We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachel Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
: Hi Rachel , so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
Empathy is something that few people have. I honestly have not met many individuals who truly empathize with others. My journey has truly been just that, a journey, with many obstacles and struggles along the way. Pain is truly the way to empathy, but that’s only one part to the equation, the other part is humility and recognizing that everyone has battles that they’re facing behind closed doors. Everything can look outwardly in order, but on the inside, relationships, work, circumstances are facing every individual and shape our lives either for good or bad, but we decide.
To develop empathy in my life, I have encountered many challenges, whether it be financial hardship, other people saying I couldn’t do what I wanted to do nor helping me to try and succeed in my goals, physical challenges, mental challenges. One example specifically would be, life circumstances. I got out of college with my four year degree in Animal Science, Equine Management hoping to become a horse trainer or some expert within the equine field. Unfortunately, a degree does not ensure you get a well paying job, no matter how hard you try to apply, interview, work hard or set yourself up to do it. Instead of getting paid 40K a year, I had to work 2-3 jobs, 15 hour days, every day to try and ‘make it’ with hopes to pay of my college debt so I could be in a better place so that if I only made 7$/hour (yes, really at that point in time) or 8$hour, I could actually survive on my own. I eventually started waitressing and began serving. In one year, of working 6 days a week, no vacations, no coffees, no fun trips, no friends — truly sacrificing everything to be out of debt, I managed to pay of $20,000+ of debt, save for a new car and get myself into a better financial place so I could account for making minimal pay but actually make it!
Throughout that experience, working alongside others who worked so hard as well, people from all places in life, truly gave me perspective and more empathy than I every could have if I had not walked that path. Its up to you whether or not you let life humble you or puff you up, and those around you will either admire you for it or hate you for it, dependent on how you choose to let it shape you. Putting yourself in others shoes truly is a gift and knowing that you don’t have it all together (really no one does) or that you are not alone in your struggles, helps you put pride aside and walk forward humbly. I will forever be grateful for the hardships that shaped me, to have empathy and compassion is a gift — putting aside yourself to see others as they truly are and encourage one another.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a Intimate Wedding + Editorial Photographer based in southern Minnesota, just south of the Twin Cities. I have a love for open spaces and honest emotions. I want to create photos you feel in your soul and can take you through a story. I document wedding days with passion and love for my couples as well as love to create in an editorial space.
I offer mentorships now alongside my wedding packages and other sessions. I hope to launch some digital products that will help others learn more about photography and hope to start another business in the future that empowers women through a program founded by me through horsemanship and horse experience.
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?
Creating connection wherever I go, being gifted administratively and knowledge/experience with so many different industries, people and jobs.
Get experience! In different industries. Know what you love to do, what you like to do and what you hate to do – if you can narrow down those things, it will direct you to the calling you have on your life. Don’t try to be someone else, you have a specific purpose in this life, but will only be refined as you gain experience and be a lifelong learner.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely! I am looking to engage with more fashion models, creative teams, equine professionals and wedding professionals.
If you want to collaborate, please reach out to me via email at [email protected]. I’d love to connect and see what we can do!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rachelleighphoto.co
- Instagram: @rachel.leigh.photo
- Linkedin: Rachel Leigh Photo
- Pinterest: @rachelleighphoto
