Meet Rachael Venema

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

Rachael, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I have learned that being my true, authentic self and being willing to push past my fears, that I have a gift of connecting with people. I love getting to know people and hearing their story and what made them who they are today. I love sharing my story with others as well. I’ve learned even when I may be uncomfortable or afraid, that if I step into the uncomfortable – often that is where I grow the most because I learn things about myself that I didn’t know. By building true, authentic connections, I find that people are comfortable with being real and vulnerable with me. Because of this, they are comfortable with putting their trust in me to create their portraits of themselves and their family. It truly is an honor to build relationships and connections with my clients, that by the end of the process we have become great friends.

 

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am the owner of Rachael Venema Photography, a portrait photography business that I’ve had for 10 years and I am now building in a fourth location. I started in Chattanooga, TN, then moved to Iowa, then I was in Ripon, California for 6 years and I just moved to Ankeny, Iowa, this past June. I am traveling back to the previous locations for my clients, as well as, building my business in my new location. My business focuses on creating printed artwork for families, children, hs seniors, and custom business portraits for entrepreneurs and headshots for businesses. No matter what type of session, you will receive a custom photography session where I assist you in planning every detail from what to wear, to hair & makeup, to what images you want designed for your home, or images you need for your marketing. Everything is planned out in detail, so in the end you have beautiful portraits on display in your home or you have a gallery of images that fits the needs of your marketing plan. In the past year or so I’ve created some extra custom sessions called Storytelling Portraits. These are extra special because it includes photos and video that capture you and your story. We plan a portrait session based on you and your story and what will capture you and who you are. So when you look through your album and see your wall art, you are reminded of the impact you have on the world and your purpose in this life. Your legacy story will be shared and enjoyed for you, your family and whoever comes across your beautiful portraits. It is all captured on video as well, so your story can be shared with the world and can impact others who may relate to your story. From a 17 year old who has an incredible connection with her horse, to an 87 year old man who immigrated from Germany and has lead an incredible life, both stories are worth capturing and are just as important because they are reminders to them and their family of the impact they have had in this world.
I also provide RAW “As I Am” Portrait sessions that are black and white images that capture YOU – your expressions, your laughter, your sadness, your joy. Every emotion and these images allow you to see yourself as you never have before. Just as your family and friends see you. People learn to love themselves, their body, and accept themselves because they have this one amazing life that they have been given. So showing them how incredible they are, is a gift to them and to those who know them.
If you’d like to learn more about the incredible portrait experiences that my studio provides, check out my website at www.RachaelVenema.com. Join my email list (linked on the website) to stay up to date on what is going on and to receive encouraging words in your inbox each month. I’d love to connect with you on social media as well at @rachaelvenemaphotography

 

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?
At the beginning of my photography business it was overwhelming to learn all that was needed to run a successful business. Every year I invest in education to learn and excel at something I may not know much about. I also have learned that outsourcing certain things like bookkeeping, taxes, retouching, house cleaning, blogging, etc. can really help you have time to dream big for your business. If you are stuck in the day to day of the business and you don’t allow yourself to look at the big picture, then you lose some of your passion and energy that you need to keep going. Also, find your community. By finding others in the industry that inspire me and building connections with them, I have grown more than I ever thought I could. Joining groups like ppa.org (Professional Photographers of America) and local PPA groups have created connections that have helped my business soar. I’ve also found that connecting with other business owners has helped me think outside the box of my type of business. Learning how others work on their mindset, find a way to balance home life and work, and seeing how they implement and grow their business, has truly helped me see things in different ways. I encourage newbies to attend workshops, join facebook groups, find mentors/educators that can help them grow. There are so many who are running successful photography businesses and can give you the tools needed to grow your business. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Reach out and find your community and invest in education. It’s worth it if you are willing to do the work.

 

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I become overwhelmed, I have learned that outsourcing certain things can help when you are super busy. Marketing is a constant, but as business owners we don’t have time to do ALL of the things. So hiring someone to do some of your marketing so the business keeps coming in, is totally worth it. Find recommendations and referrals that have helped others. I know Claire Lauer with CL Content Marketing in Wisconsin, has been a huge help to me with my content marketing. It is because of her that my business has grown through my marketing efforts. If you don’t understand something, then don’t be afraid to outsource it. If you don’t have the funds to outsource then reach out to someone to possibly teach you or invest in education so you can understand how to do it more quickly and easily. It’s always worth not starting from scratch when so many have gone down the same path you are struggling on. So know that you aren’t alone and reach out because if that person can’t help you, they might know someone who can.

 

 

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Rachael Venema Photography

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