Rachael’s passion for photography as focused as ever

When she was younger, Rachael Parker thought doing photography for a living may crush her passion for taking pictures.

But seven years after starting her own business, Rachael K Photography, the young St Andrews mum happily concedes that the opposite has happened.

“I really love what I do, whether it’s newborn babies, christenings or weddings,’’ Rachael says during an interview with the South West Voice.

Like most young people, Rachael wasn’t sure what career to pursue after finishing Year 12 at John Therry High School.

So off she went to Sydney University where she did Liberal Studies for about a year.

At the time Rachael, who had also attended St Johns Campbelltown and St Thomas Moore, was still working part time in the busy photo lab in David Wilson’s chemist in Queen Street.

She had also done some work experience in the graphic arts department of the Macarthur Advertiser, where her mother, Barbara Smith, the legendary real estate saleswoman, worked for many years.

But Rachael also did photography in Year 11 and 12 at John Therry, so there were a few signs pointing towards a certain career path.

“I remember taking the photography course at school even though it didn’t count towards anything – I was just interested in it,’’ Rachael says.

“And I found out I really liked it, and then worked at the photo lab, so that’s where it all started.’’

At some point during her first year at Sydney University Rachael decided photography was the right move for her after all.

“I gave up uni – it wasn’t going anywhere – and ended up getting a fulltime job at Fletchers Fotographics at Liverpool,’’ she says.

“I was there for about four or five years, then went to work in their Bankstown store.

“So that was where I started learning because I had to research everything as part of my job, and this led to me doing my fun stuff, shooting on slides, and eventually I ended up going my way,’’ Rachael said.

“The shop in Bankstown was going to be closing anyway, so I went, right, I really like taking photos, people were paying me when I did a bit of work on the side doing family stuff, new babies, parties, so I thought I will give this a bit of a go.’’

Rachael K Photography was on its way.

“I started getting some agency work at first, all over the metro area, from Penrith to Cronulla,’’ Rachael says.

“Eventually I got sick of the travel, then I had my daughter and had some time off, so thought I have time to do my own jobs a little bit closer to home.’’

Rachael K Photography – the K is from her middle name, Kay – offers a wide service for the people of Macarthur and beyond.

“We do everything, new born maternity sessions, weddings, which I really enjoy, and christenings, baby showers, birthdays, they’re massive now, everyone’s doing them.

“But we also do church communions and confirmations, there’s lots of those these days, too.’’

“I also do corporate work.’’ [the South West Voice first met Rachael while she and an offsider were shooting at Aussie Campbelltown in their new premises in Campbelltown Mall].

So, I ask Rachael, how is the photography business going?

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It’s going good. It’s enough to keep me really busy, which I like,’’ she replies.[/social_quote]

“And I also have my four and a half year old daughter to look after at home.’’

What do your clients say about your work, do they like it?

“That’s what they tell me and based on the referral work I get I am assuming they like what I’m doing,’’ Rachael says.

“I pretty much work on word of mouth, not that I am against advertising, plus I am trying to keep up with the workload and I don’t need any more.’’

♦ If you’d like more information visit Rachael K Photography on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RachaelKPhotography/