Meet Paola Rachal

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paola Rachal. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Paola, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

Sometimes it does take a lot to keep the creativity alive. There is a lot of planning that goes behind a session to create unique set up for each individual session. I pray to God to give me peace of mind and to make it clear on how to create a session specifically for a family, a milestone, or for a couple. Being creative you also need to be motivated to want to do things, taking your camera with me to just take photos of random things, or honestly using my phone just to keep that idea in mine and continue to learn and practice with your camera with different settings and not being afraid to be different. Once I get ideas, then jot them down and see when and how you can make it happen in real life. God keeps me motivated, he is the one that gives me the creativity that I need for the moment or for any upcoming sessions. I get excited when I get an inquiry and my mind already goes a million miles per hour of ideas on how to make their experience and visions come to life. I also have ask friends to be my muse for ideas that I get to just stay creative and motivated and that is more practice for me.
My Husband too alway is there for me for when I do feel stuck, he is my other pair of eyes, he gets me and I love him for it.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Paola Rachal and I am a photographer in the Inland Empire Southern California. I have been doing photography part time for almost 13 years but then took the leap of faith to go full time now going on almost 4 years. Now that I am full time I am focused on continuing to elevate my craft. I specialize on In Studio and Lifestyle sessions that can include family, milestones to branding sessions. I also do Events, Weddings, and Quinces/Sweet 16.

Deciding to go full time and leaving a job that I was doing for 15 years was really a leap of faith, literally leaving it all in Gods hands because I was scared and nervous to do so. But with also having the support of my husband and God, I went for it. It is more than just a 9-5 because now you are the manager, you are the HR , you are the social media creator, etc. but I love every bit of it! Taking the skills that I had working retail for 15 years and inputing into my business is really a small eyeopener on how to run my business. For that I am great full.

I have always been behind the camera. I started with film and that alone was how I started for the love of photography. I remember when I was in high school I wanted to work for National Geographic! The images that was just captured from all those amazing photographers was such a dream for me. After high school I did go for graphic designing and good thing I did! I ended up getting my Associates Degree in Graphic Design and because of that I am able to utilize what I know into my photography.

I found my niche for In Studio photography because I love to utilize backdrops, lighting, from gel colored to multiple set ups. I have the access to create something new and different for my clients. One of the best part is when I do connect with my clients in the creativity part and making them come to life is even better!

I have also sponsored my time to my community. I have taken photos for Mother’s Day around Perris and Moreno Valle cities and also am now involved in my sons school and help support them and capture the family for special events.

Being a photographer is a rewarding experience, I get to meet new people, get to capture their memories, get to be creative with them and make their visions come to life. Goal is always to continue to learn and grow with the technology that is seems to be coming out quickly and stay knowledgable the best way I can.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three most important I’d say

One: Being knowledgable from the business aspect of it, like numbers, profit, losses, how much you made year to date, how much you made this month, how much you use for expense etc. Then knowing how to create a price package that will allow you to make profit, use it for expense and also get an idea if you are able to produce to use it to pay the bills for business and personal!! Knowing what works and what doesn’t, know when to do a promotion and if its all worth it because then you have to think of the equipment you are using to invest, like your camera, lenses, backdrops, lighting, props, etc. Not to mention programs you use and websites you invested to make things run smoothly.

Two: As a photographer I use my camera to capture the images but also I have programs that I use to edit so keeping up with any new updates is keeping an eye out for any new and maybe easier way edit faster or maybe learn a new skill, but also learning the camera and how it works before upgrading to something what we think is better. Do not be afraid of changes cause the way I see it if you feel comfortable then that means is time to make a change. Learn your gear, practice and do not compare yourself to others because you are on your own chapter in your business, with any business cause is from you.

And

Three: Have fun and don’t worry about what others are doing. Everyone has their own journey and skill set and we cannot compare ourselves because this will drive you nuts! Focus on you and your business do not be afraid to ask or take a class or do research to level up on your craft.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

First and foremost I really do thank God for even giving me the creativity and the patience of it all. For providing the clients when is needed and letting me capture the families that trust me to do so.

I have my husband that he too had a degree on Graphic Design and too he provides ideas that always helps me out. Having a husband like Traivon keeps me motivated and keeps me wanting to do better. He is my second eyes on things and when I do feel like a slump on any of my creativity he really helps me rethink things and keeps me moving. Believe it or not, he was one of my muse when I was doing film and since then he had been there for me to help me continue to grow. I hope he knows that I am very thankful for him, he helps with my business in the best way he can.

I have my Best Friend Ranjini that has been there for me forever! Knowing her since third grade so I know she won’t sugar coat things. She has given me constructive feed back when I needed it and I love her for that!

I have met more people along the way as I am growing my business and I appreciate each and every one and truly blessed for the ones that stuck around, these women of God are and is what I need in my life to continue to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://paolarachalphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: paola.rachal.photography84
• Facebook: Paola Rachal

Image Credits

Belleza Tarasca: Creative with Dia de Los Muertos, Make up and Outfit by Belleza Tarasca,
Photos and yellow backdrop set up by Paola Rachal Photography.

All other images Photos by Paola Rachal Photography