Rachael Spiegel Photography - Blog

New Blog Location

2010-02-14T08:23:00.002-05:00

The blog has moved over to http://www.rachspiegel.com/blog Please update your bookmarks and feeds. Thanks!

Spring Mini Session Dates Announced!

2010-02-09T08:02:00.002-05:00

Mini sessions are a short and sweet version of our regular portrait sessions. Space is limited and these are filling up quickly. Please contact us at 443-421-5663 or rachael@rachspiegel.com to reserve your spot.

Three's Company, Four's a Crowd - Big sisters welcome twins - Gaithersburg, Md.

2010-02-08T09:34:00.006-05:00

Sisters Ella and Ruby welcomed twins Eden and Asher to their quickly expanding brood. These babies are lucky to be welcomed into such a loving family. The girls are both such wonderful, caring big sisters to their four-week-old siblings.

Ruby had a bit of a hard time on our shoot (nothing a few m&m's couldn't fix!), but big sister Ella comforted her.

Max's Bar Mitzvah - Baltimore, Maryland

2010-01-25T09:01:00.007-05:00

Max is the son of one of my dearest clients. After photographing his older sister's Bat Mitzvah in 2006 and his mother's wedding just seven days before my own in 2007, I was thrilled to photograph Max's formal portrait session before his Bar Mitzvah this fall.

Max and his family in May of 2006...

And three years later in October of 2009.

The Observatory - Washingtonian Bride & Groom Preferred Vendor

2010-01-21T08:30:00.005-05:00

The Observatory: Noteworthy Documentary Photographers has once again been listed amongst the best wedding photographers in Washington DC by Washingtonian Bride & Groom. This marks the seventh consecutive year on the Washingtonian’s “best of” list for wedding vendors.

I am thrilled to photograph weddings with The Observatory. In addition to our wonderful Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. brides, this year we will photograph destination weddings in Nevis and Jamaica.

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, It's Twins! - Fairfax, Va.

2010-01-12T15:31:00.009-05:00

Six-week-old twins Ainsley and Levi were a handful on our shoot; but boy, are these two adorable. Despite the boys' protests we were able to get some wonderful photos. I look forward to our next session when the weather warms up and we can all play outdoors.

Sneak Peak Twin Boys - Infant Portraits, Fairfax, Va.

2010-01-08T12:53:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing six-week-old boys Ainsley and Levi. Check the blog next week to see more photos of these adorable twins.

Digital Negatives FAQ

2010-01-07T08:30:00.024-05:00

We receive a lot of questions about our digital negatives, so I would like to provide answers to some of the questions we hear the most.

How do you edit and retouch photos?

Each image travels through two levels of correction before it is printed. First, the image is downloaded straight from the camera. We shoot all images in a raw file format. Raw images are uncompressed and contain all the information captured by the sensor in the camera with no additional processing. Raw files allow us to have the ultimate control over the correction of each image.

As we edit through each raw image we apply sharpening, increase contrast and fine-tune color balance. We also apply a custom sepia tone to select photographs. The resulting images are the ones you see in your online proofs and digital negatives.

When you order prints, canvases or albums we take each image to the next level. We smooth skin, eliminate blemishes, remove distracting exit signs and outlets, clean lint and wrinkles from clothing, and generally perfect each image. These are the images you see in our online portfolio and blog.

What is a digital negative?

A digital negative is the high-resolution file that has been through the first round of corrections and has not been resized. Many people purchase digital negatives so they can print the photos themselves, create scrapbooks and make greeting cards.

What will be on my low-resolution DVD?

We want you to be able to share all your favorite photos, which is why each session includes a DVD with a complete set of low-resolution watermarked files. These files are sized for sharing through email and facebook. Each image contains a studio watermark, just like all of the photos published on our blog, and is not large enough to print. Images are copyrighted and may not be cropped or altered.

What can I do with digital negatives?

You can print photos, create photo books and make your own holiday cards. Only you have a license for personal use of the digital negatives. The license does not grant permission to email, sell, modify or enter the photos in contests. If you would like the photos to be in a magazine or on a website we would be happy to work with that publication.

Can I purchase a DVD with all of my images in final print quality?

We spend from 20-30 minutes retouching each image and charge $35 per image for additional retouching, so we are unable to offer a DVD with each and every perfected image from your shoot.

Why should I order prints from your studio?

Studio prints, canvases and albums are the only way to purchase the final retouched version of each photograph. Each image travels a long road before it is printed, and that road requires a specific set of skills, so we charge accordingly for this service. This is why there is a price difference between the 4x6 you can get at your local photo store and purchasing one from our studio.

Our professional lab works exclusively with photographers, the quality of their prints is unmatched. The photo technicians take great care in their work, they aren't just some high school kids working at your local one-hour-photo store.

One-hour prints are quickly run through a machine that prints on low quality paper and makes auto adjustments that more often than not produce prints that look worse thanks to those "improvements.” Each image we print is calibrated for the machines used by our lab. The technicians take great care in the color fidelity, accuracy, and consistency of their final product, as do we.

Who owns the copyright to the photos?

We register all photographs with the U.S. Copyright office and retain the copyright to all of our work. Each DVD of digital negatives comes with a license to print the photos for personal use.

White House in the Snow

2009-12-22T11:10:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I had the privilege of touring the White House all decked out for the holidays. While I had been looking forward to the tour all week, the snow made the visit even more special. I decided not to push my luck and left my main cameras at home, however I did bring my point and shoot. Below are a few of my favorite images.

Beth and Jeff - ThorpeWood, Md Wedding

2009-12-17T09:46:00.007-05:00

Jeff proposed to Beth in a patch of yellow lady slippers on their annual hike to see the large flowered trillium that grow along a spot on the Appalachian Trail on the top of the Blue Ridge. Nature is a priority of both Beth and Jeff, so it was natural for them to chose the lovely ThorpeWood in the Catoctin Mountains north of Frederick, Maryland for both their ceremony and reception. Aurora Celtic provided music.

On the first of November we still had a hint of fall foliage and the sun came out just in time for the ceremony. The farm’s horses came right over afterwards to celebrate with the couple!

Click here to view a slideshow featuring many more photos from Beth and Jeff's wedding.

Sample Album is Here

2009-12-15T08:30:00.004-05:00

We are thrilled to move into 2010 with several brand new vendors. We just received our sample album from Finao and are blown away. Hopefully you will be too! Contact us now to schedule an appointment to view our latest offerings.

Each custom album arrives wrapped in handmade paper crafted from recycled pineapple and mulberry leaves.

Our sample album features an armour cover, the photo is printed directly on metal. While standard leather covers are available, we think armour is stunning. The photographs don't do it justice.

Flushmount pages feature photographs printed to the very edge of the page. Each spread of our lay flat albums spans both pages, with no visible seam.

Madilyn - Newborn Portraits - Alexandria, Virginia

2009-02-24T14:09:00.024-05:00

Baby Madilyn was 5 weeks old when she posed for her very first portraits in Alexandria, Virginia. She was on her best behavior, and so adorable.

Baby Aidan and Brother Dylan - Family Portraits

2009-03-19T08:00:00.007-04:00

I photographed two-week-old Aidan and his big brother Dylan, almost two-years-old, in Washington, D.C. While baby Aidan relaxed through most of the photo session, Dylan was a bundle of energy.

Dylan was full of joy, and when he stopped giggling his father found a way to draw out a new round of laughter.

Dylan had kisses for his new sibling; however, Dylan's kisses turned from cute pecks to goofy gobbling, and his slobber session was interrupted by his parents reaction.

One last photo of mother and son.

Baby O. - Newborn Portraits - Maryland

2009-03-10T08:45:00.005-04:00

I absolutely love those pudgy baby arms!

And I couldn't resist a shot of their dog Louie.

Avery and Jackson - Fall Mini Session, Gaithersburg, MD

2009-10-08T10:36:00.004-04:00

Avery and her baby brother Jackson braved the early morning chill for the first session of a full slate of playdate mini-sessions. Avery was a champ on her feet and had a great time playing with all the colorful leaves.

2009 Politics Magazine Reed Award

2009-02-24T11:46:00.014-05:00

A political mail piece featuring Rachael's photographs recently won a prestigious 2009 Politics Magazine Reed Award. The piece, designed by Petel & Company for Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy, was named the Best Direct Mail for a Democratic Congressional Candidate.

The piece, titled "Scrapbook," was designed to tell her personal story and connect with voters. Kilroy was the first Democrat to win the Ohio seat in over 42 years.

Baldwin for Delegate - Campaign Photos

2009-04-16T07:45:00.006-04:00

I photographed Roy Baldwin, a candidate for the House of Delegates in Virginia.

Roy Baldwin spoke to owners of local businesses about how the economic downturn has affected sales.

Public transportation and the congestion of local roadways is a major concern of voters in Northern Virginia, including those in Roy Baldwin's district.

Minnesota Congressman Campaign Photos

2009-03-17T08:00:00.002-04:00

This past summer, in the height of campaign season, I had the privilege of photographing Congressman Tim Walz, in Mankato, Minnesota. We visited the farm of one of Rep. Walz's constituents where I was able to photograph galloping horses, crowing roosters and fields of crops.

Corporate Portraits - Washington, D.C.

2009-03-03T08:45:00.004-05:00

It's always refreshing to have a client who wants portraits with a bit of an edge. Click over to www.petelandcompany.com to see how these portraits were used in the bio section of this consultant's website.

Obama Rally in Maryland

2009-09-17T19:49:00.005-04:00

Today at the University of Maryland, President Barack Obama addressed an energized crowd on the need for health care reform. I was thrilled to be up close to capture the enthusiasm of the crowd and the passion of the President's speech.

Reelect Del. Poisson

2009-09-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

Delegate David Poisson is running for reelection in Virginia's 32nd district. Del. Poisson spends every evening pounding the pavement as he meets his constituents. He listens to their concerns about traffic, schools and transportation as he knocks on doors throughout Loudon County.

Tommy and Izzy - Fall Mini Session, Gaithersburg, Md

2009-12-14T08:13:00.006-05:00

Tommy and Izzy had a great time at their mini-session. Izzy enjoyed some time with her dad and Tommy played amongst the trees.

Six O'Clock Scramble - Cookbook Author Portrait

2009-12-11T09:00:00.013-05:00

Aviva Goldfarb is the author of the Six O'Clock Scramble, a fantastic online weekly menu planner and cookbook. Aviva is a true advocate for making food sources healthier and safer for families and the environment while saving time and money along the way.

I have immensely enjoyed receiving her weekly newsletter, which comes complete with a grocery list of all the ingredients I’ll need. I get stuck in a rut cooking the same things over and over (just ask my husband!) so I appreciate her fresh outlook and endless ideas. The recipes Aviva dreams up are delicious.

With a new cookbook scheduled for release in 2010, Aviva needed some fresh portraits. Aviva’s passion for food and the environment led us to shoot in a beautiful park across the street from her home, where we were even visited by a buck during our shoot.

Family Portraits - Silver Spring, Md.

2009-11-30T10:33:00.002-05:00

Last weekend we had an unseasonably warm day and took full advantage of the weather. Baby Jacob and his parents were good sports for our portrait session and traipsed through a meadow to get some of these shots. This new location is fast becoming a favorite.

Jenna and Loren - sneak peak

2009-06-28T21:28:00.004-04:00

I had the privilege of exploring Toronto this weekend during a whirlwind engagement shoot with my gorgeous cousin Jenna and her charming fiancé Loren. The Toronto Brick Works, a former quarry and industrial site located in the Don River valley, was one of my favorite locations.