Hi! I’m Rachel Alura, owner of AluraWayne Photography + Film!
I’m originally from Norfolk, VA. I moved to Tennessee to marry the love of my life in 2012.
I opened AluraWayne Photography in 2013 after leaving my job as an Aviation Inspector and taking photography courses at the University of Tennessee.
My business was named for four people: Rachel Alura (myself), Wesley Wayne (my darling husband), and my maternal grandparents- Alura and Wayne. The love and commitment they poured out unto both each other and to the world around them inspires me every single day.
I’m the most extroverted enneagram 2w3 in absolutely EVERY way imaginable. If you’re nervous for your session, trust me, you don’t have to be- because I can do all the talking for us!
I am a proud mama and stepmama to four remarkable kiddos ages 18, 17, 14, and 11, and a newly certified foster parent with a passion for loving on all kids who need it.
I have an entire zoo at home- one German Shepherd, two cats, four fish, and one beautiful cornsnake named Sneak for his ever-present insistence on finding a weak spot in his habitat. (He’s only managed to escape once. We have extra clips on his lid now.)
I got my first tattoo at 23 and I’ve been collecting them ever since.
My favorite thing in the world is to help people feel seen, valued, and loved.
Meet Madeline!
She’s my assistant, helping to keep track of emails, writing blog posts, assisting during sessions on the weekends and days off, and eventually will be taking over things like social media and more administrative responsibilities. She’s a massive help to AluraWayne, and though she will be leaving to attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in the fall, she will still be helping to keep Rachel’s ADHD style of admin work in check from afar. (Oh, and she also happens to be my oldest daughter!)
My why.
I spent much of my time as a child thumbing through the dozens of photo albums my mom kept from both her own childhood and mine. I watched home videos over and over again to relive those moments that I could otherwise hardly remember. I still do this every single time I go back home. So much so that my mom had our videos put on DVDs so I could take them home with me! It is the most valuable time capsule, so precious and sacred to me.
The photos with my parents in them were the rarest of all. I want to see YOU in those memories too- not just children with parents behind the camera, invisible to us many years down the road. Let’s see you snuggling those babies. Cradling those beautiful pregnant bellies that you have for such a short time. Get in the photos. Give your family the chance to remember this- all of this- forever. Let’s turn your moments into art that will be treasured for years to come.