EP 46: editing, Inspiration, and evolution: a photography Conversation with rachel joy
Hi everyone! It’s another episode of Summer School. Today we chat with Rachel, a long time friend and a talented photographer. We discuss our photography journeys and evolving styles, reminisce about early experiences, and share tips for maintaining creativity in business. Our conversation also covers balancing personal growth with professional demands, insights and practical advice on staying confident, experimenting with new styles, and loving your work! We hope you find this conversation helpful, and thank you for tuning into another episode of Summer School.
About Rachel:
Rachel is a PNW based wedding photographer with an earthy, intimate and nostalgic feel. She has been a photographer for the past 10 years after falling in love with capturing connection. After falling out of love with her art last fall, she decided to pivot not only her editing style, but how she approaches her business and her heart behind it. She strives to celebrate everyone’s unique stories by embracing the imperfect, unplanned, and carefree photos that are turned into art that stands the test of time.
In the Beginning…
Rachel and I go way back. We’ve literally known each other almost my entire career, and throughout those years, we’ve both experienced significant transformations in our styles and businesses. From the early days of styled shoots when we were both just starting out, to now, we’ve seen each other through a lot of changes.
Fast forward to today, we find ourselves reminiscing about our evolving styles and the different phases we’ve gone through.
Embracing Evolution in Style and Business
One of the main themes we discussed was how our editing styles and business approaches have evolved over time. Rachel is currently going through her biggest change yet, moving from darker, moodier edits to embracing a more true-to-color, cinematic style. This has been a significant shift, not only in her editing but also in her overall business approach.
Changing your style can be challenging, especially when trying to meet client expectations. Rachel shares how she started making small changes to her edits, initially showing her clients both the old and new styles to see what resonated more. The result? Clients loved the fresh, new look, and Rachel felt more inspired and connected to her work.
Personal Reflections and Business Adaptations
Rachel and I also touch on the complexities of business management. While my business structure remains relatively simple, Rachel delves into how her approach to editing and client interaction has become more intentional and nuanced over time. Her new style focuses on every photo feeling like a piece of art, ensuring that each image feels unique and thoughtfully curated.
Rachel's questionnaire process has also evolved, moving from basic inquiries about wedding logistics to deeper, more personalized questions aimed at understanding the couples' values and visions for their big day.
The Shift in Editing Styles
One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation was about the actual process of changing editing styles. Rachel dives into how, inspired by cinematic photography, she began shifting toward a more vibrant, true-to-color edit. Instead of slapping the same preset onto every photo, she started experimenting with light, color, and motion to create unique and compelling images.
Rachel emphasizes the importance of continually learning and evolving. For her, that meant indulging in new preset packs and absorbing different editing techniques. Even though some of these packs were not perfect, they offered valuable lessons. This willingness to learn and adapt has been critical in her journey to find her own unique editing style.
The Challenge of Client Expectations
Transitioning to a new editing style comes with its own set of challenges, especially when dealing with clients who booked you for your previous style. Rachel navigates this by offering her clients both styles during the transition period. This way, clients have the final say, and it gives Rachel the space to evolve without causing any dissatisfaction.
I share my own experiences, highlighting the importance of communication with clients. With so much of our business being booked months or even years in advance, changes in editing style can be tricky. Both Rachel and I agree that communicating openly with clients and showing them your passion for your work can make all the difference.
Going Beyond Editing
Our conversation doesn’t just stay confined to editing styles; we also discuss the importance of pushing creative boundaries. For instance, I challenge myself by using unconventional lenses for entire shoots. Rachel talks about stepping away from flash to embrace natural and ambient light, all in pursuit of a more authentic and artistic feel.
We also touch upon the importance of balance and sustainability in our businesses. For Rachel, this meant taking time to rewrite emails, reframe her client's experience, and ensure her business practices were in alignment with her artistic vision. By doing so, she not only reignited her passion but also built a more sustainable and personally fulfilling business model.
Freelance Work and Free Shoots
An interesting takeaway from our chat is the value of free work. Both Rachel and I have done extensive amounts of free work to explore our styles without the pressure of client expectations. These opportunities allow for a more experimental approach, giving us the freedom to play, make mistakes, and grow.
Involving Family and Life Changes
As I navigate my own journey in photography and business, I’m also preparing for significant personal changes. With a child on the way, I am figuring out how to balance my teaching commitments, wedding bookings, and motherhood. Rachel's words of encouragement and practical advice have been invaluable, reminding me that it’s possible to keep pursuing my dreams while adapting to being a mother.
Wrapping It Up
Our candid, and at times scattered conversation touches on the highs and lows of evolving in the photography industry. Whether it’s changing editing styles, adapting business practices, or balancing personal life with professional aspirations, the key takeaway is to remain flexible and open to change.
Embrace the journey, never stop learning, and you’ll be just fine! That's the secret to not only surviving but thriving in this highly competitive and ever-evolving field.
Thank you for tuning into Summer School! If you enjoyed our chat and want to dive deeper, be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your friends. And if you’re thinking about changing your style or business model, don't hesitate to reach out to either of us for insights and advice. Thanks for tuning in!
Find Rachel Online:
Instagram: @racheljoyphoto
Website: www.racheljoyphotos.com
Connect with me:
Instagram: @summergrace.photo
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