We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Randi Schaeffer . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Randi below.
Randi , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
In 2014 I made the leap in creating a Facebook page for my photography. I had just graduated high school and I wanted to start pursuing photography as a side hustle. Even though I loved photography so much I never thought I’d be able to make it my career. Fast forward to November 2019 I was fired from my job and instead of being distraught about it I pushed myself to go head first into my photography so that I could have a free schedule to be with my kids instead of working st a 9-5 demanding job. I was able to really focus and put so much thought into my business and growing it to where it’s at now 2 years later is such an amazing accomplishment! I thank my kids for pushing me to make my love for photography a full time career because without them I don’t think I could have done it on my own.
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 am an Arizona native born and raised in a small town up north by Sedona. During middle school I found a love for modeling and photography by watching Americas Next Top Model. I wanted to create beautiful images like Tyra banks would take on her show and so I would practice with my friends on my old flip phone. I had no idea back then that I would have made my love for photography into what I have today! I specialize in quite a few styles of photography. Weddings, elopement, couples, families, graduation, birth/delivery, maternity & luxury boudoir. For my maternity and boudoir clients I do have a huge client wardrobe Accessible for them to use during their sessions. I feel like that’s what makes me stand out with being able to provide outfits for my clients. I get to know my clients that way I can photograph their love story or special events to a deeper level. It’s not so much as point and click, “here’s the photo!” I bring in a creative aspect to each session and that definitely makes me more unique when hiring me. I am most proud of my studio and how far it’s come with being open for 1 year. My studio is boudoir and maternity based but I also take head shots for business as well. I take huge pride in my luxury boudoir, I have a full boudoir prep guide to help my clients prepare for their session especially with the nerves they may have. Boudoir in my eyes is about loving yourself and embracing your natural beauty.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Social media is HUGE these days! It’s almost more important than word of mouth. Having a good setting on your social media platform with consistent posting, Intriguing captions and keeping up with the algorithm will make your following grow as well as having your followers share your pages and business page. Finding your Niche on social media will also bring in more followers who are drawn to that style or topic of what you post about.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Facebook has been the best source because I am tagged in local city posts who need photographers and when past clients share my work and tag me then their friends reach out. I’ve been so thankful for those clients who share my work and share my info to potential clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://randiraephotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/boudoir_portraitsbyrandirae
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/randiraephotography
- Twitter: @BPbyRandiRae
- Other: http://instagram.com/randirae_photography VIP Facebook boudoir group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/846695246160072/
Image Credits
First image client : Galit Howard HMUA @brittannysummers