Rachel Bayne Photography bio picture
  • Welcome to Rachel Bayne Photography…

    I have loved photography since I was at least in the 3rd grade and got my first camera for my birthday that year. I took that little 210 film camera everywhere I went and have been capturing the world around me ever since. I love being a photographer. From weddings to families to senior portraits... it's all so much fun! If you have a question, click on the Contact button above. I hope you enjoy my work as much as I do. -Rachel Bayne

Mame and David: Estes Park, Colorado

Mame and I go back to our photographer days at the Bellingham Herald. We weren’t exactly besties to start out with, but now any time we chat we just laugh and laugh! When I heard about David I couldn’t have been happier for Mame. He is as perfect for her as she is for him. Next to each other, the mountains and being outdoors is their next love. They do things like ice climbing and camping in the mountain during winter and tons of crazy things I couldn’t imagine doing! They truly are meant for each other. I was so excited to see Mame, meet David and to photograph a wedding in the Rocky Mountains, which I had never been to. The wedding was in Estes Park, Colorado… and most of Mame and David’s family came from out of state. They picked a perfect place for a summer wedding! I can’t wait to go back and take my family there.

While I have known Mame for years, I’ve never met her family… and just when you think Mame is the craziest, you realize she’s not alone! They are such a fun and loving family. My favorite moment is when they all put on fake mustaches and surprised Mame! Thanks to Mame and David for a fun mini-vacation. I hope you two have an amazing life together filled with lots of snow and “sweetness!”

Mame and soon to be mother-in-law got ready at the famous Stanley Hotel

Mame has guns…Ski buddies… and high school friends…Mame may have been the smiliest bride I’ve ever seen…Mame is not your typical bride!Mame and David love rock climbing…

There was a quiz about the couple during cocktail hour……prizes were award.I love this…Mame’s dad reads from a Dove chocolate wrapper…Mame is the fun aunt…You can see Mame’s family at the bottom planning their mustache surprise…Sisters…Mame calls David “sweetness” and he loves ice cream……so she surprised him with ice cream to go with their cake!I know all adults wish they could hover over the cake like kids do…David returns the surprise by picking Mame up for their exit…Have fun on all your adventures!

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Chris and Kelly: Seattle, Washington

I’ve always said I am blessed to have the clients I have. I’d like to think it has something to do with me, but it’s probably silly luck. Either way, Chris and Kelly were awesome to work with. They have amazing family and friends who traveled from all over the country to celebrate their day with them. In addition to planning this wedding, Chris was finishing his masters and both were getting ready to move to South Carolina for Chris’ doctorate studies at Clemson University. Their morning wedding was at the Great Hall at Green Lake was so fun and, well, delicious! Portage Bay Cafe (you must go there soon for breakfast) catered breakfast which included tons of fresh fruit and amazing pancakes. Seriously, they were amazing! Breakfast was followed by a walk down to the park and then back for the ceremony. The reception was full of beautiful toasts, crazy dancing and lots of laughter. It was a beautiful day that I won’t forget!Some of Kelly’s family watches her walk into Green Lake to meet Chris…Their pups are like their kids…One second Kelly’s nephew Joe was there… and the next he was gone…Joe was done with the family photos……but he decided to jump into one more. 🙂Staying warm on a cold June morning… and guy love!Kelly with the guys…Chris with the ladies…The entire wedding brigade…

YUMMY!!!Fireman Joe found a fire hydrant…

Kelly, who has an amazing voice, surprised Chris by recording a song for them to dance to…

Fireman Joe’s shift is over for the day…

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Jerry Nebel - Rachel
Your work is excellent. You captured the day so well. I have just received a great backdrop for Santa photo’s if you are interested in trying to set something up. Give me a call
S.J.

Married… Kristine and Thad

I could honestly go on and on about this couple… I’ve known Kristine for about 10 years. I first photographed her while working at the Bellingham Herald when Kristine took over a historic iris garden on her family property in Deming, Wa. During that shoot we realized we attended Washington State University at the same time. Go Cougs!!! Kristine’s family homesteaded in Deming forever ago and her family and extended family farm a good amount of the property there. Her parents have a blueberry farm in Deming so if you ever need some blueberries, go there! Over the years I photographed Kristine and her iris garden a few times and even went to hear her sing at the Wild Buffalo in Bellingham. We kept in touch once in a while on Facebook and I was SO incredibly happy to see that she was engaged to a wonderful (and handsome!) guy.

Fast forward to getting the phone call that Kristine wanted to hire me for her wedding. I never assume my friends will hire me and never feel bad if they go with another photographer, that’s just business and friends are more important. I was not only so excited but incredibly blessed that they wanted me as their photographer. It was even more special when I learned that the ceremony would take place at the iris garden! During their engagement photos, Thad, who has a great eye, pointed out some cool spots for portraits, which I always appreciate from my clients, so I knew he would be a fun groom to photograph at their wedding.

The wedding day weather was iffy all week… and after photographing the ceremony site before anyone had arrived, the rain started… but, I have great luck with weather on wedding days (knock on wood!) and just knew the weather would clear up. By the time Kristine arrived to put on her dress, the rain had cleared. Yay! During the ceremony the light must have changed every 30 seconds from clouds to sun to clouds again. It was tricky but also incredibly beautiful. I can’t help but think the Williams ancestors had something to do with the clouds parting as the ceremony started!

The reception was full of laughter and love. These two are truly special and it’s very obvious just how much they love each other. Also, the salmon dinner catered by one of my favorite (and affordable!) caterers: Kelly’s O’Deli of Ferndale, Wa.

I wish you both the best!

Kristine is on the phone with her brother who couldn’t be there because of his duty with the United States Coast Guard.

Thad seats his grandma, and his dad and Kristine’s dad shake hands before the ceremony…Moments before the start of the ceremony…Who doesn’t love it when a flower girl won’t go down the aisle? Not even Goldfish could get her to go!What a great dad! Best flower man ever!This “flower dad” and his wife introduced Thad and Kristine…Thad gathers flowers for Kristine’s bouquet. Each flower represents a family member who couldn’t be there, plus a flower from each mother.As sweet as the photo above on the right is, Thad was supposed to give Kristine a red rose… you can see the tiny red rose on the bottom left of the bouquet, and then in Kristine’s hand on the right.This was extra funny because Kristine teaches agriculture at Ferndale High School…The complete bouquet…Saying a prayer…Thad wipes away tears as the ring bearer is about to give him the rings…Thad also had a little trouble getting Kristine’s ring untied… thankfully if he hadn’t been able to do it, Kristine had a pocket knife under her dress…So cute!!!Celtic handfasting, which is where we got the phrase “tying the knot.”Going in for the kiss!They did it!The moments just after the ceremony are always my favorite… especially when the couple hasn’t seen each other all day…I’m not sure what led to this hilarity, but I’m glad I was there to catch it…The Stump House!One of Kristine’s ancestors lived in this stump for a time…Kristine’s aunt gave her this pocket knife… she was also the former caretaker of the iris garden.Just a funny moment between portraits…So glad one of Kristine’s friend’s parked his vintage truck there…We then went to Taylor Dock in Bellingham for a few photos where they had their very first kiss!Thad likes to put his hand over Kristine’s heart…Such a fun idea for a guest “book,” plus lots of fun handmade details…Thad’s brother… who was not excited to hear that all of Kristine’s brothers are taller than him!This is the look on Thad’s face as he realized Kristine had a surprise for him… she wrote him a song and played it for him…

She is so talented…

Wiping away more tears…Kristine’s nephew…

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Thad and Kristine aka The Happy Couple - Every moment relived through these amazing photos is priceless! Rachel… You are absolutely the best… We could not be happier with each other and all of the special moments you captured so artistically. Thank you! One Love T&K

Leah - As always, Rachel, so beautiful! Lovely wedding!

Heather - Beautiful couple….Beautiful photos…

Pam and Dan - These photos are wonderful! It was a beautiful wedding and reception, with so many special things. We are overjoyed that two lovely people have found each other; their happiness shows. God bless them always.

Michele - This was without a doubt one of the most beautiful weddings I have been to. I don’t think I have ever seen a more happy bride a groom! The photography is beautiful and truly captures the happiness of the couple as well as family and friends. Fabulous!

Sheryl Klock - So glad we were there to share that beautiful day with you. The pictures are just beautiful!

Vickie & Bob - The pictures tell the best story of two people wrapped in love. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful couple. Congratulations and much love.