About R&M Photography::
Rachel Carrera and Michelle Chestnut are Christian photographers who have been working together since the mid 1990′s. We have been in business as R&M Photography in Lakeland since 2007. We are licensed in Polk County and registered with The State of Florida. Prior to 2007, both Rachel and Michelle shot as independent freelance photographers at weddings, concert events, parties, accident scenes and for business web sites. Both Rachel and Michelle have had their photographs featured on web sites, in magazines and books and have won photography contests.
Rachel began shooting in film in a semi-professional (freelance) capacity in 1989. Upon entering the digital world in 2004 and turning pro, she interned for several months right outside of Toronto, Canada with “The Photo Lady” Lora Keyes (Photography by Lora). Rachel has attended formal training classes and continuing education seminars throughout the country. She is proficient in Photoshop. Rachel has shot for attorneys’ web sites and brochures, accident scenes and for trial exhibits, musicians’ magazines and for musicians’ web sites, and children and family portraits since 1994. She has shot weddings since 1995.
Michelle started shooting in film at a semi-professional (freelance) level in 1991. Upon entering the digital world and turning pro in 2004, she too interned with The Photo Lady “Lora Keyes” near Toronto, Canada. Michelle has attended continuing education seminars throughout the United States. Michelle’s work has been featured in musicians’ books and web sites and on real estate web sites and brochures. She began professionally shooting family portraits in digital format in 2005 and has shot weddings since 1993.
On a personal level…
Rachel is a single mom to two wonderful, but autistic children. She was a paralegal for approximately 14 years and in 2004 made the transition to full-time photographer to stay home and home-school her son, as his special needs were not being met in the public school system. She takes pride in donating her time and making financial contributions to Autism Speaks.
Michelle, a history major and former school teacher, now balances a full schedule as she is currently a full-time paralegal and a three-quarter time photographer. She too, has been personally affected by children with autism, and has dedicated herself to help find a cure through Autism Speaks.
To see some of our more recent work, please visit our web site at www.RMPortrait.com. Letters of reference are available upon request.
