Hey there, I'm

Alyssa Rachelle!

I’m Alyssa—a Chattanooga and Cleveland, TN, photographer capturing family chaos (the good kind) and meaningful moments with a light and airy touch. When I’m not behind the camera, I’m a wife, boymom, Enneagram 1w2, and nature lover who’s recovering from perfectionism (mostly with chai lattes and deep breaths). Here, you’ll find my latest work, tips to simplify life, and probably a laugh or two. I’m so glad you’re here—grab a coffee and dive in!

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I’ve looked forward to Spring 2020 for so many reasons, but by far, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the flowering trees to bloom for portrait sessions! I found my favorite spots a year ago. Since then, my calendar has been marked with reminders. I was very bummed when the coronavirus began happening, because I knew that […]

Our Wisteria Family Self-Portraits

what is a first look and why do a first look by alyssa rachelle photography

What is a First Look? First Looks are AWESOME! However, not everyone’s aware of how awesome they are because they get caught up in how “non-traditional” it is. So they immediately write it off. Did you know that I was almost one of those brides?! In this post, I’m sharing what I believe every Bride […]

What is a First Look and Why Do One?

So, it’s been a hot minute since these photos were taken. I’ve been so busy with my “paid” work, a toddler, and COVID-19 fallouts, that personal galleries, like Kaelibeth’s Colorado Springs Session haven’t been able to be a priority. One good things about the coronavirus pandemic is that it has forced my life to slow […]

Kaelibeth’s Colorado Springs Session

kaelibeth's colorado springs session with alyssa rachelle photography
weekend vacation to the biltmore estate

What better way to get away than to take a sister trip to the Biltmore Estate and the Asheville area?! As a work-from-home-mom, I’ve been in dire need of a getaway with someone who I could completely be myself with. You know, the kind of friend you can just do nothing with, but that completely […]

Weekend Sister Trip to the Biltmore Estate

Wow! How am I writing about Beckett’s 18-month milestone session?! How are we officially parents to a toddler?! Some days it feels like time has gone fast, but in other ways (particularly on days full of tantrums) it has felt very long, ha! Either way, it calls for a milestone session! We feel so blessed. […]

Beckett’s 18-Month Milestone Session

beckett's 18 month milestone session
danae church and scot brunner engagement session on ocoee lake in cherokee national forest and ocoee lake

Is this real life? I get to photograph Danae & Scot?! And I fell in the water while photographing them?! (More on that later.) And I get to photograph at a location I’ve dreamed about with the most adventurous couple?! I am so blessed! Because Danae and I have such a good history of working […]

Danae & Scot – Engagement Session

To celebrate Valentine’s month, Beckett enjoyed a painting (and eating) shaving cream activity with red, pink, and yellow paint colors. It made for some personality pictures that I’ll treasure. It’s a simple, inexpensive activity using things I already had: aluminum casserole pan ultra-sensitive shaving cream washable acrylic paint q-tips   It bought me all of […]

Painting Shaving Cream Activity

painting shaving cream activity
Rice bin activity for toddler

Thoughts about Staying Home Full-time Staying at home full-time with Beckett is such a blessing, and it’s something Jimmy and I have worked hard for. But I wouldn’t be painting the whole picture if I didn’t also mention that I often feel restless, bored, unproductive, and frustrated too. Leaving the traditional work environment and having […]

Staying at Home Full-time & a Fun, Recent Activity

Join me as I reminisce on all the years and changes I’ve got to watch the Young family go through – and photographer friends, be sure to keep reading to see these images to get family of 5 photoshoot ideas! I’m still in disbelief that I’ve photographed each of the Young family kiddos at nearly […]

Family of 5 Photoshoot Ideas

Family of 5 Photoshoot Ideas
Alyssa Rachelle Photography's lens collection

When I visited my family in Colorado most recently, something big happened. My dad gave me his Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens. Sound insignificant? I suppose it is to anyone else. Dad’s also a photographer. In fact, Dad’s the one who got me interested in this industry! But this lens has been unused, extra […]

My Lens Collection Is Complete!

I remember getting into the photography industry with so many questions—what camera should I get? What lenses do I need? Is there software to help me speed up my workflow? Seriously, the questions could’ve gone on for days. That coupled with the fact that I’m a research junkie, meant I spent way too much time […]

Preferred Gear & What I’m Saving For

alyssa rachelle photography preferred gear
rowe family enjoying a chattanooga snow day in february

Anybody else remember those 48 hours in Chattanooga when we went form tornado warnings, flooding, and thunder to 5″ of snow? We do! Our family snow day such a blast! Though Beckett had already seen snow in Colorado, this was his first snow at home, and our first snow in this house. So glad that […]

Family Snow Day in Chattanooga!

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