We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Deeb. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.

Rachel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk I have taken in life is becoming a full-time freelancer. It is also the best risk I have ever taken in my life. I was terrified to make the jump from working a full-time job to praying I could pay my rent using a camera. I can confidently say, the minute I went full-time freelance, I have never had to ask my parents for help. It was hard at time sand extremely tiring… but the fire was under me to prove to myself and my family I could do this. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure I could do it – but I knew I had a goal and a timeframe to see what could happen. I am so thankful that I had people around me who supported me and my work. I know the work has to speak for itself, but I wouldn’t of gotten here without the people who helped me believe in myself.

Rachel, 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 got into this industry by saying “yes” to everything that came my way (including shooting for a storage company or something so random). I also got into this industry by being a genuine human and not expecting anything from anyone. I lowered my ego, started small, and absorbed any information other photographers would lend me. You have to be disciplined and eager. I remember I was bored one day and drew a geometric micron-pen image of a bull skull. I hung up it up on my door frame and told myself it would be used for something good, I just didn’t know what yet. Fast forward a year later – that drawing was used on Merch for Maren Morris for her tour all over the world. I remember seeing little girls wearing something I drew a year ago. I think that was the first time I had ever cried over an accomplishment of mine…and then got back to work.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of my work is getting to make others feel beautiful/cool/inspired/happy. I love doing a shoot and delivering photos to a client who freaks out (in a good way) over how I made they look in their photos. It makes me feel so good that I can make others feel good about themselves.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is tough. I struggle with anxiety and never know what is appropriate to post about mental health on Instagram. I have to remind myself all the time that social media isn’t SO serious. People like the authentic you – not this perfect Instagram model you think you have to be. I want to open up more this year about mental health and the ways I cope with it. My only advice for others who are trying to build a social media presence is to just be yourself. It isn’t so serious. People will be drawn to who you are as a person vs. who you want them to think you are.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.racheldeeb.com
• Instagram: @rkdeeb and @elektrikdenim

Image Credits
Darling Juilet and Lily Nelson