Meet Rachel N. Lagrange | Creative & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel N. Lagrange and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel N., have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Since starting this journey into photography, I’ve grown throughout all areas, personally and professionally. Finished a bachelor degree, had multiple children, moved around a lot. All of this while also struggling with finding a (full or part -time) job that works with all of the needs each new responsibility life brings.

Over time, the balance of work versus life has changed where I definitely put more value in the quality of my work, rather than quantity, so that I can focus more on life. Taking higher quality photographs means less time creating heaps of mediocre work. More time can be spent making memories with my family, and enjoying where I am.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Right now, I mostly focus on Landscape, Macro and Nature photography. My interests are all across the map; I still do some styled shoots, as well as creative portraits and edits here and there. However, being able to take gorgeous photos of little moments everywhere I go is definitely a source of excitement for me. Especially when I get to share them!

My love for photography started when I was very young and would take several Fujifilm disposable cameras along to summer camps. Then it grew even more with a simple point and shoot digital camera. Eventually, I earned my first DSLR right after graduating high school, and I realized that this was something I wanted to keep up with. And so the hunger for learning everything I could about photography began.

I mostly taught myself through trial and error with help from internet tutorials, and had a giant leap of growth when I decided to take some college classes and experiment with dark room printing. Around then was when I decided that I was good enough to be a professional.

A lot of my family and friends were celebrating at this point because they had been telling me to make the jump for years. Unfortunately, I had been letting Imposter Syndrome keep me from reaching higher goals. It has definitely been a constant battle over the years, with lots of ups and downs.

However, I realize more and more that even before, I had the capability and skills to do this all along. Now, I am able to appreciate it everyday when I can show people the beauty of a raindrop on a petal, or how gorgeous they look when they trust me to take their photograph. I am finally letting myself do exactly what I believe I am meant to do.

Sharing beautiful moments.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were coming into town for a week, we would definitely have to visit places for the big three: History, Nature, and Food.

Starting in Downtown Baton Rouge, there is so much history as well as sights all over to see! I would show them around both the New and Old State Capitols, the Shaw Center to see all kinds of art, and walk along the Levee down to City Dock at the Riverfront Plaza. The view of the Mississippi River is really neat, especially seeing the tugboats pulling barges up and down the river, as well as all of the sculptures and the U.S.S. Kidd on the levee side.

Secondly, I would take them to visit all of the local botanic gardens, arboretums, and natures walks. I particularly enjoy walking through the LSU Botanic Gardens & Rural LIfe Museum. They always have blooms growing in some parts, and their grounds are so well taken care of. You are able to see such a wide variety of plant-life, as well as seeing some types of wildlife before leaving. With plenty of walking trail options, its really peaceful as you don’t run into a lot of people, and so can enjoy nature fully.

Thirdly is food. Southern cuisine is always full of spice and life down here in Louisiana. If you leave before trying any sort of seafood or comfort dish, then you are missing out for sure! Downtown has lots of good local restaurant options, as well as the Red Stick Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. There are people there sharing locally grown foods, as well as treats made from recipes their family has used for generations!

There are so many things to be able to experience here in Baton Rouge regardless, but these are where I’d definitely start!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A lot of the success I’ve been blessed with is due to major support from family and friends. My parents providing me support, even when they may not understand my vision. My boys for reminding me why I am pursuing my dreams. And my best friends for giving endless support.

When I start second guessing anything, they are always there with unconditional love and encouragement everyday without fail.

Website: www.rachelnlagrange.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelnlagrange/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelnlagrange

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Image Credits
Rachel N. Lagrange