2009 has been a wonderful year for me, both personally and artistically. Though things right this second are up in the air I feel as if this year has been both productive and a major learning curve for me. There are many things which I am proud of, and here is a selection of the high lights for me:

- Firmly establishing Random Acts, and building on the roots we put down in 2008.
- Realising what I want to do with my life, which is to be a creative bunny.
- Meeting so many wonderful people, many of whom I am proud to have kept in contact with.
- Doing new and fab photography. Indeed, 2009 has been the year in which I learnt a fantabulous new skill, and found myself enjoying a new strand on creativity.
- Getting a third of my novel written, and the impetus to get the rest done.
- Realising that Jo is a warm and wonderful person, and I am honoured to call her my best friend.
- Knowing that no matter how bleak life looks, if you keep your chin up then you will find a way through.
- Finding Confident Ladies, and realising that there are like minded people out there.
- Finally, and probably most importantly, getting a huge kick up the arse by the people that matter to me, which has shown me what I need to do.

Random Acts will grow and develop in 2010, and I am sure that by this time next year I will have plenty more things to cheer about. In the mean time I want to say a big thank you to all the people who have given their time, energy, and effort for me, and I hope that in return I have given them something to be proud of as well.

I raise my glass to you all, and say a toast of heartfelt thanks.

Rachel

Please see our front page for our stock rules

Rachel's main art account -

Donations: We are always after donations to help expand our stock and costume range, and if you are able to donate even a small amount is really appreciated. Please see the front page for details.

Photographers: Rachel, Joanne, Lynette, Neal, Marcus, and Alex.

Models: Rachel, Joanne, Marco, Raj, Samantha, Declan, Mark, Stuart, James, John, Alex B, Lee, Natahsa, Shelly, Louise, Jaymie, Lynette, Neal, Natalie, Chel, Maxine, Rachael, Carlin, Becca, Guilherm, Sarah-Jane, Anthony, Ciddi, Hariette, Preya, Sabrina, Cherrie, Albina, Steven, Jackie, Kirsty, Lucy, Arielle, Linda, Vanessa, Ross, Abbie, Lizzie, Jessie, Jen, John, Kirsten, Mosh, Nei, Lyndsey, Johanna, Marcus, Sarah, Antonia, Erin, Vanessa, Ross, Abbi, Sara, Amy, Hazel, Sarah, Soledad, Amy, Carina, Gina, Amy, James, and Nasira.

Make-up artists: Maxine, Amandeep, and Laura

Designers/Labels/Clothing peeps: Ismail, Allegra Hicks, Upper Playground, Hurwundeki, Moth Goth

Tools: Photoshop CS4, Canon 350D & 400D, lenses (18-55, 70-200L series, 17-55is, 30 prime, 50 prime, and 10-22), light room.

All images are copy right of the photographers and Random Acts.

So, this is Christmas day, or 2 hours 1 minute left of it.

I've had a good day, though being newly minted single person does weigh heavy on my heart. Not for me the festive fun, present opening, or large meal. Rather the solitary pleasures of World of Warcraft, and my friends online. Thank you everyone for the last couple of days, it has really meant a lot to me, and with Fi away for the next few days it will give me the peace of mind to think through the New Year.

2010 could be an absolute disaster, or, as I intend, it will build on the confidence I got in 2009, and come this time next year I will have found my unicorn. In many ways I have lost so much this year, yet I feel as if life is right there for the plucking. The tears I shed have cleared to reveal a wonderful life that is rich in is variance, and as I listen to the CD David got me I know in my heart that I will survive the turmoil besetting me at the moment.

So, deep breath, smile on my lips, and a heart laugh in my throat. Let them throw their worst at me, and then I will rise from my knees to roar my defiance into the wind. Love, life, and all things creative - that is my future. Let 2010 be the year I stamp my creativity on the world, and let me be humble enough to know when to ask for help.

Thank you all for being a blessing to me,

Rachel

Please see our front page for our stock rules

Rachel's main art account -

Donations: We are always after donations to help expand our stock and costume range, and if you are able to donate even a small amount is really appreciated. Please see the front page for details.

Photographers: Rachel, Joanne, Lynette, Neal, Marcus, and Alex.

Models: Rachel, Joanne, Marco, Raj, Samantha, Declan, Mark, Stuart, James, John, Alex B, Lee, Natahsa, Shelly, Louise, Jaymie, Lynette, Neal, Natalie, Chel, Maxine, Rachael, Carlin, Becca, Guilherm, Sarah-Jane, Anthony, Ciddi, Hariette, Preya, Sabrina, Cherrie, Albina, Steven, Jackie, Kirsty, Lucy, Arielle, Linda, Vanessa, Ross, Abbie, Lizzie, Jessie, Jen, John, Kirsten, Mosh, Nei, Lyndsey, Johanna, Marcus, Sarah, Antonia, Erin, Vanessa, Ross, Abbi, Sara, Amy, Hazel, Sarah, Soledad, Amy, Carina, Gina, Amy, James, and Nasira.

Make-up artists: Maxine, Amandeep, and Laura

Designers/Labels/Clothing peeps: Ismail, Allegra Hicks, Upper Playground, Hurwundeki, Moth Goth

Tools: Photoshop CS4, Canon 350D & 400D, lenses (18-55, 70-200L series, 17-55is, 30 prime, 50 prime, and 10-22), light room.

All images are copy right of the photographers and Random Acts.

hi guys,

just to let you know, my Twitter id is [link] so if you would like to follow me then please do

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Please see our front page for our stock rules

Rachel's main art account -

Donations: We are always after donations to help expand our stock and costume range, and if you are able to donate even a small amount is really appreciated. Please see the front page for details.

Photographers: Rachel, Joanne, Lynette, Neal, Marcus, and Alex.

Models: Rachel, Joanne, Marco, Raj, Samantha, Declan, Mark, Stuart, James, John, Alex B, Lee, Natahsa, Shelly, Louise, Jaymie, Lynette, Neal, Natalie, Chel, Maxine, Rachael, Carlin, Becca, Guilherm, Sarah-Jane, Anthony, Ciddi, Hariette, Preya, Sabrina, Cherrie, Albina, Steven, Jackie, Kirsty, Lucy, Arielle, Linda, Vanessa, Ross, Abbie, Lizzie, Jessie, Jen, John, Kirsten, Mosh, Nei, Lyndsey, Johanna, Marcus, Sarah, Antonia, Erin, Vanessa, Ross, Abbi, Sara, Amy, Hazel, Sarah, Soledad, Amy, Carina, Gina, Amy, James, and Nasira.

Make-up artists: Maxine, Amandeep, and Laura

Designers/Labels/Clothing peeps: Ismail, Allegra Hicks, Upper Playground, Hurwundeki, Moth Goth

Tools: Photoshop CS4, Canon 350D & 400D, lenses (18-55, 70-200L series, 17-55is, 30 prime, 50 prime, and 10-22), light room.

All images are copy right of the photographers and Random Acts.

This is a going to be a recurring theme over the next few months for me, as it is something which I have been pondering for a long time. Why should it matter, this idea of style over fashion? Surely they are mutual and the same thing? Well this is something which I have been asking, and it is actually very inspiring when you look deeply into it.

For me, style is about what and how you wear it, where as fashion - especially mainstream trends - are the dictations of a select few designers, which along with the modern marketing campaigns continues to feed a continuous churn of looks and seasons.

Why do I call this inspiring? Surely this is the antithesis of inspiration, fashion merely seeming to trample on individual expressions of style. Well you would be right, except as many of you have learnt, style is a personal choice - an expression of who you are. Fashion gives you the building blocks to enable you to choose what style bests suits you, and thus helps inspire you to create your own identity. This in turn enables you to express yourself to the wider world, and gives you an image by which others will judge and recognise you by.

Therefore, what could be more inspiring than to be the sculptor and creator of your own self image?

Original posted on [link]

Please see our front page for our stock rules

Rachel's main art account -

Donations: We are always after donations to help expand our stock and costume range, and if you are able to donate even a small amount is really appreciated. Please see the front page for details.

Photographers: Rachel, Joanne, Lynette, Neal, Marcus, and Alex.

Models: Rachel, Joanne, Marco, Raj, Samantha, Declan, Mark, Stuart, James, John, Alex B, Lee, Natahsa, Shelly, Louise, Jaymie, Lynette, Neal, Natalie, Chel, Maxine, Rachael, Carlin, Becca, Guilherm, Sarah-Jane, Anthony, Ciddi, Hariette, Preya, Sabrina, Cherrie, Albina, Steven, Jackie, Kirsty, Lucy, Arielle, Linda, Vanessa, Ross, Abbie, Lizzie, Jessie, Jen, John, Kirsten, Mosh, Nei, Lyndsey, Johanna, Marcus, Sarah, Antonia, Erin, Vanessa, Ross, Abbi, Sara, Amy, Hazel, Sarah, Soledad, Amy, Carina, Gina, Amy, James, and Nasira.

Make-up artists: Maxine, Amandeep, and Laura

Designers/Labels/Clothing peeps: Ismail, Allegra Hicks, Upper Playground, Hurwundeki, Moth Goth

Tools: Photoshop CS4, Canon 350D & 400D, lenses (18-55, 70-200L series, 17-55is, 30 prime, 50 prime, and 10-22), light room.

All images are copy right of the photographers and Random Acts.

Hi guys,

I could really do with some advise on the business side of things. I am looking to go pro in January, and could do with some honest opinions, advice, and directions on my work. This is my website - [link] - and I would be very interested in an assessment of the quality of my work, along with an appraisal of my price structure.

Thanks,

Rachel

Please see our front page for our stock rules

Rachel's main art account -

Donations: We are always after donations to help expand our stock and costume range, and if you are able to donate even a small amount is really appreciated. Please see the front page for details.

Photographers: Rachel, Joanne, Lynette, Neal, Marcus, and Alex.

Models: Rachel, Joanne, Marco, Raj, Samantha, Declan, Mark, Stuart, James, John, Alex B, Lee, Natahsa, Shelly, Louise, Jaymie, Lynette, Neal, Natalie, Chel, Maxine, Rachael, Carlin, Becca, Guilherm, Sarah-Jane, Anthony, Ciddi, Hariette, Preya, Sabrina, Cherrie, Albina, Steven, Jackie, Kirsty, Lucy, Arielle, Linda, Vanessa, Ross, Abbie, Lizzie, Jessie, Jen, John, Kirsten, Mosh, Nei, Lyndsey, Johanna, Marcus, Sarah, Antonia, Erin, Vanessa, Ross, Abbi, Sara, Amy, Hazel, Sarah, Soledad, Amy, Carina, Gina, Amy, James, and Nasira.

Make-up artists: Maxine, Amandeep, and Laura

Designers/Labels/Clothing peeps: Ismail, Allegra Hicks, Upper Playground, Hurwundeki, Moth Goth

Tools: Photoshop CS4, Canon 350D & 400D, lenses (18-55, 70-200L series, 17-55is, 30 prime, 50 prime, and 10-22), light room.

All images are copy right of the photographers and Random Acts.