Check Out Rachel Collins’ Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Collins.

Hi Rachel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
It really started in December of 2021. I gave my official resignation to a career I loved, working at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I was 7 months pregnant with twins, and I knew I needed to focus on my pregnancy, and ensure I could get as far along in my pregnancy as possible and focus on a healthy mom and healthy babies.

My pregnancy was a long-awaited one. My husband of 12 years (together) and I have gone through significant infertility issues since 2017, including multiple pregnancy losses, unexplained diagnoses’ (until I was diagnosed with PCOS & an MTHFR carrier), medical interventions, etc. These were our miracle babies; they were our focus, they were already so important to us. We knew that I was going to be a stay-at-home mom once the twins were born, but still, quitting my 9-5 job was challenging, as I’ve always been a go-getter and am not really good at “slowing down”.

I really, really struggled the first few months as a new mom in regards to staying home. I felt like I wasn’t carrying my weight in my marriage, I didn’t know how to find “my place” within the home, even though I was doing what I had always wanted… being a mommy. Since the twins were born, I have had my phone out almost nonstop, taking pictures and videos, documenting literally everything. My picture count increased significantly and quickly!

All my life, I’ve always been the one with the camera, I’ve always been the one taking pictures, and I’m the one who has all the pictures printed out and hung up throughout the house. This goes all the way back to being a kid, taking multiple pictures on disposable film, having my stuffed animals all lined up in a row, or 20 different angles of the same tree in the backyard. But I never, ever, ever contemplated taking pictures… for a living.

In October of 2022, I was sitting on the living room floor, and I looked at my husband, completely random too and said, “I’m going to be a photographer”. He looked at me like I was crazy and told me “If you are going to do this, you need to be serious about it. If you are serious about it, I support you”. Okay then. I waited 48 hours and really pondered the thought of a professional photographer and I decided I was committed. I ordered the camera and on October 6th my new fancy camera arrived.

I had zero, and I mean zero experience. I knew absolutely nothing about photography, nothing. Camera settings, no clue. When I say clueless, I cannot stress enough that I knew nothing! I just started researching everything. I watched countless YouTube tutorials and I looked up everything you could imagine. I researched, I joined live Webinars, I ordered flashcards, I looked up the best editing software programs and presets, I went and bought a new laptop, and I dove literally headfirst. Hours upon hours trying to better myself and doing what I could do to thrive in a field where I felt like I was an impostore.

I officially announced my business at the end of October 2022. I didn’t have much of a portfolio, but somehow, I had two families that wanted to book with me for family photos. WHAT! I really, really couldn’t believe it. Obviously, any business that early on is so exciting. But I cannot express how nervous I was, and I think the reality of it all was kicking in. But looking back, I did it, I did it, I produced beautiful photos, those shoots were so fun, and honestly, I was so proud of myself for creating the galleries I did for these families.

I also have a good friend, Jamie Madsen who is a market & branding specialist in Fort Collins and she set up a free family photoshoot option for families at the beginning of November 2022 where I was able to capture multiple families in Northern Colorado. I cannot tell you how nervous I was. Jamie raved on and on to me about how well I did interacting with every family, and how she just saw natural abilities… I really didn’t know what to say but I think that was the reassurance I needed because again, I often was finding that I didn’t know what I was doing, or it felt that way anyhow!

So here I am, just a few months later, and I have multiple bookings scheduled through April, I’ve grown to over 400 followers on social media which doesn’t sound like much, but it is more than I could have ever thought, especially so soon. Cheyenne, WY is full of incredible photographers, as well as Northern Colorado (an area I also serve), and somehow, I’m finding my place among them. What a tremendous blessing and I can’t express how thankful I am.

Two things that have rooted my business: the death of my big brother, Shepard and then the birth of my twins, Shepard and River. Also, I sure as heck could not be successful without the continuous love and support of my husband. He’s the real MVP.

My website: www.collinsphotowyo.com will give you much, much more info too about me, and my “why” and “how I got here”.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been smooth, but it has been an incredible journey so far and I just keep going back to how thankful I am for all of it. Before October 6, 2022, I knew nothing about photography, camera settings, or running a business. This was something I have literally built from the ground up. I’ve had to put in a lot of time and I’ve definitely put in my fair share of tears, trying to get my business to take off, for it to represent and reflect who I am as a person and my values. Being a photographer, it is so easy to doubt yourself, especially when you aren’t busy booking a client, responding to inquiries, getting noticed by social media likes, plus, it’s so easy to compare yourself to other photographers who look so busy. It can  definitely be an emotional and mental rollercoaster for sure. Unfortunately, I’ve also experienced some passive aggressive cyber-bullying regarding my business from others, which any kind of bullying isn’t acceptable, so that has been disheartening, but I am learning to adjust my focus, continue to love what I am doing and surround myself with people who believe in me and trust that my values will shine in my business, authentically. I have really poured my heart into Rachel Collins Photography LLC. and hard work and an honest heart, pay off. No matter the hardships though, my daddy didn’t raise no quitter!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Well, I am a photographer based out of Southeastern Wyoming, serving the Southeast corner, Cheyenne, and Northern Colorado (I am born and raised out of Denver). I specialize in Family, Portraits, Couples, In-Home Newborns, Lifestyle, Children, Milestones, Boudoir, and whatever idea a client needs to be brought to life, I will make it happen! Plus, I plan on adding weddings in 2024!

I want people to know, quality photography does not need to be expensive. Everyone should be able to have their photos taken at a reasonable price. I’m not here to rob people or become the next big hot shot photographer. I just want to take quality photos that can be treasured by families/individuals and most importantly, I want connectedness. I believe in full transparency and authenticity with everyone I interact with. I definitely believe photographers should be reliable, and affordable, and that’s what I’m here to do and deliver!

What sets me apart, well I’m just a regular person, a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a friend… doing my best, trying to love my family well, build relationships, focus on Jesus, and stay humble through it all. I’m doing what I love and I have met some amazing people so far and I just can’t wait to build, to grow, to connect. I want to always remember my roots in Rachel Collins Photography LLC. and why it was started in the first place. I just want my business to be real if that makes sense. I’m passionate about what I’m doing, and I don’t want to lose that passion, this really does mean a lot to me.

How do you define success?
Success is kindness, happiness, and loving people well. It’s making small goals and crushing them. It’s coming home from a photography session and loving the interactions I had that day; it is the excitement I have uploading photos to a computer to edit them, success is delivering a gallery knowing I put my heart into every photo.

I am learning that success isn’t measured by a fully booked schedule, success isn’t measured by the paycheck, it’s measured by the interaction, the way I feel after a session, and most importantly, how I leave people feeling after a session with me. It’s meeting someone new and shaking their hand knowing they chose and are trusting me to deliver quality photos.

Success is passion and knowing your heart is fully invested.

Pricing:

• Full Investment Photo Options are $249 which include 50 edited high-resolution images
• Mini Investment Photo Options are $149 and include 15 edited high-resolution images

Contact Info:

• Website: www.collinsphotowyo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelcollinsphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/collinsphotowyo

Image Credits:
Rachel Collins Photography