i mean this with every fiber of my being:
i mean this with every fiber of my being:
i am so glad you're here.
In 2025, there are so many different options to choose from when it comes to photography education, and as the very first industry online educator, I've loved watching photography grow and be an attainable career for so many aspiring photographers!
I'm guessing you're a photographer...maybe a newbie eager to learn or you've been in the industry and you're at a point where you're wanting more.
More for your clients, more for your artist heart, more for your family, more for your time.
Maybe you're a newbie eager to learn or you've been in the industry and you're at a point where you're wanting more.
More for your clients, more for your artist heart, more for your family, more for your time.
Since 2008, I've photographed over a thousand newborn babies and hundreds of families from around the globe. I've been mentoring other photographers since 2012, dozens of them becoming some of the industries most well known leaders.
You've taken the workshops, watched the online videos but everything felt so...rushed and not curated for you.
You want to learn, but you feel overwhelmed and like you're just another transactional student.
You've taken the workshops, watched the online videos but everything felt so...rushed and not curated for you.
You want to learn, but you feel overwhelmed and like you're just another transactional student.
I'm also a wife, mom and friend. I understand the need for balance as a business owner, and I understand wanting a smooth portrait session that's worth the investment and is a truly fun experience.
ways to grow
In 2025, there are so many different options to choose from when it comes to photography education, and as the very first industry online educator, I've loved watching photography grow and be an attainable career for so many aspiring photographers!
"the collective saved my business! i was on the brink of calling it quits."
I was so tired of struggling with posing, lighting, confidence in myself, my work...every session was so stressful. I had been following Rachel's work for years and purchased a few of her other videos so I jumped on the opportunity to have constant learning! I was instantly in tears when things just started clicking...lighting was the biggest struggle for me. After watching the lighting video it just clicked and I haven't struggled since! Posing was another stress. Then she started doing the deconstruction series and everything just made sense! And lastly her unsoothing method...game changer...I would panic if the baby wouldn't settle, now I get excited lol! I love what I do again. I'm confident in myself now. I don't get stressed.
- Ashley Kinney | Collective Member
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16 years of experience
Actively booking clients
You get me for
life.
Over the years, I’ve photographed over a thousand newborns and hundreds of families—from those with one child to families bustling with ten (or more!) kids. I’ve captured it all: newborns to 100 year olds, maternity sessions, weddings, and the beautiful chaos of everyday life.
In 2012 I released a little PDF called the "Newborn Posing Guide" -- the first online education ever offered in our industry, and in the last 13 years I've worked hard at perfecting the photography education experience.
My goal is to release professionally shot educational videos that cover the angles and process needed to feel like you're right next to me. I've also realized that mixing in live education and Q&A's is pivotal to understand the struggles that my students are facing!
So many educators in the photography industry rely solely on mentoring, workshops, online education, selling presets and actions or speaking at conferences. And while, yes, I do all of those things as well, I also maintain a completely booked year-round schedule of clients, both newborn, family, lifestyle sessions and senior portraits.
What does this mean for me as an educator?
I understand the challenges that photographers are facing when it comes to marketing, running a business, current styles and trends and the most up to date methods needed to be successful!
Listen, anytime you join any of my classes, purchase presets, take a workshop, 1:1 mentoring or sign up for a conference I'm at...
You're in.
What I mean by that is that nothing with me is transactional. Your success is my success. Period. And I'll do whatever it takes to help you.
That looks like responding to anytime I'm tagged in the Collective Facebook group, helping through emails, tailoring 1:1 mentoring experiences to be unique to your specific needs -- remember, I've been doing this for nearly two decades so I've been troubleshooting and following up with my students for a long time...and several of them have gone on to be industry leaders I'm sure you've heard of!
about me
My husband and I met at Outback Steakhouse when we were 21...and got married 7 months later! We have three <mostly> grown children, four dogs and a cat...I dream of getting my wildlife rehabbing license someday!
My husband and I met at Outback Steakhouse when we were 21...and got married 7 months later! We have three <mostly> grown children, four dogs and a cat...I dream of getting my wildlife rehabbing license someday!
Nick, Brynn (21), Nicholas (17), Josie (15) and me!
In 2021 we moved to the picturesque town of Brookville, Indiana and began renovating a 1909 Queen Anne Victorian home -- we had two episodes documenting our work on Magnolia Network! The house has a personality of it's own and is definitely a work in progress!
In 2021 we moved to the picturesque town of Brookville, Indiana and began renovating a 1909 Queen Anne Victorian home -- we had two episodes documenting our work on Magnolia Network! The house has a personality of it's own and is definitely a work in progress!
let's
make it
official
Ready to get the best portraits of your life? Or learn how to take them?
Ready to learn how to take the best portraits of your life?
teach me!
Rachel Vanoven
Rachel specializes in finding the best light possible to photograph families, babies and every age in between along with teaching other photographers how they can simplify their business and love what they do.
Rachel specializes in finding the best light possible to photograph families, babies and every age in between along with teaching other photographers how they can simplify their business and love what they do.