Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Andrade.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always been fascinated by photography. In college, I would walk by the class installations and just stare at the amazing captures but never once thought to buy a camera. Eight years ago, my husband bought me a camera for my birthday. I started taking family photos and eventually was asked to capture a maternity session. Everything has just bloomed from that point on! I have found that capturing families for their special moments brings so much joy, and love getting to meet new people and learn their unique stories; then, I work hard to capture what makes them so special!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t say it’s been smooth; when I look back at the first paid sessions I offered, I cringe a little; people actually paid me for those photos! But they have been so kind and kept allowing me to grow. There are so many photographers in the Dallas area; some are amazingly kind, and others not so much. Learning this trade and finding your niche is hard. I have found that there are people who value my style of natural light photography, and growing my confidence has grown my skill. There have been many hours of editing, classes, and research done on my part. I am by no means an expert, but I do love this art form!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
By day I am Sr. Manager of Total Rewards, mom of 3, and wife. On the weekends, though, I get to be a photographer! It is my passion outside of my family. I am still very small but working hard to build, and I have the most amazing clients. I am really known for outdoor and natural light photography. I have worked on everything from weddings, family sets, lifestyle newborns all the way to seniors and maternity sessions!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Memories are sometimes all we get to keep. During the Covid Crisis, I was still asked to capture family photos, and one of the funniest requests I got was to take family photos with everyone wearing their mask. At first, I was a little sad because why would anyone want to capture this unbelievably sad time, but as I was editing these, I realized that these memories, like so many others, are part of what builds us as individuals and as families. How we survived, and why not capture the good and the bad? I am definitely not taking photos for the history books, but I was able to capture history for those families.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unscriptedphotographs.org
- Instagram: @unscriptedphotography1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unscriptedphoto
Image Credits
Carla + Tim Photography
