LightRain Images by Lilet - Blog

Once in a while you come across someone who is truly special and you know it from the first moment they say hello.  Amanya Jacobs is one of these special people.  The minute she walked into our studio she radiated a warmth and kindness that reels you in and makes you feel good.  I had great time getting to know her throughout the photo session. Her husband Jake is the sweetest husband you'll meet.  His obvious devotion and love for her is very evident in the way he talks about her, especially her smile "that lights up a room when she walks in."  We wish Amanya and her husband Jake all the best in life and may your book "Getting In Harmony" be a glorious success!  Amanya's book is available at Amazon.com

Would you shoot in dark, rainy, cold weather conditions? That's what Lilet Bainco Hamp, principal of LightRain Images, did on a cold dark night in late November, braving nearly freezing temperatures to shoot her niece's high school senior portrait session in Whidbey Island, Washington.  With time and opportunity limited by class schedules and unpredictable weather, Lilet, an Arizona Photographer nearly lost her digits (it felt like it) shooting in the cold rainy night.  Escorted and assisted by her brothers (Bon and Mar) and brother-in-law (Steve) the shoot turned into a fun family affair.  Nika channelled her modeling abilities amidst the freezing cold not once complaining of the bitter cold. 

Janika is a senior at Oak Harbor High School.  Quite the athlete, she competes on her school's swim team.  She is also a member of the Unarmed Drill Team and Physical Strength Team.  This young lady does not shy away from a blizzard to work out!  This dedication and hard work won her first place in the last competition.  Kudos to this 17 year old and her beautiful island surroundings, we pulled off her photo shoot very nicely.  The old adage you are only limited by your imagination rings very true indeed.

Recently Kassi and Caleb met Lilet and Glenn Hamp, photographers from LightRain Images  at a little beach near San Diego California for their engagement photography shoot.  Nestled between giant bolders of sandstone, the shoreline was caressed by the cobalt blue waves washing up the beach beneath the bluffs.

It was a beautiful afternoon and evening in idylic sorroundings on the beach with gorgeous weather and spectacular ocean vistas.  It was easy to see that Kassi and Caleb were deeply in love as they moved spontaneously in the beautiful setting sun.

Kassi and Caleb met when Caleb worked at Kassi's family's business and a long friendship developed into true love. The couple have planned their wedding for the spring of 2010 in Chandler, Arizona where the LightRain Images studio is located.  LightRain Images will be covering their engagement party, a prebridal portrait session and unlimited coverage on their wedding day.

Congratulations Kassi and Caleb, you two make a great couple! 

LightRain Images studio is located in Historic Downtown Chandler, a hip and historic place to shop, dine and explore.  It is also the home of DoCha Vida, the East Valley's wedding shopping destination. Which includes venues such as; Inspirador, Crowne Plaza at San Marcos, Uptown Bridal, InPockets and of course LightRain Images.

Located a mile north of the San Tan Freeway (202) on Arizona Avenue, it is filled with shops and restaurants.  Families and couples enjoy strolling down the colonnades and through A.J. Chandler Park.

There always seems to be something happening and to photograph in Historic Downtown Chandler.  Just a few of the events include; the weekly Farmer’s Market (Thursdays) Jazz festivals, Raku (Japanese pottery) festivals, beer garden festivals, monthly (first Wednesday) art walks, wine crush and summer splash.  This old town has been revitalized in the last couple of years with new restaurants such as San Tan Brewery, Urban Tea Loft, Latitude 8, Sushi Eye and Murphy ’s Law.   The restaurants the town has known for years remain great quality choices.  These include InPockets Bakery, Kokopelli,  Brunchies, Serronos, and 98 South, El Zacolo and La Stalla.  

This picturesque town is ideal for engagement photography which is a one specialty for the Arizona Photographers that work for LightRain Images.

Dr. Alexander “A.J.” Chandler founded the city of Chandler in 1912. This Canadian veterinarian came to Arizona in 1887, and soon amassed 18,000 acres of land that became his Chandler Ranch. Homesteaders bought parcels of his ranch, and Dr. Chandler established a canal company to bring irrigation to the area. He soon envisioned a town formed under the “City Beautiful” movement, which emphasized the placement of parks surrounded by monumental public buildings. For his new town, Dr. Chandler turned to architects from Southern California. They designed a town with a park in the midst of a business plaza, accented by fountains, landscaped boulevards, footbridges across the Commonwealth Canal, and imported exotic trees.


The town site opened on May 17, 1912, three months after Arizona became a state. Dr. Chandler sold $50,000 worth of property to investors on the first day! The showpiece of Dr. Chandler’s “City Beautiful” was the magnificent Hotel San Marcos. Chandler envisioned a great desert winter resort, and he hired California architect Arthur Burnett Benton to design the Mission Revival hotel. The San Marcos opened in 1913. Between 1912 and 1924, new businesses sprang up along today’s downtown square. Each business used white-glazed bricks from the local brick factory, some of which you can still see today along west Boston Street. By the mid 1920s, stores selling goods such as clothing, groceries, hardware, pharmaceuticals, and other items were flourishing. In fact, the well-known Bashas’ grocery company had their start here along east Boston Street in 1920. More essential services sprang up, like banks and a theatre.


The families who pioneered this area have left behind their legacy in the structures they built and maintained, which continue to be treasured by residents of Chandler today. The enterprising spirit that built and grew the City of Chandler is very much alive around the old city square and A.J. Chandler Park. Though the occupants have changed many times over the decades and the buildings themselves have undergone renovation and change, downtown Chandler will always be the heart of the town, as it was in the early 20th century when it was founded.

Courtesy of the Chandler Public History Program