I started following Rach back in 2019 when she was pregnant with her third child and was hooked with her stunning images, her little family and the story of her son Finleys health issues. Rach is open and honest about her motherhood journey but more than that her content and photography is captivating and beautiful.
I interviewed Rach for our latest 'At Home' series and it was so nice to get to know more about Rach's day to day life and how she came to be where she is today, but the best bit was finding out whats next for Rachael Longman.
Rachael wearing our Della Set in Embroidered Cotton
Tell us a bit about you? Where are you from? Who’s in your family?
Hi I’m Rachael, solo mama of three little ones Lailah (7) Zaylee (6) and Finley (4). We are from Perth West Aus! I’ve been a solo parent for 3 years now and also do photography, we love nature so on weekends we love to get out for a hike, well me and Zaylee do, the other two only like to first 10 minutes and pretty views.
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Can you tell us more about your background and how you came to where you are today?
I’ve almost always worked for myself, before children I owned a little clothing boutique but I wasn’t really passionate about it, I loved renovating houses which was something i did throughout my teens and early 20’s before moving to Zambia and co-owning a charity in healthcare. After i moved back to Aus my relationship ended and within a couple of years I started having kids! the rest is history really haha.
Rachael wearing our Margot dress in Honey Organza
You obviously have an amazing eye for photography, what led you to pick up the camera?
I really started because i loved capturing photos of my kids, I think when you become a mother you realise just how fleeting time is, every year goes by so fast, I can’t believe my youngest will soon be 5!
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How do you maintain privacy for yourself and your kids as someone who has a presence on social media?
I only share what I'm comfortable sharing and often wonder if it’s too much so I try and think if my mum had shared this would it bother me and if the answer is yes I don’t. I also stopped posting for a while as the girls weren’t enjoying having their photos done and its not something i would force, but they’re loving it again so i’m just following their lead really.
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Your son Finley was born with some health issues, would you be able to share a bit about that and how far he has come?
Finley was born with Gastroschisis (essentially his intestines outside his body), he was also tiny and at 36b weeks pregnant I was told he has a less then 10% chance of survival. It was a long journey with multiple surgeries and methods of tube feeling, almost a whole year in total in hospital but he's thriving now and I'm beyond proud of him.
Finley's journey from Rach's IG.
What advice would you give to your old self, knowing what you know you now going through Finley’s journey?
Don’t cry over any boy unless it's your son, because truly he’s the only one worth my tears.
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What inspires you?
Cliche but my kids and the knowledge that I need to be strong and independent and thrive for them to know they’re everything they need to be.
"I need to be strong and independent and thrive for them to know they’re everything they need to be."
If you could offer new mamas one piece of advice it would be...?
Block out the outside noise and soak up the baby stage because it's hard but goes by so fast you almost don’t remember, oh and get in front of the camera, you won’t regret it.
Rachael wearing our Winnie dress in White
What do day-to-day operations look like for you?
Wake up to usually Finley strolling in with a random snack at 5am, then the rest all roll on in shortly after and we get up around 6.30 and scramble to get ready for school. The girls are amazing and super routine based (like me haha) so they get dressed, make their beds, pack their bags. Fin hates doing anything he’s told so I slave over him because he loves it. Always coffee from my fave coffee shop before school drop off because it’s the one luxury I allow myself. I then hike and after that I’ll do photography work, clean up, prep dinner, all the usual things. I’m lucky in that my job allows me to be home at day time so I can make sure the house runs smoothly. Being on my own I have to stick to a routine as no one is coming home to pick up the slack. If I have a photoshoot booked I’ll need to rush around and organise the kids and am usually not home until bed time so it’s all a bit of a juggle, but we make it work.
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What are the most essential things to you as a parent?
Coffee, hiking because you absolutely need to get out in nature and calm yourself down daily and lots of chats and cuddles with the kids a bed time.
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What does self-care look like for you? How do you look after yourself?
Saying it again but hiking! Literally my favourite thing to do for myself, I love to explore and soak in different places. Travelling isn’t something I can currently afford alone with the kids, so it’s like a mini holiday haha.
Rachael wearing our Margot dress in Spring Blue Print
What's next for you?
Next for me, well…..I recently started seeing someone!! So that a little bit exciting! We are planning some little trips together with the kids once I’m comfortable with them all meeting. I’m currently just living in the new relationship bubble where we make it work seeing one another outside of our kids schedules. Other than that I’m trying to grow my photography business @rachaellongmanphotography which I’ve just started this year, it’s been so much fun to find creativity and something that sparks joy outside of being a mum. I’ve really found so much happiness this year with where I’m at and just making the most of the kids in this current stage, they’re so much fun right now so I’d love to take them on their first plan ride in the best year or so!
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What are four things you can’t live without?
My kids, loved ones (parents and friends), my camera and hikes.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Rach, I absolutely loved getting to know you better and being a part of the shoots above.
x
Follow Rachael on her Instagram @darling.children
Or to check out Rachaels photography head to @rachaellongmanphotography
All of the stunning images above of Rach in Co & Ry are shot by the amazing @elisedehaasdigital. - thanks so much for your stunning images Elise.