Vendor Spotlight Series: Rachael Mitchell Photography
Thank you for joining us to highlight some of the amazing wedding professionals we have the pleasure of working with. We wanted to take this moment to share their work with you, give you a little insight into who they are, and provide a few tips you can take on to your wedding day.
A beautiful, drizzly October wedding captured by Rachael at Sueños by Casa JK.
Rachael Mitchell is a Greensboro based photographer, but don’t worry, she travels! She specializes in true-to-color photos and capturing couples candid moments throughout their day. Her black and white photography is also impeccable. We have seen her work first hand at our venue, and she absolutely delivered on that promise.
Let’s dive into our little series and get to know more about Rachael and her incredible work.
How did you get started in your career? “I started photography as a hobby. I was a kindergarten and first grade teacher for 10 years. At the end of my teaching career came the global pandemic. That completely changed the teaching world and I was super burnt out with online teaching plus the typical paperwork, meetings, and not feeling like I could invest my time truly teaching the kids. I knew I needed something that was just for me outside of my teaching career and after seeing an ad on instagram for a photography course, I took a leap of faith. After taking that course, investing in more courses, and tons of practice, I went full time with my business one year after picking up a camera. Photography has been an incredible career change for me and I am truly blessed to do it every day!”
What has been your biggest challenge during your career? “Definitely keeping up with all the things required of being a business owner. Most people see the fun sessions and weddings, which IS the best part! But there is so much backend work- editing, communication, emails, marketing, social media. It is tough to keep up with all the tasks that come with running a business when all you want to do is take beautiful photos.”
What’s your favorite part of the process or what aspect do you enjoy the most about your business? “The best part of my job is absolutely the people. Whether it is a wedding or a session, I love meeting new people and documenting them interacting with their favorite people. Knowing that those interactions I capture become a cherished memory is truly an honor.”
What’s something unusual that you love to see at weddings? “I love when couples skip favors and invest in a fun food vendor- an ice cream truck, a coffee cart, late night pizza, cannolis on the dance floor. I have seen it all and trust me, your guests will LOVE it!”
What’s the one thing you think that most couples don’t consider for their wedding or what do you wish they thought more about? “From a photography standpoint, I don't think couples realize how exhausting the day is. All of the photos can add up and feel like you don't have much time to enjoy your day. So here is my advice- allow your photographer to capture as many candid moments as possible. Just be part of your day instead of asking for a list of pinterest photos to be recreated. Allow your photographer to document your day as it truly happens (while posing when necessary along the way). This will result in the best photos without feeling like the entire wedding day is a photo shoot.”
What book do you recommend the most often to friends? “I hate to say this, but I never read. I want to change that because I love reading- life is just busy and I don't make the time. I can recommend podcasts though! I spend a lot of time in the car and am always listening to podcasts. I love true crime podcasts with "Crime Junkie" being my favorite. I also love listening to the wedding podcast "The Vendor Table" because they are super funny and relatable and talk about what is going on in the wedding world currently. ”
What purchase of $100 did you make that positively impacted your life? “Just about every photography purchase is over $100, but that initial photography course I purchased changed my life. I went from never touching a professional camera to understanding light, exposure, shutter speed, etc. in weeks. I will be forever grateful!”
“[This photo] is from one of my favorite sessions. The lighting was perfect, the location was stunning, the bride loved taking photos [and] trying new poses, and her style and florals were incredible.” - Rachael
Rachael is a true professional and we know that you will have a gorgeous wedding album if you choose to work with her. We hope that you enjoyed this dive into one of our favorite photographers, and came out with some fun tips for your own wedding!
Until next time,
Klarie
Where to find Rachael:
Instagram @rachaelmitchellphotography