My Top 10 Images of 2024
Every year in January, I put together 50+ of my favorite images from the year and then have my Instagram followers vote on which image is their favorite. Images are put head to head and everyday half of the photos are eliminated. It’s a traditional bracket style of voting. This is one of my FAVORITE things I do every year. Going back through the year to pick my top images is truly such a challenge. I take thousands upon thousands of images every year and I love them all for different reasons. Maybe it’s the lighting or the location or the outfit or the joy that the client shows in the image. There’s so many images I love. I do my best to pick a variety of images from different seasons, locations, client types, etc. Once I put them up to be voted on It’s really fun seeing what images stand out to you guys. Sometimes my absolute favorites make the top and sometimes ones that I didn’t expect to make the finals, do. This year we started with 62 top images for 2024, and the images shown here are the top TEN. <3
#10 – Graduating Seniors
These 2024 seniors wanted to celebrate their graduation by including all of their friend group in their cap and gown photos. It was really special to see their friendship bond and hear about what directions they would be heading in after the summer. Your friends are such an integral part of your high school experience. It was a blast to celebrate that at this session.
#9 – Engagement Pictures at Dairy Joy in Tampa, FL
Paige & Garrett!!! One of my 2025 wedding couples. I can’t count the number of times I squealed when these two decided to book me as their wedding photographer. I was even more excited when it worked out for me to take their engagement photos while I was in Florida in November. Paige wanted a session that screamed FUN. Dairy Joy was the perfect spot for that and Paige’s outfit!? A sequined jumpsuit with heart sunnies?!? How perfect. I was thrilled when you guys loved this image as much as I do.
#8 – Sunset Senior Photos
Heidi’s senior photos were taken in late August and this was one of our final images of the night. The sun was practically below the horizon and the sky was full of color. The reflection on the water behind Heidi is one of my favorite parts of this image. Heidi also did a great job picking out her outfit to be something she felt confident in and in a color that complimented her perfectly.
#7 – Floral Senior Photos
Kaley’s senior session couldn’t have had better wildflowers if I had grown them myself. The yellows popped while Kaley stood out in her pink and white dress. She had brought along a bundle of baby’s breath that I was able to hold in front of my camera to create this shot. The out of focus baby’s breath framed her perfectly. If Kaley was my daughter, I would probably be blowing this image up to hang on the wall. Just saying.
#6 – Senior Photos with Her Horse
Kiki’s priority for her senior pictures was to include her horse, Dixie. That was an immediate yes from me. I love including any personal element into senior photos, and I was extra excited to have this addition. The bond between Kiki and Dixie was clear. Kiki’s confidence and ease with her horse spoke to the love she has for her. It made this shot so easy and natural to get.
#5 – Cap & Gown Photo
This is the quintessential photo to take at every cap & gown photo session. Throwing your cap after you graduate is a true tradition for graduation ceremonies across the country. Bronwyn had the perfect cap throw and bright smile at her session. The subtle sunset popping through the clouds and the pillars of Quincy Senior High School on either side of her framed the image perfectly. Bronwyn went on to be a Golden Girl at Mizzou and I am just so proud of her.
#4 – A Colorful, Intimate Wedding Photo
I have been photographing Lauren & Hayden for the entirety of my photography career. My time with them potentially peaked on their wedding day. Lauren was a DIY QUEEN for every detail of their colorful, vibrant summer wedding day. The sun was shining and their love was actually radiating all day long. This moment was captured after they had officially said their ‘I Do’s’. The stress of the day was done and it was now time to really celebrate. This photo was my favorite from their wedding day.
#3 – Sunset Senior Photos at the Lake
Lanie’s dream for her senior photos was to have some water and a gorgeous sunset. We were able to make both happen (thank you God for the sunset). Towards the end of her session she popped off her shoes and stepped into the water. After being a little hesitant to kick water towards my camera she nailed this shot. It came together perfectly and ended up being both of our favorites from her session.
#2 – Golden Hour Senior Photos
Layla’s senior photo session screamed summer in all of the best ways. The grass was green with wildflowers peeking through. The sun was bright enough to shine through the trees and she was tanned from spending all of her time outside. We rented a chair to toss in the field for her session and the blue color was the perfect pop. I often found myself coming back to this image all summer long when I was thinking of Layla’s session.
#1 – Summer Engagement Photos
At the time of this image being taken I never would have guessed that it would be the favorite image of 2024. We were quite literally being eaten alive by mosquitos and just hoping we got a couple good shots before we HAD to get out of that field. When I plugged these images in to edit my jaw was on the floor. Hilary & Connor didn’t for one second look anything but in love. Their outfits complimented the location perfectly. They weren’t afraid to get up close and personal and they truly trusted the vision. I have no disagreements at all now with this being the top image of 2024. It wins all the awards in my book.
2024 was an incredible year with almost 80 seniors, 19 weddings and multiple other sessions in between. It’s slightly painful for me to put so many images I love head to head against each other while also leaving out so many other images I also adore. However, I love having everyone voice a little bit of their opinion on what images they love the most. This top image contest has become a true Rachel B Photo tradition. If you want to be a part of the vote next year, follow me on Instagram here! If you want to possibly be the subject of one of my favorite images next year, inquire with me here. 🙂
