Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley McDougall.
Riley, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born and raised in Orange County, California, except during my teen years when I graduated high school in Gig Harbor, Washington. I was amazed with all of the art and music that came from the Seattle scene and during these years I began to learn how to express myself creatively. I started playing guitar, writing and drawing. Ten years later, I felt I somewhat lost, and feeling like I had suppressed my artistic side in my full-time job. So, after leaving that career, I’m discovering again how good it feels to express myself. My friend let me borrow his camera to start making short videos, and as I studied the art of filmography and using the camera, I also began to have fun photographing life as well. I remembered my grandfather always had a camera and would snap photos everywhere he went. I like to think I’m continuing his legacy with my photos.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I really love photography because there is so much to learn and so many styles. I’ve always thought of myself as a little “off,” so that’s how I like to display things in my photos. I like it when something is just a little “off.” Perhaps a subject that is out of focus or something in the shot that doesn’t belong. My favorite type of photo is candid. I love just capturing real moments in life and raw emotions. I’m still learning all the various styles that photography has to offer, so when I learn a new technique I replicate several times for practice, but I try not to copy another person’s style if possible. I want to make sure my photos are authentically me, and I hope others will do the same in whichever way they choose to express themselves. Never be afraid to be yourself.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
The biggest piece of advice that I can give is to fear regret more than rejection. I’m slowly getting over this and still struggle with it on certain days, but it’s most important that if you have an idea or something you want to try, just go for it! Don’t be afraid of what you assume others might think or say. Other’s judgement is not important and only temporary. The feeling, when you’re older, of looking back and thinking “I wish I did this” is worse than someone possibly rejecting your idea at the time. There will always be an audience out there for you. You just have to figure out how to find them.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Right now my photos are mostly just on my social media pages (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc…) But I’m currently developing my website and Patreon page so people can support my work if they choose. I’d love to learn more and collaborate more with other creators, so if people do like my work, I hope we can work together one day really soon.
Contact Info:
- Email: rmcdougall29@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rileycaptures/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RileyCaptures/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RileyCaptures
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpkR4jw0OBFqewowXU-olKw?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Just me
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