If Willy Wonka and Diane Arbus had a love child and that child became a photographer, you'd have Sesame Ellis. Rachel is quite simply the best children's portraitist I can think of. Her work consistently inspires me to be a better photographer. A friend, a mentor and an inspiration, her images never fail to take my bre… Read more

If Willy Wonka and Diane Arbus had a love child and that child became a photographer, you'd have Sesame Ellis. Rachel is quite simply the best children's portraitist I can think of. Her work consistently inspires me to be a better photographer. A friend, a mentor and an inspiration, her images never fail to take my breath away and make my heart skip a beat. They breathe wonder and exude joy.

Some people really share their lives here on flickr and you just connect with them because of their openness, their honestly - through the good times and the mediocre times and the junk times. And some people just share the most amazing pictures that you just come back to again and again and every time you say "oh!" a… Read more

Some people really share their lives here on flickr and you just connect with them because of their openness, their honestly - through the good times and the mediocre times and the junk times. And some people just share the most amazing pictures that you just come back to again and again and every time you say "oh!" and some people do both of those things, and you love em to bits!

sesame ellis is probably one of my absolute favorite photographers on flickr. Her pictures continually amaze me, and I must say I completely adore her daughter. She's become one of those few flickr kids that you just can't wait to see pictures of again. Her photography is phenomenal. Seeing her photostream just m… Read more

sesame ellis is probably one of my absolute favorite photographers on flickr. Her pictures continually amaze me, and I must say I completely adore her daughter. She's become one of those few flickr kids that you just can't wait to see pictures of again. Her photography is phenomenal. Seeing her photostream just makes me want to try harder, and practice more and more. She captures the most perfect moments, and everything in between, and every picture she takes is special and stands out.

if there's anyone i credit with my the overall improvement of my photography over the past 2 years, it's rachel. i learn so much from studying her work. i feel like i owe her some royalties or something. :) her professional work is stunning and her everyday life shots of her adorable kid are awesome. she's a hug… Read more

if there's anyone i credit with my the overall improvement of my photography over the past 2 years, it's rachel. i learn so much from studying her work. i feel like i owe her some royalties or something. :) her professional work is stunning and her everyday life shots of her adorable kid are awesome. she's a huge inspiration to me. i'm proud to call her a friend.

sesame ellis's photos reflect her abounding love for her subjects. I first saw it in the photos of her daughter. What time and care she takes to capture her subjects' eyes in sparkling light! Often times, I gaze back at the monitor, only able to utter "wow." I write this as a thank-you...for the inspiration that she s… Read more

sesame ellis's photos reflect her abounding love for her subjects. I first saw it in the photos of her daughter. What time and care she takes to capture her subjects' eyes in sparkling light! Often times, I gaze back at the monitor, only able to utter "wow." I write this as a thank-you...for the inspiration that she shares. (I also quite enjoy her witty titles.)

We all know that Rachel is one of flickr and photography's greats. Honestly when I had the opportunity to meet you I was kinda nervous. I am just blown away by what an amazing person she is and how great of a kid Gemma is. Besides her obvious skills in photography she really does live up to the name "Toddler Whisper… Read more

We all know that Rachel is one of flickr and photography's greats. Honestly when I had the opportunity to meet you I was kinda nervous. I am just blown away by what an amazing person she is and how great of a kid Gemma is. Besides her obvious skills in photography she really does live up to the name "Toddler Whisperer" that i've seen her called on her photos.

i have to confess that when i first "met" Rachel here on flickr i added her as a contact 'cause i really loved her photography. she is a PRO, and a TALENTED one. so as i followed her photostream i thought 'wow, this girl sure loves photography', her work is breathtaking and very inspiring. well, now (and here is the… Read more

i have to confess that when i first "met" Rachel here on flickr i added her as a contact 'cause i really loved her photography. she is a PRO, and a TALENTED one. so as i followed her photostream i thought 'wow, this girl sure loves photography', her work is breathtaking and very inspiring. well, now (and here is the real confession) i always make sure to check every one of her postings 'cause i'm in love with Gemma. and who is not here on flickr? Rachel, thanks for sharing. your love for your little one, for photography and for little ones in general shines through in your stream. and i love that love!

Sesame has one of the best streams on flickr. Its a tremendous mix of very creative professional portraits, and everyday life with a toddler. She make simple snapshots into works of art. Everytime I pick up my camera and look at my toddler, I wonder how I can make images like these. To sum it up, I miss this stream whe… Read more

Sesame has one of the best streams on flickr. Its a tremendous mix of very creative professional portraits, and everyday life with a toddler. She make simple snapshots into works of art. Everytime I pick up my camera and look at my toddler, I wonder how I can make images like these. To sum it up, I miss this stream when I don't get to see it. The hardest part about being a sesame ellis contact is getting to her pictures before all of the good comments are already made.

The queen bee of sparkly eyes. SE is my all time fav person to see what's on the up and up of child photography. She is indeed the best! I appreciate all of her comments to my photos and sharing our children's lives! Thank you too for all of the advice and time taken out to help me getting going with my own photogr… Read more

The queen bee of sparkly eyes. SE is my all time fav person to see what's on the up and up of child photography. She is indeed the best! I appreciate all of her comments to my photos and sharing our children's lives! Thank you too for all of the advice and time taken out to help me getting going with my own photography! Truly a photographer to be marked in history and to be remembered as someone who starts trends with lots of followers!

Rachels photos made me join Flickr. When I came across Rachels stream, I just couldn't believe it. I was and still am so impressed by her talent, I am hooked as everyone else, curious, checking everyday, amazed by her photos. Her technique, creativeness, humor and love for what she does shine through in every photo. Th… Read more

Rachels photos made me join Flickr. When I came across Rachels stream, I just couldn't believe it. I was and still am so impressed by her talent, I am hooked as everyone else, curious, checking everyday, amazed by her photos. Her technique, creativeness, humor and love for what she does shine through in every photo. Thank you Rachel for sharing your fabulous inspirational work!!

"Sesame's" ambition and dedication to art behind the camera is amazing! Her photos have a consistant greatness that only a few can claim to! The colors, composition and quality of all her work is amazing! I can't even keep up with the quantity (with quality) of work that she seems to produce! Definitely setting a highe… Read more

"Sesame's" ambition and dedication to art behind the camera is amazing! Her photos have a consistant greatness that only a few can claim to! The colors, composition and quality of all her work is amazing! I can't even keep up with the quantity (with quality) of work that she seems to produce! Definitely setting a higher standard for the rest of us! :)