Why should a business blog?

Posted on March 13, 2013 by rachieand85

In a nutshell? A blog can build trust, give your business personality and raise your profile.

When combined, these factors can lead to increased sales.

Let’s look at why…

TRUST – As the owner of a newly built home, I’m a Bunnings regular*. When it was time to save money and build a retaining wall by ourselves, my partner and I sought advice from Bunnings staff on what materials to purchase. The staff member talked us through the process, gave us some fact sheets and looked at our plans before helping us buy our goods.

The Bunnings staffer didn’t have to spend that time with us and give us extra information, check over our plans and generally be really helpful. BUT, the fact that they went above and beyond developed trust with us as customers and encouraged a return visit.

The same goes for a blog post. If you’re commenting on something topical to your business and you provide valuable advice, the reader will trust you, despite never having met you. They will be more likely to visit your business online and potentially even visit in real life.

PERSONALITY – Coffee shops with the nice barista/waiter who makes conversation and remembers your name/order give you the warm fuzzies? It’s this same relationships that can be built via a blog.

A reader will learn your name, they’ll feel as though you’re speaking directly to them and I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather hand over my hard-earned dollars to someone I know than to a stranger who has no face.

A blog will become the personality of your business and if you have a nice personality, you’ll gain friends (ie. loyal customers).

PROFILE – These days most businesses have a website, which has contact information and service outlines and while having a website is essential, it really doesn’t set you apart from the crowd any more.

A blog which develops trust and shows personality will inevitably be shared online by your customers with friends and family. People will develop opinions and seek you out for yours and there is a very real potential for you to have conversations with your customers, learn more about what they want and expose your brand to more than just those who are return customers.

Who wouldn’t want their brand to have be trusted, have a personality and have an ever-increasing presence? No one that’s who!

Learn more about blogs and their long list of benefits –

Business Grow -Ten reasons to blog – even if nobody reads it

PR Daily – 5 reasons your company or client needs a blog

Social Media Today – 3 reasons why you need a business blog

*I’m not sponsored by Bunnings, or my local coffee place or anyone else. I just like Bunnings! I also like their sausage sizzles!

Sports photography – on the hockey field

Posted on March 7, 2013 by rachieand85

Dominie and Matilda featured in Adelaide Hills newspaper The Courier after making state squad selection. Location – Anembo Park, Littlehampton.

Action shots for sports team website, presentations or memorabilia can add real depth to your message. Location – Woodville Hockey grounds, Woodville

Dominie in search of someone to hit to. Location – Seacliff Hockey Club, Seacliff.

Laura pushes into attack. Location – Seacliff Hockey Club, Seacliff.

Liam celebrates state team selection by appearing in Adelaide Hills newspaper, The Courier. Location – Anembo Park, Littlehampton.

Tim penetrates defence during a scratch match. Location – Anembo Park, Littlehampton.

The Under 18 boys celebrate a premiership. Location – North East Hockey Club, Golden Grove.

As a member of the Adelaide Hills Hockey Club, I’ve been using my skills to promote the club and gain media coverage for many years. Sport action photography is something I have developed while working country newspapers and I continue to take photos for my club and at various other sporting events I attend. Clubs can benefit from having professional shots taken of teams, presentation nights and of their games by having content for their promotions and websites. An archive of photos also helps with documenting club history for years to come.

If your club is looking to appear in the local media and you want to provide your own content, contact Rach And Media. Photographs and written content can be packaged upon request.

For more information about the Adelaide Hills Hockey Club, which is always keen to welcome players with or without experience, visit our website.

The wedding of Ally & Tom

Posted on March 5, 2013 by rachieand85

This has to be my favourite photo of the whole day. Such a tender moment as the bride is helped out of the wedding car by her father. Location – Rainforest Retreat, Murray Bridge

It was a bit of effort to get onto the railway lines at Murray Bridge, but the photos made it all worth it. Location – Railway Station, Murray Bridge, off Railway Terrace.

I love a good group shot to give the bride and groom lasting memories from a day that goes so fast! Location – Rainforest Retreat, Murray Bridge

The grooms men play around as they wait for the bride and her bridesmaids to get organised. So manly! Location – Railway Station, Murray Bridge, off Railway Terrace.

A special pop of colour from a parasol brought back on the newlywed’s recent adventure in Burma gives these old rail carriages a new lease on life. Location – Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge

What a lovely bridal party! Location – Sturt Reserve Murray Bridge.

The groom’s one job for the wedding was to organise the bridal cars! He pulled it off with class with a Jaguar and Rolls Royce transporting the bridal party around Murray Bridge in style!

Special mention has to go to best man Steve for his speech. It was hands down the best speech I’ve ever heard a best man make, there were tears, laughter and just the right amount of funny! Location – Ramblers Football Clubrooms, Murray Bridge.

Goofy grins were the order of the day for Ally & Tom, as the pair could not contain their glee at reaching their wedding day. I struggled to photograph the bride on her walk down the aisle and she admitted she was walking fast as she just wanted to get to Tom! The ceremony was held in the beautiful gardens of Rainforest Retreat in Murray Bridge and we timed our photoshoot to avoid freight trains, but include the railway tracks for some photos with a bit of old-world charm. Sturt Reserve in Murray Bridge and of course the bridges also featured on the day. The reception was held at the Ramblers Football Clubrooms and Emcee Grant McAvaney, who is a cousin to the bride, put on a performance not to be forgotten!

The wedding of Monica and Simon

Posted on March 5, 2013 by rachieand85

Monica made a beautiful bride. Location – Maid of Honour’s house prior to ceremony

This photo is proof that sometimes the locations you barely consider can make for a great backdrop. Location – Maid of Honour’s house.

The best photos always come from a casual setting. Look at what happens when you tell the bride and groom to take a walk! Location – West Beach foreshore

You can’t forget the shiny wedding cars! Location – Brougham Gardens, North Adeliade

So much love!

I’ve been in a wedding where a similar shot was taken and I was excited to re-create it myself. The soft light and beautiful Moreton Bay Fig tree created the perfect setting. Location – Brougham Gardens, North Adelaide

You know a bride is keen to call her groom a husband when she’s early for the ceremony and has to wait outside just in case guests are still arriving! That was Monica on the day she married Simon in December 2012 and Simon was just as excited. Following the ceremony in a beautiful church in the Adelaide suburb of Kensington, guests greeted the happy couple in the church gardens and it was obvious that friends and family were looking forward to this day just as much as the bride and groom. Photoshoot locations followed at West Beach and gardens in North Adelaide before a dinner reception at The Old Adelaide Inn on O’Connell Street.

The wedding of Jordaine & David

Posted on March 5, 2013 by rachieand85

A special moment as the bride’s mother does a reading during the ceremony.

I just love Jordaine’s face here as her brother walks her down the aisle. Happy and relaxed was the order of the day!

It was a hot day and this big old oak tree was the perfect place for photos following the ceremony.

A nice family shot for the bride has captured a happy moment to be looked back on in years to come.

Had to slip in a funny photo here! David surprised Jordaine with this one and the look on her face says it all.

Such a gentleman!

A quick relaxed shot as the couple returns to the reception following the photoshoot captured the beauty of their location perfectly.

Jordaine and David had been together for quite a few years before they made it official in 2011, but anyone who knew them had no doubt that they would be together forever. The pair have a light-hearted humour and bounce off each other in ways that only a couple who truly enjoy each other’s company can do. They married on David’s property in the Adelaide Hills near Kersbrook during the day and celebrated with guests to the tune of a jazz band following the ceremony.

The wedding of Heidi & Robbie

Posted on March 4, 2013 by rachieand85

Sigh. The Adelaide Hills settings make my job so much easier and the glowing bride made for a perfect pre-ceremony photo!

Striking bridesmaid dresses matched the clear blue sky on this day and added some real ‘zing’ to the photos!

The groom and his grooms men were in good spirits prior to the ceremony! Location – The Carlton Club, Hahndorf

A bit of bridesmaid fun shares the mood of the day. Location – The Carlton Club, Hahndorf

The stereotypical Australian bush that surrounded the wedding location had a lot of character to work with during the photoshoot. Location – The Carlton Club, Hahndorf.

How could a groom get to the big day without his best man? Robbie sits with his best man and reflects following the ceremony. Location – The Carlton Club, Hahndorf

Heidi & Robbie’s Wedding: A few years ago now I was asked by a friend to photograph their wedding. It was my first job and it was very nerve-wracking, but with several years of photography experience working for a country newspaper behind me I knew the basics.

The results of the day were fantastic and so started my love for wedding photography and capturing a special day for a special pair.

Heidi & Robbie were married in the gardens at The Carlton Club in Hahndorf, with an afternoon tea reception immediately following. Robbie’s excitement at becoming Heidi’s husband was so beautiful that his speech will be one to remember, both for numerous toasts and its length!