This photo of foraged treasures says a lot about Rachel’s watchful way of life & creative vision.  She spotted and collected these natural, tactile, beautiful, perhaps overlooked things on a circular walk around her rural eco-home, south of Edinburgh.

Rachel and her family have spent several years restoring a 200-year-old cottage to become a cozy yet low-carbon, welcoming, light-filled home & photographic studio.  This is where Rachel finds joy: taking photos, but also in bringing the story of brands, products & objects to life.

 
A chiaroscuro portrait of Rachel in profile in a useum. In the background Roman marble sculptures contrast with her dark silhouette

Rachel came to photography later in life, after a first career in law.  Always creative –  but with a mature, can-do attitude, Rachel prides herself on attention to detail & a keen focus on clients’ business objectives.  Having found her photographic eye via her iPhone camera, Rachel’s hugely popular Instagram account, @travelswithmyphone allowed her to strengthen her understanding of framing, composition and colour.  Instagram-led commissions from clients like American Express and Apple formed the basis for a portfolio Rachel used to complete an HND in Professional Photography from Edinburgh College.  She now leads regular workshops and photowalks, giving back to her community and clients by teaching people how to hone their skills, take better photos using phones, as well as offering downloads on the basics of editing and custom filters.

Rachel’s personal interests in food, organic gardening, interior design and travel are reflected in her photography work, social media identities and personal projects.  Recent trips have included Kyoto, Paris, St Kilda, Istanbul, Tokyo and Kenya, and she and her family are currently plotting a slow road trip by electric car from Edinburgh to Naples, Italy.  Closer to home, her family’s eco-renovation project in the Scottish Borders featured on BBC’s ‘Scotland’s Home of the Year’ programme as 2022 finalist.  As well as being a committed environmentalist, Rachel is a champion of small business brands, and is proud to count local gems Koha Beauty and The Wee Souk among previous clients.