Rising Stars: Meet Rachel Dowd of Pueblo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Dowd

Hi Rachel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey as a photographer began in 2014. I was young and just out of the military due to an injury, looking for work. I was hired on the spot with the company Picture People at the Brea Mall in Brea, CA. There I learned the mechanics of photography, equipment, settings, editing, posing – everything. I photographed small children and families primarily. (Think Christmas Cards, Easter Photos, and School Portraiture) About two years after this, a family member was getting married and she was looking for a low cost option for photography for her wedding – which was proving to be a costly affair as most southern California weddings are. I proposed that if she were to purchase my first camera, I would spend the time between receiving the camera and her wedding to prepare and photograph her lavish wedding. This was the first wedding I had ever even attended – let alone photographed. Looking back, this was a risky choice on all accounts, but it sprung me into the wedding world and I am deeply grateful for that opportunity. The photos turned out beautiful, by the way. I photographed a few more weddings and more portraits thereafter.

From there I took a hiatus to start a family, buy a home, move states, and get divorced. I restarted with new gear, a new plan and excitement to dive back in. I have been photographing weddings ever since. My business has taken me to all the way to Iceland to help capture amazing love stories, and is now propelling my business in Colorado. It has been a crazy ride!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With any business there are bumps along the road. Throughout all of this I have gotten divorced twice, which is a unique issue to have as a wedding and elopement photographer – emotionally and just as a person. But like most entrepreneurs, I feel like the biggest struggle is imposter syndrome. Feeling like you don’t deserve the success or shocked that you are doing the thing you love and doing it well enough to have people seek you out and pay you for it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in Elopement and Intimate Wedding Photography. I enjoy weddings of less than 100 people that focuses more on celebrating the couple rather than a massive party. I love getting to become good friends with my couples and being able to advocate for them and what they want is important to me – and an important staple of my business.

My imagery is candid and timeless, with a more documentary style approach. I want your REAL day to be captured, along with all the picturesque imagery too. For this purpose, my editing style is more earthy, deep, contrasty and moody – while remaining true to color.

I am insanely proud of my brand and what I am building. I love that I get to travel, meet new amazing people who love to be outside, and are celebrating love.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love Colorado and getting to be part of the community has been an amazing experience.

Cons – All cities are congested and traffic is gross.

Pricing:

• Weddings and Elopements in Colorado – $2,000 – $5,000
• International Weddings & Elopements – $8,000
• Iceland Weddings/Elopments – $7,000
• Engagement Sessions – $650
• Other Photo Sessions – $650

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.racheldowd.photos
• Instagram: racheldowd.photos