A New ME in 2023!!

A Reintroduction to JessRaquel Photography

Wow, time does fly!! With a blink of an eye we are well into 2023 and already looking forward to the end of the year. All I can say is that 2023 has been a wild ride. Although I’ve been out of commission for the majority of summer, it feels like a good time to reintroduce myself now that I’m back in action!

So hey, I’m Jess! Let me tell you a little more about the face behind the lens!

• I’m a born and raised Las Vegas native, just can’t seem to quit this place!

• Happily married to the best guy in the world and I truly could not imagine doing life without him 💘

• Leo Sun, Scorpio Rising, Pisces Moon… Explains everything ♌️♏️♓️

• Many tattoos and still need more

•Before this I used to work in the animal welfare world in shelters and sanctuaries doing behavior and training. Now I foster behavior/medical cases for The Churchill Foundation and continue to apply my expertise and knowledge through photo sessions with your pets!

• So of course I’m a five times over rescue dog mom (can’t forget our two cats either) and its a full house 🐾

• Bohemian meets grunge goth = My Vibes

• I’ve been obsessed with all things British since I was five and discovered John Cleese on PBS 🇬🇧

• I recently underwent a hysterectomy (hence my absence) due to Stage 4 Endometriosis. I’m very open about it and think we should all be talking about this disease more! I can’t have kids (and I’m very much ok with that) but that just means you should let me photograph yours! 😇

• I'm happiest when wearing the color black🤘🏼

• When I’m not editing I’m usually at brunch, vintage thrifting, or hardcore gaming… Fight me in Fortnight 😝

• I just turned 37, I’ve def hit my homebody stage and I’m totally cool with it. My home is my sanctuary but if you do catch me outside it’s usually in the Arts District drinking a Moscow mule or singing my heart out at Dinos 🎤

But enough about me, tell me about you or ask me anything, let’s be friends! 🫶

It's good to see you 2022!

It’s 2022!!!

I still can’t believe we are already in a new year! Time seems to fly faster and faster the older I get, it’s crazy! What better way to bring it in then by sharing my last session from 2021 with this stunning couple, Yasmin & Eric. I’ve photographed this beautiful couple before and it’s always a joy to work with them, their chemistry is always off the charts. Yas & Eric wanted to do a shoot in Downtown Las Vegas as they won’t be living in Vegas full-time anymore and wanted memories to remember that time period in their lives. This time they also brought their dog Chief to join in the fun! You know me, I can’t resist a fuzzy face and this little guy’s snaggletoothed smile made me extra happy.

I absolutely LOVE photographing dogs and I absolutely LOVE photographing couples in love so I couldn’t have asked for a better way to wrap up 2021. Last year was amazing for me in my personal life, nothing could ever top marrying the love of my life and the entire wedding week we had, but this year I really want to go full time in my photography business and I’m hoping to do so with all of your amazing support and help!

So bring it on 2022! I’m ready for you!

Lights, Camera, & Mistletoe - Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy this special time of year with your loved ones! Here’s a few sneaks from one of my last shoots of the year, I’m absolutely obsessed with how these turned out. Proof that mistletoe can always coax a kiss from your beloved, even on the streets of Downtown Las Vegas!

Adoptable Spotlight: Bruce

Meet Bruce!

That face speaks for itself. Bruce is a special needs neutered male Frenchie! He’s about 4 years old and loves chewing on Nylabones, playing with his dog friends and tolerant cats, and also loves to snuggle. Bruce had a spinal chord injury resulting in loss of use in his hind legs. He recently had surgery and is walking again! Although this is good news, he will require an adopter that will continue his lifelong physical therapy and chiropractic care as well as keep him from flying off beds and stairs as he is very active and doesn’t let his handicaps hold him back.

Interested in meeting Bruce?

Bruce is available for adoption with The Churchill Foundation and you can put in an application for him HERE.

A Girl & Her Dog

It all started with a dog named Pickles.

Years ago when I first started in animal rescue, one of the rescues I was volunteering for was notified of a puppy chained to a tree in downtown Las Vegas in the middle of summer. I offered to check out the area and sure enough, discovered a cattle dog puppy on a chain tied to a tree in the middle of some buildings. There was no distinguishable owner, a tub with dirty water in it that was too tall for her to reach, and no adequate shade or sign of food. Animal Control was called but never showed up… So I grabbed my handy dandy bolt cutters from my car and took her with me.

I named her Pickles. She was sweet and playful and let us cut the remains of her chain without a single whine or snap. After a bath and some food, she truly blossomed. With the rescues backing, we got her microchipped and prepped for adoption. Pickles went on a few trial runs but none of the families seemed to be the right fit.

Then Julee came along. I remember meeting her for the first time and seeing how quickly Pickles warmed up to her. I remember how excited she was and how she showed me around her apartment which she had already set up and dog proofed. I remember leaving Pickles on her trial with her and knowing in my gut that this was it.

8 years later… Pickles and Julee are still the best of friends and my gut feeling turned out to be one hundred percent right. Pickles ended up needing some operations for her legs not long after and Julee stuck with her through it all. Their family grew when Julee met Alex and Pickles gained the title of big sister when Azalea was born last year!

It was honestly bittersweet being able to photograph them all as a family. The dirty and uncertain puppy I found all those years ago has grown into a sweet and patient little lady, Julee went from being the best dog mom to the best overall mom and you can see how much Alex loves them all. It was truly a pleasure to reconnect with them all and capture these memories with them!

Adoptable Spotlight: Daphne

Meet Daphne!

It goes without saying that Daphne is a striking dog but she’s so much more to her than just being ridiculously good looking. While some may be intimidated by her tall Scooby Doo like features, this 1 1/2 year old Presa Canario is really just a big teddy bear and adores snuggling. She prefers a couch and Netflix over long adventures (although she will never say no to a long walk) and her rescue trainer adores her for being so quick to pick up basic obedience cues. Daphne prefers humans to other animals but despite looking down her nose at other dogs, she walks great on a leash and isn’t reactive.

Interested in meeting Daphne?

Daphne can be adopted through Animal Help Alliance and you can fill out an adoption application HERE!

Adoptable Spotlight: Perrier

Meet Perrier!

This good looking three year old Lab/Shepherd mix is Perrier is as smart as he is handsome! He loves to learn and enjoys training as much as he loves playtime. An active and experienced companion would be best for this sparkling drink of water as he prefers human interaction over other animals but if your looking for the perfect hiking or running partner, this dude might be the one for you!

Interested in fostering or adopting Perrier?

Fill out an application HERE with The Churchill Foundation today!

Rescue Only Photo Series - Animal Rescue

Since I was a kid, I loved saving animals. Not much has changed in 33 years. I've been thinking a lot about how I started in photography AND animal welfare and realized I really want to get back to my roots.

In 2014 I started a photo project called NKLV Rescue Only to highlight animals on the Rescue Only list at TAF that may not have a chance to be adopted without being pulled by a rescue due to medical or behavior issues. After working for TAF for the last 4 years in animal behavior, I learned a lot. I learned that many animals end up on that list because they simply don't do well in a shelter environment or because of medical issues. A small percentage were behavior issues like food or dog aggression or other behavioral issues told to us by previous owners. I can't tell you how frustrating it was to see an animal on that list and know that they could be completely different in a home but you only have at least 72 hrs to make a difference in that animals behavior. Alot of the time, those animals didn't get a second chance because our local rescues were already at major capcity and don't have the fosters or resources to take them in.

With the knowledge of what it's ACTUALLY like to work in a euthanesia shelter and still wanting to advocate and help animals, I decided to restart this project but with a few tweaks and changes. This project will simply be known as Rescue Only and applies to ANY shelter with a Rescue or Transfer only list. Any rescue or adopter that's pulled or adopted straight from the list is eligible!

If you are interested in getting your rescue only pet photographed or would like to collobarate, please send a private message or email @ jessraquelphotography@gmail.com

I can't wait to showcase the wonderful animals on these lists and advocate for many that are forgotten or given up on!