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

Hi Rachael, how do you think about risk?
I have generally been a very safe player. I always had my business on the side, with a full time job and even other side gigs to feel secure. This year, though, I took the biggest risk and quit my full time teaching job to pursue my photography business full time. Inevitably I still hustle with a side jewelry business and teaching online college classes, but I am technically fully employed for myself for the first time EVER.

I took this risk for several reasons. It was always in the plan, but I was facing some serious teacher burnout and troubles with my mental health and knew I needed to get out ASAP, so I took the leap and walked out of the classroom and into full time small business ownership. My business had been growing steadily for several years, but in 2021-early 2022 my business grew exponentially. I was at the point of turning clients away because I didn’t have time for them. That led me to feel much more comfortable pursing it full time.

I definitely felt like I was holding myself back for a very long time by continuing to have so many other jobs. However, I also gave myself plenty of time to really feel comfortable in my technical abilities and to grow my clientele. I feel like instead of jumping into the ocean blind I am just going from the shallow end of the pool to the deep end, where I can still see my feet!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a portrait photographer and have been dabbling in the wedding world. This journey has been a wild one, for sure. In high school I wanted to study photography in college, but got scared and thought I needed a “real degree” so I went into early childhood education. Now I am approaching 30 and living my dream job! My biggest hurdle has always been myself. I never thought I was god enough to charge for pictures, then I wasn’t good enough to photograph people outside of my friends, then it was I could NEVER do a wedding. Slowly, but surely, I have progressed through all of those self-deprecating barriers. The biggest lesson I’ve had to learn is that I can’t do it if I don’t try it. At some point I realized that I do have the technical ability, I just need to find a field to practice in.

I think my brand and what sets me about rotate around my ability to work with people and to be able to connect with them. I don’t like my photos looking stiff and posed. I love the candid moments, the real laughs, the nose scrunches, all of it! I really try to make my clients feel comfortable. People want to feel good and confident, which can be difficult in front of the camera and a stranger! I frequently say things like “girl, that’s cute!” or what I’m known for in engagement shoots: “kisses, more kisses, yaasss!”. I like to make people laugh and to feel like they belong in front of my camera.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Fortunately, there are more than plenty of things to do in DFW.

In Dallas we love the Arboretum, the Aquarium, and the Perot Museum. Lower Greenville has great food and nightlife.

In Fort Worth we love the Water Gardens, Botanic Gardens, and the stockyards. We also love Sundance Square in the evenings. Just outside the Square is Thompson’s Library (a speakeasy type bar), Scat Jazz Lounge and Dueling Pete’s Piano Bar.

I reside in Denton, so that’s where most of my experience is. The Denton Square is great all times of day! There are fun shops and delicious restaurants, all local! Just east of downtown Denton are a trio of bars that we frequent as well.

A fun, busy day for us would include breakfast at Seven Mile Cafe (any DFW location). Then we would spend time at any of the DFW museums or attractions, with lunch and shopping on Magnolia Street in Fort Worth. The evening would consist of getting dressed up to catch a show at Scat Jazz Lounge and drinks at Thompson’s Bookstore.

A fun, relaxing day would look more like perusing the shops in Downtown Denton and looking for any artisan markets (they’re everywhere!), dinner at LSA burger, and drinks at Miss Angeline’s Cocktail Bar and Oak Street Drafthouse and Cocktail Parlor.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are way too many people to attribute my successes to! First and foremost is absolutely my husband. He has always been very supportive of my having a small business (now two) and always made sure I knew that I could leave teaching at any time to pursue those full time. He always told me I’m way too good to be stuck in a classroom. His parents, my in-laws, also gave me my first camera that I started using professionally. If they had not gifted me that I don’t know that I ever would have been able to start a business. My clients, of course, for always coming back and referring me to others! I have a wide support network, and I definitely would not be here without it.

Website: https://www.rachaelstonecipher.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachaelstonecipherphotography/?hl=en

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

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RSCreativeStudioUS?fbclid=IwAR1_IDBRtSH4ewj1COvFLZncunmEFlOe7hr8225tCvn40KQUdWAGJ2f0qvE

Image Credits
Jen Lucero Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.