Inspired, A Very Special Project | Rachael Myers Photography

I am SO excited about this lovely lady being featured today. She is kind and warm hearted and oh-so talented. I discovered her work some time a go and have to say I have been hooked on her since! Her newborn work is just dreamy! I won’t gab your ear off because I can’t wait for you to see for yourself!!

You can find Rachael’s Facebook Page HERE and her Website HERE. You can also find her on Twitter HERE.

Hi Sweet Rachael!

Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

I am a small town girl. I love to make people happy. I love the people in my life.

 
What sparked your passion for Photography?

Always have loved it. It just took me time to realize I could pursue it as a career instead of just seeing it as a dream job.

One of Rachael’s images starting out in 2010!

Whats in your camera bag?

A Nikon D700, 50 1.4 lens, 105 2.8 lens, a toy car, toy train, hand sanitizer, lens pet, and CF cards.

 

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

A Canon Rebel Xsi, kit lens & soon after, a 50 1.8.

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

I use my 50 1.4 about 99% of the time. Then macro for newborn details 🙂

What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

You have got to realize that it is actually a business, it isn’t just fun, snapping pictures, making them pretty in photoshop & then handing over a disc. There is so much more that goes into owning and running your own business.

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

Florabella! Her floral photos still send me over the edge, they are just gorgeous!!

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

Photos of my girl. She’s actually not running in the other direction right now when I bust out the camera! I’m savoring that right now!

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

Kate Middleton.

Describe your style in 3 words.

Emotive. Candid. Fun.

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

Oh the occasional hole in the ground when I’m backing myself up without looking! (since I use a prime and not a zoom)

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

Mostly just myself! I started off using only actions in my processing. I had no clue what any real tools were or how to do anything myself. But somewhere along the way, I did learn from breaking down those actions how things were done in Photoshop. Also, comparing your work to someone else’s work. It’s terrible for your heart and soul. Now, I really do believe you can only compare yourself to where you personally have come from – your older work vs. your newer work. I think that comes in time with more experience & then confidence from your experience.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

The amazing Golden Hour 🙂

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

Cry :/ This is exactly where I want to be.

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

I went to college for medical transcription, not photography 😉 I’m self-taught through reading online, reading books, practicing things myself. 2 online sources that very much helped me in the beginning of my photography career are Clickin Moms and I Heart Faces. I would recommend those sites to any new photographer.

What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

Oh just chit-chat, and I try to be funny. Emphasis on try… 🙂 I play with the kids, and let them see that I’m a friend, and this is going to be fun! I know it’s nice to see when someone makes my child happy, so I imagine the parents feel a little more at ease when their kids are having a good time with me!

What are your photography related goals for 2012?

My goal for this year was to just keep growing and doing better than the year before. And that’s happened. My goal will be the same next year – to do better than the year before. I’m also wanting to get some sort of natural light studio space in the near future.

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

I learn something new from every single session. Whether it’s in the session itself or in post – I have yet to not grow from each session. Some of the growing is from good experiences & some from not so good.
A big ‘Aha!’ moment recently : I had a phone call from a potential client, she’d had a friend who’d worked with me, and I literally heard her GASP when I told her my pricing – I suppose she thought it would be much cheaper. But it was the first time I actually felt for the person on the other end, and didn’t feel bad about my prices. That was huge for me!

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

I worry about getting every shot in perfect focus. With running kids & lifestyle photography (light constantly changing with moving subjects), it can be hard to nail the focus every time – and I am snooty with OOF shots, they generally end up getting tossed unless it’s something pretty darn special.

Digital or Prints?

I prefer digital but I do love seeing my work in (large) print 🙂

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

I don’t really watch local photographers and what they do too much; I just try to do the best I can for me.

What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

35 1.4G followed by an 85 1.4G 🙂

If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?

A camera 🙂 My lame humor, right there.

What would you say your biggest muse is?

Children and how simple and honest they are. They see the world completely different than adults do. It’s so refreshing to hear the things kids say! You just never know what’s going to come out of their mouth, but you can pretty much bet it will be honest! A recent little client said the funniest thing when I first met him. I complimented him on his hat – and he told me “It’s a fedora.” He is 4. 🙂

Fun Stuff:

Favorite Color: White or yellow or grey (I suck at picking a favorite thing)
Favorite Season: Fall
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Teeny bopper shows like Pretty Little Liars!
Pet Peeve: When people chew with their mouths open. Blech.
Favorite Pandora Station: I’m a Spotify chick – and it’s generally on the top recent hits or a 90s playlist! I ♥ 90s music!
Studio or On location: On location.
What did you want to be when you grew up? Madonna. For real. I would sing in my bed – probably not the best songs for a child but I had no idea what her songs meant 😉
One thing no one knows about you is: My crazy fear of spiders! I sometimes have nightmares about the creepy crawlers. Yuck!
Pc or Mac: PC
Lightroom Or Photoshop: Both
Film or Digital: Digital – I need instant gratification, but I absolutely do adore the film look for those who use film. I wish I had more patience.
Props or No Props: Very simple, limited prop use.
If you could travel anywhere it would be: Hawaii
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Half empty.
Favorite photo ever taken: Any photo that makes me FEEL something.
Raw or Jpeg: RAW
Favorite Music to Edit to: Mostly 90’s jams!
Favorite Quote: The best things in life are free.
Most valued material possession: Phone
Processing Style: Clean with a touch of haze and whimsy.
Coffee or Tea: I don’t drink coffee, but I do love Arnold Palmer tea!
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? Hmm maybe Reese Witherspoon.
What kind of Camera bag do you rock? A Kelly Moore b-hobo in Gray.