The experience you’re providing to your couples on their wedding day and leading up to it is so important! I’m a big believer in turning your couples into your friends, and being their right-hand gal every moment of their big day!

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my past bride turned wedding photographer, Rachel Maudlin or Rachel Paige Photography to chat all about the wedding day experience! Listen in as we talk about her journey to becoming a wedding photographer and why the client experience a photographer provides is so important!

If you’re loving Quianna Marie Weekly, make sure you’re following the podcast on Apple Podcast App or Spotify, leave me a rating & review, and connect with me on Instagram! You can view more episodes from this podcast here.

This episode is brought to you by the Book Dream Wedding Program, launching soon. If you’re ready to book more dream wedding, make sure you’re on the waitlist for when this program goes live! Join the waitlist here!

Bride Turned Wedding Photographer (1:36)

What Rachel Looked for in a Photographer (2:36)

The Search for a Wedding Photographer (4:19)

The Importance of Comfort in a Wedding Photographer (6:41)

A Full Wedding Experience (7:49)

Emotions of Being a Bride Turned Photographer (12:45)

Rachel’s Motivation to Become a Wedding Photographer (14:55)

Things Rachel Would Change About Her Wedding Day (From a Photographer’s Perspective) (19:15)

What Rachel Wants to Work on in Her Experience (24:34)

Key Tips from Rachel (29:55)

Links
Book Dream Weddings Waitlist
rachelpaigephotography.com
instagram.com/rachelpaige.photography
facebook.com/RachelPaige.Photography/

Review the Transcript:

Quianna Marie
I couldn’t create the most perfect ideal client if I tried. Today I have the honor of introducing you to one of my beautiful brides and dream wedding experience couples. Rachel found me online through a Google search and shared the most amazing wedding experiences with me. We did it all, engagement shoot, boudoir shoot, wedding experience, and even albums to flash forward to four years later, after her wedding. Rachel is now a professional wedding and portrait photographer superhero mama of two and captures magical milestones for her dream couples and family. It’s truly an honor to introduce you to Rachel and to share her candid stories about being both in front of the camera and behind the camera. Welcome to Quianna Marie weekly, a podcast for creatives who love to celebrate wins, big or small, by dancing in the kitchen photographers who are excited to serve their clients and friends who are ready to chase really, really big dreams. You can find all the resources mentioned in this episode, Quianna murray.com/podcast. Join me as I share weekly motivation and chat about growing themes, finding genuine connection and celebrating your wins through the lens of a photographer at heart. Come join me for a dance party. Ready? Let’s go. Welcome Rachel, I am so so grateful to have you here. And I cannot wait to get this conversation going.

Rachel Mauldin
I gotta thank you for having me. I’m so excited to be here and just chat about all things photography and wedding.

Quianna Marie
Yes. And you know, it’s funny, because when I think of this podcast, and I think of this conversation, Rachel, you literally are like the one person that comes to mind that encompasses everything about this podcast, like when I think of this podcast, you are the heartbeat of being a bride, an actual real bride that I got to photograph. And then also as you are starting your family, you’re juggling a career in photography, right shooting weddings, and shooting lifestyle portraits. And so I’m just so grateful that we can have this candid conversation.

Rachel Mauldin
Yes, you’re so sweet. I’m so excited to be here and to just chat through everything and kind of relay things back from being one of your brides to now being on the other side of the camera.

Quianna Marie
Yes. Okay, so let’s dive right into your wedding. I want to like go right away into the planning process. So when you were planning your wedding, what were some things that were most important to you and Trey when it came to selecting a photographer.

Rachel Mauldin
So obviously, like everybody new to wedding planning, you’ve never really done it before. So you know, you’re jumping in, you’re so excited. We were fairly young, you know, getting married. So social media was big, and pictures, you know, have always been important to me. So I knew that I wanted a photographer that was bright and natural to how my wedding day felt I wanted my images in 20 years to look back. And like, that’s what my wedding day looked like, you know, and that I didn’t want it to be a trend are you No coloring that was on trend, I wanted to really be natural to what I felt and what I looked like on my wedding day. So that was super important. But I think the number one thing that was important to train, I was finding somebody whose personality really meshed with ours. And I knew was going to bring the energy to our wedding that was needed. We had a huge wedding, a lot of college friends, and a lot of family. I’m Italian on both sides of my family. So you know, having about 200 people and a lot of you know, fun music, we knew that it was going to be that type of environment. And we really wanted to make sure that the person who was there and a part of our wedding day and with us majority of our wedding day, really vibed with us and had the personality that we knew we could get along with and we would trust on our wedding day.

Quianna Marie
Yes, and that is so important. I always tell my couples, even if they don’t pick me, I always let them know, hey, guess what your wedding photographer is going to be with you more hours of the day than your partner. Right? Like? Absolutely. That’s crazy. Okay, so I want to hear the process about your search. Right. So because I know I want to share with everyone that we I mean, you found me off Google, right. Like we had no prior friendships or connections. There was no referral for us. So how about that process to find me?

Rachel Mauldin
Yeah, so I think unless you have referrals, I think every kind of bride starts with like a quick Google search, right? A Bay Area wedding photographer or whatever basic thing you get started, right? And you start looking at all these portfolios. And then you start to see that there’s different styles that photographers have, which if you’re not a photographer, you don’t always know that there’s different styles out there. So you start looking and I was kind of doing my research and your website came across just on Google. And I was like, wow, this is beautiful. Those images really do look natural, and they look fun and they look full of energy. And they look like they are captured not only in the moment, but like I said, when you look back you’re gonna say oh, yeah, that’s what my wedding felt like. So that was really the first initial thing that caught my eye. So I think I reached out On your website, and then I got, you know, response back and go, Let’s chat a little bit, we talked about where our wedding was, and how many people were gonna be there. And I think we just went back and forth a little bit. And then when we met up in person, I mean, that just kind of sealed the deal for us. I think we met at Starbucks, on my heart through some coffee. And like I said, the personality aspect was just so big for us, when we met you, it really just felt like we had known you for years, it just was this instant, we just instantly trusted you, we instantly felt like we were longtime friends. Like it was our first time meeting. It was comfortable. It was enjoyable. Not to mention, obviously, your beautiful images. But besides that, your personality and your friendliness and your experience, I think that was given to us, just from the beginning, even from the first email really set it for us. And I was like, This is it. I mean, I, I trust this person, I want her there on my wedding day. I wanna hang out with

Quianna Marie
her. Yeah. Oh, my gosh, that’s amazing. And I, I’m so happy. You mentioned that, because I feel like that’s kind of a struggle with a lot of photographers, when they, they are good people. They’re super passionate. A lot of them have great images. But how do they match what they have in real life online? Right. So I think we quickly kind of bridge that gap by just saying, hey, let’s just grab a coffee, let’s just see if this is a match. And I know, in my personal experience, too, especially as I’ve become a seasoned photographer, and I’ve been doing this for years, it’s almost an interview process for both of us. Right? So absolutely. For the photographer, and the clients is making sure that we do vibe and that and that we get along and that we understand each other since a humor and yeah, we just are just comfortable with each other. That is so important.

Rachel Mauldin
Yeah. And I think for me, it’s you know, on your wedding day, you’re spending, like you said, so much time, I think I probably spent more time with you, you know, on my wedding day than I did with Trey, and even leading up to the wedding day, I spent more time with you. And so it’s like, you want to have somebody that you feel comfortable with that you feel yourself around that you don’t feel you have to, you know, question like, Okay, are you getting what I want? Are you photographing me how I want to be photographed, I feel like it’s just really important for you guys to know each other, like on a personal level, to just create an overall good experience. Because I mean, it’s the wedding day. For me, it was my wedding day, it was the best day of my life. You know, besides having my kids now, but it was, you know, for me, it’s like, I wanted that day to just feel so great. And you know, it started with choosing a great photographer.

Quianna Marie
Yes, oh, I love that so much. And we actually had a whole bunch of touch points prior to your wedding day. So we got to do your engagement session, we also got to do a super beautiful boudoir session too. And so I kind of want to talk about that a little bit as far as the entire wedding experience. And just I don’t know, like, let’s just chat about that, and kind of how that impacted your experience. And tell me about it. Like, what about it?

Rachel Mauldin
I think we did it all, like you said, we started with our engagement. And with that, I mean, Trey and I have done, you know, photos together a couple photos before. So it wasn’t necessarily our first time stepping in front of the camera together. But it was our first time you know, with a photographer celebrating our wedding, you know, with my engagement ring on my finger. And I really just dove in and trust you, you know, you’ve suggested the beach, which Trey loved because he’s from Southern California. So he was like, she’s already got brownie points, let’s go to the beach. So we dove in there, you know, you walked us through posing and you know, things that we wouldn’t necessarily know how to do you know, when we stand to take pictures together. So all those tips kind of prepared us and our engagement shoot. I mean, it was dreaming, the photos are still printed on my wall today. Because there’s some of our fit my favorite photos and Trey and I. And you know after that when he reached out and he said you do boot off it yourself. Wow. That’s not anything I’ve ever thought about doing. But I know my husband and I know he would love it. So why not celebrate this part of our you know, of our marriage and where we are in our life. And looking back now after having two kids, I’m so glad that I did that. And he loved it. I mean, it was the best, you know, best gift he received on the morning of the wedding. But it just helped I think not only our relationship, but with trade too. Because he wasn’t as involved in that like planning process. But having those moments with you really helped prepare us for our wedding day, because I already felt like we were friends. The first time we met, then through all those things, you know, took pictures of me, you know, for my husband. So after that we really were best.

Quianna Marie
Close real fast.

Rachel Mauldin
And by the time we got to our wedding day, it was just so natural and so organic. And you know, I just trusted you and everything just felt like leading up to that moment really did create a full experience to where, you know, we had all these touch points. We kept talking you delivered beautiful images after beautiful images. And then by the time our wedding came, I mean I had no no doubt in my mind. I just trusted you fully. And I knew I knew what to expect because the images that you had already delivered to us were beautiful and the experiences you’ve already provided. were amazing. So I just knew our wedding was gonna follow suit.

Quianna Marie
That makes my heart so happy. Oh my goodness. So looking back on your wedding day. I love asking this question. What was your favorite moment and maybe an unexpected favorite moment on your wedding day?

Rachel Mauldin
Yeah, I think there was so many great moments, they all say that everyone told me like, prepare for something to go wrong, you know, just to have that in your mind. But to be honest, nothing really went too wrong on our wedding day, which was great. We had a lot of friends and family there. But for me, and I know being a photographer, now, it’s so hard to say. But we didn’t do a first look in train, I knew that we didn’t want to do a first look, because we really wanted to wait for that like moment, seeing each other down the aisle. Obviously, I was not a photographer back then. So I didn’t understand the point of doing a first look early. But for me when I turn that corner in solitary for the first time, and I had my dad with me. And that was kind of the moment where it just everything stopped, the world kind of stopped. And I just felt so grateful and grateful one to have my dad by my side, because as you know, I wasn’t sure if that was going to be a possibility at one point. So having him there with me, was amazing. Having him walking down the aisle, and then turning the corner and seeing Trey who you know, has been my college sweetheart for, you know, six, seven years, I think at that point. And I knew, Okay, I’m going to be his wife, like so soon. And we’re going to take this next step in our life. And for me, that was the moment where I just kind of sat in it for a second and and has to be, I think, my favorite moment of my wedding day.

Quianna Marie
I love that. And I feel like that is honestly the whole point of the wedding. Right? Like, I think we get, we get so excited. We get so wrapped up in these Pinterest images and these visions and all of the tiny, tiny details. And then you realize, wait a minute, it really is about the ceremony. Like this is why we’re all gathered today. Yeah. And you get to just look at your future and say, This is it like we made it here. Yeah. And that is just so beautiful.

Rachel Mauldin
Yeah, that moment just really stood out. And when I looked around to I saw all of our family and our friends and everybody was just there to celebrate us and to enjoy us. And that moment for me was just kind of the the icing on the cake.

Quianna Marie
That’s beautiful. And I I’m just so happy. I’m spelling over here, because I was there like you were there for it. We have the pictures to prove it. And oh, it was just a beautiful, beautiful day. Now moving forward, as we’re kind of flashing to today, now that you have stepped into the role behind the camera as a photographer, and I will say a very just incredible, incredible photographer. I love your work, Rachel. Every day, it’s just I see it and I’m like, Oh my gosh,

Rachel Mauldin
I’m so impressed. That means so much to me.

Quianna Marie
So okay, now that you have, like now that you’re stepping behind the camera, what were like, what are some of your first reactions? Like when you’re shooting weddings yourself? Like, what are some thoughts that just flood your mind as a photographer now?

Rachel Mauldin
Yeah, it definitely is so different to be on the other side of the camera than being a bride. Right? There’s so much more that goes into it, then brides know, you know, and I hate to say I probably should be like, Oh, and you such a bigger thank you that I gave you on that day. Because now that I’m a photographer like wow, you know, the photographers do so much. You’re not just the photographer, you’re making sure things are staying, you know, onto time and you’re making sure that the bride is happy and that they have everything they need. And like I said, I think that kind of goes with how you provided such a good experience. And that’s something that I take with me. And that’s something I want to make sure I provide because I knew what I expected on my wedding day and I knew what I wanted and what was important to me. And I try to take that into weddings that I shoot, you know, what can I do to really help this bride be comfortable, be excited, not be stressed, just enjoy her day. And trust me, trust me as a photographer to capture these moments without her having to say, oh, did you get that? Or oh, you know, can you make sure you get that detail? Just I want her to be comfortable and confident for the bride and the groom to know that their day is going to be captured just how they would want it to be.

Quianna Marie
Yes, yes, I I remember right after I think your second shot when your first weddings after your wedding. And you sent me this text and it was a Sweetest Thing, Rachel and you told me I can’t believe how hard you worked on my wedding. I couldn’t believe all that, like all the fires you put out that I didn’t even realize and just I think it’s just a whole perspective. Right? So that was that was awesome.

Rachel Mauldin
It is it’s such a different perspective being on that side and seeing like I said from just even all the vendors and just looking from such a different perspective of the people that make your wedding day happen that when you’re in it, you know you’re not seeing all this stuff, like you said happened behind the scenes. You know, I’m not seeing you, you know, gather the rowdy groomsmen to get the photos because you know I missed all that. But when I saw my photos, I was like, Oh my gosh, they’re beautiful, you know, and then like wow, she probably was really wrangling them to get

Quianna Marie
them together. Yeah. Oh my gosh, I love that. I love that so much. And tell us how how did you start pursuing in weddings? So is this something that you’ve always wanted? You was it after your wedding that you thought oh man, I want to do this for others or what kind of is the driving factor behind becoming a wedding photographer?

Rachel Mauldin
A little bit of everything. So I’ve always He was the one who had a camera on me at all times, like when the hot pink like point and shoot cameras were the thing to have in middle school in high school. I always had my and I had it everywhere I went, I think I forced my friends to take more pictures than they wanted to take. They’re probably grateful for them now because we lost but I was just always that that person that had my camera with me and was always taking photos. Now as I got older, I never saw it as something as a career. I just always enjoyed it, it was something that I enjoy doing at family parties. You know, I just always had a camera tray also enjoyed photography growing up. So we took a photography class together actually in college. And that was really fun. We bought, I think I had like a real starter crop sensor camera. And that’s where we started and we both really enjoyed it. We kind of bonded over it in our class, we’d go out and take pictures together in college and just you know, trees and whatever else. A dog maybe just had fun that way. And then after my wedding, I just fell in love with weddings in general, which I think I’ve always loved weddings, also, tre loves to remind me you would sit and watch you know, for weddings or Say Yes to the Dress for hours. I don’t know. Remember that. But for hours, I’m like, You’re right, I would because I just love all things weddings. And so when I kind of thought about the two, I’m like, Okay, well, maybe this is something that I could, you know, pursue. And I know, like I said, the experience, part of it is something that I knew I wanted to provide because of what I’ve received on my wedding day, you know, I think every bride should receive that type of experience where they just look back and are just glowing. And they just love every moment of their wedding day. And then they love their gallery when it gets sent to them, you know, and you go back to them. I’m still posting wedding pictures. And I think we’re going on almost four years of marriage now. You know, that to me was kind of where it started. Now I got into more lifestyle, family photography to start, I think when my niece was born that kind of spiraled my love for kids and capturing the first baby and our, you know, family, my niece, and from there it kind of just rolled and rolled and then when I decided to take the leap into weddings, it was scary. I mean, it was definitely, you know, a big jump. And I’m like, you know, can I do this a lot of self doubt. But for me, I just knew that that’s where I wanted to go. And I, for me, that was important. I knew what I could provide to my clients. And I knew I was going to do whatever I had to take to get there, whether that’s education experience, whatever it may be. I just knew that that is where I wanted my career to go. Yes, I

Quianna Marie
love that. And I feel like we have very similar stories with just wanting to not just take pictures. I feel like this. And I know this just because I know you so well. But it’s not just about pulling out your camera. It’s about wanting to be around the ones you love your friends and your family and creating reasons to take pictures, right. So I feel like that is something we absolutely share. It’s just kind of like in the fabric of our hearts and who we are women were. It’s not just about taking pictures, right? It’s about hosting and gathering and just creating those memories is really what it’s all about. I love that wedding photographers. If you’re feeling frustrated and confused, wishing you had more Ingres and dream weddings on your calendar. I got you. I’m launching book a dream weddings. And this may be the answer to your prayers. I know you are passionate about weddings and your gorgeous work speaks for itself. You’re friendly and go above and beyond for your couples yet still struggle with filling your calendar with Dream weddings. This program is the mack daddy of all online coaching and courses. You’ll have weekly access to me directly to answer your burning questions, discuss strategies that boost organic referrals and keep the motivation and encouragement flooding. In addition to one on one coaching. We’ll also have weekly group coaching parties, like mini masterminds to bounce ideas and share real wedding experiences, as well as videos and workbooks to help you learn in your own pace. It’s the cluster of online learning that we’re all craving. Let me help you book your next wedding from your next wedding. Click over to the show notes to get on the waitlist today. I’m so thankful you’re one of the first to hear about this. So now that we are now it was I should say now that you’re starting to shoot weddings, and you are gaining so much confidence with it. And I mean, I’m just I’m obsessed with all of your work. What are some things that you as a photographer now from like that photographer thinking cap, but you would do differently on your wedding day. So if you were planning it all over again from a photographer’s perspective, how would you want it to play out?

Rachel Mauldin
It’s funny that you say that because there’s not too many things. I mean, I I love every image I would say I know first look is super important. But like I said that moment for me coming down the aisle was something I loved. So I don’t think that’s something I would change. I would say I probably could have like packed up my details better for you. I’m like now that I’m thinking about it. I’m like I don’t even think I gave her everything. I think I just had my sister fights. Like she was like going crazy that morning with my 12 bridesmaids in the room. And you know it’s a little things like that. But overall when I look back at my wedding, I loved every moment of my wedding from a photographer and from a bride’s point perspective, you know, there’s technical things like I’m sure the lighting was a little difficult inside, or you know, those those little technical things. But again, the gallery that I received from you was, those things didn’t even show, it just literally looked exactly how it felt. And the joy that we both felt on our wedding day, is just shown in all my images. So there really isn’t too much that I would say I would change about my wedding day, one thing I tried to remind myself on my wedding day was not to focus on the small details, you know, the planning is done. If something goes wrong, something goes wrong, you know, it’s fine. It is what it is. And that’s something I always like to tell my couples too, you know, once you get to the wedding day, your work is done. You You’ve planned for this, you’ve worked so hard for this, take a deep breath, and just enjoy your day because it goes so fast. You know, and you’ll look back. And like I said, we’re going on for years, I don’t even know how that’s possible. You know, and it just, it just flies by so to just enjoy the moments and don’t stress about the small details. Because in the moment, that’s not, you know, that’s not important.

Quianna Marie
Absolutely. And that’s one thing I always tell my couples to, most of the time when something goes wrong, if something like if there’s a catastrophe or something is not correct on a wedding day, typically, it’s only the couple if not only the bride, but actually even notice. Right? So I mean, if the food and the catering doesn’t show up, or if the DJ, right, like there’s something super catastrophic. That happens, of course, people will find out but for the most part, those tiny details, like it’s all in the details. Yeah.

Rachel Mauldin
And they just, you know, those small things people don’t notice they’re there to watch you and watch you and your, you know, your bride and groom be one and come together as one. It’s such a monumental moment in so many couples lives. And it’s important for their parents, it’s important for the grandparents that are present. So it’s really not about those tiny details. But I know as a bride when you’re thinking about wedding planning, I remember I was really stressing about like, our table numbers didn’t come in. So I had to get these you know, other table numbers last minute and I’m like, Oh my gosh, everyone’s gonna hate them. Nobody even looked at what our table numbers. So, you know, thinking back, I was so stressed, you know, like a week before the wedding. And then when it got that time, I’m like, oh, okay, well, no one gave everything because everything else was pretty around it. Nope,

Quianna Marie
everything was beautiful. And I kind of want to kind of go back to what you just mentioned too, about being joyful, and being happy on your wedding day and letting things just fall through. That’s so so important. Because as a photographer, my main concern is just making sure that you guys are stress free and happy. Because when you’re when I have couples that are stressed and antsy and fidgety with dresses, or trying to make their hair perfect, and you can just see the frustration on their faces. And you can just see that and that is the feeling that you’re going to have in those photos forever. Yeah, if we can just like let loose, just let things roll and just really enjoy your person. And this is why I say I make a joke about it. But picking your vendors actually is not the most important thing on your wedding day, the most important thing on your wedding day is picking the right person. Because

Rachel Mauldin
that is number one.

Quianna Marie
It’s true. Because if that if you have fun with each other, if you can laugh, and truly just dance and enjoy each other’s presence with just the two of you. And then with your families. There’s there’s no way ever that any photographer could take a crappy photo, because you just are exuding joy, so much love and so much joy. Yeah, and that

Rachel Mauldin
is one thing that I I love too about our you know, our wedding, you can attest to it with quite the party, once the evening started in a you know, he was just joyful is the perfect explanation. You know, I felt I could still just remember the joy that I felt in that moment, celebrating with all of our friends and family, you know, family that from Southern California that we don’t get to see as much. And those things that it just was everybody in one place. And it was joyful, and we were happy. And that does translate over to our images. You know, when I look back at our galleries, it’s like, wow, we just look so happy, you know, on our wedding day. And it’s because we were we truly were.

Quianna Marie
Yes. And and you’re absolutely right. You can see it in your photos. And I love that we can keep reliving those pictures. Yes. Still. Oh my goodness. So tell me more. I want to tap into wedding photography a little bit more. And what are some things that are maybe unsurprising overwhelming to you. So anything that you’re trying to work on or something that that I can help with or things moving forward that you’re like, I really need to work on this as I continue shooting something that maybe as a bride you just like you said you had no idea no idea.

Rachel Mauldin
I think for me one thing I mentioned it a lot but I always kind of use you as the gold standard of experience of overall experience of the day and your personality is infectious. Anyone that knows you knows that you know you instantly feel like best friends instantly build this trust. And I think for me that’s always in the back of my mind of okay. How would you know Quianna be you know how she was on my wedding day. How would she Am I making her proud because I know how important those type of things are. And like I said, I want my couples to feel like you made Trey and I feel on our wedding day. So from like an experience standpoint, that’s something that I feel like I’m constantly striving for, you know, how can I serve my clients better not just as a photographer, but as a friend, as somebody that they can lean on somebody that they can, you know, ask help bustling their dress, or, you know, help with my shoot, whatever it is on the wedding day, you know, like, How can I go above and beyond from an experience standpoint, to make sure that they’re getting, you know, everything that they deserve on their wedding day? So that’s one thing. And like I said, I do look to you all the time. So I guess what are your tips? Or what do you suggest or look for when you’re really trying to make sure you deliver? Like the best experience possible for your clients?

Quianna Marie
Yeah, absolutely. And I feel like you totally hit on the head earlier talking about communication, and talking about creating those expectations. So I know. And it’s funny, because now that I’m tapping into education, and I’m launching this whole new program, all these things are happening. And I kind of had a breakdown. What are the strategies that I’m doing or that I’m providing that aren’t just because I’m a nice person? Right? Because, and it’s funny, because and I’m getting a little off, you know, off cuff here, but I remember talking to my mom about getting in getting into education, and she’s like, how are you going to change people’s personalities? Right, like, are some people that just they vibe, and some don’t? And that’s totally fine. But I’ve learned through the years that you’re absolutely right, it is stepping up, it’s been a friend, always putting people first. And I, I always kind of have that golden rule to where it’s, how would I like to be treated? How would I like to be taken care of, and I know, I have really high expectations. And then those the ones I love around me too, I can’t help it. But yes, it absolutely comes down to people and, and I feel like our cameras are simply a tool. And we’re we’re on this wedding day to provide a service. But I love going above and beyond that, and making those connections, making those friendships. And it just like you said, like, being able to share all these touch points of these of the wedding experience. And now I love that, even though you guys, you know, you and Trey are gonna be married forever and have the most beautiful babies. I still get to work with you as a photographer, like I still get to second shoot with you, I still get to experience life with you. And that is just the coolest thing.

Rachel Mauldin
Yes, it was definitely fun. And I know we’re a little off topic. But when I second shot with you for that wedding, you know, a few months ago it to me, I was like, Oh my gosh, we have come full circle. This is so amazing to be standing next to you, you know and shooting this wedding with you when I just thought you were shooting my wedding. And you know, and here we are and seeing a whole different side, you know, not just you as a photographer as a vendor, but as a friend. And as you know, somebody in the industry who sets really high standards. To me, I feel like for the people in this industry, and I think that it was just such a great experience that you know, I just was kind of in awe like all day watching. Okay, you know, I felt like a little kid in a candy store. I could watch on a shoe all day.

Quianna Marie
So funny. I love I love that you’re obsessed like as much as I am.

Rachel Mauldin
I am I like I’m it’s probably like a little overly obsessed. But that’s okay.

Quianna Marie
I love it. It’s like you said it’s all about weddings. It’s about love. And we’re just hopeless romantics and I love it. Yes. I love we are. Yes. Okay, so Rachel, how can everybody find you? Like, I mean, obviously, you and I were instant best friends as soon as they hit that coffee shop. In fact, I have to mention that once you start following Rachel, you have to check out her cute little family. After our conversation at Starbucks right before you guys officially said yes, I literally had to go in my car and Google and Steph Curry like has a brother because Trey looks just like him. I think he’s a little

Rachel Mauldin
cute. We get that everywhere we go. And now that I have a son, so my son’s two and he is traced when and and he is obsessed with basketball just like my husband is. So everywhere we go, you know, we get stopped to ask and not even to mention, if I put them in a warrior shirt. I’m like, I think we get stumped everywhere we go. But I am blessed with my adorable kids. And they’re so fun and so much personality. So you will see bits and pieces of them, you know, on my Instagram. And like I’m a handful being a mom of two, almost under two. So besides that, though, I I’m located in Concord, so I serve the entire Bay Area right now. And I’m kind of even starting serving the Southern California region. As I mentioned earlier, we have family down there. So now that I’m doing photography full time, which is amazing. It gives us a little bit more freedom to travel and serve some clients down near or other family members. So entire Bay Area as well as Southern California area. And then of course my website and Instagram.

Quianna Marie
That’s amazing. And everything will be located in the show notes for everyone to easily click and find you and just become best friends instantly. Yeah. And in closing, I love asking all of my podcast guests if you have any key tips, and I think it would be kind of fun. I know I’m totally just like taking advantage of you but I would love to hear a key tip that you have from a brides perspective, but also a key tip from a photographer like a photography perspective.

Rachel Mauldin
Absolutely. So from a brides perspective If I would say, Take every moment that you can to get captured by your photographer and spend time with your photographer before your wedding day. So, like you mentioned boudoir photos earlier, I wasn’t super sure that that was something that I could do, I knew was something I wanted to do. I wasn’t sure how that would translate over into an image. But that moment, I think, for me built so much not only trust with you but comfortability, you know, and I was able to say, Oh, this is great, you know, like, this is amazing, I trusted you. And I knew that that was just one more important step in preparing for our wedding day. So I would say spend time with your photographer, when you can do the engagement session, make sure that you feel comfortable, and just spend time together so that when it comes to your wedding day, it’s not this awkward, like, hi, you know, here you are in the most important day of my life, you know, just really important to make sure that that that relationship is built, I think prior to your wedding day, from a photographer standpoint, and I want to say that you probably told me this like two years ago, but it’s something I always say, as well is invest in your education. I am I’m a learner, just by trade, I’ve gone to, you know, have my bachelor’s degree, my master’s degree, I just enjoy learning in general. So for me diving into education was the first step. A lot of people want to jump into, I think getting experience, which is also important. But I think the education is a lot more important. Because you’re able to get the technical side of photography, you’re able to understand, you know how to shoot at different locations, how to work with the light, how to, you know, work with crazy groomsmen, whatever it may be, but just indulging in the education that is offered out there. And like you said, your education is starting. So it’s a great starting point for photographers, but just really take that moment to invest in it and so that you’re prepared when it comes to a big day. You don’t want to necessarily disappoint somebody on their wedding day, because you weren’t prepared yourself.

Quianna Marie
Oh, yes. My heart. I’m over here, like, all the like hand clapping emojis. Yeah, and that’s, that’s true. Like, that’s the root of having a stress free wedding day, is we always put so much emphasis on the bride and the couple of trying to get them to be stress free. But truly, the heartbeat of the wedding is on your yourself. Yeah, and as a photographer, so if you are feeling stressed free if you’re feeling confident, if you’re feeling like you can just, you can take on anything that gets thrown at you that day. And I know that comes with experience. But yes, having that education and constant constant earning for learning is so important. Oh my goodness. Well, thank you so much, Rachel, I absolutely appreciate your time. I know you’re a busy mama on the go. Trying to catch a little podcast between nap time, so I just cannot be more grateful.

Rachel Mauldin
Well, thank you so much for having me. It was such a joy. As always. I’m so proud of you for all you’ve done and accomplished and I just can’t wait to see you keep growing.

Quianna Marie
Thank you. That’s a wrap on another episode of Quianna Murray weekly. Thank you so much for your listenership and support. You can find the resources and show notes for this episode and more at quiannamurray.com/podcast. I’d be honored and so grateful if you showed your support by leaving a review and rating on your favorite podcast app. Until next time, keep on dancing