Farewell Photography

08/08/2023

With great pride but also sadness I am saying Farewell to Farewell Photography after a full 15 years.

When I began photographing funerals and producing memory books/albums in 2008 there were no others in the UK offering this specific service. I searched the internet to try and get an idea of pricing, marketing etc but there was nothing.

Since then Ive built the business up, worked with some of the big firms,the smaller, creative Independents and of course the Natural Burial grounds. Ive exhibited at the National Funeral Exhibition, featured on BBC 2’s "Dead Good Job", been interviewed on BBC radio, featured in magazines and books, written articles for both the funeral and photographic industries and taught workshops. I am a proud member of the Good Funeral Guide for whom I provided photographs for the update of their wonderful website.

I started this genre of photography because I felt there was a need to help those who are grieving, and from the response Ive had to my images and memory books I know that my purpose was fulfilled. Just knowing I’ve helped someone, anyone in some small way at such a painful time makes my work become pleasure.

So now its time to say my own farewell to Farewell Photography. Its not been an easy decision knowing there will always be a need, but there are others out there now with the right heart and sensitivity to do it. I’ve been postponing it for a while but now it feels right to let go.

Thank you to everyone who has entrusted me with photographing the service for those they love, for those who have employed me, for those who gave me opportunities when I was starting out, for those who have endorsed and promoted me, for those who have been my assistants. Thank you to the individuals who have given me repeat business (!), and for those in the industry who have called on me time and again.

Thankyou to all my followers for their interest and support.
This is my last post but the page will remain on Facebook until someone else takes on the name in the spirit of which it was chosen. Meanwhile I will continue to use my personal photographic work to help others understand the preciousness and fragility of life and to adjust to the inevitability of its end.

A birth certificate shows you were born
A death certificate shows that you died
A photo album shows you have lived.

Keep making albums everyone!
🙂

03/01/2022

Very pleased to see my work from the Inspirational Funerals November shoot shown at their Launch Event on Zoom last night.
Seven funerals photographed in one day for their new Photo Library - out there to show just how creative funerals can be.

22/11/2021

A glorious morning at Mortlake cemetery yesterday for the start of a full day shooting images for the Good Funeral Guide for their publicity. 4 adult services and 3 children/baby services in one day. 4 x hearses, one bier, a collection of celebrants, a shroud, felt, wicker and cardboard coffins, a fury of funeral directors, 2 dogs, 6 children, many creative extras as mourners and relatives, several costume changes, an abundance of flowers, piles of stationery, and so much more. This calm little image belies the busy ness of a day creating stock images in order to show people just how warm and creative a funeral can be. Just another day in the life of a funeral photographer. But what a great one!
www.farewellphotograpy.co.uk

21/10/2021

Apparently my photograph (seen in Amateur Photographer magazine in Maria Falconer June article) has created much debate and I am pleased to have brought the subject to peoples attention. Here is Damien Demolder's approach to funeral photography. He views it from a different angle to myself, and makes some important points on photography in general.

10/10/2021

Autumn - a time of fading, in preparation for replenishment. A time of longing for the summer days gone, and of aniticipation for the winter days ahead. A time of sadness and hope. Autumn funeral services often seem so poignant and reflective of the season - yet full of beauty and hope for the warm and fruitful seasons to come again. Woodland burial grounds come into their own at this time of year and there are many ways of reflecting.
In my photography I look for the unique angle to tell the story, at the same time being careful to be sensitive and discreet in my work and Im thrilled to have been asked to be involved in a new project in a few weeks time - to help others benefit from the variety of options available to them for saying goodbye to those they have lost. More to be revealed in due course.....

28/05/2021

It's all about the book...
It's great to have videos and photographs taken at funerals but its no good if the photos are going to sit on a computer. The idea of having the photographs is to view them, alone or with friends or family. Taking the time to look through them, talk about them, point things out to people, share them, share memories. The book is for touching and holding, its a memorial to the one who has died, something tangible to when the funeral is over and friends and family have gone back to their homes, and the bereaved is left alone. The Memory Book brings comfort and aid at a time of grieving, and enables those who find it dificult to talk about death, to talk whilst they have the distraction of the book in front of them.
And thats why I include a book in my costs for photographng funerals. Its all part of the service.

05/05/2021

https://www.redeye.org.uk/opinion/covid-19-case-study-rachel-wallace

Delighted to be included as part of Redeye Photography Networks Covid-19 Case studies. Heres a little bit more about me and my photographic practice....

Our COVID-19 Case Studies explore the different ways the photographic community is working and staying connected through the pandemic. If you would like to submit a Case Study get in touch via [email protected] for more information. Rachel Wallace is an award winning photographer and one of the fir...

30/04/2021

Every funeral service is different, every funeral service is personal. Thats why having a book of photographs to look at and go through with friends and family afterwards is so important, and so special. More importantly its a focal point through which to work through grief.

14/01/2021

Read about how and why I feel my work as a funeral photographer helps others in this edition of Source magazine - for photographers serious about their work....

13/12/2020

It was lovely to be working at two of the GreenAcres Cemeteries & Ceremonial Parks Sites recently. The peace and tranquility is so comforting, the surroundings and wildlife are natural and restful. No one minded the rain which saturated the colours gloriously. Nature is such a help in healing.