We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joy Rhine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joy below.
Joy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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.
At the beginning of this year, I quit my job at an agency, flew solo to Africa to summit Kilimanjaro with a bunch of strangers from around the world that I had never met, and returned to start my own freelance business where I now work on contract basis with clients. I think a lot of us sit back and think to ourselves, “man I wish I could do that” but the reality is, you probably can, its just a matter of how badly you want it. If there is anyone to take a risk on, it might as well be yourself. Your work is art, design is art, but the way you design your life is art too. I’ve been fortunate to use my career as a means to make a living and see the world. Sometimes no one is going with you, you go alone and meet the best people along the way-summiting mountains, swimming with whales, or climbing around the globe. Don’t be afraid to reset your life or your work to do the things that give you peace and purpose. Freelance might not be what I want to do forever, but for me, it was the next step along the way.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Joy Rhine. I’m both a photographer and designer. Early in my career I worked as a graphic designer, but a few years ago I made the shift into the wonderful world of web and app design. While design takes the majority of my focus, I do photography on the side. Its a joy to capture others at their best and during some of the most important moments of their life. To be the one in the back seat as they’re calling their mom to tell her she just got engaged, to be there as they take their wedding vows. I get to be the biggest hype girl through all of it.
I take pride in being detail oriented with my design work–guiding the process from wireframes to prototypes to finalized design systems. But above all, I take pride in being the kind of person you want to work with. My design experience has allowed me to produce a variety of creative work. But you’re not just looking for competence, you’re looking for chemistry. Above all else, my ability to stay genuinely curious about others and the world around me sets me apart from other designers.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
When I started photography, I was doing a 365 project, just posting a photo every day for a seminar in my senior year of college. Some days were better or more intentional than others, but people started to notice my work and ask me for photos. I started trading “portraits for coffee” having a drink with someone and taking their photo after. Building relationships and a portfolio of work. I got better by practicing what I loved to do and eventually started being paid to do it. Now I shoot a handful of weddings a year in addition to designing full time.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Relationships. If I haven’t said this enough, relationships are everything. Genuinely care about the people around you, the needs of your client, and deliver your best work to them. People will remember you for years later because of it. Show up to the events that promote the things you care about and build relationships there. For me personally, one of my favorite events to attend every month is Creative Mornings. I’m the event photographer for the Grand Rapids chapter, and enjoy showing up every month to take portraits for local artists and meet other creatives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joyrhinedesign.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyrhine/
