ABOUT RACHEL

Hi, I’m Rachel – conservatory trained musician turned wedding photographer. I’m so happy you’re here. My journey started as a flutist, playing classical and jazz since the age of nine. I quickly fell in love with how joyous music made me feel, and how it made others feel the same. I’d always loved photography, and quickly realized in college how tied it is to music - both involve live storytelling and immense emotion. So I took the leap and found that I loved documenting connection visually as much as I love connecting with others onstage musically. And the rest is history.

So here I am living in NYC with my flute, cameras, and dachshund Corn Dog (Corny for Short / Cornelius Doximus Maximus for long). I’m a bit of an old soul. On my off days, you can find me at the local flea market sifting through records or searching for my next vintage clothing hit. I love walking amongst the gorgeous brownstones on the Upper West Side and peeking in the homes there, drooling over the gorgeous architecture and interiors. I love visiting both historic and modern art museums, trying all types of cuisines at local restaurants, and dressing up old-Hollywood style to attend the opera at Lincoln Center. I love traveling and seeing the world, and often take short, whimsical upstate trips for a few days with Corny, where we hike, read, and journal in nature. (Well, I do. Corny just chills.) You’ll also find me cycling, obsessing over my newest film camera, playing music duets with a friend, or playing a live show of my own (yes I still play!)

Most days, you’ll find me simply smiling about the little things in life. Meeting a cute little pup in Central Park, having a picnic on a sunny day, reading a book on my little rooftop oasis, discovering a new café, or making conversation with the lovely lady sitting next to me on the bus. I adore my life and living it in New York City - so much so that I wrote a love letter to it (which you can read as you keep scrolling down:)

JAZZ TAUGHT ME

Spontaneity

Embracing the spontaneous, unplanned moments that are all about living in the present moment; seeing the unseen and manifesting the atypical, straying from traditional wedding photos and creating the unique and wonderful.

CLASSICAL TAUGHT ME

preservation

The art of capturing everything and everyone that has made you two you, re-telling the age-old story as accurately as possible, but with as much artistry and respect for the original composer.

MUSIC TAUGHT ME

connection

Just like a piece of music, composed of so many notes and phrases, your love story is not a single moment or emotion, but rather a combination of many. Each of these notes stand alone wonderfully, but when played together, tell a beautiful story.

Each and every note I craft is captured with beauty, intention and heart, complimented by meticulous editing that translates the real feelings and joy of your day.

DEAR NEW
YORK CITY,

Oh, the joy you bring me. Your energy. Your spirit. Your charm and soul. Your never-ending inspiration. I love your people and all the stories we hold. I love you on rainy days when eight million of us are tucked inside, under what feels like one quilted blanket, making the world a little quieter. I love you when the sun comes out, and the birds chirp again in the park. I love the freedom you give us to be ourselves. I love our cute little apartments. People watching. Dog watching. Maybe the subway being on time one day.

I love how you can run into a friend across town amongst a huge crowd of people. How most of us are strangers to each other, but never really. I love striking up conversations with these strangers. Will we ever meet again? Who knows? But we find connection, sharing a story, or a compliment, or lifting each other up.

Most of all, I love how you’ve made me deeply touched by humanity. I’ve seen a first kiss, and two strangers fall in love right in front of me. I’ve seen heroic moments and acts of kindness. I’ve had conversations with strangers that led to beautiful friendships. I’ve made strangers’ days and they’ve made mine.

I love how New York inspires love. And I’m so grateful to spend my days here, most especially those spent capturing the humanity and connection of the amazing couples I shoot, in this city we share.

Love,
Rachel

RACHEL RODGERS WEDDINGS

THE EFFORTLESS WEDDING
EXPERIENCE

Planning and hosting a wedding can be unbelievably exhausting and confusing at times - especially when it comes to making sure you absolutely get the photos of your dreams. By offering you the utmost professional service and fostering an authentic and genuine relationship with you, I create ease, translating into images that capture your love, your day, and its joy naturally and effortlessly.

Testimonials

HUDSON HOUSE, NJ

"My husband and I cannot even begin to define the type of service Rachel provides because it is like no other professional. She listened to every hope and wish we wanted to capture. Not only did she do it, but she did it with that Rachel flair no one else could replicate. When you hire her, you hire a friend who REALLY cares about you as a couple and your wedding vision - and then with her creative eye, calm and collective mannerism, she creates art that will last you a lifetime. She is a true artist and our family cannot stop talking about what an incredible professional and person Rachel is.”

- Christina & Pete

OXON HILL MANOR, MD

“From the first 5 seconds of our phone call I knew that she was my saving grace after such a long search for a photographer. Her perfect mix of bubbly personality and true professionalism instantly calmed me and made me feel like I was talking to my best friend. When our wedding day came, I have never felt more taken care of. She was attentive, supportive and knew exactly when to take photos and when to give us a second. She captured everything I asked for and more - I was so blown away by not only the quality of the images but the attention to detail. Our wedding photos are the perfect balance of raw emotion, beauty, humor, candid love and artistry that I will cherish for the rest of our lives. We couldn't be happier.”

- Sarah & Luke

FRANKIES SPUTINO, NYC

“When I came across Rachel’s work, I fell in love with her black-and-white photos that captured such depth in a single moment. After our bubbly call with her, we booked immediately - and the experience was exceptional. She was wonderfully professional the day of and worked with two camera shy people who were stressed about how their day was going to go. She was somehow everywhere at once and took photos throughout without interrupting any moments. When we received the photos, I was in awe. I never knew we could look so happy and comfortable in our bodies. We looked as we were—not made up, not ultra-modified - just natural and ourselves. Her photos made us appreciate ourselves a lot more. She captured my mother's huge beam and the twinkle in my father's eyes. If you dream of having beautiful photos and an exceptional experience, hire her. She was the best wedding decision we made.”

- Raksha & Brad

BRIDE’S HOME, NH

“Each photo we received was more than a photo--she turned our wedding day into art! Her photos translate the feeling of being in love - sweet, real, elegant and candid all at the same time. Rachel is a true gem, always in our corner which mean the world to us. We felt so supported and heard every step of the way.”

- Molly & Luke

THE WYTHE, NYC

“All of the special moments (big and small) and every emotion in each photo are so genuine, effortless and just breathtaking. It blew our minds that Rachel captured our love for each other so authentically and beautifully. Rachel gave us the perfect combination of direction and hype when we needed it and also space to let us just be present with ourselves and our guests. Rachel's style of photography feels like a beautiful movie when the photos are put together so our loved ones were blown away with how amazing they were and so happy they got to relive our day with us even though they weren't there.”

- Kelsey & Joe

WILLOWDALE ESTATE, MA

“Our photos were joyful, meaningful, and artistic, yet fundamentally natural and true to us as a couple. Her work is emotive and artistic, a joy to look at and be part of, yet never crosses the line into forced or overly staged. In a world of scrolling without pause, Rachel's work makes you stop and really look. When we spoke with Rachel on the phone, we clicked. Her energy is contagious. You know from that first moment that she is invested both personally and professionally.”

- Lena & Julian