Today’s interview is with Rachel Devine!
You first picked up a camera when you were a teenager in the mid ‘80s and went pro in 1995. What was your journey like and what do you feel are the pros and cons in finding your passion at an early age?
Wow, I love this question because it really makes me think back on those first years. Because the journey was so long and varied, it is hard though to sum it all up succinctly. I think that finding an artistic outlet in photography was an essential part of my formative years as it allowed me to interact with people behind the buffer of my camera. That made my anxiety and shyness easier to handle and something I could work through. Having a head start on the technical knowledge made going into business easier as a young adult as I had a solid portfolio of consistently good work from day one. It was also amazing to go through art history and theory classes in school as a photographer already because I was automatically translating that information into my work. I can’t think of any cons to finding the things you love early in your life as I don’t know any better. It is just my path and I am grateful for all the time I have been afforded with photography.
Being a photographer first, how did big life changes such as marriage and motherhood affect your art?
Since the age of 14, I have always photographed my life and the important people in it. It started with my siblings and their kids and moved on through to include many of the people who have crossed life paths with me. As I became a parent for the first time, photography was kind of a canary in the coal mine for me with Postpartum Depression. I knew that something was really wrong beyond the expected tiredness of being a new mother because I had actually lost that urge to photograph anything. That became a turning point in my life and career as I forced myself to practice what I once did so effortlessly and joyfully. I joined Flickr and was suddenly beholden to others to post images there. Knowing I had to do it was what I needed to motivate myself at that point. After a few months, the cloud of postpartum depression lifted and I was left with the gift of daily life photoblogging. Had it not been for all of that, I am not sure how long it would have taken me to get into posting personal images online…if ever. Now it is a huge part of my brand. In fact last year, I finally had my re-branding done and made sure to create two separate yet visually connected identities for my work. There is Rachel Devine Photography and Sesame Ellis Photoblogging. While motherhood may not have actually changed my art, it changed my business.
Commercial and lifestyle photography is your niche. How has your work evolved over the past 15+ years since you opened your business?
My workflow has had to adapt to the changes in the format of the industry. When I began, editorial images were called for months in advance and we as photographers would submit actual photographic prints for consideration. If the image was accepted, they would scan and use that shot or maybe keep it literally on file for future use. Can you imagine that today? I still have a large printed portfolio of my work to show to art directors and creative departments, but it is all digital submissions. I have not shot film in ages for a commercial shoot. While my style has remained very similar over the years, my tools have changed dramatically. Most of my editorial work is now just bought through my representation at Getty.
You have a gift for lifestyle photography and the ability to see beauty in the ordinary happenings of daily life. What do you think is the key in taking a snapshot and making it into more, making it into a beautiful piece of lifestyle art?
In one word, simplicity. Simplicity of color, light, subject and focus. The story is more powerful, the less you show. It is also open to more interpretation by the viewer which for commercial/editorial work means that the customer can picture themselves or their children with that product. They write their story on your photograph in their mind without knowing it. Finally, real life is messy. People have enough of that mess themselves and can look to clean (yet real) life images for escape.
One side of your business is commercial photography. How does one go about getting involved with commercial photography?
That is a big question with many answers. The field is varied and there is a huge business and legal side to it that is so different from portrait work. It is imperative that a commercial photographer be great at what they do, so start by honing your skills and area of focus while researching the leaders in your particular subject. Peta and I get asked this question a lot, so we have actually decided to take the Beyond Snapshots brand into the next phase with workshops aimed at professional photographers who want to go beyond family portraits and shoot editorial and commercial work. Even for small etsy based brands, there is a need for professional photography and since the goals and process of a commercial shoot are different from that of a portrait, we feel we can help clear up a bit of that mystery.
How do commercial shoots differ from a non-commercial shoot?
There are a few ways, but the most important difference is understanding who your final customer really is and that is the person who is buying what your client is selling. You need to be able to work with not only your client (sometimes and advertising agency as well), but the viewer in mind. For a catalog shoot that could be something as basic as ensuring your colors are as true to life as possible. For advertorial it may be something as subtle as double checking there is nothing that could be perceived as dangerous. Believe it or not, the company will get calls if something as innocent as a stroller strap not done up properly slips through.
What is one piece of advice that you would offer to other photographers?
Know how to get it right in camera in as few shots as possible. Relying on burst mode and post processing is not the way to get better at what you do. I always suggest what I call the two roll rule: Shoot 72 images (that is equivalent to two professional film rolls of 36 frames each) with no deletions in camera. Photograph like the LCD on the back of your camera is broken and see if you can get at least 60+ keepers. These do not have to be shot all at once. Dedicate a small memory card to the 2 roll rule and purposefully compose and expose those photographs. It is a good practice for everyone and you don’t have the expense of film development and printing!
You recently changed up your editing routine. Do you mind sharing with us what switches you made and why?
I do have a big blog post coming up with all of the details but I can say that I have been able to combine my love of customizing the in camera JPEG settings for near perfect SOOC shots with the flexibility of shooting in RAW format by processing everything I take (Nikon only, sorry!) with Nikon’s Capture NX2 software. It is the only software that can accurately translate the in camera settings to your Nikon RAW files. I hated how Lightroom and ACR would both guess (incorrectly) what the images were supposed to look like when loaded into their software. This has changed my work for the best. I hardly touch my images in Photoshop anymore.
A few years ago you and your family made a huge move from the States to Australia. How did relocating halfway across the world affect your business?
Luckily for blogging, I was pregnant with twins at the time and I did not seem to lose followers…in fact, I am certain my readers grew as I documented the huge life changes. After arriving here, I was able to get introductions to some of the kid clothing representatives, designers and retailers in Australia who liked my work and were in a position to hire me. It was not easy, but I put myself out there with a clear vision of the kind of jobs I wanted to get and that led me to the right people.
For some, blogging can start to feel burdensome and they begin to fall behind in posting but you’ve managed to post pretty regularly over the last several years. What motivates you to continue blogging?
The sense of community I get as an ex-pat is what keeps me active on the internet in not only my blog, but all sorts of social media. It is a creative outlet that has now turned into a part of my business and I love being able to share our experiences with others. I also blog for the love of it…I blog like no one is reading and I blog my story. My site is not a client sneak peek where I try to drive sales, it is my honest journal of life. Part of that is my work so it is partly reflected on the blog in between posts about raising kids and traveling. No matter what since I blog my life, I will always have photos to share.
When you start to feel yourself fall into the inevitable ‘creative rut’ where do you turn for rejuvenation?
Well, this year, I have been a part of the 10 on 10 series of blog posts where a group of photographers shoot 10 hours of one day and then on the 10th of the month they post 10 lines of images from those 10 hours. There is a round-robin link system to keep the viewer going full circle through all the blogs back to where they started. The amazing women who are involved with that keep me going and offer all sorts of different styles to inspire. To challenge myself further, I have decided to give myself some sort of theme each month. This month is all shot with my Lensbaby. No reason except by putting rules on myself, I find that I will be forced to think harder instead of immediately going to autopilot.
Congratulations on your new book BeyondSnapshots that you co-wrote with Peta Mazey! Can you tell us a little about Beyond Snapshots?
Beyond Snapshots is my dream come true. Peta and I work so well together and bring such different perspectives to this project, all tied up with a similar aesthetic. We wanted to do something on a big scale where we could teach a lot of people how to take better photos. This book is not about creating more saturation in the market, but respecting that everyone has a story to tell and that they deserve to be able to tell it well. This book is instructional and inspirational and we hope that it will help everyone see that it takes a lot more than just a fancy camera to take a great photograph.
And where exactly can we pick up a copy?
The book will be in every major bookstore nationally March 20th and internationally in April and May (depends on the country) and is available online (March 20th ) through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound to name a few.
We would love to have the chance to give a copy to one lucky Clickin Moms reader!!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Rachel! Your vision as an artist is a constant source of inspiration.
Want to keep up with Rachel and her work? Make sure you check out both her website and her blog!
Love the two roll tip. That is my goal for this week! Thank you! Your work is beautiful. New fan here!
love this interview! super talent!
I've always discounted the software that comes with cameras, but now I'm intrigued. I think I'll check out the Nikon software (yet still hope it doesn't make me regret spending the money on LR and PS). 🙂
Count me in for the giveaway… I love the two roll tip and would be very interested in reading more advice from Rachel and Peta! All four pages liked on facebook. 🙂
Following Rachel and Peta on Twitter! @DawnShiree 🙂
Done! have liked the 4 Facebook pages!! Love Rachel and Peta's work! am a regular follower of the blog:)
So incredibly talented, and such a great interview!!
I liked all the pages on facebook
Like x3 (I already like CM :))! Great post, thank you 🙂
Love your work Rachel; very inspiring. I am just launching my business and it has been so nice to see many professionals so willing to share tips and best practices. I would love to have a copy of your book as inspiration to keep me focused on continually challenging myself to hone my craft every day. My personal goal is to get it right in camera every time and I'm slowly getting there. Thanks for sharing! The photo I've shared is of my son and my niece, who recently had the chance to see each other, and were more than excited! We had a great family weekend!
Thanks for sharing your story. Liked all four pages on facebook!
Already a fan of Clickin Moms, Liked the other 3 pages. Such amazing work!
Definitely going to keep my eye out for the blog post about Nikon’s Capture NX2 software. I've never used it before – so curious!
i liked all the pages (already liked clickin moms) and followed on twitter. hooray! will likely buy the book even if i don't win a copy. thanks so much for featuring rachel's work. it is glorious. i love being exposed to photographer's work via this blog. always something new and exciting every day/week.
Beautiful images! I love your work. Keep doing what you are doing!
Fan of all on Facebook. Very inspiring read. Thanks!
fantastic interview…gorgy images. like all 4 pages 🙂
amazing talent!! I LOVE the trampoline shot !
beautiful life image. capturing fun moments with parents and kids reminds me that life is beautiful
Really loved the interview and photos! Am always looking for better shots SOOC!
Liked all the pages! Thanks for the giveaway!
What beautiful work! I had already like Peta's page now I'm a fan of Rachel and their book as well 🙂
I love the way she captures everyday moments. I love doing that, too. I love capturing my daughters' moments to make lasting memories.
Wonderful Interview! I am so inspired to try the 2 Roll Rule!!! Liked Everyone!
An image of my beautiful life…
What a fun interview! Gorgeous photos. I liked all the pages. 🙂
This is a pic of my daughter at the grocery store, doing what she usually does at the grocery store, i.e. running around being crazy.
What a great interview! I love the shoot 72 rule – I must try that. I liked all four pages – would love to win a copy of the book!
I liked all the pages! I have been following Rachel's work since she moved to Australia. Thanks for the peek inside her world!
New fan! Liked all 4 pages – thanks!!!
Now following on Twitter too – thanks again!
Loved this interview!!
Liked all 4 pages!
really enjoyed getting to know you!
I like your advice on the "72" rule and using your blog for more than just driving sales.
Breat share, beautiful pics!
This is such an amazing interview! I'm a new fan!
Liked 3 (already liked Clickin moms), thanks for introducing me, hope to read the book soon!
thanks for the interview and i would love to dive into that new book.
I love your work! Reality and whimsey <3
like all 4~ !
Beautiful images and a great interview! I can't wait to try the 72 shot rule!
I love the tip about the 2 'rolls', Im definitely going to try it out!!! 🙂
Great post! 🙂
I really enjoyed this interview. I like all four on FB.
I really enjoyed this post – thanks CM! I'm totally on board for the 72 shot rule. I feel I am getting closer and closer to always getting things right in camera…looking forward to testing myself!
I went and liked all four pages on facebook 🙂
here's an image share for a 2nd entry 🙂
I liked all four pages! Thanks!
Love my little super hero!
I follow Rachel and Peta since 2009!
i love your pics and your style!!
i adore you girls!!
from italy!
Liked all 4 pages on facebook!
Following on twitter too!
Liked all of you guys on Facebook!! 🙂 What a great giveaway and such a fantastic article. 🙂
Following on Twitter! 🙂 (@CourtneyKirklnd)
This image is my absolute favorite and sums up my 3 year olds entire existence right now. It's by far my favorite photo to date because of how much the little details mean to me as his mama.
I liked all 4 pages today! Would love to win a copy of the book 🙂
I follow all four pages on Facebook.
I also follow Beyond Snapshots on Twitter
I follow all four pages! Would love to win this book! Thanks!
I will always remember my son's 3rd year as the year of dressing up and being someone else – Superman is a favorite but he switches to other superheroes, ninjas and star wars characters during the course of a day.
liked all pages. always have! : )
Love your images!
loved the interview. i liked all three on facebbok.
i am following beyond snapshots on twitter.
I love how and crisp her images are! I like all pages on FB.
I liked all the pages, and really appreciate this opportunity to win the book! Great interview!
This is my life right now.
I liked all the pages. Wonderful interview; thank you for the giveaway!
Liked all pages, what an inspirational group of women, feeling the contagion setting in, getting my first DSLR this week, where to start?????
I liked all 4 on facebook. Great interview and gorgeous photos! Would love to win the book!
I just liked 4 pages on facebook
I just followed beyond snapshots on twitter
I've liked Beyond Snapshots, Rachel Devine, Peta Mazey, and Clickin Moms.
As a fellow Nikon shooter, I found it so interesting that you use Capture NX2 rather than Lightroom. I really need to try this, as I don't have Lightroom. Just had a lightbulb moment there! Thanks for sharing bit of your life with us!
I follow Beyond Snapshots on twitter
Liked them all!!
I liked all four pages!
I follow beyond snapshots on twitter (@carrieann) 🙂
Thank you for this interview! Your an inspiration!
at the lincoln memorial
I really enjoyed this interview; I think her best advice was to learn to get it right in a couple of shots or less & to not depend on burst shooting & pp. Thanks Rachel.
I liked all 4 on Facebook 🙂 Would LOVE to win a copy of the book!
I photograph children during their birthday parties and I must admit this has got to be one of my favorite pictures, her name is Jacqueline & she was turning two. It was a privilege to accompany this little girl on such a special day for her, it was giggles and smiles all afternoon long! Her mother told me she chose her own outfit & everything…what more to say? This image melts my heart:)
This was an interesting read. Thanks for sharing your story.
I like all four pages. (actually only three since I'm already a fan of CM!)
I loved all four db pages.
This is my little boy, curious about everything in his little world!
Following you on twitter
Thank you for this article! I loved hearing about how you are constantly challenging yourself to become a better photographer, Rachel! That was incredibly inspiring to me. I am definitely printing this one out!
Here is just a simple picture of what I see when I get my little baby girl up from her nap.
All four pages have a new fan. Well except CM already a fan there.
Thank you for sharing. Especially about PPD and how you had to pick up the pieces again.
A recent photo of mine.
I liked all four pages on Facebook!!!
Following in Twitte!!!
done! I like all 4 pages 🙂 (just had to add Peta to the list, I already liked the others)
a current fave photo… taken with instagram
I have followed Rahel's work for a long time and love how she captures life. Looking forward to seeing the book. Thanks for the opportunity!
Oops, have liked all 4 pages on facebook.
I liked all 4 on facebook! I loved the tips on challenging yourself- I'll have to give it a try!
Following beyond snapshots! Thanks!
Capturing the spirit of my boys.
I liked all four pages on facebook
I follow Beyond Snapshots on Twitter
i really love reading all these interviews! Keep it up! xx
This is a photo of my family at the botanic garden. I love that Julian is trying to photograph me at the same time. Thank you for this fun giveaway. I am actually thrilled that Rachel and Gemma will get to see one of my photos. 🙂
Following on twitter 🙂
Can't wait to get my hands on Rachel's book!
Just amazing…
I liked all 4 pages! Thanks for the great interview.
Here's my sweet daughter playing with her camera, just like mama!
Does anyone know where I can download nice WP Themes ?
Liked all 4 pages 🙂
Following on Twitter
These are my boys at the dog park (frequent occurrence these days, since our puppy has oodles of energy!!) <3
Beautiful pictures
Liked all four pages!
Here’s a photo of my heart.
i had 3 of the 4 liked already but now it is 4 out of 4! i have been following Rachel Divine and Peta Mazey for the last 6 years. I started following them on flickr. they are hands down two of my very favorite photographers.
I found Rachel / Sesame Ellis, on Flickr four years ago. I was looking for new ways to photograph my daughter who had just turned one and came upon her site. I fell in love with Gemma, because she reminded me of my daughter, and have followed Rachel ever since. Her photos, point of view and personal comments really connected with me. I have followed her to Austraila and beyond! ;o) Congratulations on all your accomplishments and success! Here is a picture of my daughter P, on a train at a plantation in Kauai, Hawaii. I love my brown-eyed girl!
Liked all 4 pages! 😉
Great interview with a wonderful photographer!
So excited to meet this new (to me) photographer – loved her images and learning more about her journey!
Already fan of all on my FB :
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=682259352
Thks for the giveway :))
My baby girl …
Really great getting to know about Rachel Devine. I had not heard of her before!
I liked all four pages on facebook 🙂 I'll have to come back later and post a picture too!
I'm always happy to find new photographers to "like".
My DD has always been afraid to cross this creek. Last weekend she got up enough nerve to drive through it (with grandma's guidance). So proud of her!
I liked all 4!
I followed Beyond Snapshots on Twitter!
I took this while camping. It's of my dad loving on my youngest!
Thanks for the reminder to not go into burst mode- and thanks for sharing so much with us!
Beautiful photographs 🙂
So glad for this blog post! I absolutely adore this style. I would love to win this! Liked everyone and look forward to looking through their pages.
Love the one on the swing!!!!
I <3 this style. How I wish I had known what I was doing with a camera before I married and became a parent…
Liked all 4 pages!
Following @beyondsnapshots on Twitter!
I liked all of them on facebook.
I also followed @beyondshapshots on Twitter.
already had 3 on the "like" list…..just added the 4th! =)
The two loves of my life while playing outside in the snow.
following them on twitter now! =)
My oldest boy, and a beautiful late autumn afternoon.
What a fascinating interview, will definitely have to check out her book!
I'm new to all of these except CM. 🙂 Lovin' the style… and I'm really interested in hearing about how her editing process has changed so drastically using the Nikon software. That's really interesting, as you don't hear many saying anything about it.
ugh… I meant to say that I followed all 4 on Facebook now in my last comment. Sorry!
I like all of the FB pages! Awesome giveaway!
AWESOME interview. I like all four pages : )
I like beyondsnapshots on Twitter too.
Wow, these images are incredible! I love your work. I have liked all four pages. Thanks for the chance to win!
lovely interview – definitely gleaned some great info from it 🙂 thanks so much for sharing so openly.
here is a slice of my life – my two little lovies
Wonderful article and the giveaway makes it even better:)
What a great interview!
I am a huge fan of yours,nRachel, and can't wait to get my hands on your book. Thanks so much for this interview. I'm excited to try your "two roll" exercise. Also, I totally aspire to have a house that is as clean and clutter free as yours looks in your blog
I had already "liked" two, but now I like 4! And here is a picture of my little guy in the tub.
Oops! I'm trying to submit my picture again.
Great articles and websites!
Truly inspirational! I love your work! Thanks for sharing, Rachel 🙂
Love her! This interview is great already a fan of all on FB!
Like all four on FB!
Following Beyond Snapshots on Twitter.
This is my mom and daughter watching the sunset at our cabin.
Love this interview! I 'liked' all four on Facebook
Following @beyondsnapshots on twitter:) (@danikadickson)
I am a huge fan of Rachel and here read her sesame ellis blog religiously… I would love to get some tips on how to capture our special moments together…
The "two roll" approach is genius. I will definitely try that! Thanks for the wonderful info in your interview. Attaching a photo that represents m beautiful
Oops! I meant to say – attaching a photo that represents my beautiful life!
Great insight — especially about your philosophy on blogging. I'm constantly feeling mine needs to reflect shoots I've done or advertise sessions etc and feel like I come up short / don't have enough to blog frequently enough to keep an audience plus I feel too salesy. I'm about to have a site redo and I think I'm going to go more of the route of a mixed blog– personal everyday/ travels/stuff i like/ etc. + sneak peeks and the rest of it in the mix as well. I know it's something small but thanks for helping me make up my mind on that 😉
Boy am I glad I came back to read this interview. Sometimes, I find it difficult to stay true to my style (lifestyle), so seeing a successful photographer from this niche is inspiring and motivating.
Here is a photo of my kiddos playing together and NOT arguing 🙂 It's from my 365 project.
I liked all four pages also! Thank you for this contest!
Like them all! Thanks for the giveaway.
Loved this article and following your blog now.
What a great glimpse into another photogs life and thoughts. Thanks for the wonderful interview!
I always love these interviews, and this one is no different. Your work is truly inspirational!!!!
Wow, I am just blown away when someone amazing and new to me comes along and this is without fail one of them! Thanks for sharing! Like all 4!
My twins, Presley Jack and Harper Lily. Intertwined like pretzels, in a rare and quiet moment in our house.
Thanks for the great read! Liked all four pages — would love this book!
i like you all! love the 2 roll challenge. 🙂
tweet tweet!
Here's my picture share: My two and four year old were so excited to be staying in a hotel room and couldn't believe their luck when they saw all the traffic outside our hotel room window. They quickly created their own traffic to add to the chaos they were watching outside. This is definitely one of my favorite spontaneous captures.
I like all 4 on facebook!
Thanks for the great interview!
Great article! Now off to do some blog stalking….
Here's a picture of my little girl!
oops, let's try that again!
Following @beyondsnapshots on Twitter (@drgseattle). Thanks again for the opportunity!
so excited to get my pre-ordered book in the mail soon!! LOVE LOVE LOVE Rachel's work!
your images are inspiring!
Those are beautiful images!
love my Sunday naps with this girl, hope the photo attaches this time!
Just liked Beyond Snapshots, Rachel Devine, Peta Mazey, and Clickin Moms on Facebook. Thanks, Aine
Just followed @beyondsnapshots on Twitter. Thanks. Aine
My beautiful little boy Oisin 🙂
Very inspiring, and I LOVE all the images!
Thanks for the interview! Beautiful pictures!
Loved the interview and Rachel's work, so inspiring!
Awesome interview; thanks so much for sharing with us, Rachel! Your work is so beautiful and so inspiring to me!
Thank You CM & Rachel Devine! I am very excited about my book!