We recently connected with Rachael Stauffer and have shared our conversation below.

Rachael, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

I was working a 9–5 job in Colorado for about three years and found myself craving a creative outlet. Walking into my cubicle day after day started to wear on me, and I missed the sense of creativity I had back in high school and college, when I’d taken ceramics and fashion design classes. I’d never picked up a camera before or dreamed of becoming a photographer, but I’d always been drawn to creating art. I followed a few photographers on Instagram and began to daydream about starting my own photography business.

During my lunch breaks, I started watching YouTube tutorials on editing in Lightroom, and after work, I’d download RAW images from other photographers to practice editing and honing in on my style. On my commute, I listened to The Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher, which gave me a realistic look at what it takes to start a business. I read Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, which pushed me to turn my dreams into an actionable plan. Her biggest push was to write out your goals in a realistic timeline and it was the exact advice I needed.

I sat down one evening and created a timeline for myself — milestones for learning Lightroom and Photoshop, understanding how to use a DSLR camera (before I even owned one), researching camera gear, building an online presence, and eventually booking my first clients. I still remember feeling both excited and doubtful that it would ever come to life.

Then, my husband surprised me with a used Canon Mark III for my birthday — the perfect camera to learn on and one I could use professionally when I was ready. His support was the push I needed to finally get started. Having people in my corner was huge. Once I said my dream out loud to family and friends, I felt accountable to actually make it happen.

At first, I practiced on my dogs which were the perfect subject that could never sit still, experimenting with lighting and getting to know my camera. I watched endless YouTube tutorials any free moment at my day job and followed countless photographers on Instagram. Eventually, I posted on Facebook Marketplace offering free sessions and made it clear I was just starting out. I’ll never forget driving home from my first shoot — I knew right then it was more than a hobby. Connecting with that couple, learning their story, and capturing real moments lit a fire in me that I hadn’t felt before.

From there, I spent every spare moment improving — watching tutorials, photographing friends, and having my husband take branding photos of me. Once I built up enough work for a portfolio, I started reaching out to photographers in my area to second shoot weddings, often for free. It was the best education I could have asked for — seeing firsthand how professionals handled wedding days, posed couples, and created a seamless client experience. Those experiences helped me build my own portfolio and step into the wedding world.

I officially launched Ryse Photo six years ago, and since then, it’s grown through three moves — from Colorado to Missouri to Arkansas. Each time, I’ve rebuilt from the ground up, learning that the most valuable thing in this business is how you care for your clients. No ad, giveaway, or SEO strategy can beat a genuine client referral.

Running a business has its challenges — taxes, legalities, late nights — but it’s also given me incredible freedom. I’ve been able to take two maternity leaves and give myself grace through the hard seasons of parenting, something no corporate job could ever offer. Starting a side hustle turned into a full-time dream, and it’s proof that you never really know what’s on the other side until you take that first step.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a wedding and lifestyle photographer specializing in weddings, family sessions, and maternity photography. I’ve always had an eye for capturing the perfect shot, but had never taken a photo on anything other than my iphone prior to being gifted my first camera body in 2019.

Before photography, I worked in corporate America as a sales and account manager. I use the skills I developed in that world — organization, attention to detail, and client service — to create a seamless, positive experience for my photography clients. I nerd out on spreadsheets and automated emails because it reminds me of those years managing clients, and it allows me to keep everything organized while still giving a personal touch.

What sets me apart is my focus on connection and authenticity. Whether I worked with large corporate clients in the past or now with families and couples, my focus has always been the same: creating an intentional and memorable experience. I have a knack for reading a family or couple’s vibe and shaping a session that feels natural and unique to them. No two weddings or sessions are the same, but every gallery reflects a combination of my signature style and the true personalities of the people I’m photographing.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients and the trust they place in me to capture life’s most important moments. My goal is for every family and couple to walk away with not just beautiful images, but a memorable experience that makes them feel seen, comfortable, and celebrated.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’ve built my business across three states, and in each one, I’ve reached a level of success only to start over again. I began Ryse Photo in Colorado, and just as I was gaining traction, we moved to Kansas City. Starting over meant building connections with local families and couples from scratch, but within five months, bookings were coming in rapidly — largely through word of mouth. That second year in Kansas City was my busiest yet: I was freshly postpartum with a newborn, handling a colicky baby, and photographing 15 weddings (five of those being destination weddings) along with countless family sessions. It was overwhelming, and I struggled to keep up with brand work — blogging, updating my website, posting on Instagram — but the referrals kept coming, and my business continued to grow.

After much discussion, we moved again, this time to Bentonville, Arkansas, and once more I had to start from the ground up. Slowly, I connected with local families and couples, and word of mouth once again helped my business flourish. Now, two years into living in Northwest Arkansas, I’m thrilled with where Ryse Photo is today and am excited to continue growing and evolving. Each time I’ve had to rebuild, it’s reminded me that persistence, connection, and dedication are at the core of what keeps my business thriving.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word of mouth has been by far the best source of new clients for my business. The key is genuinely caring for your clients and focusing on their experience. When you give them a personalized, memorable experience — one that reflects their connection and vibe rather than something generic — referrals naturally follow. Happy clients share their experience and images with friends and family, and that’s what drives sustainable growth in the photography industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: www. rysephoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryse.photo/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rysephotos/

Image Credits

All photos taken and edited by myself as the owner and photographer for Ryse Photo