We were lucky to catch up with Rachel King recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I was always told “it’s too difficult” or “impossible” to earn a full-time living from being a creative. When I went to school for my BFA in Photography, I always had to prove myself to be taken seriously. People have a lot of opinions about those who go into non-traditional and creative fields, but I’m here to tell you that it is not only possible, but realistic to have a full career as a creative.

I am not a believer in the “starving artist” troupe. I believe the arts and creative work are extremely important, especially in todays world. The only thing that keeps artists and creatives from making money is the lack of awareness of running your own business and advertising. Once I graduated school in 2015, I knew I had crazy creative skills, just no way of knowing how to make money from them. I then started a jewelry business that had me learning everything about running a business, all on my own. It wasn’t until 2019, when I started my wedding and lifestyle photography business, that I started to apply those business tactics to earn a full-time living from my creative work.

From the time I graduated to right up to the start of Covid, I supplemented my income as an art teacher. As much as I loved that work, I knew my path was to earn a full-time living from my creative businesses. Once Covid officially hit, I decided to take that leap of faith, and become full time in my businesses. I invested in mentorships with successful photographers in the field, marketing, learning social media, and creating the work I wanted to get with clients. I started figuring out what my short and long term goals would be, I really started using my film and artistic skills I gained with my BFA, and started creating work with my voice, and not work I thought I should be making.

It’s now been only been about 3.5 years as a full time film wedding photographer and I can say I’ve never been happier, doing the things I knew I was capable of and on my journey as a creative. It hasn’t always been easy and hasn’t always gone as quickly as I wished it to be, but once I changed my mindset to creating with my voice and not doing what I thought others wanted me to do, I already started to feel successful.

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

My name is Rachel King and I am a film wedding and lifestyle photographer based on the east coast. I work as a hybrid photographer, in digital, as well as 120mm, 35mm film and Super 8. My clients are usually non-traditional, looking for creative and unique storytelling for their day or project.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society is made up of artists and creatives. The shows you watch, the music you listen to, the photos in your home, the apps on your phone…the list goes on. Our society needs to teach its children that creatives and artists have a significant place in this world, and not discourage them. Creatives are unique thinkers and inventors, who always come up with unique perspectives that keep our world moving forward. If we were to learn that we are all creatives, no matter your job, our skills and our successes would soar.

If you’re planning on being an artist or creative, my advice would be to also learn business and marketing to find your audience and get your work into the world.

If you’re enjoying the works of an artist, pay them what they’re due and if that’s not in your budget, supporting them for free on social media and through word of mouth is just as helpful.

Once our society changes its perspective to we are all creatives, we will recognize how important it is and how art is truly all around us.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is knowing I’m doing what I was made to do. My gift in life is creating art that shows others how I really see them. How I see connectedness and love and memories being passed down from generation to generation. We’re all born with gifts and interests in this life and I’m just so grateful to have always been determined to know this is always what I was meant to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rachelvking.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvkinglifestyle/?hl=en
• Facebook: facebook.com/rachelvkingphotography/
• Other: tiktok.com/@rachelvkingphotography

Image Credits
Rachel V King Lifestyle