Check Out Rachael Venema’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Venema.

Hi Rachael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I became interested in photography when I was in high school and I took a photography class. We learned how to develop film, develop prints, and how to use our cameras. I used my graduation money to buy my first SLR camera (a film camera with lenses you could change). Then years later when my youngest son was born, I upgraded to a digital SLR. I started taking photos for friends as a hobby at first. Then a few years later, I decided to start a side business. I quickly realized that I wanted to do more than show up and snap photos of a family I had just met. So I started investing in education and coaching to learn more about the business side of things and what all could be offered for services. I’ve now been operating my business for ten years and I provide a full-service photography experience that goes above and beyond what most people experience. My family has moved a few times, so I am now located in Ripon, California (my third location of running my business) due to my husband’s job. We love living in this adorable town. We’ve been here for five years and I love being involved in the community. From leading a Women Empowering Women’s group to encourage and inspire other women, to serving on the board of Garden Joy and the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, to assisting wherever else I can and giving back in serving. It is just a great community to live.

For my portrait studio, Rachael Venema Photography, we provide a luxury client experience. I take the time to assist each client with wardrobe selection, and I learn about their family and what is important to them, and we discuss how they want to enjoy their portraits. Do they prefer to display wall art in their home or do they love to turn the pages of an album to recall that time in their life? I truly believe that having tangible prints is how their legacy will be preserved and the stories from their lives will be remembered. We don’t realize how quickly digital images are being lost and memories are being erased. I truly want to create, design, and display portraits of the people these families love most in this world. I’m honored to tell their stories and create a legacy for their family so their family’s stories can live on through printed portraits.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running a business is more like a roller coaster. It’s a constant thing in your mind and I’m constantly learning about different things. Some days you are rolling along and everything is going great and then are some days you want to cry in a corner.  When running a photography studio, just like most small businesses, you have to wear so many hats. It’s so much more than taking photos. I’ve definitely learned how to create a luxury client experience that truly makes my client feel special. I’ve learned how to be confident in what I provide and work on my mindset and self-worth to price myself to be a business that can be sustainable long term. I’ve also learned how to outsource because I cannot do it all. I’m also a mom of three kids and life is very full. The business runs so much better when I outsource the things I don’t enjoy or I’m not good at keeping up with like bookkeeping or some of the marketing.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in creating artwork for my clients of the beautiful portraits that I create for them. I also recently started promoting Storytelling Portraits where a person is captured in still images and in video format at a photo session that is specifically designed around who they are, where they’ve come from, and what they want to celebrate today. Each person has a story and our story can impact so many others – it just needs to be told. So just imagine having a stunning portrait session that has behind the scenes video and a video created of you telling your story, and then the end result is a beautiful piece of wall art with your story printed on the back, a gorgeous album of your stunning images with your story told inside, and videos of your session with you telling your story on video. Can you imagine what a celebration that would be and how many people could hear your story, relate to what you’ve been through, and then take a step forward in their life because you inspired and encouraged them by telling your story. What sets me apart from others is that I truly love people. I’m good at connecting with people one-on-one so that they feel comfortable and I have a calming influence that makes them feel comfortable when having their photos taken. They know that my goal is for them to see themselves as I see them and as their loved ones see them – the beautiful, amazing person that they are. It truly is an honor to see a person’s face light up when they love seeing an image of themselves and they really truly love it.  I also love working with businesses to create photos for them to promote their brand and their business.  Marketing your business is a bit like storytelling, so I truly enjoy collaborating with businesses to help them with their marketing and promoting their business.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to take the leap. Don’t let fear hold you back. Find a community to support and uplift you. I would probably not go to your family/friends for advice – most of them do not know the first thing about running a business. Learn how to value yourself so others value you.  Just have fun and enjoy the amazing experience only you can provide. Each of us is unique and we each connect with people in different ways. I know every client of mine is someone that I have been given the honor to work with and I don’t take that lightly. Also, invest in education or a mentor to give you the tools to grow your business. If you don’t know something, there is so much information out there from Facebook groups to ppa.com, to conferences, to coaches, to even YouTube. If you really want to make this work, it is possible. You just have to do the work and put in the time.

Pricing:

• Session fees start at $500 and collections start at $1290.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RachaelVenema.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachaelvenemaphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachaelvphotography1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-venema-0a931433/

Image Credits
Image credit: Rachael Venema Photography The two images of myself are by Ty Pentecost Photography