Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Oates.
Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello! I got started with my love of photography when I was thirteen or fourteen. I was using my dad’s camera from work to shoot blossoms in our orchard, dropping an apple in a tank full of water and capturing those bubbles. Lots and lots of photos of the Juniper trees and weeds around our property. I would go out and spritz water on roses to get cool, moody shots of the petals. I really should go back through those photos now and delete some because there are still thousands on a drive somewhere haha I then took a photography class in high school through Brigham Young University online courses. My grandparents bought my first Canon PowerShot SX620 and I took that thing with me everywhere I went. With this camera, I had my first photoshoot with my sister and her fiance. My first paid shoot that my brother-in-law paid me in nickels haha My dream was to get a “camera with interchangeable lenses,” is always what I said. And back in 2018, I bought a Canon Rebel t6i and the rest is history! I have since done more and more shoots every year, from weddings, engagements, family photos, graduation, and maternity! I have done a mixture of family or friends wanting me to take their photos and have also just done some people reaching out to me. I have not chosen to go full time yet because I am choosing to focus on my schooling to further my accounting career. But recently, photography has become a fun side gig of mine. And I am forever grateful for my clients that make it possible for me to do this. Fourteen-year-old me couldn’t even imagine what it would be like that you could do something like this and that I would ever be worth it for people to pay me to take their photos. But I love this journey!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been easy. Especially in such a saturated area that is Utah County where it feels like there is a photographer on every corner, just like the Starbucks. I didn’t feel like I was as good and that I never would compare to those top notch photographers that I admire. With each shoot I do though, I grow more confident and comfortable in my abilities to direct, pose, and get those creative shots. I have done a couple of workshops, one just at a place called Wadley Farms and at the famous Salt Flats up in Salt Lake County. My first workshop, I didn’t feel like I would “fit” in in the photography world here and that maybe photography just wasn’t for me. My husband got Lightroom for me and I was very frustrated when I first started using it because I hated editing, purely because I didn’t know how. And I hadn’t yet perfected that part of photography. I still haven’t, but I love every single shoot I do and coming home and uploading the photos and realizing how much I have improved even just since the last shoot I had! My husband has helped me gain more confidence in my photography as I grow by supporting me with each shoot, and each time I show him a photo I have edited he is very complimentary to me. It is that, and clients that reach out to me and say that they will pay whatever I charge because they love my style and want me as their photographer. It is those things, that even with all of those struggles and insecurities I have had, those make me know that I improving and I am worth it. One thing that people can’t prepare you for are the people that reach out to you and ask for a request and seem interested then just leave you with no response. Those are the things that people can talk about, but until you experience it you don’t understand exactly how it makes you feel. And I had to learn that it isn’t about me and I am glad that they found the photographer that fit them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
This is a tough one because of the fact that I love taking photos for families, but I love shooting those special moments between couples. When it comes to families, shooting with little kids has been a learning process. It definitely has a lot do with making sure that you are always ready to press the trigger and capture those precious, candid moments. The motto for my business I have come up with in the last little bit is, “Capturing every phase in your life.” Then I am working on creating a logo that has something to do with moon phases. I would say that I am known for capturing those candid, beautiful moments between siblings, parents, grandparents, couples, etc. and making bright, but warm photos that are solid in color. I am constantly learning and improving the experience that I offer for my clients. I want them to know that I am thinking of everything to take care of them. An example of that is I want to buy a pop up changing tent for my clients so that they don’t have to have awkward shuffles in the car, or even having to have a towel held up. Little things like are what I am wanting to set me apart.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
For my work, it is just really Lightroom and that one college class. And Pinterest, and looking up tips and such. For life, I love the Libby app, previously OverDrive. I used to read a book every day basically when I was in high school. Reading was most definitely a passion of mine. Since I first started college, back in 2018, I slowed down in my reading “consumption,” and it made me pretty sad. And I couldn’t get into the same type of books that I had enjoyed. Young Adult books just no longer did it for me like they used to. But Libby has been a miracle for me! I listened to my first Agatha Christie through it just a few weeks ago actually (And There Were None, I recommend to everyone). Even if I am listening to a book, it makes me feel productive and gives me a good boost of serotonin every day. And then this one will sound a little different, but QuickBooks. I am an Accounting major and so budgeting in Google Sheets and tracking my husband and mine expenses in QuickBooks is another resource that I use to help me “live my best life”. I like to know exactly where are money is going and watching our savings grow as we strive toward our goals like getting a house and such. And does my husband count? haha he is a resource! And he has been encouraging not just in my business, but in my independence and hobby and career and life. Having someone with me that is my cheerleader 100% of the time is the biggest resource I could ever ask for to help me succeed in life.
Contact Info:
- Email: racheloatesphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racheloatesphotography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelannephotography19
