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"Your small voice has a way of spilling into rooms where you thought there would be no place for you.

Even when it is only a word or two, your small voice has a way of pushing through.

And if you happen to be a little quieter, and you sound differently from others, the words you choose resound with truth all the same."

-Morgan Harper Nichols

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Cheers to a New Year!

What can I say about 2019? The words “unexpected” and “pleasantly surprised” immediately come to mind. It was a year full of big changes, personal and professional growth, and many lessons learned. I overcame fears and obstacles I never thought possible and achieved goals I have been working toward for years. Now, with the start of a new year just a few hours away, I am finding myself reflecting all of the amazing experiences 2019 gave me, and feeling beyond excited to find out what 2020 holds. To commemorate the end of this amazing year, I’ve gathered for you a recap of some of my best and personal favorite memories from 2019.

Enjoy!

Loved seeing how my returning clients and their families have grown and changed over the years!
Traveled to France to shoot an elopement in one of the most romantic cities in the world!
Launched my exciting new branding photography experience and connected with local, women-owned business like Wild Isles Swimwear, Denova Robes, Something Borrowed Minneapolis and Balanced Roots Retreats (and so much more)!
Finally made the big decision to switch from being a full-time interior designer to putting most of my energy and focus into turning my small photography business into my full-time job! While also joining an amazing company, Beautycounter, to help get clean beauty products into the hands of everyone!
And for your enjoyment, here are some images from some of my 2019 travels and finding my love again for film photography.

Here’s to a bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old. Cheers to you and yours, the things that are yet to come, and all the memories to hold!

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Honest update: it didn`t book.

I spent time and energy building out Brand Mini Sessions — the proposal, the workflow, the launch email, the reel. I was genuinely excited about it. And then I launched it and... quiet.

That kind of quiet has a way of making you question everything. Timing? Offering?

But I`ve been sitting with something lately: a thing not working on the first try isn`t the same as a thing not working. It just means something needs to shift.

So I pivoted.

Instead of one fixed date, I`m opening up a few flexible studio days this summer — just 2 spots each. Same photos, same video clip, same intention. Just built around your schedule instead of mine.

1 hour at NoDo Studios (@nodostudiomn - seriously check them out, they even have a dock on the lake that we can use!) in Chaska. Edited photos + a short video clip. $400, with a discount for the first spot on each month.

Dates are open now starting first week of July — if you`re interested, drop a comment or send me a DM so I know who to reach out to first.

I`m sharing this because I think we don`t talk enough about the in-between parts of building something — the drafts, the pivots, the quiet. This is mine.

#brandphotography #brandminis #minneapolisphotographer #consciousbusiness #smallbusinessowner #brandphotographer #honestbusiness #contentforcreatives

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Open post by rachel.lea.photo with ID 18195817444371058
Honest update: it didn't book. I spent time and energy building out Brand Mini Sessions — the proposal, the workflow, the launch email, the reel. I was genuinely excited about it. And then I launched it and... quiet. That kind of quiet has a way of making you question everything. Timing? Offering? But I've been sitting with something lately: a thing not working on the first try isn't the same as a thing not working. It just means something needs to shift. So I pivoted. Instead of one fixed date, I'm opening up a few flexible studio days this summer — just 2 spots each. Same photos, same video clip, same intention. Just built around your schedule instead of mine. 1 hour at NoDo Studios (@nodostudiomn - seriously check them out, they even have a dock on the lake that we can use!) in Chaska. Edited photos + a short video clip. $400, with a discount for the first spot on each month. Dates are open now starting first week of July — if you're interested, drop a comment or send me a DM so I know who to reach out to first. I'm sharing this because I think we don't talk enough about the in-between parts of building something — the drafts, the pivots, the quiet. This is mine. #brandphotography #brandminis #minneapolisphotographer #consciousbusiness #smallbusinessowner #brandphotographer #honestbusiness #contentforcreatives

Brand mini sessions are officially open — and there are only a few spots. ✦

30-45 minutes in studio. You leave with edited brand photos and a short video clip ready to use. That`s a month of content in under an hour.

These are for the brands and entrepreneurs who`ve been putting off updating content because a full shoot feels like too much. This isn`t too much.

$350 · 3-4 spots · June 5th at NoDo Studios in Chaska
Link in bio to book.

And the first two bookings can use EARLYBIRD at checkout to get $50 off!

Thanks to @sydneebickett for the great portraits during her mini sessions!
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#mnbusiness #rachelleabranding #mnbrandingphotographer #twincitiesbrandingphotography #environmentalportraits

25 3
Open post by rachel.lea.photo with ID 17864453676685923
Brand mini sessions are officially open — and there are only a few spots. ✦ 30-45 minutes in studio. You leave with edited brand photos and a short video clip ready to use. That's a month of content in under an hour. These are for the brands and entrepreneurs who've been putting off updating content because a full shoot feels like too much. This isn't too much. $350 · 3-4 spots · June 5th at NoDo Studios in Chaska Link in bio to book. And the first two bookings can use EARLYBIRD at checkout to get $50 off! Thanks to @sydneebickett for the great portraits during her mini sessions! * * * * * #mnbusiness #rachelleabranding #mnbrandingphotographer #twincitiesbrandingphotography #environmentalportraits

Nobody told you what to do with the mug. So you just... held it.

And now you`re stiff and the photo looks like a stock image and you`re wondering why brand shoots feel awkward.

Here`s the fix:

→ Hold it close, not out
→ Gentle hands, like it`s actually more delicate
→ Look at it. Look away. Pretend to sip. Move.
→ Stop performing the mug and just use it

Props work when they give you something natural to do — not when they become the whole focus.

I walk every client through this on shoot day, which is one of the reasons brand minis work so well even if you`ve never felt comfortable in front of a camera.

June 5th · Limited spots · 30 min studio session · photos + video
Link in bio to book — first two spots are $299 with code EARLYBIRD.

#brandphotography #brandshoot #brandphotographertips #minneapolisphotographer #brandminis #smallbusinesscontent #contentforcreatives

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Open post by rachel.lea.photo with ID 18099858953013437
Nobody told you what to do with the mug. So you just... held it. And now you're stiff and the photo looks like a stock image and you're wondering why brand shoots feel awkward. Here's the fix: → Hold it close, not out → Gentle hands, like it's actually more delicate → Look at it. Look away. Pretend to sip. Move. → Stop performing the mug and just use it Props work when they give you something natural to do — not when they become the whole focus. I walk every client through this on shoot day, which is one of the reasons brand minis work so well even if you've never felt comfortable in front of a camera. June 5th · Limited spots · 30 min studio session · photos + video Link in bio to book — first two spots are $299 with code EARLYBIRD. #brandphotography #brandshoot #brandphotographertips #minneapolisphotographer #brandminis #smallbusinesscontent #contentforcreatives

CAPTION
Talking on camera feels unnatural — until it doesn’t. This is the advice I’m giving every client before we film 🎬

#elevateyourbrand #videocontent #brandvideographer #sustainablebusiness #photographytips

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Open post by rachel.lea.photo with ID 18125853451607807
CAPTION Talking on camera feels unnatural — until it doesn’t. This is the advice I’m giving every client before we film 🎬 #elevateyourbrand #videocontent #brandvideographer #sustainablebusiness #photographytips

Some of the best decisions I’ve made in this business were about what to stop doing. Slower shoots. Less overly processed images. Fewer — but better — clients. This is what that looks like in practice. 📸
#brandphotographer #minneapolisphotographer #sustainablebusiness

24 3
Open post by rachel.lea.photo with ID 18526978171076784
Some of the best decisions I’ve made in this business were about what to stop doing. Slower shoots. Less overly processed images. Fewer — but better — clients. This is what that looks like in practice. 📸 #brandphotographer #minneapolisphotographer #sustainablebusiness
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For the record...
love is love. Black lives matter.
immigrants make America great.
climate change is real.
women's rights are human rights.
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