Today we’d like to introduce you to Rabbit Lionel
Hi Rabbit, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I actually started doing photography as a trauma response. I was going through a really bad mental health time and I had attempted suicide. I survived, obviously. And I decided I needed something to really focus on to keep my head on straight. So I emptied my savings account and bought a camera.
Initially I wanted to highlight alternative fashion amongst people of color and my favorite local clothing brands like M.Rage, Kinfold, The Kigu Stop, etc. But my friends are all cosplayers and needed a photographer for their cosplays. And there are a lot of creeps in that scene, so I used it to learn my craft and also protect my friends from weirdos. I mostly shoot editorial now.
Around AX Chibi 2023, my old camera died and I attempted suicide again. I hadn’t realized how much of myself I’d put into this, so I started pursuing it professionally. Shout out to all my friends and colleagues who helped me get a new camera. I’m in a much better place now.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been smooth. I can’t afford new equipment so I bank on lucking out at garage sales, Offer Up, and Craigslist. In addition to that, I work a full time job to make ends meet. I’m also socially inept and have really bad anxiety. It’s hard out here for a real one.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My name is Rabbit and I’m your new favorite photographer. I specialize in portraiture. Editorial, commercial, cosplay, boudoir. Anything with people. I like people a lot. I also like clothes.
As far as what I’m most known for, it has to be my cow shoots. I occasionally do a shoot with a lot of people in cow print clothing and that’s usually the first thing someone says when they hear my tag.
Me: My page is 16.bitphotography
Them: OH, you do those cow shoots!
When it comes to pride, I think what I’m most proud of is being able to trick people into thinking I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve only been shooting two years, but my name gets brought up with other local photographers ten years in the game. I still have a lot to learn from them but it’s cool I’m even considered equivalent.
What sets me apart however is my ability and willingness to work with “undesirables.” I will not only work with dark skin, plus size models, or disabled models, I will make them look damn good. I don’t do it because I have to, because I don’t. I do it because I want to. I NEED to make people like me look good.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Mix passion projects into your workload. It’s easy to burn out if all you do is work that you’re not attached to. Yes, bills are important, but don’t forget to shoot for fun.
Pricing:
- $150 for personal shoots
- $250 for commercial shoots
- Variable pricing for events
Contact Info:
- Website: https://renderrush.digital.vistaprint.io/s/K0s443V06gxmISagVEUwA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/16.bitphotography/
- Twitter: https://x.com/8BitRabbits
Image Credits
Jen
Parker Arnold
Sage Chiplock
Glooms
Jynx
Miranda Go
Moo Moo Manor
