We were lucky to catch up with Rikki Ramsey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rikki, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I have never thought of myself as an artistic or creative person.. If anything, I’m more of a business minded person.. I’m organized, I’m good at planning and executing.. That said, I fell into social media management during covid. I began by doing social media for a local photographer and decided to branch out to see if anyone else needed my social media services and quickly took on several clients.

About a year into doing social media management (filming behind the scenes, creating and making posts etc.) I thought maybe I should learn how to properly use a photography camera so that I’d be able to take product photos, etc, for my social media clients.. I bought a used Cannon Rebel T7 off Bay and spent several months on Tik Tok and Youtube trying to learn how to use it..

One afternoon I asked one of my girlfriends to come over and pose with a really cool lowrider bike I have, just for fun.. and WOW. I was hooked. It immediately resonated with me as something I had passion for, but for the first time (ever really) I felt like “maybe I AM artistic.. maybe I AM creative.” And that was incredibly fulfilling and exciting.

** What makes your approach unique?****

I think I offer a unique approach, just like every one else does. We all do things uniquely.. I love loud colors and props and weird concepts.. I get most excited planning a shoot.. thinking about a shot list, and creating props for it.. I love dreaming something up and watching it come to life..

Rikki, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m most proud when people tell me that of all the photo shoots they’ve ever done, they enjoyed working with me the most because I made it easy and comfortable. Also, the people who tell me they were so nervous prior to the shoot and ended up having a lot of fun.. It’s a super proud moment for me when I see a photo I took being used as a profile picture, or in a Holiday card, or being used to promote a business. The idea that a photo I took may end up framed in their home or put into a scrapbook etc is really mind blowing to me.. it’s an honor to be a part of people memory’s.

I’m truly not sure what I do to make people feel comfortable (maybe it’s because I cuss a lot,LOL) but I think I try to look at each shoot as collaborative.. Like something we are creating together. I value my clients input about a pose or an idea they have, and we try it. I tell them if a shot doesn’t look great and get really obviously excited when something does, so they know when I say something looks incredible, I’m being genuine and it’s not an auto response.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I started building my social media slowly, brick by brick. I started @rikki_films_things shortly after taking on my first social media management client. At the time I was just showcasing the little highlight videos I’d make for clients, showcasing their work, and promoting my services.

My friends were my first followers (because I threatened them that THEY BETTER FOLLOW ME!!) Slowly, a business owner would post the video I’d make and tag me and people would follow..

Now that I primarily do photography my following is based almost 100% on my clients posting and their friends and family being interested in my work. I feel like each follower is earned and I value every one.

My advice is to ASK your clients to repost your work and tag you.. It will always be a “no” if you don’t ask the question, and most people are more than happy to post your work and support you. I also feel like taking the time to answer each comment and interact with people who follow you is important. If someone takes the time out of their day to say something nice or compliment you, you should absolutely value that and respond back..

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I’m not sure that enough people know who I am to say I have a “reputation,” but I am proud of the fact that the people who know me and have worked with me say they enjoyed working with me. I enjoy hearing someone who was previously timid to book with me ended up doing so because they were assured by someone who has shot with me in the past that I’d make them look incredible, and they trust that I will.

I talk to each person via DM or text or email personally. I don’t do anything automated. I often speak to people for weeks about a concept before they even book me. I’m invested in their vision, and I think they can sense that.. Taking that approach means that by the time I actually meet the client in person, I feel like we are already friends.. and I think that translates to a better shoot.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rikkifilmsthings.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rikki_films_things/

Image Credits

Rikki Ramsey
Rikki Films Things