20 Questions with Blush Photo & Film
Have you ever been in a job and just know that its not what you’re meant to be doing with your life. Like theres something more, something else you are totally passionate about and would love to do day to day? Well Rachel felt that way working in her corporate job for 12 years, then took the leap of faith and went back to her childhood dream of owning her own business and becoming a wedding photographer a ‘Capture Queen’.
If you look at her work its insane to think that just 2 years ago she wasn’t doing this for a job - Rachel is insanely talented and her eye to capture the perfect wedding moments is a gift!
WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BUSINESS AND WHAT INDUSTRY ARE YOU IN?
Blush Pink Photo & Film // Wedding Industry
HOW LONG HAS YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BEEN RUNNING?
A little over 2 years - Launched in May 2018
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Since a young age I've always know and had a burning desire to own my own business one day. Even during school years I had side hustles, so it's always been a part of me! I left my 12 year corporate career to pursue my own business in Photo & Film; Two of which were Chevy Chevell Productions - Specialising in Brand Content Creation & Weddings + Carousel Film House - Specialising in Children & Family films. It was clear that after doing this for 5 years living in the romance of Love & Weddings was my the one that lit up my life!
DO YOU STILL WORK FULL TIME ANYWHERE ELSE?
My soul work is with my business Blush Pink! I was able to get straight in to my business as I had financial funds from both a previous well paid 12 year career and by selling a property I had purchased 10 years earlier!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST FINANCIAL INVESTMENT YOU'VE MADE IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Two big players! Firstly, Investing in an 10 day overseas workshop with my Photographers Inspiration @tali_Photography, this was life changing for me, it took my craft to new heights and gave me the confidence I needed. Something I did not anticipate was the credibility & connections to Gown Designers in the industry & Future Couples that had seen me work along side Tali Photography. Secondly, employing a Social Media Guru! Knowing where and how to market when you enter an industry is daunting. I knew that Instagram in particular, was where Brides spent their time planning their wedding and finding vendors. Apart from friends and word of mouth, Instagram is 80% of my bookings. We all know instagram requires a hell of a lot of time, repetition and now has ever-changing back end strategies. This is something I was not willing to pour my own time in to but knew it would be the best marketing and sales for my business. I am a Capture Queen, not a Social Media Queen so my best advice is - stay in your zone of genius and find a way to get other genius's to do what they do best in the rest!
DID YOU INVEST IN BRANDING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR BUSINESS?:
Initially I did it myself to get the ball rolling. I knew it wasn't forever and had to let go of perfectionism and just start. After a year I knew what I stood for, my style, my client, many things fell in to place and I re-branded - this was most definitely a highlight of the year so far. I absolutely love the new branding and the couples I am drawing to Blush Pink because of it!
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU REGRET OR WISH YOU HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Honestly, no. Resilience is a mentality you must possess in business. When I first started out I wanted to have all the answers, what should my pricing be, who is my perfect client, where should i invest my marketing spend etc. etc. however after a few years I've realised these questions are answered in good time and after certain events that happen where you just have to make the best possible decision you can right there and then. Always remember, nothing is permanent so don't be afraid to change it in the future. Sure, I have made decisions that I kicked myself for hours after but these are the moments you and your business grow stronger, so looking back I wouldn't change a thing!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Flexibility & Creativity. I design my own days, how I work and when I work.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Doing it on your own, without a sparring partner. A shout out to my husband, family & friends that have been there to talk things out with me - you need them!
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT?:
Firstly building a business takes time and just to be okay with that. Secondly, don’t be afraid to lean on people, source the strengths in other that you may not possess. You’ll be tempted to wear all hats - legal, accounting, marketing, sales and we haven’t even got to what your actual skill in the business is. The sooner you accept this the better.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR SELLING YOUR PRODUCT SERVICE?
Instagram engagement with future brides & tagging vendors for them to repost and share with their audience.
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO ORIGINALLY INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR SIDE HUSTLE?
Initially my father when I was very young. He and most of my family are all business owners so for us it's almost been stranger not to start our own business and be working for someone else
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ELSE STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE?
If you want it bad enough, you will always find a way to make it work.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
For those of you that have never done Cliftons Strengths I highly recommend it. It reveals the order of your strengths and you how to use them to thrive! Apart from this being a great tool for both you and those around you my lowest strength is "consistency" therefore it will come of no surprise that I have no such thing as a Typical day haha! Which is also exactly how I like it ;-) My “time" however is spent photo & film editing, preparing social content, communication with couples, location scouts and creating new business ideas. This is mixed in with interior decorating my home, DIY project, gardening, time with my husband and puppy, watching romantic comedy films, Marco Poloing my close girlfriends and my absolute favourite - capturing weddings on weekends & scrolling through pinterest creating mood boards for styled shoots! This is my life, the life I designed and I love every single day!!!
HOW HAS LIFE CHANGED NOW THAT YOUR PURSUING YOUR PASSION AND LIVING YOUR DREAM?
I now live that exact life I dreamed up many years ago when I was working for someone else.
HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN MADE TO PIVOT OR ADAPT SINCE COVID19? DO YOU OFFER DIFFERENT SERVICES/PRODUCTS NOW?
Yes, we have definitely had to become more flexible and understanding to many couples and how restrictions have impacted plans for their day, and of course as vendors we are the roll on effect from that. Jobkeeper and government support has been a huge help in being able to lean in to financially leniency for couples - we have reduced deposit amounts and wavered cancellation & postponement fees. We really are all feeling it in someway or another, so we have just tried to give each situation extra consideration.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN 5 YEARS?
I definitely see myself more as a Reese Witherspoon soul, always doing and trying different business ideas, not just living in one :-) Blush Pink is just around the corner from where I always envisaged it would be, and that is a boutique brand with a Luxe style that both Couples & Gown Designers can enjoy from Australia to Europe! I also have several other business ideas that I would love to explore in the future :-)
BEST TIP FOR BUILDING/GROWING A COMMUNITY/FOLLOWING ONLINE?:
Engagement with your audience and target market. Repetition is key, post at least 4 times per week and 4 stories consistently! Ask your audience questions - they love polls and having a say! This helps both you when you need to know what they want to see more of and keeps them engaged!
ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU, YOUR BUSINESS, OR BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN GENERAL?:
I don't watch the news, I spend time creating my own. I don't read books, there's too much visual goodness on pinterest. I have a house cleaner, whilst working on my business. I purchased my very first Chanel bag last week, because it's what I had been work towards for the past 2 years. I get out of bed at 8am everyday, because it's one of the things I feel most grateful for everyday. I work every weekend, and have whatever hours off I want during the week. These are just some of my goals that I wrote in my initial vision of creating my own business and how I wanted to live my life. Get specific and know what you want in ALL areas of your life. They all fuel one another. Soon enough you'll be able to look back and see that you got what you wished for and have the power to do that again for your future.
HOW DO YOU REST, RECHARGE?:
I have made my home a "holiday-at-home" style interior so I enjoy this to the fullest when I need to rest! And if I really need a full recharge I head straight for The Atlantic at Byron Bay for a few days!
ONCE COVID IS ALL OVER WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO?:
France & Italy! Capturing weddings and editorial in these countries is also in the business plan :-)
http://www.blushpinkphotoandfilm.com
Insta: @blushpink_photoandfilm
