Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Stocker.
Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Rachel, born and raised in Minnesota and now reside in Minneapolis with my partner and our fur baby. With the typical story of how most photographers get started, I always had a camera on me at all times, that Nikon Coolpix was always next to my lipgloss and my phone in my teeny tiny clutch. Proof is in the boxes and boxes of printed photos I recently found at my parent’s house. I always brought that point-and-shoot or disposable cameras to every dance, sleepover, and family vacation. After taking photography in high school and learning to process film, I knew it was something I had to pursue further in college. During this time, it was a huge transition from film to the digital world, and to this day, I am so grateful I got to learn both sides. Not only did I graduate with an acceptable art degree in Interior Design, but along with that, I knew I had to continue to discover more about photography and how I could mesh the two passions together. After college, I had the “should” moment where I pursued what I thought I wanted with my interior design degree. Working in that industry had its eye-opening moments, and although those skills are still used to this day, they weren’t where I wanted to be. I had these moments where I missed having my camera in hand.
In January 2020, I leaped to put my all into my photography business, which was only a few years in and decided to make Brand photography my main niche. We all know what happened a few months later, but I didn’t let COVID-19 stop me from taking the photos I wanted. Brand Photography involves working with small business owners and entrepreneurs like myself to create original content that elevates and helps bring their brand to life. It was the connection that I felt with other small businesses that made me want to continue to work with them. I still have families and smaller portrait sessions that I continue to work with year after year, but when asked what type of photography I capture, the answer will always be brand photography.
Continuing to work with other business owners, I knew I wanted to bring a specific value to my business; that’s where the sustainable element came into play. The moment I knew I wanted this to be a part of my business mission, let’s take it back to that box of photos from earlier. I had duplicate (and sometimes triple!) copies of most photos in that box. Why? Because in the mid-2000s, that was the thing where you had to get multiple copies printed. I knew I didn’t need to hang onto those extra copies, so I looked up if photo paper was recyclable, and it turns out it’s not. That giant bag of all those extra copies had to go straight into the trash, and honestly, my heart broke at that moment. Even though my clients very rarely print their images, it was still something I wanted to educate people on and be able to create a sustainable story around my business. My goal is to work with sustainable brands to capture content that is personalized to them while also making sure that we leave this planet better than we found it.
Let’s dig deeper into the story – has it been an easy path, and if not, what challenges have you overcome?
The bumpiest part of my journey is finding the type of photography that speaks to me. I went from newborn photography (and I am talking about the wrapped babies on a beanbag with props) to branding. The other challenge, which, to this day, provides some hurdles to jump, is making sure that our community of photographers is willing to work together. The old saying community > competition is real in photography, and it can be a lonely place. Owning your own business makes you not only the CEO but also the accountant, the secretary, the customer service rep, and the creator all rolled into one, so trying to be the best at all of those roles is up there in challenges.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
With a love for our planet, I also knew I wanted to make a difference. I realized that sustainability was hard to sell when my deliverables were digital-based. Still, I knew there was a way I could implement this core value into my business. I started by making sure that all of my business decisions and what that meant for my clients had to be consciously considered. I wanted to work with other businesses that considered the environment, so I have a certification with 1% for the planet, where 1% of my profits are donated annually directly to organizations that give back to the people and the planet.
This I knew was a start, but it also ensured that for all projects, we consider things like “leave no trace” if the session is taking place outdoors or sticking with local travel, educating my clients on how they can prepare for their session sustainably whether it’s the clothing choices they make or the props they purchase specifically for the session or figuring out marketing techniques that they can implement that creates a greener future.
Not only does my love for the environment set me apart, but I bring a unique eye to the content I create with a background in interior design and techniques involved with lighting, composition, and design principles. I have also been known as a super-connector, and when I say that I know someone doing the thing you are looking for, I mean it. It wasn’t something I ever considered myself, but I love hearing and learning about what others are doing in my community, as well as networking with new people and businesses that are doing extraordinary things.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Look for local groups in your area or connect with businesses that do what you do. I follow many photographers on social media, and when one posted that they wanted to connect in person, I knew it was scary, but I had to jump in and make those connections. I know the saying “Community over Competition” is overused, but I have always believed that this is true for small business owners and creatives. I have been part of several larger networks and smaller groups of like-minded businesses, and you need someone to bounce ideas on or get advice on when it comes to owning a business. Your partner or parents only sometimes have the experience or knowledge regarding how to run your business; having these groups is vital. Having a community to share business advice and have moments of creativity keeps me wanting to continue doing what I am doing and not throw in the towel. And a large cup of coffee on most days.
Pricing:
- Branding Sessions invest $1000+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rachelleaphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.lea.photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelleaphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelleastocker/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/rachelleaphoto/
Image Credits
Rachel Lea Photography LLC
