Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Grant.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been a creative person from a young age and have been holding a camera most of my life. I was lucky enough to have been raised in NYC where I was constantly surrounded by culture, music, art, and photography; whether it was just walking through the streets of Brooklyn or through one of my various internships at Lincoln Center or The International Center of Photography. I believe my photography career really began when I fell in love with the darkroom while I was in high school. At that point, in order to learn as much as I could and to immerse myself in the photographic world, I furthered my education at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where I graduated with a BFA in photography in 2011.
In the first few years following graduation, my career took on many forms. I assisted and retouched for other photographers, worked for beauty and fashion brands as their in-house photographer and worked as a freelancer for photo studios like MILK and Hearst Studio D, all while running my own little studio in Brooklyn. I started testing as much as possible with modeling agencies and honing my skills.
In 2018 I felt like it was time to start shooting and working for myself full-time so that I could truly accomplish all the goals I want to reach as a photographer. I love the intimacy of working with clients and collaborating with the creative teams I get to work with at every photoshoot and know my place in this world is to help bring these creative visions to life. Plus there is nothing more rewarding than seeing all the fruits of your labor come to life.
I continue to look at every photoshoot as an opportunity to challenge myself with new techniques and ideas and am constantly refining my style. I spent years building my portfolio – concepting, producing, shooting, retouching, networking, and researching. In the last few years, I’ve been lucky enough to have shot for numerous different companies and publications. Some of my recent work includes beauty campaigns for Glo Skin Beauty, Indie Lee, Tower28 and Overtone Haircare, all while continuously planning personal projects in my free time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To be honest, I don’t think any road is really a smooth road. Every job you take, you face challenges and decisions that will help you learn and grow as an individual, as a freelance photographer, and as a businesswoman.
I think my biggest struggle has been learning how to run a business. Being a freelance photographer is so much more than being a photographer and having a good eye, it’s about marketing yourself, defining your brand, putting yourself out there as uncomfortable as it may be and learning your worth. You have to learn how to be your own best advocate because if you are not putting your work out there, no one else will do it for you. You shouldn’t hide from the challenges, embrace them and learn from them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a beauty photographer and director, known mostly for studio work. Someone recently used the word “crisp” when describing my work which was a huge compliment because I always strive for that crisp, clean, fresh aesthetic which I accomplish through my lighting and retouching techniques. Lighting has always been an integral part of my creative process and by shaping light I can create whatever mood I am trying to accomplish for any given shoot.
My creative process evolved during the pandemic. Even though we were challenged in more ways than we could have ever expected, it gave me the time to learn the skills needed to be able to shoot, direct and edit my own motion work, so that I can now offer that to my clients!
Motion has become such a huge part of the commercial and advertising world and was something that I had on my to-do list for years. I found that while having a good eye helps in the production of good video, it does require a new set of skills, a completely different mindset and new techniques when directing models. Every time I shoot and edit new video work, I learn something I never knew and it helps to inform my future work. The best way to learn is by doing, so I will continue to be a doer!
What’s next?
Over the past few years, I’ve made many major changes in my life like moving from NYC to Denver and Denver to LA amidst the pandemic, so right now, I am really looking forward to building my life and business in LA and trying to live in the moment as much as possible! Lately, I’ve been setting different and more attainable goals for myself to achieve over the next year. I have two bigger personal projects I am planning to produce and photograph by the end of 2023 as well as a variety of smaller test shoots each month. I am also always trying to set the bar a bit higher for myself each new year with what kind of clients I want to attain, the kind of projects I want to be part of, as well as more personal goals that will help keep my mental health in check. While having my business grow consistently and continuing to build my network are always high up on my list, I am also going to focus a lot of my energy this year on taking care of myself as well, so I don’t burn out like I have in the past. It’s so important to find that work/life balance, though hard at times, will lead to a happier and healthier way of living.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rebeccagrantphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_grant_studios/
Image Credits
CREDITS: Image01: Model: Noelle Nance @ Vision LA Makeup: Elysa Quintella @ Brandi Moore Agency Image02: Models: Tamara Whatley with Wilhelmina Models and Eugenia with Margaux the Agency Makeup: Maddie North Hair: Sol Rodriguez Nails: Lori Banks Image03: Model: Lexy and Lainey @ Next Models LA Makeup: Maddie North @ JK Artists Agency Hair: Jordan Alex Styling: Daisy Stackpole Image04: Model: Marley with Freedom Models LA Makeup: Maddie North Hair: Veronica Nunez Fashion Styling: Daisy Stackpole Image05: Model: Isabel Hendrix with Natural Models LA Makeup: Amy Galibut Hair: Jordan Alex Image06: Model: Tehya with Freedom Models LA Makeup: Maddie North Hair: Lydia Ouellette Image07: Model: Memu Conteh with Vision Models LA Makeup: Amy Galibut Fashion Styling: Megan Vo
