The Stick Of The Week! is Rachel Boyer. Rachel is in the NOW as owner/photographer of [en]frame photography by rachel boyer, a fine art, lifestyle portrait and event photography business in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rachel favors a photography style that is classic with a hint of modern flair -- a refined mix of feminine and funky.

Rachel Boyer
Rachel Boyer is a portrait and event photographer in and around Arizona. When she is not viewing the world through the lens of her Nikon or iPhone, she's being a mom to "a wonderfully sweet, FULL of personality little boy who keeps me on my toes!"
In addition to [en]frame photograpy by rachel boyer, Rachel also owns her own business working with Rodan + Fields, the Doctors who created Proactiv. She runs both of her companies from home and around her family's schedule.
In addition to [en]frame photograpy by rachel boyer, Rachel also owns her own business working with Rodan + Fields, the Doctors who created Proactiv. She runs both of her companies from home and around her family's schedule.
"I'm a Martha Stewart wannabe turned domestic diva dropout and I'm a total libra! I love music, dancing, design, and spending time with family and friends."
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall)
My NOW is [en]frame photography by rachel boyer -- art, lifestyle portraiture and event photography in Scottsdale, Arizona. My etsy shop -- a big part of my Noodle on the Wall -- features an eclectic mix of fine art, nature and travel photography and iphoneography. It is an outlet for the fine art side of my photography business and passion. The art you find there represents my eclectic tastes, interests and eye.
My NOW is [en]frame photography by rachel boyer -- art, lifestyle portraiture and event photography in Scottsdale, Arizona. My etsy shop -- a big part of my Noodle on the Wall -- features an eclectic mix of fine art, nature and travel photography and iphoneography. It is an outlet for the fine art side of my photography business and passion. The art you find there represents my eclectic tastes, interests and eye.
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
My NOW goes between simmering and al dente. Currently, I would say it is at a simmer. I'm concentrating on another business venture right now and have recently started a business with Rodan + Fields that is helping me contribute to our family's finances a bit more significantly, and that is also helping me raise capital to reinvest into my photography. In all honesty, I have found that in some ways the "business" of photography has taken me away a bit from the passion and pure joy of photography. So, I'm currently reassessing and trying to figure out how I want to proceed with certain aspects of my photography business.
My NOW goes between simmering and al dente. Currently, I would say it is at a simmer. I'm concentrating on another business venture right now and have recently started a business with Rodan + Fields that is helping me contribute to our family's finances a bit more significantly, and that is also helping me raise capital to reinvest into my photography. In all honesty, I have found that in some ways the "business" of photography has taken me away a bit from the passion and pure joy of photography. So, I'm currently reassessing and trying to figure out how I want to proceed with certain aspects of my photography business.
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
I think one of the important aspects of being a Mom who takes on the creative or any other pursuits, is to realize that balance is a myth and perfection. As a parent, an artist and a person, it is way overrated. The constant strive for balance only makes us feel worse (and more out of balance) and the fact is, certain parts of our life are going to "win out" at times. The more we accept that, the easier we will be on ourselves. And perfection is boring. So, I guess part of my "recipe" would include being prepared to make your recipe but also be willing and able to make it up as you go along sometimes and to be open to new ingredients. One recipe might demand a little more of your time for a bit and that's okay because that is how life works. And if your recipe doesn't come out perfect or you drop an egg or two in the making, celebrate it and be easy on yourself. Also, keep an eye on the bigger picture. Sometimes you have to take a little bit of a different path (or use a different ingredient) to get to your larger goal to complete your recipe.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I found a passion in photography and the way it allows me to communicate with the world. Photography is a wonderful creative outlet and a therapeutic endeavor for me in many ways. It reminds me to slow down and to take in the world around me; helps me to stay present. I could have easily kept my work to myself, but throwing my noodle forced me to put myself and my work out there. It also helped me push myself to learn more and to continuously work at getting better. Throwing my noodle motivated me to take more creative control of my work. In all honesty, I was also motivated by the expense of a photography passion. All that equipment isn't cheap!
I think one of the important aspects of being a Mom who takes on the creative or any other pursuits, is to realize that balance is a myth and perfection. As a parent, an artist and a person, it is way overrated. The constant strive for balance only makes us feel worse (and more out of balance) and the fact is, certain parts of our life are going to "win out" at times. The more we accept that, the easier we will be on ourselves. And perfection is boring. So, I guess part of my "recipe" would include being prepared to make your recipe but also be willing and able to make it up as you go along sometimes and to be open to new ingredients. One recipe might demand a little more of your time for a bit and that's okay because that is how life works. And if your recipe doesn't come out perfect or you drop an egg or two in the making, celebrate it and be easy on yourself. Also, keep an eye on the bigger picture. Sometimes you have to take a little bit of a different path (or use a different ingredient) to get to your larger goal to complete your recipe.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I found a passion in photography and the way it allows me to communicate with the world. Photography is a wonderful creative outlet and a therapeutic endeavor for me in many ways. It reminds me to slow down and to take in the world around me; helps me to stay present. I could have easily kept my work to myself, but throwing my noodle forced me to put myself and my work out there. It also helped me push myself to learn more and to continuously work at getting better. Throwing my noodle motivated me to take more creative control of my work. In all honesty, I was also motivated by the expense of a photography passion. All that equipment isn't cheap!
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
I've always believed that "it's the little things" and I think that is in many ways what guides my eye and my photos. I think that approach also inspires me as a mom. I'm motivated by the unspoken details in relationships and the little ways we show people how much we love and care about them. I'm inspired by the connections between people and have always had an interest in others, in behaviors and in observing the world around me. I am also drawn to details, to color, texture and pattern. I am inspired by emotion; I try to capture it in my photos and I make a point as a mom to teach my son emotional intelligence.
I've always believed that "it's the little things" and I think that is in many ways what guides my eye and my photos. I think that approach also inspires me as a mom. I'm motivated by the unspoken details in relationships and the little ways we show people how much we love and care about them. I'm inspired by the connections between people and have always had an interest in others, in behaviors and in observing the world around me. I am also drawn to details, to color, texture and pattern. I am inspired by emotion; I try to capture it in my photos and I make a point as a mom to teach my son emotional intelligence.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
As I mentioned above, I do think that balance is a myth and I appreciate the use of the word "juggle" here. In juggling, at least one ball is always in the air at one time or another, but which ball, changes constantly. I think that's the key to juggling Mamahood and my NOW. Sometimes one is up in the air and sometimes it's another one. I'm learning to be okay with that. Does it stop me from feeling guilty at times or from wishing I had more hours in the day or more than one of me to devote to all of my different pursuits? No. But one of the things I love about my NOW and my business with Rodan + Fields is that for the most part, I can work them around my family's schedule. That may mean I have to sacrifice some other things at times in favor of getting my work done, but that's okay with me because it's all part of my larger goal to help provide for my family and to have a part of myself that I pursue in addition to being a mom. I am also very fortunate to have a supportive husband who is a true partner and a family nearby that helps out and is a large part of my and my family's support system. That is huge and I can't deny the difference that makes for me. No one achieves their goals alone.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
This changes for me from time to time, but I think my ultimate pasta dish would be some kind of multi-layered lasagna full of lots of yummy and exciting ingredients. That's a metaphor, in case I wasn't obvious about
that ;-)
As I mentioned above, I do think that balance is a myth and I appreciate the use of the word "juggle" here. In juggling, at least one ball is always in the air at one time or another, but which ball, changes constantly. I think that's the key to juggling Mamahood and my NOW. Sometimes one is up in the air and sometimes it's another one. I'm learning to be okay with that. Does it stop me from feeling guilty at times or from wishing I had more hours in the day or more than one of me to devote to all of my different pursuits? No. But one of the things I love about my NOW and my business with Rodan + Fields is that for the most part, I can work them around my family's schedule. That may mean I have to sacrifice some other things at times in favor of getting my work done, but that's okay with me because it's all part of my larger goal to help provide for my family and to have a part of myself that I pursue in addition to being a mom. I am also very fortunate to have a supportive husband who is a true partner and a family nearby that helps out and is a large part of my and my family's support system. That is huge and I can't deny the difference that makes for me. No one achieves their goals alone.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
This changes for me from time to time, but I think my ultimate pasta dish would be some kind of multi-layered lasagna full of lots of yummy and exciting ingredients. That's a metaphor, in case I wasn't obvious about
that ;-)