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

Rayn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

In 2019 I was admitted into an inpatient facility for my struggles with my Mental Health. I was going from job to job, I never felt like I had “security”. I truly felt like I had no real purpose in life. I ended up getting the help that I needed. The beginning of 2020 rolls around and I am gifted a beginner Sony camera for Christmas. I started to play around with it, taking pictures of objects/nature and people. I was making posts on Facebook asking if anyone would be interested in shooting with me, for free. I started getting more and more inquires and I realized that when I was shooting, my stress and worries went away. I found something that made me so happy. Meeting so many different people and hearing stories about their lives and being able to impact them means the world to me. As time continued on, this little hobby was slowly growing into something much more. I just kept shooting consistently, 24/7. That is the only way. Your first 10,000 images are your worst. You have to keep trying. I took this day by day. This problem I felt I had of not having self worth and not having security was going away. I knew that this was the career for me. It is inspiring to capture a moment and see it frozen in time. I would say my unique approach was how personal I am. I connect with my audience and really express the struggles of life, and the positive parts of life, too. I am real and I am raw.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My brand is Rayns Photography. It is just that. Rayn. I grew this small business from the ground up. Those who have known me since I began, know that this has taken alot if not all of my time and efforts. It has been so far from easy, but so worth it to me. I provide Photography services, I am focusing on Weddings, Elopements, Destination, couples and storytelling. I believe what sets me apart from others is the way I storyteller through my art. I was listening to a Podcast one day from an inspiring Photographer, that said, “if you can put a story together in 20 frames, you are doing it.” I started approaching my sessions through a different perspective and it really started showing. If you can take anything away from my story and this article, I hope it is that I can inspire you to follow your dreams. Do not listen to what anyone else says or thinks, and always stay true to yourself.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started building my audience on social media from the start. When you have a career that heavily involves staying relevant on social media, you have to curate to just that. Find your niche, and always be real with your followers/clients. I don’t just post to post, I post intentionally. I post how I feel in that moment, or how I felt when I was shooting. My advice to anyone who is choosing a path that involves social media is to stay true to yourself. I can’t express this enough.

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

I have tough days as do we all. There has been days where I want to give up and go get a 9-5 job and then I have to remind myself that I did not put in all of this work for nothing. I was meant to do this career, why would I give that up?

Contact Info:

• Website: raynnachreiner.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/raynsphotography
• Facebook: Facebook.com/raynsphotography

Image Credits
Rayns Photography