What I’ve Been Up To: An Update on Picture Birmingham.

If I’ve seemed not quite as present this summer, it’s because I’ve been working quite feverishly on restarting my other project, Picture Birmingham.

It’s not that I ever quit, really – or at least I didn’t quit taking pictures. But since the wreck (I know – like ancient history, right??) and resulting 5.5 months of recovery and Physical Therapy, I haven’t been able to devote myself to the actual project, which is selling said photographs in order to give 100% of the profits to The WellHouse. Picture Birmingham takes a lot of time and upkeep, and unfortunately, during that half a year, it was one of the first things that got abandoned for lack of time and energy.

And then, after my recovery, you may remember that I went a little manic. All I wanted to do was get outside and explore and LIVE again. And so, for a few more months, Picture Birmingham got put aside.

At the beginning of the summer, though, I felt very convicted to get it started back up. I so wanted to support The WellHouse – they’re in the middle of some big changes, like moving their facilities, and I know they need all the help they can get. And they do such amazing, mind-blowing work. They rescue slaves. Women and children. From being sold for sex. And not only do they rescue them, but they protect them, help them find healing, provide for them, give them the opportunity for a new education and life, and most of all, show them what love really is.

I want to be behind that. I need to be behind that.

And so, I started to try and catch up. Getting my site updated, my spreadsheets balanced, new prints created, new note card sets made, and designing all kinds of new photo products that had been in the back of my mind but just hadn’t made it into production.

And so, I just wanted to give y’all an update with what all has recently been added at Picture Birmingham, in case you’re interested in being a part.

A coupon: just for you – you can use the code “summerjoy” in the Picture Birmingham online shop to take 20% off of your total purchase – because I love you and I’m super grateful for all of your support on this journey with me. This coupon is good until July 31.

New Products: So I’m pretty excited about all these new photo products I’ve created. They’re actually functional and don’t require frames! Coasters, notebooks, bookmarks, phone cases, and postcards. The coasters are my personal favorite, though.

All of these items can be special ordered with any of my images.

New Note Card Sets: I’ve just released three brand new sets of 12 note cards that represent three different parts of our state – Birmingham, Alabama’s beauty, and Alabama’s flowers.

As always, the note cards are printed on the same thick, artisan paper that we use for my prints, so they make a great gift. Here are the images on the new set of Birmingham Note Cards:

The new Alabama set focuses on some of the things that make our state unique, along with our beautiful lakes and rivers:

And the first floral collection includes some of our most beautiful blooms – from the ultra rare Cahaba Lily to the ever-common “interstate weed,” Queen Anne’s Lace. It includes Mountain Laurel, Bradford Pear, Japanese Cherry Trees, and more. This is a great collection for anyone that is not necessarily connected to Alabama.

All eight sets of note cards can be found here. Note cards can also be special ordered for businesses, corporations, or any type of special set with or without private branding on the back – just email me at rachel@picturebirmingham.com for details.

New Prints: I’ve gotten out to take some specific pictures I’ve been after lately, and these are now available as prints, canvases, metal prints, or really whatever you want me to make them into. Here are some of my favorites:

This brand new picture of The Alabama Theatre accompanied by the spectacular work of the Blank Spaces Mural Project may be my new favorite image of our city. It embodies the old and new that is currently being beautifully mixed together to beautify and celebrate Birmingham.

This beautiful gate above Birmingham has always fascinated me, and it’s never more stunning than late spring. The views available of our city are so unique and captivating – not all cities have a cliff right above their skyline, you know.

I captured this photo of Railroad Park a few days ago. I have so many pictures from this angle, but the clouds in this one really stole my heart.

I got special permission from Vulcan to offer this photo for sale, my one and only Vulcan shot available. I can either print it portrait or landscape, although I prefer portrait. It also looks pretty amazing on a metallic metal print, as well.

I started this project as a sunset photographer, and every summer I get one sunset that becomes my new favorite. Here is this summer’s favorite sunset.

My new favorite way to print all of my pictures is on free-floating metal prints. It looks crisp, modern, and is super easy to hang. I do not, however, have this option updated everywhere on the site, yet – but just email me if you’d like one and can’t find the option.

In Person: There’s a Fantabulous Summer Sale at Naked Art starting last Friday night and going through August 27th. Art from all kinds of local artists will be on sale from 10% – 50% off, and my art will be from 10% – 30% off. I have all of my new and old products there for the sale, so it’s definitely a good place to go and browse!

I’m basically taking up half of this room right now, so I’m sure they’d appreciate it if you came and took some off their hands.

Here’s a complete list of where you can see my work around Birmingham, if you’re more of a shop-in-person kind of human:

• Naked Art: prints, canvases, metal prints, phone cases, notebooks, note cards, coasters, bookmarks.
• Smith’s Variety: note cards, postcards, notebooks
• Alabama Goods: Bookmarks
• Vulcan Gift Shop (coming soon): postcards, note cards
• Silvertron Cafe: Metal Prints Collection (for sale via Naked Art next door)
• John’s City Diner: Large-scale Canvas Collection (private dining room; not for sale but can be reordered.)

If you have any questions or special order requests, email me anytime at rachel@picturebirmingham.com.

Thank you for all of your support over the years, and also for being patient with me here while I’m spending more of my time at Picture Birmingham!