Meet Rachael Porter: Freelance Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachael Porter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachael, what principle do you value most?
There are two values that matter most to me in my business endeavors- excellence and integrity.

I’m slightly a perfectionist, so that’s where the excellence originates. But additionally, I believe the most respectful and honoring way to conduct business is to give each client the best that I know how in the moment that I’m working with them. Sure, there are always ways something could be better, but my job is to do it to the best of MY ability in the time that I can. I don’t believe in shortchanging someone who has trusted me to complete a task, especially when that task is being entrusted with telling someone’s personal story.

I also believe in operating with integrity. There have been many failures in my time as a freelancer, and I’ve taken the approach of being keeping my clients informed with both the successes and mistakes when appropriate, then moving forward in them together. Admitting mistakes is humbling, but most of the time it allows me to return and correct the mistake rather than settling for an end product that wasn’t what was imagined. I also don’t believe in using other people to propel myself forward and want to honor what each person is bringing to the table to the best of my ability.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My pursuit of freelance videography wasn’t exactly traditional. I found myself in the film industry right after college somewhat by desperation and accident. In the short time that I worked for a production company, I feel in love with storytelling with film, and after a transition to being contracted, decided I would pursue it as long as it kept working out for me. 4 years later and I’m still here! There’s been lot of growing pains along the way, everything from losing client’s footage to miss judging a job and doing way more work than what I’m being paid for. But each new client and project is a learning step. I love my work because of all the incredible individuals I get to work with and learn from. There are so many people doing amazing things in their communities, and I love learning about it. Each story that I get to hear or tell changes me a little, and my desire to to help more people hear the stories they might not otherwise.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Chattanooga, so my favorite things include a good cup of coffee from one of our many amazing coffee shops, spending the afternoon at a good swimming hole or hiking on the trails, and eating dinner downtown. Chattanooga has a lively arts and music culture, so on a given weekend catching live music, a dance performance, or gallery opening is also a favorite of mine. Find yourself any bit of elevation, and you won’t regret slowing down to watch the sunset or sunrise.Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have had several friends along the way help me become who I am, fellow videographers and storytellers! Varina Shaughnessey who works with Muse Storytelling, Charles Coleman of Coleman Creative, and Kelly Lacy and Kiersten Williams with Make Beautiful.

Website: https://www.rporterfilms.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.eporter/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-porter-55b70aba/

Image Credits
Abigail Marie Kelly Lacy