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

Rachel , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

I can’t remember who my first paying client was. I do remember moving 2 years after I opened my business and needed to start all over in a new location. My kids were young at the time and I would take them to a local park to play. I would start chatting with local moms at that park that also had little kids, and ask if I can give them a family session in return for sharing their images online and for telling their friends. It was all in an effort to try and get my name out there. I also collaborated with a local mom group that helped me get the word out about my business as well. I felt like a door to door salesman at times, always trying to grow the business. Eventually, it paid off and work came in steadily and I was able to raise my pricing to have a sustainable business.

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’ve loved photographs as long as I can remember. In fact, once as a kid, I remember pretending to be sick so I could stay home from school and I did a “beach” themed photoshoot with my cat on a disposable camera. I loved the photographs I would see around the house, that my dad used to take on his 35mm film camera. That camera really peaked my interest as a child. I just thought it looked so neat.

I started learning with a photography film class in highschool. After that, I really didn’t pick up a camera until years later, when I had my first born son. As a mom, I wanted to have a nice camera to capture him as he grew. That is when DLSR cameras were really popular, so I had to learn how to use a digital camera.

I taught myself everything I could. I watched online educational videos, online tutorials, Photoshop and Lightroom editing techniques, and practiced with my camera . After my second son turned one, I knew I could leave the house for short periods of time without him, That is when I started my business. I was officially a business in 2012! I shot a little bit of everything, and found I was most excited when I would get a maternity or newborn session, or any session with little kids! I realized I didn’t have to photograph everything, I could have a niche.

Today, I specialize in Fine Art Maternity, Baby and Family Portraits. I offer studio portraits but also shoot on location anywhere I can find beautiful light. I also offer fine art prints and albums to my clients, so they can leave with their memories in a tangible way. In a world where everything is digital, having a print in your hand or hanging on your wall, is a game changer and I believe so important.

For years I would meet clients on location, often meeting them for the 1st time, take their photos and later email over a gallery of digital files to download. I struggled with this for years, before making a big jump in my business model. I felt like I was “fast food” in the photography world and I wanted to be a steak dinner. So I revamped my offerings and landed here: I now offer clients a studio wardrobe to be styled from the day of their shoot, a makeup artist the day of the session, and an option to add on hair styling. After the session, I have clients return to the studio a few weeks later for a reveal appointment. This is where they can view their images for the 1st time, both digitally and in print! I have 4×6 prints of each image ready for them to view and hold. From there we discuss artwork, and ultimately my client ends up with a fine art heirloom to enjoy and pass down to their children!

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

My husband deployed in 2015. I had my two boys to take care of, ages 3 and 5. I was running my business in a state we had only lived in for a year, and still trying to build my clientele and showcase my brand. That was a HARD year. Somehow, I opened up my first studio, and finally had a place to call my own! I would drop my oldest off to Kindergarten, drive to the preschool to drop my youngest off, rush to get to a photo session and then hurry and get back to the preschool to pick my youngest up in time. That year was a whirlwind, but honestly, as difficult as it was, I still managed to advance my career because ultimately I was so passionate about doing so!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is two fold. First, the best, is both the people and babies I get to meet along the way. The connections I get to make and capture. Life’s early joys of motherhood and childhood are so precious. I love getting to live in those moments over and over again with clients. Also, being a creative means I am always creating, recapturing, rethinking ways to make it new and I love the uniqueness of each shoot. It may be the same season of life I am seeing in front of my camera, but it surely is never the same shoot!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rachelezzo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelezzoportraits/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelEzzoPortraits

Image Credits
Dee Olmstead took the headshot only photo of me, in the white blazer. The rest are my own images.