We recently connected with Rachel Richards and have shared our conversation below.
Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Most of my family photo and film sessions are meaningful in one way or another. Sometimes families will book a session with me because they realize the season of life is about to change. For example, either a child is on the verge of becoming a different version of themselves, or a beloved family pet is getting up there in age. Other times, sessions are a way for busy parents to take a step back from the hamster wheel for a bit, and just reconnect and play with their children (which to me, is equally meaningful).
But some of my most meaningful work actually weaves in grief and mourning that a family is experiencing. In one session, I filmed a mother with her newborn baby. Unfortunately, the woman’s father had died of cancer before he was able to meet his new granddaughter. During filming, I was intentional about capturing all sorts of little details that emphasized the grandfather’s presence in their home: his photo in the windowsill, the baby’s dress made from the cloth of one of his old shirts, dual flames burning in the candle. In the finished film, it really felt like the three of them were together.
I realize how these kinds of losses can weigh so heavy on people’s hearts. So being able to use family photos and films as a way to honor those we lost and help us heal is extremely meaningful to me.
Rachel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I help busy families create the space to deeply reconnect with their kids and then document the joy, belonging, and love that surfaces with candid in-home photos and family films.
After struggling with my own shortcomings as a parent, and realizing that they were connected to experiences in my childhood, I’ve made it my mission to do better by my kids. Since then, my photography turned more and more to themes of family, connection, and play.
When I realized how many other parents struggle with the same thing, I knew I wanted to help more people go deeper with what it means to be a family. That’s how Rachel Richards Photo + Film was born.
With intentional and artistic candids and family films, my goal is to:
-Show parents who don’t hear it enough- you are doing a great job.
-Affirm each and every kid, exactly the way they are. To show them you belong, you’re safe, you’re special, you’re loved.
-Help families step back from the hamster wheel for a moment, and rediscover the things that can make our childhood home the most wonderful place of all.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative for me, is being constantly in a growth edge environment. Art (and entrepreneurship) require a ton of self-awareness and personal development to be able to succeed. It has not only made me a better artist, but also a better mom, wife, and human.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
A big pivot for me was having to unlearn a lot of perfectionistic, workaholic behaviors that were negatively impacting my family- especially my kids. After years of overdoing it, I was hit with a soul crushing burnout which forced the issue and helped me realize how messed up my relationship with productivity was. Worse, I was inflicting the same kind of pain on my kids that I experienced growing up. While it was hard to accept that working less could be a positive thing (especially as an entrepreneur), this shift has improved all aspects of my life both personally and professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rachelrichardsphotofilm.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rachelrichardsphotofilm/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/rachelrichardsphotofilm/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rachelrichardsphotofilm/
Image Credits
Rachel Richards Photo + Film