View allAll Photos Tagged brokaw
It's a lot tougher to make a difference. :-)
Tom Brokaw
HBW!!
j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina
This Queen Anne-style influenced house was built about 1897 for Dr. Ernest Mammen. Dr. Mammen was one of the oldest and best known physicians in McLean County. He was born in 1855 at Gummelstaide, in the province of Oldenberg in northern Germany. His family came to America in 1864, and settled at Minonk. He completed his medical studies in Chicago in 1884, and came to Bloomington that same year. Dr, Mammen was one of the group which worked for the founding of Brokaw Hospital, and he also was one of the first sponsors of the McLean County Chapter of the Red Cross.
In 1943, the Mammen family sold the house to the Phi Mu Alpha (Professional Music Fraternity) at nearby Illinois Wesleyan University. It remains the fraternity's house today.
The Dr. Ernest Mammen House is a contributing property in Bloomington's Franklin Square Historic District, which is located northwest of downtown Bloomington. The Square is named in honor of Franklin Price, who was the mayor of Bloomington Mayor in 1856 when land for the Square was gifted to the city.
Franklin Square was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, and was designated a local historic district in 1979. The houses of Franklin Square were built in a variety of architectural styles from the mid 19th century through the early 20th century, including Georgian Revival, Italianate, Colonial, Queen Anne, and Richardsonian Romanesque.
Bloomington is the seat of McLean County. It is adjacent to Normal, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. Bloomington is home to State Farm Insurance, Country Financial and Beer Nuts. Illinois Wesleyan University is located here, while the neighboring city of Normal is home to Illinois State University and Heartland Community College. Bloomington is 135 miles (217 km) southwest of Chicago, and 162 miles (261 km) northeast of St. Louis. The estimated population of Bloomington in 2019 was 77,330, with a metro population of 191,067.
Strand Theatre
51 N. Public Square, Angola, IN 46703
The Brokaw Theatre first opened its doors in August of 1931 owned by Joe Brokaw, manager of the Opera House across the town square. The first film ever shown on the big screen was the Smiling Lieutenant viewed by patrons for just 50¢ each. The Brokaw was designed by architect Mr. A.M. Strauss, known locally for his design of the Embassy Theatre. It was the finest theatre of its kind fitted with cutting edge technology and plush leather seating all surrounded by art deco features and accents.
Another autumn morning spent at Caddo Lake. This is a lovely place to wait for the sun to come up. Not for the sun itself as you won’t see it for awhile with all the trees. But the way the early morning light illuminates the cypress trees - it’s something to behold Happy Friday my dear Flickr friends. Have a wonderful weekend .
I Remember - Chris Brokaw
I remember as a kid going to the theater downtown to see movies, sitting in the balcony during intermission and being fascinated by all of the interesting details of the building. This is a small portion of the cornice that wrapped around where the wall and ceiling joined. I’m guessing it is about 4'-5' tall.
I took this from that same balcony, years later, while taking a break helping set up for a concert coming up in the theater.
I still find all of those details interesting.
Spent a lovely weekend at Caddo Lake and enjoyed the fall foliage immensely. It has a unique kind of beauty to it. The Spanish moss hanging from the trees gives it a spooky and surreal look. I stayed several hours and was lucky to get some different views of the lake with different lighting in different places. I have to admit that when I visited Caddo in the summer I was unimpressed. Although unique I found it hot, muggy and swampy 😅 funny how a change in temperature and color can transform an experience. Muggy forest became magical with autumnal color and cool crisp weather along with crunchy leaves underfoot made for a happy fall day. We brought the cold fresh pressed apple cider to enjoy at the picnic areas after a refreshing hike and I had a hard time leaving this time around. Hope to upload more from this trip over the weekend. While Christmas decorations are going up everywhere I am still in full fall mode as colors here in East Texas are finally peaking. 😄 Christmas can wait, I want to enjoy Autumn with all of my heart ♥️ love you all, have a blessed upcoming weekend 💋
What a beautiful place to be tonight... The golden light through the trees gave the autumn colors a painterly look against the softness of the lake's water. I wish I had discovered this place last Autumn as last year I was quite homesick for a dosage of Colorado fall. But everything happens in its own time and season for it's own reason. I do believe I needed to see it more this season than last year if that makes any sense at all. It's been a long time since I have been able to drink so deeply of the beauty of Autumn. Perhaps being thirsty to see beauty is sometimes what causes us to enjoy it more than what we would have in a different chapter in life... And sadly sometimes that need is caused by pain and change. As sad as it is I think we appreciate beauty more when we have experienced the opposite of it. How can we not appreciate the light more if we have spent time in the dark...
The holidays are around the corner. What is it about holidays that makes grief so raw, so real? I'm not ready for them to be honest. I would rather sit here for days on end in a dream where these colors never fade and this song plays tenderly for me through the trees.
Enjoy one of my favorite classics played by the beautiful and talented hands of Khatia Buniatishvili.
I love you friends xx
Definition of the word reverie:
"A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream."
This was my entire process while working on this image. I get so lost in my editing process at night that I lose all track of time. Most of my pictures are quite intimate to me.I pour so much emotion and thought into them while creating. Sometimes I have a clear vision on what I want to create. but usually it's a sense of emotion and intuition that guides my thought process. Certain colors that I am drawn to while in different moods, a thought or idea will come to me and I will build on it. Sometimes it takes hours at one time . When I get started on an image I can't stop or the next day the vision is seemingly lost. It can be frustrating and impossible trying to pick up where I left off. So here I am again late at night lost in my thoughts. This image conjures up both happy and melancholy feelings for me. There is something hopeful about it, something beautiful and surreal but also a sense of sadness to me. Maybe it's because in watching the effortless freedom these birds have gliding over the lake my own solid grounding on earth is ever present in my mind. Oh that we had wings to fly away sometimes right?
I hope it is as calming for you as it me. Much love always xx
Rachel
HI friends!
Was up in the mountains for most the weekend. Heading down this mountain the fog began to get so thick you could scarcely see the road ahead. There are so many imperfections in this picture I can't count them! This is through my windshield as it was raining pretty hard. The light was extremely dim so lots of grain. BUT, this moment, it just calls my name. I was thrilled when I saw it in Lightroom after uploading my pictures because it's just one of those special ones to me... The mood is something else. Also lots of interesting and eerie shapes in the fog. If the fog were gone, you'd see an amazing vista of the mountain in your face. As it is there is the question of where this goes - I feel. A path, a journey but of course a beckoning to keep going forward despite the whispers of doubt.
I hope you see and feel what I see when you look into the picture. I couldn't wait to share it with you all.
I hope your week is off to a great start. I got sick coming home from this trip. Deathly ill, maybe food poisoning?! I won't share details but today was exhausting. Feeling a lot better and was able to upload my pictures. Hopefully the rest of the week goes better.
Much love to you all, Rachel
In Colorado I could see the sun set over the mountains from my front balcony in our condo. Our place was tiny, way too small for our growing family and my balcony became my escape. There were times as a stay at home homeschooling Mom that by the end of the day my sanity was hanging on just by a frazzled thread. In the evenings I would go outside and soak up the last rays of sun and admire the beautiful sunset. I used it as a time for myself to calm myself, reflect, usually pray. Some people have a glass of wine or maybe a cigaret to unwind. Watching the sunset was my glass of wine. This was a tradition for me during my last two pregnancies which because of severe complications I was put on extreme bed rest in my third trimester with both. After my youngest was born in March, the pandemic was in full swing. I believe it was only a few days after her birth (hard to remember, but very shortly after) that our state shut down. For several months we were stuck inside like the rest of the world. I maintained my sanity by slipping away each day to watch the sun go down. it meant I had survived another day and sometimes that was hard enough by itself. When we made the move to Texas to by dismay the area we moved to had no vantage point whatsoever to see the sun drop. The trees although pretty, block any indication of the sun setting and obviously the elevation is pretty flat! For the first several weeks I feel silly admitting that I became deeply depressed and sad that I could no longer carry on this tradition of watching the sun go down. When I found this lake (which is about 40 minutes from town!) and realized I'd get to see the sun set for the first time in weeks, I was ecstatic. We brought our portable grill and set up by the lake. And that was where I saw my very first Texas sunset. I was so emotional about it I actually cried. I remember sending my Mom a Marco Polo of the sun setting... I know I sound a bit unstable. Give me some grace, 2020 and all lol. Since then it's became one of my favorite places to go. Because of the distance Im not able to go every day but when I am I savor that experience and always take pictures of it to bring home. I didn't realize how much I took for granted in being able to see the sun set in Colorado but it is one of the things I miss the most. The sunset tonight was so beautiful. This area is unique in the fact that the bottom of the lake seems to be all red clay. It makes it almost peculiar as you get the blue of the sky reflected onto the water but the red tones are also there. Lots of scraggly bushes and rocks in this area that do get in my way for pictures. I'm not sure how well it works in this picture but I still wanted to share. I hope you enjoy the glimpse into my world and hopefully it brings you some joy as well.
Almost 1 in the morning here so I will end this. Goodnight dear friends. xx
Rachel
PS: if you would like to see a few more of my favorite places here in East Texas you can check out my newest blog post on my website <3
Hi friends!
You may remember this spot as I have came here many times and shared at least twice. Each time I find a little bt of a different spot to crouch in or a different rock to climb for vantage point ha! It's been such busy year that this was the first time since May that I was able to come back here for Summer. My favorite time to be here is definitely Fall. Those trees along the back are a brilliant gold! But seeing the river so full from so much moisture and snow was incredible as well. The trees and foliage are lush with a vibrancy I have not seen in a long time. After so many dry years it's been amazing to see Colorado so well watered. This place takes us about 4 hours to get to. Only because of a lot stopping along the way lol. Twin Lakes is about 20 minutes from here and is another favorite spot I can't bear to drive by. It definitely turns into an all day affair. This is the same trip as the last picture I posted. Thankfully I am doing much better now and I can't say how much I appreciate the kind comments and notes for good health. Thankful to be doing better in that regard.
Has anyone else summer whizzed by?! I haven't been in a hurry for Fall this year as I feel like last Winter was unbearably long. Yet this morning the air definitely held a chill (it was gone by afternoon btw ha!) and I was a little bit in love with it. ;) September is going to be an exciting month with a lot of portrait work and some traveling. Our plans had originally included a trip to Olympia National Park during the second week of September for my birthday. Which would have been a DREAM COME TRUE. But after more unexpected situations it's not looking like a do after all. It's hard to find housing for a week through AirBnB with a family our size lol... the expenses just mounted too high. However we still have all that time off! Looking for places that aren't nearly as far for our last minute switch of plans. Any ideas??
I should also add I am interested in traveling for portrait work during that time - keep me in mind <3<3 <3
Alright I'm putting a cap on it, I promise. thank you always for reading and for your support.
Much love always,
Rachel
I could hear this couple’s laughter across the lake. And when I looked through my lens I could see them smiling at each other happily while drinking presumably a hot beverage in a flask. The setting sun shone across the lake highlighting the autumnal colors in the most glorious light. They seemed oblivious (which was good, I would hate for them to see me as a slightly creepy person staring at them through my camera lens across the lake from amongst the trees😂) but their joy was contagious. Funny how we can be so involved in a moment of contentment or joy and directly affect someone else positively without ever even knowing it. It can also hold true to the opposite effect - think about the hustle of busy holiday shopping when you’re surrounded by scowling tired shoppers, it’s like a disease and pretty soon you may find yourself tired and crabby as well😅) I am a people watcher I confess, I enjoy watching and taking in different interactions and it always brings me joy to watch others experiencing joy especially in the most simplest of ways. Maybe that’s why my favorite images here on Flickr are of the simple moments or captures. A squirrel enjoying a nut, a deer enjoying a pumpkin, or even an unknown stranger enjoying their time out with their spouse or child for an autumn walk. I hope this brings a smile to your face as well. Much love to you my friends ♥️ love always, Rachel
Came across these beautiful roses and their golden autumn like leaves while out on a rainy walk in Tyler. It was around the downtown historical area. Stately mansions and wet red brick roads. It was such a lovely walk. wish you could see the raindrops better on the Rose itself. Also what is wrong with me? I have posted three times in the last few days. Your Flickr spirit is influencing me for the better😄♥️ I hope you all have a very wonderful weekend. Today is my son’s 11th birthday. I hope to make it a special occasion for him. Much love to you ♥️
I accidentally released this yesterday before I was ready so please forgive me for re-posting it! Thank you all so much for the amazing and overwhelmingly positive feedback on my latest announcement. If I was having any second thoughts you guys really bolstered my resolve. Each and every one of your kind comments went straight to my heart. I thank you all so much!!
I really love this image! I don't know if its okay to say that when it's my own but when I am feeling something so strongly while taking and creating an image then when I'm done with it I have a certain attachment, It re-stirs those feelings when I look at it again. And if you haven't already recognized "the road", this is my favorite road. The road I have many shots of including the one of my youngest son in The Traveler and Silent Storms. Hopefully this pictures resonates with you the way it does with me.
More about this image on my blog: www.rachelbrokawphotography.com/blog
I love you all! <3
xxoo
Rachel
"So, if you're too tired to speak, sit next to me, because I, too, am fluent in silence." - R. Arnold.
Hello friends,
Something new from me. I was hesitant about posting this as this my first attempt at this type of photography and edit. But when I saw the back of my camera after taking it I knew I had to try. I should get better at these types of pictures since I never seem to sleep at night anyway. First time for everything!
I was listening to Stairway to Heaven when I started the process of posting this and had it titled as such. But the more I thought about it the more cliche it sounded. It does remind me of something similar to that though. Perhaps some of you will catch the reference to the title :) Even though it is imperfect in a million times I think the only way to see growth is by posting pictures along the way. It's astonishing to look back and see how we grow. I do that often with people here I follow. Some of you have been with me since the very beginning in my very humble efforts. Flickr will always be my first love when it comes to community. I have never experienced the same type of encouragement anywhere else that I experience here. Thank you for being with me on this journey, for growing with me and never failing to inspire me.
Love always,
Rachel
Hello friends!
I am popping to share a spring portrait session I took this weekend. My client was just gorgeous! I had so much fun taking these and the weather was perfect. Cloudy skies gave us the moody look we wanted to achieve. I have been terrible about keeping up on Flickr, please forgive me!! I have been so busy trying to keep up with my new est endeavors. Just as a quick reminder you can add me on FB www.facebook.com/rachel.c.brokaw
As I am on there more often because of my business page. I do hope to pop in more frequently but consider me on a short break for now. I hope you are well. Sending love to each of you!
xxoo
Rachel
Many of you asked me how many newest little one was doing. Liat was born in March and has been a never ending source of light and joy in our family this year. This is her first Autumn and she loves it! Sitting in the leaves like this is one of her favorite things to do. Sneaking sips of Mommy’s cider is another favorite and snuggling on the front porch enjoying the cooler weather is tops of course ;)
How I crave these rugged peaks. The mountains get in my blood and sometimes I wonder if I'm crazy. It's an all out restless feeling to leave and escape the city, traffic, noise and even people for the all out isolated silence. The cool shadows of the evening and the ever mysterious unknown. I don't think that you can take nature from your blood once it's gotten ahold of you. It just calls you back again when you try to leave.
This was taken in Durango the first evening I discovered Vallecito Lake. The mountains still had some snow on those craggy tops even in June! I fell head over heels for the San Juan National Forest area. My only regret was not being able to explore more. I have a feeling we will be back though... many many times. x
Anyone ever have these kind of daydreams where you dream you were just surprised with the news of "Welcome Home" and a place like this is dropped in your lap? This was one of those places that I daydreamed for a long time about haha! I'm also weird and have a strange little portfolio of beautiful cabins and houses I've photographed for the same reason. Some people have attractive people they fantasize about... Not me, just give me some beautiful land haha!! this was one of those captures that came unexpectedly as I had my camera in my lap as we were driving (me as a passenger, I never take pictures while driving, I promise!) We weren't at a stopping place, one lane on either side and cars before and behind... Hence the shot is not as sharp and clear as it should be. This comes from hanging out the window and getting what you can with what you have lol.
Remember this little guy? He's back following another road;) This was a side road of the highway as we driving back from a new favorite place in Larkspur CO. The sun was setting and my heart skipped a little as we passed it. I was beyond tired, I had spent the entire day shooting and my legs were literally aching but I knew I had to go back. I'd never forgive myself if I didn't go back and get some shots. Thankfully my husband is an amazing sport. He flipped around and we came back to this road. It was gorgeous. I know I'll be back many times. I thought it'd be fun to get a shot of the same son walking the road as I have another picture on Flickr called The Traveler where he is also walking on one of my favorite roads. There is just something about roads that stir my heart. It's symbolic to me and I always relate to it as the journey of life. And when I find beautiful journey's it gives me hope and reminds me of all the beautiful passages Life has held and continues to hold. Have a great week everyone!!:)
xxoo
It would look like this.
Not to seem dreary either... Don't you see the vivid colors emerging because of the rain? Wet swirls forming across the darkened texture of the road. The thrill of exploring the curves in the distance and making them mine. I see the mystery of fog and mist hanging over the tips of the mountain like a soft whisper. I also feel a spirit of weariness. The internal voice sings, 'Just drive and let it all go.'
It's beckon, a pull. Maybe even the reminder to embrace the season you're in. xx
Sorry for the sudden burst in posting friends. I'm on a creative binge apparently and am excited to share again while I have the chance. This is a little path out in the middle of nowhere in one of my favorite state parks up in Eagle. Further ahead the road was completely flooded and impassable. But far enough ahead that we got a good walk out of it. This was my kind of day. Overcast with a chill and perfect for kicking leaves. It has a bit of a spooky appeal here, or am I the only one who sees it? I have about a hundred more pictures from this area and they are all spooky regardless of season! just a vibe I always get when we're here. I'm not a weirdo I promise, but this place has an odd feeling and mood to it. Yet I keep coming back... ;)
Thank you for reading xx
love always, Rachel
Hi friends!! Here is the picture I referenced in my last waterfall shot. This was barely on arriving. I didn't get here nearly as early as planned lol! This was our last day and on our drive back home. We had planned to get up really early again and make it here by sunrise. But after we finally got everything re-packed to go, cleaned all the rooms and stripped the beds down in our Airbnb, it was much later than we anticipated. Still I was so very much appreciative of the sunrise pictures at the Dunes I'd gotten the few days before that I honestly was just glad to be on our way. I'd never been to Treasure Falls so I wasn't even sure how the lighting would fall. Turns out even though technically sunrise had happened about an hour or so before, the sun hadn't actually made it over the waterfall which worked out fantastically for me ;) We drove up with the sun starting to peak right over the waterfall top. I'm actually impressed with myself and how quickly I set up my tripod haha! In the end it all worked out, even with us leaving later than anticipated, I was still able to get the sun rays coming over the top. If you were to drive to Treasure Falls today this is exactly what you see when you pull into the lot. Enough to get you excited and up that trail. I told you the story of my mistake in heading up the Primitive trail ha! But the other way ended up being a beautiful hike through deep lush forest. The path winded through tall trees, wildflowers and I can't stress the green enough. I believe I will share a path picture I took there because it is so beautiful especially when you know where it is leading... Hope you're not tired of this series yet! :))
Much love ~ Rachel
Hello friends,
I'm breaking quite the record by posting yet again, aren't I?! A lot on my mind lately and editing late at night seems to be the one thing that brings some clarity and comfort to my mind. So here I am again at 3 am with another creation full of heart and probably way too much emotion. Thanks for bearing with me!
Today I made the formal announcement on my Facebook page that we are moving out of Colorado. There is a myriad of reasons I won't get into here but by the end of August we will be out of my beautiful home state and on our way to the next big adventure. I believe I will keep the location a secret for now. It will be fun to post some pictures and see how quickly or slowly people guess where we have ended up, ha! As good as our reasons are for leaving Colorado, my heart is heavy with the sadness that can only come from leaving a place that holds all my memories. Many of you have followed my journey of grief as I mourned the death of my younger sister who passed away at 19 years old from leukemia. She is buried here in Colorado... and although I know that a burial place is just a holding place for earthly remains the fact of the matter is my very soul hurts at the thought of leaving her here. As well as many of my favorite places being left behind including this beautiful place in the picture. We have came here so many evenings... Grilling on our portable grill, drinking cold cider into the night. I watched my children splash in the lake under the golden rays of setting sun. I watched several of my children learning to walk on this golden sandy stretch. Toddling along, hands outstretched and falling gleefully into the lapping waves. Tonight taking this picture and knowing it would be one of the last times we would sit here made my eyes sting a few times. Emotions are the source of my creativity. I believe even grief can be channeled into art as our deepest emotions are on a colorful display of expression. Isn't photography amazing in that aspect? We can truly show our emotions, write a story, draw someone into our world without even saying a word. Obviously by reading this, you by now have realized that offering silent pictures with no words is definitely not my strong point, haha! But I am grateful for photography as an outlet that I am able to utilize in expressing and working through my thoughts.
I am forever grateful to those of you who continue to read and offer up such kind words and responses. You have no idea the safe space you all continue to create and hold for me here.
Ending yet another late night/morning ramble... goodnight dear friends.
Love always,
Rachel
Hello friends! Took this picture at one of my favorite places for sunsets here in my neck of the woods. It was so beautiful that night, I thought i would go for a longer exposure. Really liked the way this one turned out ☺️ I hope you all are well… I’ve recently discovered a different platform other than instagram that I’ve been using and really enjoy. It’s a mix between Instagram and Flickr. Maybe you’ve heard of VERO? I’m really enjoying that! Lately when I post here which isn’t very often, I get a lot of bots and spam on my posts and sometimes messages too. Does that happen to anyone else? I love Flickr and always will. Don’t plan on deleting from here whatsoever but am uploading more and interacting more on my VERO account. If your over there please don’t hesitant to say hi ❤️❤️ user name is - mysticbliss or you can look up my regular name Rachel Brokaw. Or feel free to say hi here as well much love always, Rachel
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Instagram - @rachelbrokawphotography
VERO- @mysticbliss
Hello friends,
Happy New Year! Well here I am emerging from the "dark". It's been a long couple of months. Well if we're going to be honest, it was long year?! But the year seemed to have culminated the last three months and I'm not going to lie - it's been rough waters over here. I won't get too deep into my personal life but I believe this year is going to be better. Is it because I think it will be easier somehow? I honestly believe this year will rival last year in terms of difficulties BUT I believe I've grown. How could I not? I've been stretched a hundred different ways out of what my definition of normal was. (As I know so many of you have been as well...)
° My faith has been challenged...
°and renewed.
°My hope has faltered
° but been steadied.
So here I am for better or worse. I want to thank you you all for the congratulations many of you sent me for placing in Flickr's top 25 of 2020. I was absolutely positively blown away to have placed. Today I was logging in and I gasped when I saw my own picture on the login page. What a HUGE honor... I also realized today due to logging in and going through my inbox (thanks to my dear friend Nick (@nrg_crisis ) that I was nominated in Flickr's 100 Members to Follow: www.flickr.com/photos/flickr/galleries/72157716008787368/
This is by nomination only! Thank you Nick! And thank you so much to anyone who is currently following me and who nominated me. I am so truly humbled and grateful. Truly blown away as I still remember the first time I posted here in 2015. I was nervous... anxious. A little worried about diving in with so many talented photographers. This community has been the most kindest and helpful creative platform by far... Thank you with all of my heart for following & supporting me <3
Many of you have been here with me since the beginning - reading my ramblings and late night thoughts throughout the last several years. Thank you <3
Finally reaching the end of this long winded narrative - I hope you enjoy the picture of this beautiful fox I captured from last year. It was late evening and the grain is a little bit much for my liking. The black and white version really added some intrigue and mystery to this little fellow. There are so many pictures I don't end up sharing bc they aren't "perfect" to me. But I desperately need to get in touch with my inner creativity again, in whatever aspect even if in the imperfections. I will share the colored version later. I would love to know which you prefer.
Dear friends, I wish you the very very best of this year.
Much love always,
Rachel
Hi friends,
Another late night edit. Too many thoughts and feelings to keep inside so once again I throw myself into binge editing instead of sleeping. In a physical sense I'm sure sleeping would benefit me more but denying myself the outlet of creativity might be a more serious issue ha.
The evening I took this picture was a few weeks ago coming home from my younger sister spontaneous wedding hidden away in the heart of National Forests near Leadville Colorado. It was a beautiful and simple affair. Strictly family, a simple ceremony took place in a grove of aspens. My sister wore a wreath of wild flowers in her hair and the sky was overcast and cloudy with the wind running its fingers through her hair and over her dress. It was all so lovely.
We left late in the evening as the sun was setting. Coming up over this road I didn't even have to ask my husband to pull over. He just did. Because he knows my heart all too well. Despite being absolutely exhausted from the beautiful all day affair, this lonely stretch of Colorado road had to be captured for my memories.
Coming back home it has taken me up til now to finally edit. I admittedly put allllll of my emotions into my edits. And this image pulls me into all sorts of directions. As I announced in my last image (I think it was or the one before) me and my family are moving from Colorado next month. With that being said my baby sister and her family just left Colorado as well to start their adventure in WV. My parents have retired and are committed to their new life of RV life full time and have many plans for travel this summer. I said my goodbyes to them both last week as I prepare to leave on my own journey. This past weekend was another few days of goodbyes as I said goodbyes to my younger sister and brother - the last ones remaining in Colorado. My heart hurts. I hate change. I know that change is good and this one especially is necessary for my family. I repeat this to myself daily. But dammit, why is it so emotional? Staring at my computer tonight and editing this road took me back to the hundreds of times we drove through Colorado roads on the search for an adventure. I remember a turning point in my photography journey was about two years ago when watching a photographer on Youtube. He had just returned from Iceland and was going through a gallery of jaw dropping images.I felt an absolute pang of jealousy shoot through me. I remember thinking, If I could travel like that, I could get really good shots too. As if he read my mind the photographer began to speak about how harmful that type of thinking is. That we should never limit ourselves to thinking that our talents are limited to our locations. I began to realize how ridiculous I was being especially for living in Colorado. I made it a goal to embrace where I was planted and explore every inch of Colorado's beautiful land. I get a lot of comments here and on Instagram from people who mention how nice it must be to live in such a beautiful place. It's glorious, I love Colorado! But I didn't truly love and appreciate Colorado til that point. Exploring means driving sometimes 2, 4 and even 6 hour drives on a search for the soul of Colorado. I don't believe I've even touched the surface but I believe that I've given it my best. And I feel like this road captures that journey. If there were a real road leading into the heart of Colorado I think it looks like this ;)
It's 2:00 am so I will end this. Thank you for reading <3
xx
Much love always,
Rachel
Sharing more personal photos these days... I don’t go out shooting in the “wild” as much for now lol. But my camera is used pretty much daily for my every day life.
As most of you know I have seven children. When we do activities like pumpkin carving it’s just easier for everyone if we do them in groupings... a few kids at a time. That way I have more time and patience to devote to the experience. We started with my two youngest, which are 2 years old and 4 years old. My 2 year old flat out wanted nothing to do with the experience. When i realized he was 100% not interested I let my 7 year old take his place and my 2 year old ran free. We could not coax him to look inside or get him to show any interest in the pumpkin experience.
Meanwhile my two older boys had a blast drawing out their own patterns and helping me carefully carve them. When my two year old Avi saw them with their finished pumpkins, he instantly wanted his brothers pumpkins. I told him no, kindly but firmly, he’ll have to wait to make his own own. I sat the older two down to take a picture of their proud faces and finished with and Avi plopped right down in front with the biggest pout you’d ever seen.
He photo bombed the picture but it was still pretty cute . Thought you’d all get a kick out of the story. Also - No worries, we’ll be doing more carving soon and Avi will get his second chance
Before you think this is another innocent child contemplating the magic of Christmas let me explain the situation here. Avi knows he is not allowed to touch the tree.👀 By touch I mean yank ornaments off the tree. Yet mysteriously we keep finding ornaments all over the house with the tops still on the tree from SOMEONE yanking them off in secret. I was fiddling with my camera and my 85mm was still attached so I was a distance off from him when I CAUGHT HIM IN THE ACT. He totally didn't even know I was watching him as he discreetly reached up and yanked the ornament off. So sweet... so innocent.😂
Anyway, hi friends!!
My busy season has finally calmed down. I shut off bookings until next year Spring so I am so very excited to be taking more pictures of my own loved ones and memories. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am so looking forward to this season and having the ability to spend more time soaking up my family.
Hoping to see more of you guys as well.
Love always,
Rachel
Hello friends,
I hope you are all well during these times. I have been finding solace as always in the comforting solitude of nature. For whatever reason this particular place has remained near empty and me and my family have enjoyed many walks through this spectacular place. In case you are wondering - this is Roxborough State Park and not to be confused with Garden of the gods which some might be. Unless of course you are familiar with both places and then the only resemblance they have to each other is the color of the rocks (in my opinion). The rocks are very different in formation and shape...
There are deer galore here and they graze very near the pathways. They must be used to the days of crowds however because when they see you they don't run or even appear skittish. They do appear curious however and will continue chewing but watching you with gentle eyes. My 2 year old loves to run towards them which does cause them to casually move on. I have been lucky enough to witness several sunsets as pictured above and they never fail to leave me speechless. Which is a good thing these days. Most days that I find myself needing to be here, I don't want to speak. I don't want to listen. I don't want to think. I just want silence. I need it and crave it. But it's a difference silence than one might find sitting in your room alone. Silence in the great outdoors is the best kind. This is a type of silence you can feel against your skin, brush against your hair, and soothe your tired mind all at the same time. There is a beautiful wandering path that leads through these majestic rocks and down towards a grand valley. Layers of soft mountains line the horizon and the jagged outcrop of Denver sky scrapers in the far distance seem delightfully small and insignificant here. Enough of my rambling... would you believe it is 2:45 am MT? Seems like my most motivated frame of mind comes in the very late (or early) hours when I need sleep most ha!
Thank you for listening to my ramblings.
Take care dear friends.
xx
Love always,
Rachel
The moments of joy in between the heaviness of the present catch me off guard at times. A reminder that life despite darkness and trials - still goes on. With or without our permission. Like the roll of the tide, like the changing of seasons. We are helpless in the tide of time. Both joy and sorrow come and go, sometimes to stay for awhile and other times fleetingly. However fleeting the moments, I try my hardest to catch them and hold on. It has been weeks since I’ve gotten my camera out. Today on whim I took it with me on a walk around the rose gardens. I wasn’t even sure what I would take pictures of. This butterfly was a beautiful moment of surprise as it landed quite close to where I was standing. There is a word I have seen - •Kairos (n.) the perfect, delicate, crucial moment; the fleeting rightness of time and place that creates the opportune atmosphere for action, words, or movement• that was kind of what happened today ❤️. I’m no longer active on any other social platform; you all are the only ones I thought of to share this little piece of joy with. I love you all, please feel my gratitude for the joy you each give to me when I am here and see your names. Love always, Rachel xoxo
Hi friends!!
Its been an eternity since I have shared any of my portrait work here. I thought I would share some of my recent work so you could see what I've been up to over the summer and fall. This was one of my last engagement sessions of the year. Sweetest couple and loved that they brought their dog to incorporate into their session. Took them to one of my favorite places, Ihave several shots of this place in Pine here on Flickr. We have spent many hours here in the warmer seasons as a family. I love scouting out beautiful places and bringing people to them - especially when they show an appreciation for the outdoors. I am stressing a little as I embark into November. I have 12 more sessions to go this month and then I am checking out for the year!! The colder seasons really are harder to book as most people don't want to be outside. Plus I just need a well needed break. I'm ready to spend a quiet winter with my family hibernating haha! I am actually hoping to get some winter shooting in as I normally don't get out as much in the winter. Many of the roads to my favorite places are closed due to snow and last year many avalanches. So I'm wanting to explore some new places to be inspired by. I have some personal projects I really want to work on that utilize the snow and winter... I hope to fulfill my vision and have something worthwhile to show you all soon!
Have a a very happy weekend my dear friends!
much love always, Rachel
" Colors glow through evening light.
Cider and Butterscotch shimmer bright
Merlot and cinnamon foliage quake
under the chilled breath of Autumn’s wake.
Her cool hands are magic in the trees
She quietly stirs the quivering leaves.
Trusting kind fingertips the leaves let go.
Tiny brave hands sure yet slow.
So then begans The Dance.
The carefree and joyous flight.
Crimson, caramels and buttery bright
Spinning, twirling in the air.
Fluttering slowly under Her stare.
Gently falling down.
She catches them in her greyish gown.
Quiet labored sighs and breathing
Tiny souls silently leaving.
The Dance must always end.
They lie graceful on the grass,
Some quickly dissolve yet others last.
Some scatter across wet streets
Colorful and dry beneath our feet.
They sleep the Sleep of Autumn."
- Rachel Brokaw
Hello friends,
It is high time I finally got around to updating and popping into Flickr world. What a crazy world it has been lately. In the midst of all the craziness we welcomed this precious girl into the world on March 6th. After a lengthy, difficult pregnancy with the last three months again on bedrest, her arrival was perfect and consisted of a 3.5 hour labor at home. She has been a light and joy in our midst, a welcome distraction amidst troubling times. The past months I have really taken a break from photography as I was unable to be up and around for awhile. There is a blizzard currently raging outside as I speak but I am hoping as the weather warms up to be up and outside again somewhere soon (somewhere isolated lol). What is going on in your corner of the world? Are you still out shooting? Quarantined to home? My prayers and thoughts are with you my friends and I hope you all are in good health. I hope you will forgive me for such a long period away... every time I say I hope things are back to normal the next chapter of “NOT normal” takes place ha. Thank you to those who are still with me and will see this, I hope she brings a smile to your face.
All my love to you friends,
Rachel
We don’t typically do anything for Valentines Day so I was pleasantly surprised when my husband brought me and my two daughters roses for the occasion 🌹 of course it was a reason to get my camera out ☺️ What a crazy few days it’s been here in Texas. As a transplant from Colorado I am used to cold weather and negative temperatures... however I never thought it would be happening here. As a state we are so unprepared for this type of weather. (And I certainly don’t blame Texas, who could have predicted?!) many people without electricity or any way to keep warm. It’s the beginning of another strange year lol. I am definitely learning I need to be more prepared for the unexpected! Hope you all are keeping safe and warm ❤️
Congratulations Michael Veltman and Adrian Costigan as the winners in my recent Giveaway celebrating 1 million fews. You both have won a 12 in x 12 in canvas picture of the image of your choice from my gallery. I am so excited to be able to do this and give back to those who have supported me and stuck by me this past year. If you aren't already following Adrian or Michael, check out their galleries for some inspirational and masterful work!! Thank you all again so much for the support and encouragement, and a BIG thank you for all those who participated. I am honored to have had you participate. Have a very happy Thanksgiving Flickr World!!