Q. What do you shoot with?
Check out What’s in My Bag!
Q. What do you post-process with?
Q. What is your Favorite lens?
Hands down, 85mm (1.4 AND 1.8)
Q: Is it worth gripping your camera?
A: YES!!! I love having extra battery power plus being able to control the camera without having a chicken wing arm in the air when shooting portrait orientation. My recommended grips are here.
Q: How do you work on the go?
Smart phone + extra battery pack (Mophie style!)
Q. What camera bags do you use?
Kelly Moore Libby Bag & Shootsac. I also have a Think Tank International that I use to travel with.
Q. What are some freebies you give clients?
- Social Media digital files (watermarked) resized easily by Blog Stomp
- Smartphone client albums through StickyAlbums
- Blog features
- Sneak Peeks
Q. Who is your blog through?
Pro Photo Blogs - I love it. So easy to customize and use.
Q. How do you deliver contracts?
My business is paperless! I work with sending a client guide, and contracts online. (Contracts can be created with MachForm, Gravity Forms and Form Site)
Q. Where do you order your business cards and marketing materials?
I use Moo and Mini Moo cards! I order my various marketing materials from different vendors!
Q. Do you offer mentoring?
I do! I offer 1:1 skype or phone mentoring, eWorkshops and in-person workshops. All information can be found HERE. I also offer a yearly MentorME program where I take a select few photographers to mentor for an entire year. Applications for 2013 will be open July 2012.
Q. What do you use for proofing?
I typically do in-person proofing when possible, but with having clients all over the states I often find myself having to utilize Shoot Proof. This online gallery allows me to view when they have seen their pictures, allow clients to select their favorites, a shopping cart, already resizes and watermarks for me!
Q. How do you get all those tabs on your facebook page?
I utilize the Ripe Social applications and free applications found on Facebook. My favorites are the Contact Tab and Download Tab through Ripe Social. This enables me to allow for downloadable coupons for clients and FREEBIES for photogs!
Q. Do you have preferred vendors that you work with?
Sure do! Check them out here!
Q. Do you shoot RAW or JPEG?
Shooting raw has become one of those “Just in case” things I’ve implemented into my business. Check out why!
Q. What do you use to back up your files?
Western Digital My Passport 1 TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive. In 3 years I’ve never had this one fail!
Q. Who do you print through?
Millers, ProDPI and a few others as needed.
Q. How do you balance family and business?
Being efficient and finding ways to streamline my day to day.
Q. You’re a military spouse, how do you go about relocating your business?
Through alot of marketing and special relocation marketing!
Q. What qualifies you to be a business consultant?
I have a Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, and a Doctoral Law Degree. I currently own and operate three online stores that are self-sustaining (meaning they provide a monthly income without having to do anything! How awesome is that?!), as well as running my own business consulting and photography business. One of my favorite things to tell people is that you CAN build your photography business without alot of capital, or taking loans. I built mine based solely on word of mouth and social media. It CAN be done! My eWorkshops are one year old and I have had the pleasure of helping over one-thousand workshoppers online to build their business and grow as photographers.
Q. So I am interested in your business services….and wondering if its something I could benefit from! Would you recommend it to someone who is already in the field and is doing somewhat well, or is it more geared toward beginners?
My workshops are geared towards both, the marketing and biz concepts I teach go either way. I have my mentoring and workshops set up so that it requires engagement between attendee and myself – so you get the personalized 1:1 instead of being given the information and trying to figure it out how to apply it on your own
Q. Can I ask you a specific question?
I get lots of emails a day so I can’t guarantee a response, however, feel free to email me at Rachel@RachelBrenke.com. I also suggest you utilize the categories tab to find different information as many times it’s already been answered! If you want some 1:1 or online mentoring please check out here.
Thanks for all the tips you give out. I love when I see a new email with your newsletter!
I find your blog very useful for inspiring photographers like myself!
Thanks so much for sharing information you have learned along the way! It is so helpful to be able to reference your FAQs to see what has helped you become successful!
You are an amazing photographer!! Love what I have seen!!
I love how clean and streamlined your blog is. Love all the information:)
Rachel-you are awesome-hands down!