📸 My Photography Journey: From High School Photo Club to Full-Time Storytelling
- Rachael Shine
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
✨ From Curiosity to Craft
If you told my high school self that one day I’d be a full-time photographer capturing love stories and laughter across the Southwest… I probably would’ve smiled through the lens of my little red Canon point-and-shoot camera and said, “Let’s hope so.” That camera saw everything — impromptu photoshoots at Walmart, abstract close-ups of broken ashtrays with colorful reflections, and every awkward, experimental photo a teenage creative could imagine.
My photography journey began not with a business plan or fancy equipment, but with curiosity and a deep love for freezing moments in time.
🎓 My Roots in Photo Club & AP Art
Joining photo club in high school was the first time I felt like I belonged to something creative. It wasn’t just about snapping pictures — it was about
looking at the world in a different way. From there, I took AP Art and started using photography as a medium to tell stories. I learned how to critique, how to develop a concept, and most importantly… how to trust my eye.
My early work wasn’t perfect (hello, selective color and too much vignetting 😅), but it was honest. And that honesty is something I’ve held onto ever since.
📷 Fast Forward to Now
These days, I’m traveling across Utah and beyond, photographing weddings, families, couples, and brands — but my “why” hasn’t changed. I still want to tell real stories. I still want you to feel something when you look at your images.
The tools have changed — full-frame cameras, edited workflows, off-camera lighting, and of course, years of learning and refinement. But that same heart behind the red point-and-shoot is still what drives me.
🧠 What I’ve Learned Along the Way
Here’s what stands out most when I look back on my photography journey:
Vision grows with you. Your eye gets sharper. Your style refines. But only with time and trust in the process.
Gear doesn’t make the artist. Experience, experimentation, and heart matter more than any lens ever could.
Connection is everything. Photos are about people. No preset can replicate that.
📈 Then vs. Now: A Snapshot Comparison
Then | Now |
Red Canon point-and-shoot | Full-frame DSLR & mirrorless gear |
Shooting for fun | Shooting for clients across Utah & Arizona |
Walmart photoshoots 🤪 | Styled shoots, weddings, family portraits, brands |
Learning what “aperture” meant | Mastering manual settings & lighting |
Editing in free apps | Curated, clean editing with pro software |
Finding my voice | Owning it — and helping others feel seen through it |
🧡 Why I’m Grateful for Every Step
Looking back makes me proud — not just of the work, but of the growth. I never rushed it. I never skipped the awkward middle. I let myself explore, improve, make mistakes, and start again. And that’s the advice I give any creative starting out: be patient with your journey.
I’m grateful for every strange little photo that helped me become the artist I am today — and even more grateful for the people who trust me to tell their stories now.
💬 Have We Worked Together?
Whether you’ve been in front of my lens recently or way back in the early days, I’d love to hear how you experienced your session! Drop a comment below or send a message — connecting with past clients is one of my favorite things.
✨ Ready to begin your own photography story? Let’s create something beautiful together.
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