Meet Lexi Rutter | Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lexi Rutter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lexi, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Authenticity.

My goal as a photographer is to capture true, pure, genuine memories and joy and all of that begins behind the camera. Starting with their initial inquiry, I strive to create a comfortable environment for my clients so that by the time our session rolls around that initial familiarity provides a foundational layer of trust and genuine excitement.

During my sessions, I try to steer away from rigid poses that may make my client(s) feel stiff and uncomfortable and opt for movement or “in the moment” shots, encouraging goofiness and genuine interactions to help people get out of their shell and feel relaxed. I would never want my clients to look at their photos and see a stranger staring back at them. I want them to look back time and time again and feel that same confidence, beauty, and natural joy they felt on our original session date.

My passion has always and will always revolve around capturing my client’s true authentic selves, and I believe that creating those genuine relationships with my clients leads to nourishing an environment where I have the privilege of capturing them in their most natural, beautiful state.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Hey y’all!

My name is Lexi Rutter, I am the girl behind the lens!

Capturing memories has always been so incredibly special to me. I was the kid growing up with fifty gazillion “memory boxes” full of stuffed animals, movie tickets, photos, and some pretty hysterical items like the shavings of an oak tree that was cut down in the creek by my house after it fell during a big storm and a piece of a broken serving plate that my Aunt had given me when I was 7 because I liked to “play” waitress. I was the kid at summer camp that filled my disposable camera up with not only photographs of the people, but also the cabin, the food, the trees, and whatever else because I wanted to remember it all.

A little over 4 years ago at our previous church, there were various groups of people who had big life events coming up (like graduation and having their first little baby), but capturing professional photos was not a financial option for them. I, being the memory-obsessed gal I am, could not stand that they would not have any photos to look back on, so I offered to take a few for them. I was excited for my people and proud of my work, so I posted a couple to my personal Facebook feed, and I started to get other inquiries from friends and family willing to pay me actual money to take photos for them – I was shocked, honored, and feeling so loved and supported all at the same time!

Flash forward to January of 2021 I decided to formally introduce the world to “Lexi Rutter Photography” by launching a website, and social media pages, professionalizing my gallery deliveries, etc. I have always been a girl with many side-hustles, most of which I do for a year or so, then table out of boredom or lack of traction, but photography has slowly become a true passion of mine. I love capturing the joy of a pure un-orchestrated moment. I love making people feel comfortable, beautiful, and joyful. I love freezing a moment in time for a family so that they can always remember the way they felt together. I find this “job” so rewarding. I get to meet new people and build relationships with them on a whole new level, and it is the ultimate honor when I get to revisit them to photograph each beautiful stage of their life. Following a couple from their engagement to their first pregnancy, to when they bring their first baby home, to annual family photos makes my heart absolutely SOAR.
One of the biggest challenges with owning my own business has definitely been marketing myself and my talents and hoping that past clients, repeat clients, and future clients believe in my talent and art enough to invite me in to capture these moments and memories in their lives.

Lastly, one pivotal lesson I am continuing to teach my people-pleasing self is that I cannot define my personal worth by how fast my business grows or how well it performs, and I cannot let comparison steal my joy or rob me of my passion. DFW is home to an incredible amount of ultra-talented photographers, but each of us has a unique eye for our art that speaks to the specific clients we cater to, and that is what makes each and every one of our clients so special to us. I cannot describe the amount of honor and pride I feel when a client inquires and books with me! It tells me that that person supports me, that person values my art, and that person is choosing to invite me into their special moments and memories. I am so thankful to be where I am today, and I am so thankful for all of my clients!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
AHH! Welcome to DFW bestieee!!

For my wine dreams on a beer budget gals I would take a trip over to Highland Park Village and window shop all the fancy places, people watch, take some new pics for the insta, and then drive through all of the stunning neighborhoods around the area admiring each unique and beautiful home! This is especially fun during the holidays when the houses extravagantly decorate their yards with beautiful lights!

For my shopaholics who appreciate a good “dig until I find something good” shopping spree, two words…Uptown Cheapskate! I am always #ballinonabudget so I love to freshen up my wardrobe with all of the gently used name brands I can find at any of their locations!

For my pizza-obsessed gals check out Grimaldi’s, Pizza Snob, and Delucca Gaucho!

Other things I highly recommend:
– Shop at North Park/The Galleria/The Shops at Park Lane
– Walk around the Rockwall Harbor
– Spend a night singing your heart out at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar
– See a show at the Bass Hall
– Walk around the Bishop Arts District
– Eat at Joe T. Garcia’s
– Walk through the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens and the Dallas Arboretum
– Visit the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to give a shoutout to my husband, Ethan Rutter, for consistently encouraging me in all of my many ventures without question, hesitation, and with full un-wavering support! Without his confidence in me, I may not have ever had the confidence to begin pursuing photography in a more professional aspect.

He loves people big, serves people whole-heartedly, and is unashamedly his most authentic self all of the time. To know him is to love him and to love him is one of the greatest honors of my life! I love you, babe!

Website: https://www.lexirutterphoto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexirutterphoto/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexi-skjolsvik/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexirutterphoto

Image Credits
All images were taken by Lexi Rutter Photography Lexi Rutter’s Headshot was taken by Lavish Grace Photography