Rachel Jean always had an artistic itch; making bracelets, painting canvases, finding small ways to create. When she picked up a camera, she discovered, “I fell in love with the idea of creating art while capturing such meaningful and emotional moments,” she says, and the work quickly became, in her words, “truly the best job in the world.”
On a wedding day Rachel isn’t chasing perfection so much as she is presence. She has an instinct for the quiet spaces between events, the unscripted glances and easy laughter that reveal who a couple really is. “I love photographing the in between moments,” she explains. Those small, unposed snippets are often the images couples return to again and again.
Her photography carries a clear, intentional signature. “Timeless, luxurious, romantic,” she describes her aesthetic, a look that feels like “a mix between a magazine spread and real, candid love.” Rachel’s editing favors “soft, neutral, true to life color tones, bright but not blown out,” with “clean highlights and soft shadows” and “warmth without orange.” The aim is a bright feel, but still crisp gallery where editorial posing and intentional placement are balanced with natural, candid interactions.
Building rapport long before the ceremony is part of how she gets those moments. “I usually start with an engagement session. It’s such a fun and relaxed way for us to connect,” Rachel says. She follows couples’ stories, talks through their priorities, and practices a kind, organized approach so the day runs smoothly. By the time she arrives, she often feels less like a vendor and more like a friend.
When asked what she strives to capture, Rachel refuses to rank moments by size. The first kiss and the walk down the aisle matter, but so does a parent’s proud look or a smile caused by a friend’s inside joke. “The quiet glances, the laughter, the tears; those are the moments that bring a wedding gallery to life,” she notes, and she arranges her time to catch both the grand gestures and the whispered details.
Her presence on the day is calm and steady. “You can expect a calm, caring, and organized presence from the moment I arrive,” she promises. ” I’ll guide when needed, step back when life takes over, and always keep my couples comfortable and present.”
Her advice to couples is simple and sincere: choose someone you genuinely connect with. “Find a photographer you truly connect with,” she urges, because personality matters as much as the portfolio. She also recommends considering a first look to ease nerves and smooth the timeline, though she will always honor preserving the aisle moment if that feels right. “It’s completely personal, my job is to support whatever feels right for your day.”
By night’s end, Rachel aims to leave couples with more than images, a gallery that recalls the feel of the day and the sense of having been truly seen. “It’s such a gift to play a small part in their story,” she reflects. The result is photography that blends editorial polish with heartfelt storytelling, photos that age like the memory of the day itself.
Rachel Jean was also the photographer behind the cover wedding for our first ever Iowa 2025 Book of Weddings, featuring Kaylee and Noah Eichenberger. At the cover reveal, the couple was genuinely overjoyed to reunite with Rachel. “It was clear Rachel had formed a true connection with Kaylee and Noah,” said Kerri Ackerman, owner of Wed Society Iowa. Those are the qualities you want in your wedding photography: warmth, trust, and a photographer who will tell your story with care.
