I think you know by now that I am extremely passionate about empowering other creatives. Being a creative is a strange vice; we are our work. We put so much of ourselves, our time, our energy, our passions, our fears, into our work that it can often feel like a piece of our hearts has gone into it. It's strange then that we know the feeling of proudness, the fear of rejection, better than anyone, and yet we're often the first to tear each other down.

I could go off on a tangent about when to give criticism and when to keep schtum but I won't. I think we all know when we should hold our tongues even if it's easier to know than to follow.

Instead all I'm going to say is to remember to have courage and be kind. Put your work out there, be complimentary of your peers; get back what you give.

With love,
Rachael♡

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P.S.- I'm sorry if you now want to go watch Cinderella.

For the last little while I've been pulling together images to refresh my portfolio; it's amazing how work you were so proud of at the time is so easily picked apart even a few months in the future. Although I haven't ventured too far back (we just pretend those really old images don't exist, cringe cring cringe), there is nothing like looking at old work to smack you in the face with a wee reminder that we are all constantly learning.

It seems to easy, the more you create = the more you improve, but sometimes it's a struggle to see this regardless of it's simplicity. Sometimes it can feel like we're producing 'better' things than others but, as cheesy as it sounds, the only competition worth measuring against is ourselves.

Look back to where you started and see your progress. Look back to even a year ago and see how much you've changed, how much you've learned, and how much you've improved.

For example, take this image of the gorgeous Kayleigh (left) from July last year which I still absolutely adore. I'd just set out focusing on light and striving to finally achieve that soft, dewy, highlighted look I've loved for years but been unable to replicate. And compare it to this very recent shoot with the gorgeous Grace (right).



I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Lots of love,
Rachael♡

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p.s. - here is a sneaky wee look at my new portfolio site https://rachaelsammon.carbonmade.com !

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* on a Tuesday