We recently connected with Rachel Linkwald and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
It was an accident, really. I came from generations of people that were deeply involved and invested in the arts. A symphony harpist, a sculptor, a painter, a few actors, it ran deep. I grew up playing in all the mediums, both visual and performance. I needed an outlet, and if one medium wasn’t available at a given time, I’d bounce to another. This has continued to play out. After college, I made my living in performance, mostly acting and puppetry. When my lifestyle no longer worked with the hours, I moved fully into photography, which I had been freelancing between shows. The deeper into the art I fell, the more I realized that if done right, it can truly be a service to not only your client, but their future generations.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about business?
What I do is full service photography, from photoshoot and custom editing, to gallery design and installation. It’s exciting and different, because I make it easy for people to have artwork they can admire daily and actually pass down. It’s so much more than the digital dust that we’re accustomed to: a facebook profile picture that your grandkids will never see. Just today, I had an installation, and the client told me that she was drawn to working with me because she knew I would “Get it DONE for (her)”
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Curiosity: People think a passion for the arts is enough. But the well is so deep, the skills can always be further developed. As you add tools to your toolbox, what you can create expands exponentially. Keep learning!
People skills: I love people, all ages and all walks of life. And it reads. People come to me incredibly uncomfortable in front of the camera. But we connect quickly, and when people are at ease, they shine.
Service: Every beat of what I do is customized for the client. You want the sky and water to match the pink and teal in your room where you plan to hang your artwork? Done. I know my clients are investing in long term artwork, and I want it to be magnificent for them.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
It’s nice to play in our comfort zones, for sure, but sometimes we have to stretch into peripheral skills. I knew I loved people, which helps behind the camera. I knew my time with airbrushing, sketching, and oils would help in post-processing. What I didn’t expect? To have to work with math and nails.
I had a client call, excited for our upcoming session. She raved about what we created last year, and said she couldn’t wait to hang the art one day. “ONE DAY?? Where is it right now??” I exclaimed. When she told me it was in the closet, waiting for her husband to “get to it,” I told her let’s put a date on the calendar for next week, I was coming to install it.
I immediately took an online class to learn how to hang art galleries. Now it’s built in as standard service. I never imagined taking that on, but holding my clients’ hands until the job is DONE is so precious. And there’s nothing like seeing their faces when they stand back and admire their family in their home.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaynaimage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel_shayna_image/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaynaImage
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-linkwald-shaynaimage/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH6ML17WQEfNhyrIjUYBqEA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shayna-image-atlanta
Image Credits
Shayna Image, Rachel Linkwald
