Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Shumway.
Hi Rachael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I am a self-taught natural light photographer with a love for the outdoors. I grew up in a small town Portsmouth, Ohio, and have always had a love for adventure being able to travel is a passion of mine. Since I was a teenager photography has always been a hobby of mine. In recent years I have wanted to become a photographer who tells stories, giving people new perspectives and ways of seeing the world through my lens. This is also a way I can get lost and connect with nature.
Regardless of what project I am working on, I bring the same energy and dedication to each session. Something I tell my clients is that your family is the most important thing in the world, and I know you want portraits you can treasure and hold close to your heart for the rest of your life. It is my priority to make sure I not only capture my client’s vision but also ensure everyone goes home happy. To support this passion of mine I do have a full-time job, I work at the Bluegrass Chemical Agent Piolet Plant (BGCAPP) as a Maintenance Material Expediter in Richmond, KY which is rewarding in its own way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road to travel on. The biggest thing in the photography world is the number of other photographers in the business. They also bring their own set of skills, experience, and strengths to a particular avenue of photography. Starting from the ground up you have to build up your clientele and find ways to get your name out there. Being able to build strong relationships with your clients is a big part of it. I tell my clients all the time if it weren’t for them I would not be able to do what I love.
Without their support whether that is booking a session with me or simply referring me to friends or sharing my posts on Facebook to help get my little business out there. I’m still in the beginning stages of navigating my way through the industry. I work a full-time job to support myself and pay my bills and in my off time away is when I book photography sessions. I will run specials, offer mini-sessions, whatever I can to push myself. Each session I always take something away from it and learn more. I am very hard-working and driven. One day I would love to turn this passion of mine into a full-time job or career.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a natural light and outdoor photographer who loves hiking and traveling. My first love will always be nature and wildlife photography. I find going out with my camera and getting lost in nature is very therapeutic, it allows me to take a step back from reality and clear my head or simply find peace when I am needing it most. I have always had a love for details, and I am a meticulous person. If I had to pick a type of photography that I specialized in it would be Macro Photography. I love being able to capture up-close detail shots whether that is all the cracks in a leaf the detailed beading and lace of a wedding gown or the rough craters of the full moon on a clear night. There is just something about all these tiny details I appreciate. When I am out for a hike, I love to look for mushrooms to photograph. They are each so unique and I enjoy being able to capture up-close still shots of them. I have assisted or been a second shooter for other photographers in the past and one of my favorite things while they focused on the main subject I am able to step outside of the box and see a different focal point or perspective to photograph.
Capturing details is something I feel does separate me from other photographers and makes me a more versatile photographer. Not only do I capture the overall focal point or subject, but I take the time and always think outside of the box to capture intricate details. This is something I am proud of is being so versatile and bringing this creative edge with me. I always make it a point to incorporate this style of mine in not only my nature shots but with my clients too. I am so fortunate to have amazing clients who trust me whenever I have this crazy idea to try something different or out of the box just to capture the perfect shot.
Any big plans?
Something I have not only been talking about but working on for a while now to help me grow as a photographer is gaining a studio. I am hoping in the next few months to have an in-home studio up and running. I want to be able to offer my clients the option of having studio sessions. The room is almost complete except for painting the trim and doing a couple of other minor things. I have the backdrops, backdrop stand, and props ready for use. Gaining a studio will help me not only improve my skills as a photographer but allow me to become more versatile and really push myself to expand into a new type of photography.
I am so excited about the future and where my little business will go. I have set new goals for 2023 and plan to push myself as hard as I can to achieve them. I know there will be bumps in the road and learning curves along the way to get where I want to be in the industry but knowing one day I can look back and all this hard work will be worth it. A dream of mine has always been to become a photographer for National Geographic and I will not give up on that dream. I would not have made it this far either without my amazing support system who have believed in me and supported me since day one whenever I decided I wanted to turn my hobby into something more.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thewanderinglensimages
- Facebook: The Wandering Lens Images
Image Credits
Headshot image was taken by Emily Lambert, Model: Ivriya Grace, Pet Model: Obi Wan Kenobi, Dalton and Sarah Ginn
