We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rachael Reid. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Rachael, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been finding so much joy in planning our upcoming family trip to Europe. I genuinely love the process of travel planning. Truly every part brings me joy from researching the places we’ll visit, the art museums to explore, the foods to try, and the best ways to really experience the culture. I’m a very detailed planner and usually build a solid day-to-day itinerary. While it may sound a little rigid, I love knowing we won’t miss out on something special just because we didn’t check closing times or map things out logically. Of course, there’s always room to be flexible, but creating our travel planner has become my favorite pastime right now.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rachael, the owner and photographer behind Rachael Reid Photography, based in Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia. I specialize in weddings, families, seniors, couples, and motherhood sessions, creating heirloom images that feel timeless yet full of life. My work is inspired by a mix of fine-art and documentary photography, with a film-inspired editing style that gives my galleries a warm, nostalgic feel.
What makes my brand unique is the experience I offer: I want my clients to feel calm, cared for, and truly seen in front of the camera. Whether I’m capturing the joy of a wedding day or the quiet magic of everyday family life, I approach each session with creativity and intention.
Right now, I’m focused on creating resources that make the client experience easy and enjoyable. As we enter our busiest season I’m also spending a lot of time editing. All of my images are hand-edited. So focusing on that important work and delivering my clients’ galleries as soon as possible is very important to me. Above all, my passion is preserving meaningful stories and creating images that families will treasure for generations.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’ve always been an artist. Long before the art degrees or becoming a full-time creative. As a child, I filled notebook after notebook with drawings and journals about what I observed around me. I loved looking at art, and one of my favorite books was Linnea in Monet’s Garden, which sparked my fascination with impressionist artwork.
I was fortunate that my mom recognized my creativity and enrolled me in private art lessons, where I learned to work with charcoal, pastel, acrylic, and watercolor. Those lessons, combined with studying famous artists, taught me to pay attention to the fleeting qualities of light. Light has always been one of my greatest inspirations. I’m constantly noticing it, whether I’m behind the camera or simply taking an evening walk with my family, observing the golden light trickling through the trees. That connection to impressionist artists continues to shape the way I create and how I see the world.
As an adult, I’ve been lucky to visit some of the most important art museums in Paris, New York, Washington, D.C., the Netherlands, and beyond. Experiencing the masters’ work in person always reignites my inspiration and reminds me of the little girl who first fell in love with art and light.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
I’ve changed my mind in recent years about what really matters most. Instead of focusing on “things,” I’ve chosen to prioritize experiences like family trips, shared meals, and the little everyday memories that make life meaningful. That shift has impacted both my family life and my photography in such a powerful way.
Photography is such an important part of this mindset. Experiences can be fleeting, but photos give you something tangible to hold onto. They preserve the feelings and connections that you want to remember long after the moment has passed. As a mom, I know how quickly seasons change, and as a photographer, I see the gift it is to create images that become part of a family’s story. For me, choosing experiences over things naturally ties into memory keeping and the importance of taking photos because those photos are what let us relive the experiences again and again.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Family time is something I protect above everything else. Whether it’s planning a family trip, sitting down for dinner together, or blocking off days on the calendar for nothing but time with my family, those moments are non-negotiable. My work is important to me, but being present with my family is what grounds and inspires me most.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
The importance of taking photos with your family! Not just the big milestones but also the everyday moments. Even a short mini session is worth it. You’ll never regret having nice photos of you and your loved ones. Especially for the moms, since we are often the ones taking the pictures! You deserve to dress up, feel your best, and have beautiful photos with your family! Life is so precious and time is so fleeting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachaelreidphotography.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rachael.reid.photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachaelReidPhoto
Image Credits
Rachael Reid Photography
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