We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Raquel Beauchamp a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Raquel, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I first came up with the idea of being a freelance ballerina and photographer during my last job, where I was a full-time Photo Editor of a magazine. At the time, I was 24y/o and hadn’t danced in over 2+ years. I was working full-time producing creative editorial photoshoots, with amazing celebrities like Kevin Hart, Serena Williams, Sarah Paulson, Jimmy Fallon, you name it! It was so fun, and I even had the opportunity to photograph for the actual magazine! Even though I absolutely loved my job and all the creative liberties it gave me, and the people I worked with, I still found myself missing dance.

This is when I went on Groupon in search for some ballet classes and was lucky enough to come across a small ballet school that offered ballet for adults! Needless to say, I was HOOKED and I started going to dance 2-3 times a week after work. After some time, I expressed to the director that I had one goal of learning how to dance on pointe, a life-long dream of mine. She was not only excited to hear this, but actually took me seriously and guided me on what my next steps would be.

After 6 months of pre-pointe training, gaining strength and working hard to reestablish my technique, I was finally able to get my first pointe shoe fitting! I was so excited I could cry tbh. After a couple more months of hard work, the director came up to me and offered me an apprenticeship with the company! Something I would have NEVER thought would be possible at my age. Because after all, “you can’t make anything out of ballet if you start late”, lol. But this woman SAW something in me. And made me see something in MYSELF. I can actually do this! I can grow, improve, and maybe even be able to perform again!!

This was the turning point—in addition to my 9 to 5 and night classes, I was now rehearsing with the company over the weekend, in Jersey, no less! I literally had no work, life, balance. Even my girlfriend was like—hey, I never see you anymore (:

And I thought, what if I quit my job to pursue ballet and my own photography? What’s the worst that can happen? I can always come back to corporate life, but I will never be this age again, feeling healthy, strong, with so much determination and motivation to throw myself into something new and outside of my comfort zone.

And just like that, one day I went into the office and quit. I gave them two weeks notice, of course :) but I must say, it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. But the BEST one yet. And extreme shout out to my girlfriend who was there for me every step of the way ♥️

Raquel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a freelance ballerina and photographer in NYC.

As a dancer, I strive to work with like-minded creatives and choreographers in the city who will challenge me and bring out the best in me and dancers around me. I love being inspired by others who think differently, exploring new styles within ballet, mixing my commercial background with the classical that’s a bit more foreign to me, and pushing myself to try new things and dance things I’ve never danced before.

In addition to this, on social media, I strive to motivate others to pursue their dreams as well! And do what they love because life is too short to do otherwise.

As a photographer, my main goal is to create art with my clients by capturing those special moments that we create together. When you create unforgettable memories with people, that’s when you know the shoot was good. It’s never just about the photos, but what those photos mean. Whether it’s commemorating your visit to NYC, a new gig you just booked, maybe it’s your brand we’re capturing, even audition photos, it’s all part of our journey as artists. And my job is to capture the beauty that makes you, you ✨ Plus how fun is it to produce a shoot for dancers? I always say, you’re not just booking a photographer (or even a “danceotographer” how I like to call myself since dance is my bread and butter and I’m a dancer myself who loves being in front of the camera as well ;)), you’re booking someone who is commited to make you look and feel your absolute best. Before my sessions, we’ll talk about the vibe you want to achieve, what interesting pieces you have in your closet to make that happen, and brainstorm the perfect location to capture a variety of looks and make that vision come to life! Don’t be surprised if I offer you a random tutu in my closet or ask you to do hair flips because sometimes you just need a lil extra umph to make an image come to life ;)

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

One of my favorite stories as a business owner is how I came to work with Chameleon Activewear by April Giangeruso.

Currently I photograph all products for the brand, as well as make reels for their social media platforms. And what a better dream job to have for a “danceotographer” as it involves shooting my favorite dancewear brand alongside my favorite ballerinas who dance at ABT. If you don’t know this already, Chameleon is founded by an ABT ballerina and modeled by ABT ballerinas. How lucky am I, right? Well—how did this even happen?

It all started on Instagram.

Since Chameleon launched I’ve always been a fan of their leotards. Their prints are so fun, bold and lively, they just make you smile and dance better (I swear!!! Lol). And not only are they cute, but they’re comfortable!

So one day I reached out to the brand and was like, hey! I’m a dancer and dance photographer in the city, and if you EVER need a photog to capture one of your collections or anything, please let me know! I’d LOVE to work with you!

And just like that, one day April actually took me up on it! She wanted to shoot her upcoming Almost Solids Collections. So obvi, I asked what the vision was, recommended shooting at Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, she gathered beautiful dancers, Ingrid Thompson and Lèa Fleytoux, and we produced some of the most stunning ballet photos ever.

That day was one of the most memorable and proud shoots of my life.

And it just shows you that in life, specially as an entrepreneur, we have to shoot our shot! Literally! Because you never know what the outcome could be. Like I said before, what’s the worst that could happen? And look at us now, 3 years+ and counting making awesome Chameleon art together to this day!

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

I consider myself resilient for simply starting a career in ballet in my 20s. And fully committing to my photography and dance after having established a career in the corporate / editorial world.

Particularly starting pointe at 24 y/o when I was told at 15, 16, 17 that it was too late. I believe that life is about taking chances (and dancing more dances ;)) and in order to find out what you’re truly capable of, you have to be brave and resilient. Put yourself out there and try new things. “No” isn’t the end, it simply stands for “new opportunities” coming your way, even if you have to create them yourself.

I truly would’ve never thought I’d get to be where I am today. I’m extremely grateful to have gotten the opportunity to perform and work alongside incredibly talented dancers, train with companies like Complexions Contemporary Ballet and ABT. Perform at the Joyce Theatre (twice!), The Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center and more! It just takes some hard work, determination, and a little, “we got this!”, along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Rqlphoto.com
• Instagram: @raqbeau / @rqlphoto

Image Credits

First photo of me holding camera is by David Ovitsky, the rest are by me Raquel Beauchamp / RQL Photography

There is a bts selfie with April Giangeruso and photos from the first collection I photographed for Chameleon, Almost Solids.

There is another bts photo of me taking a photo of Emma Kienitz (I’m wearing a ballet outfit / pointe shoes)

The photo of two dancers—the dancers are Mairead Moore and Paul Amrani in collaboration with costume designer Lauren Carmen

Performance photo is of my first soloist role with Dances Patrelle. Lead Spanish photo by Eduardo Patino