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

Rachel, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

I started my self-taught photography business about six years ago, and I definitely wish I had started sooner. It took me a very long time to figure out exactly what I wanted to do with my career, and it all started with taking pictures of sunsets. My escape from anxiety, stress, and depression was going to different areas at the time and watching the sunset. I only had a camera phone at the time but it didn’t matter to me, I just loved taking pictures. When I was in my twenties, I was working up to 3 jobs at a time, up to 70 hours a week. I finally saved up enough money to buy my first starter camera which was a Nikon D3400 and my nature/sunset photos began. At the time I was an infant Toddler teacher at a local daycare center and one of the parents requested that I take photos of their newborn! I was excited and nervous at the time but they came out pretty decent! After that first session I kept telling myself that this was something I could do, and what better clients to have then daycare clients! Six years later I have taken photos for hundreds of families, but I am still learning every single day. I wish that I had found out what I was passionate about sooner so I could have started learning earlier and maybe have taken classes on that subject. My goal is to make this a full time job because I currently take care of my two year old during the day, waitress at night, and take photos on the weekend. If I had started earlier, I think I could be full time now, but I believe everything happens for a reason and that it will happen for me sometime in the near future. Hard work, a positive attitude, and consistency pays off.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I specialize in natural light photography, and I excel at working with Children. I have an early childhood education background, with 6 years of teaching experience, and 4 years of nanny experience. I am now a mother of a 2 year old who keeps me very busy as well! I also enjoy working at events. I love capturing happy moments for people for all special occasions in their lives. In my line of work the best part of what I do is getting to know my clients and making their time with me a fun and personable experience. What sets me apart from other photographers is I always include all of my photos in the set price, and my turnaround time is super fast. People are typically surprised with how fast their photos arrive! Every year I try to do events for at least two different causes. Last year I raised over a thousand dollars for the Children in Ukraine by holding a mini session where people donated what they could. I am proud of myself for the growth I have seen in the last few years, and I’m also proud of myself for continuing to learn and grow daily. In my down time I am always trying to do more and learn a new skill. This year I am adding onto my business the role of Social Media Manager. I will offer packages to businesses with my photography services and social media management. I would also love to become a mentor for beginner photographers and help them on their journey as well.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Three years ago, I was in a really bad car accident. I broke my right arm in 3 places and had to have surgery. They had to put a metal rod and screws in my arm, and it caused severe nerve damage down to my hand. For 2 months I couldn’t even move my fingers or lift my wrist up. The Doctor didn’t know if I would ever recover from the damage, and I didn’t think I would ever lift my camera up again. It was a very hard time but instead of it bringing me down I taught myself how to write with my left hand, cut vegetables, and just function in general. I worked very very hard every other day at Physical therapy and occupational therapy until I really started making progress! I still have some nerve damage in my hand but I am able to hold my camera up, and the first day I could do that I felt amazing, my hard work had paid off and I could start my business back up again. I could not be more grateful for being able to do what I love still, and I am very lucky. To anyone who has any kind of setbacks in life, I know that it can be struggle, but if you stay positive and work hard you can get to where you need to be.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to provide a happy and healthy life to my son. I want to be able to stay home with him, homeschool him, and love him every chance I can. Making my photography and social media management business full time would allow me more time at home and more financial freedom to get to where I want to be. Everything I do, and all of my hard work is for him, and it always will be. He is the most important part of my life, and he deserves the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rachelwardphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelelizabethwardphotography