We were lucky to catch up with Veronika Richardson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Veronika, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I have owned several businesses throughout my working life, and I have also spent some time working in the corporate world. While a steady paycheck and benefits are alluring, the pride and satisfaction of owning my own businesses is incomparable.

Corporate life taught me a lot about what I would and would not put up with. It taught me lessons I’m grateful for; the courage to unyieldingly advocate for others, the power of resiliency, and to not put up with other peoples’ BS. But the most important lesson I’ve learned is that the only opinion that really matters, is the one I have about myself. I’m the one who is fully responsible for making myself proud.

Taking on the challenge to dive fully in to photography and videography as my full-time career has made me happier and more satisfied than I have in years. I come out of every session alive, fulfilled, and thanking the Universe for showing me what I was really meant to do! I have met so many incredible people, heard inspiring and wonderful stories, and created visuals and images that will be cherished for lifetimes.

I recently held the door for an elder at the store, and she said to me, “Oh, go ahead, you’re probably much busier than me and have to rush off to work…”

I replied, “No ma’am, I work for myself, and, as the boss, I have all the time in the world to hold this door for you.”

The freedom and joy that being a business owner has given me has been life-altering.

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?

My photography journey began 16 years ago when I received my first camera as a Christmas gift from my new husband. I spent several years photographing for friends and family, and once we started our own – my photography skills and interest really blossomed. I started a company with my closest friend in Wisconsin in 2012 where we provided labor doula support and birth photography and videography. One of my proudest. achievements during this time was placing 1st in multiple Birth Photo Competitions and being name Look Like Film’s Best Birth Photographer of 2018.

Three children later, I stepped away from our company in 2019 and my friend and I moved all ten of our family members to sunny Sedona in hopes to escape the brutal Midwestern cold.

I spent a few years working for other companies, only to be left unfulfilled, burnout, and frustrated. I took the leap to pursue photography and videography fully in early 2024 and am now specializing in micro weddings and elopements. The ability to work one on one with couples and clients has been an incredible change and one that is so much more fulfilling than submitting my work up the managerial ladder. I love creating images for clients that they send out in Holiday cards and have framed on their walls for the years to come – heirlooms that families will have for generations…it’s so personal and meaningful.

My style is bold, emotional, and dramatic…all things that I’ve been called my whole life, but have felt like I need to stifle and hide.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Working with people on a personal level is extremely satisfying and helps me stay motivated. I love walking away from sessions knowing my clients felt seen. I love listening to people’s stories as we go through a session together and, every time, coming to the realization that we are all the same…we all want to be seen and heard and feel lovely. And have a good picture to show off once in awhile.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Word of mouth is the most effective and impactful strategy for finding new clients and maintaining your client relationships. People can be quick to write a bad review, but to get a positive referral really shows you’ve gone above and beyond in building a trusting relationship with your client and the value of their glowing review is invaluable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.arabella.media
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arabellamediasedona
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arabellamediasedona
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@arabellamediasedona
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/arabella-media-sedona

Image Credits

Veronika Rae Richardson (Myself) with Arabella Media