers of North Carolina Ikelite Underwater Systems

04/07/2021

I really tried to get to be early last night. I promise. I tried to sleep until 6am. I promise.

But I’m pretty sure I slept a grand total of about 5 hours....

Oh 2020. I am so thankful for the silver linings. The extra time with my babies. The growth. The health and safety. The privilege of setting my work aside to focus on my boys.

But 2021.... I have never been more ready to jump in 💦

04/07/2021

After 13.5 long months... I am actually getting in the water to shoot an Underwater Maternity session tomorrow!

I have loved shooting family sessions at the park and beach, shooting my own boys underwater both at home and in the ocean, and I had a blast joining a dear friend to shoot a studio maternity session a few weeks ago.

But a styled session in my own pool.

I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep tonight...

And for those who have reached out, I will be in touch quite soon!

The pool is now open and looking gorgeous, I am testing everything out tomorrow, and then...

I am officially open the season!

Oh how I have longed for this day 💙

!

02/15/2021

Forever my favorite Valentine’s Fun!

Today was cold and oh so rainy, but that didn’t stop my circus from having a great day ♥️

And this little one is two years older - and just as wild and hilarious as ever!!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

♥️🧡💛💚💙💜

02/07/2021

This popped up in my memories today.

Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic” is still one of my favorite books ever and these words speak to me now even more than they did two years ago....

More wonder please. More wonder please.

“I can always steady my life by returning to my soul. I ask it, "And what is it that you want, dear one?"

"The answer is always the same: "More wonder, please."

"As long as I'm still moving in that direction---toward wonder--then I know I will always be fine in my soul, which is where it counts. And since creativity is still the most effective way for me to access wonder, I choose it.”

Elizabeth Gilbert has quite possibly written my favorite book of all time. ‘Big Magic’ is certainly the most inspirational book to me as an artist I have on my shelf.

Dress by the amazing RCB Fashion

Rachel Besso Abraham
Renee Lindsey Stengel