Rachel Sloan Photography

Last week was my first week working part time for the Humane Society of the Ozarks. I love it! The HSO is a great organization and I’m so excited to be part of the team there. The best part…we often have a foster dog in the office.

I owe my blog and its readers an apology for ignoring it for so long.  It’s been a rough couple of months.  Making a human is hard on the body.  The good news is I’m feeling much better now.  Something happened about 2 weeks ago and all of the sudden I’m not sick anymore!  Hallelujah!!!

Business has been pretty slow due to the heat, but I have been taking lots of photos for the 2010 HSO coffee table book.  It’s usually a calendar, but this year it will be a 10″ x 10″ book including a section for memorials.  I’ve met several lovely rescue pups while working on this project.  I just love stories with happy endings.  Sandy is one of those stories.  She was rescued from a bad situation last summer, then adopted in January of this year.  Now she lives a happy life with her parents, feline brother, and big back yard in Bella Vista.

Isn’t she pretty?!!!  I love her eyeliner and widow’s peak.

P.S.  We found out a couple of weeks ago that we are expecting a baby BOY!  I always felt like I might have a son and I was right!  His name will be David Carter Sloan.  David is my dad’s name and Carter is my mom’s maiden name.  We’ll call him “Carter.”  We can’t wait to meet him in November!  I hope to blog more now that I’m not suffering from early pregnancy sickness.  :)

I have some very exciting news to share.  I also wanted my clients to know why I might be moving a little slooow these days.  I’m 10 weeks pregnant!  Neill and I are VERY excited to be parents.  My due date is November 25 (Thanksgiving Day)!!!  Honestly, I have had a very hard time being pregnant.  Emotionally, I am thrilled.  Physically, I’m not okay.  My morning sickness is miserable and it lasts all day long.  I’ve lost some weight because of it, and have zero energy.  I hope to feel somewhat normal again when my second trimester starts 16 days from now…yes, I’m counting.  :)  If you are waiting on proofs, please know I am working on them and hope to be all caught up by the end of this week.  Thanks for your patience!

Here is an ultrasound photo of baby Sloan at 8 weeks along.  ”CRL” means crown to rump length.  Here the baby measured 2.02 centimeters (about an inch).

This week he or she is 1.5″ long…growing so fast!  I’ll keep you posted on baby Sloan, and thanks again for your patience.

My great uncle has several baby horses on his farm right now. My dad and I visited him yesterday and I just happened to have my camera in the car.  I didn’t get any close up shots of the babies because they were pretty startled by the shutter noise from my camera.  The photo below was my favorite shot.  Starr was such a great maiden name!

Wanna know a secret?  It’s still legally my name.  Shhh.  :)

Sorry I have been a bad blogger lately.  My poor little blog has been so neglected, but for good reason.  The good news is I had a VERY busy holiday season.  I’m excited to share with you that these past couple of months were the most successful ones I’ve ever had in business.  I have been busy fulfilling orders and helping people surprise their loved ones with creative dog photos.  I was involved in several “under cover” shoots in order to surprise a significant other or spouse with a unique Christmas gift.  :)  I also got the opportunity to do another architectural shoot, which was really fun for me because of my interior design degree and background.  I can’t tell you how happy I am to be so busy, especially since losing my full time (bill paying!) job earlier this year.  Anyways, I just wanted you to know I haven’t abandoned my blog.  I plan on blogging more regularly now that the holidays are over, so please stick around.  I will be posting a fun 2009 recap soon.  I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

The second year of our Stock the Shelter supply drive has already been a huge success.  My spare room is full of dog beds, towels, blankets, dog food, kitty ltter, and toys for shelter animals.  We recently made the 10:00 news on KNWA, our local NBC affiliate!  Click HERE to read the article and watch a video of the story.

Things have been a little slow here on the blog lately.  I have been making holiday cards and placing print orders daily.  The holidays are a busy time for me.  I’ve got several photo shoots to share with you but I have to wait until after the holidays since many of them are surprises for the recipients.  I wouldn’t want to ruin any surprises!  :)

Just for fun…since I can’t show you any new photos right now, have a look at Neill and I’s first ever holiday card.

We are real married people with holiday cards.  Ha!  I love it.

I spent Thanksgiving with my husband’s family in Hot Springs, AR.  We had a fun weekend of relaxing, eating, and shopping.  The dogs LOVE a weekend at the lake.  Jonah is our water dog…

Hope you had a happy turkey day!

for the Smithstonians…

Yes, these are humans on my blog.  Looking good guys!

I recently learned about this act from a friend’s blog and I just had to repost.  This is so cool.  I hope it passes!  Click HERE to read more about the Happy Act and sign the petition.

I am sad to learn that Joe crossed over the rainbow bridge today.  He belonged to the Kimbro family, who I had the honor of meeting a few months ago when I photographed him.  He lived for 17 wonderful years.  I think he must have lived so long because he was so happy and loved.  Joe had 4 legs, but only 3 paws.  You would think that would slow a dog down, but not Joe! Although I only spent about an hour with him, that was long enough to see how much he loved his humans (and cheese!)  I can only hope that my dogs will live to be 17.  Joe was blessed to have such wonderful people as owners.

Melissa and Karen – I’m thinking of you and your family.  I’m so sorry for your loss.