laughter. But despite everything, her needs were simple and she amazed doctors and medical professionals constantly. "We became the experts and we learned to adapt our dreams,
hopes and expectations for the future – not knowing how long our future with our beautiful child would be. During this time I had a home studio and balanced work with motherhood, a kind of motherhood that involved regular hospitalisations, emergency ambulance call-outs, trips to Starship, and incredible stress and heartache. "During the last year of her life she was doing so well and we
started to hope she may have a chance at a longer life. In the end she died in her sleep on October 10, 2010, which was something we never thought was possible for her. It was heart wrenching because it was so out of the blue, but it was of comfort to know she wasn't in pain. She had gone through so much suffering that it was a beautiful way for her to pass. "Evie was such an incredible girl. I feel like she wasn't all human.
There was something angelic and magic about her and she touched so many people's lives. It was such a unique opportunity and humbling experience to be her parent."
Without Evie, Rachel has put all of her maternal love and
nurturing into her business, Callander Girl Photography. After living one day at a time she is now able to think about
the future, to have dreams and goals again. The Timaru-based photographer is now concentrating on growing her business on a national level through competitions and weddings. Last year she was crowned the NZIPP Wedding Photographer of the Year. Now with over 140 weddings around New Zealand and overseas
under her belt, after all the extravaganzas and thousands of dollars spent, Rachel prefers the simple, down-to-earth features of people's special days. For example, her most favourite work is of a young couple riding
a bike through a field. The bride is wearing a simple white dress, and the groom is wearing a grey suit and brown shoes. The image won a Gold Award at the NZIPP Iris Awards in 2011. "There was a vibrant yellow field just outside of Timaru that I
immediately thought would be perfect for them. They trusted me completely and we achieved pure magic. "The whole wedding was such a stand out to me. The couple was very spontaneous. They were married five weeks after getting
There was something angelic and magic about her and she touched so many people's lives. It was such a unique opportunity and humbling experience to be her parent.
HER MAGAZINE | February/March 2012 | 103
