Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Knowles.
Hi Raquel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was working in the medical field and rarely thought of myself having any artistic abilities.
After having my son in 2018, my husband and I decided that I would stay home with him because the cost of daycare is just so insane it just didn’t make sense. After battling some pretty intense Postpartum Depression, I finally was seeing some light at the end of the tunnel after getting help and decided on a whim I was going to buy an inexpensive camera and start taking photos of my handsome little man. Before I knew it, within a month or two of having my camera I was taking photos of other people and it just spiraled upward out of control! The holidays then came around and people I had never even met before were requesting me to take photos of their families…
Like what? “I’m just an amateur momtog, what is going on?!” My so-called business blew up without it even being my intention. This thing that is now mine has given me back this confidence and identity that I lost a long time ago. Even though I love my son and my husband and now my newest baby girl, being able to identify myself as something other than a wife and mother makes me feel like a part of society and that I have something to offer to others. Everyone around me has become so supportive – like my own personal cheerleaders. My Mom tribe and wonderful friends continue to pass along my name like I am a celebrity, and for that I am forever grateful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like with any new venture there are many ups and downs. Figuring out and learning to be a mom and now a mom of 2 has been the most difficult thing I have ever done while trying to juggle a business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
With the help of my family, friends and community I have made along the way, I am so proud at the reach I have acquired in just about three years. This year especially, I have been able to really specialize in what I love most and that is maternity sessions. My ability to identify with all the highs and lows my subject may be feeling at that point in time is just natural being in thick of having and raising young kids myself. My goal is to have people travel from over the US to come out to California just for me to shoot their maternity photos.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: rknowlesphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rknowlesphoto/
Image Credits:
Tessa Thewes (first photo of me and my 2 kids) Raquel Knowles (the 4 maternity photos)
