Meet Rachel Altman | Owner & Photographer

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

Hi Rachel, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think there are a few important factors behind individual success. One is patience. I am not a patient person, so this one is really difficult for me, but knowing that everything and everyone is going to move at a different pace and that your overall success won’t be hindered by something so trivial is important to keep in mind. It may take a year or five, but success will always come with hard work. I have yet to see it fail. Another important factor would have to be the hard work part. Even if you’re doing something that you love, you are going to fall out of love with the work quite a few times on the path to where you want your business/brand to be. You’re going to question yourself a lot. You will ask yourself “Why am I doing this?” so many times. Just because you are not loving/enjoying the work you’re doing in that moment, doesn’t mean it’s not work that you are meant to be doing.
A third, but certainly not the last, factor in brand success is connections. Be a broken record talking about your brand and how excited you are for it. Post everywhere, all the time. Greet everyone with eye contact, a firm handshake, and a smile. You never know who they are or who they will become to you. However, know your worth and stand up for yourself. Don’t burn bridges, but if someone is disrespectful to you, your business, your times, etc., don’t let the fear of losing a potential client or connection stop you from protecting yourself and your business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being an artist with a business mindset is the only way that you will make money in the creative arts field. If you are the type of person who needs a set schedule, a guarantee on where your next paycheck is coming from, or how much that paycheck is going to be, then don’t become an artist. The uncertainty is the most difficult part for me. That is one of the biggest challenges to overcome. I have learned a lot of lessons along the way, but I almost feel like I can’t speak to them since I still have so many more lessons to go. I just hope I am prepared for them. One thing I would say is that you are going to expect support and be promised support from people who won’t give it to you. They are happy to offer well wishes, but when it comes to their own money, time, or anything else, they are the first to back up and let you struggle. I am not saying to not believe people when they wish you luck or offer support, I am saying that the only person you can truly rely on 100% is yourself and even that can be shaky at times. Welcome the support, but don’t rely on it to make your business thrive. You can do that all on your own.

And if the world could know anything about my brand or story, I would just say that it took a long time to get here and I still have a LONG way to go.

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?
I would take my friend to any place that we can be outside. Somewhere where we can hike, have a picnic, take my dog, etc. I don’t have any go to restaurants, but when I do go out to eat with friends, we try to choose a small business or a family-owned place. They are the places that need our business and I am more than happy to give mine to them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents have always been big supporters of my business. They hand out my business card like candy! I also have many friends who let me mess around in the studio to get photographs with different vibes and styles. Not everyone likes getting their picture taken, but I had a lot of friends who put that aside just to help me and I am very thankful.

Website: www.rkimagephotography.com

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXeEfgWrV3dUhCd1Es1kGtQ

Image Credits
RK Images Photography