Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Watson.
Hi Raven, 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 am an aspiring theater photographer, playwright, and director from Las Vegas, Nevada. Originally born in New Jersey, I have a love for entertainment. Constantly performing in my small town of Edgewater Park as a kid and smiling happily as I looked at the Broadway signs on a visit to New York.
After making the move to Las Vegas, Nevada at age ten, I continued my passion. I started out singing at state fairs to acting in school productions. I directed my first show in her senior year of high school and that is where she discovered her passion for being behind the script. After graduating from high school, I made the move to Los Angeles to pursue my love for creating. I turned that love into directing for the stage, writing plays, and shooting amazing photos.
I originally read the playbill article about theater production photographer Joan Marcus and how she started out doing production photography. I wanted to do that. At the time, I didn’t know-how. I had the experience, but how did I land a job? I was feeling lost, so I reached out to her on her portfolio website earlier last year. I asked how do I get into it and most importantly how do I get hired?
She replied to me and told me to keep taking photos. She inspired me to keep going. Now I am a successful photographer with a great client base. That girl from Las Vegas is making strides and turning corners.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I struggled along the way. When I got into Loyola Marymount University, I was hopeful. I wanted to do more with theater and my Photography business. Then Covid hit. With broadway and live shows being shut down. I couldn’t take photos or direct productions. I was stuck at home taking zoom classes and working at my neighborhood daycare. I felt lost.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love to create. My main passions are photography, playwrighting and directing. I love storytelling and pulling reactions from my audience. That is what I aim to do when I create.
With my Photography business, I specialize in Theater, Portrait, and wedding Photography. I have always loved art. I am inspired by paintings and drawings that capture unique moments. I am not very good at drawing so I decided to do it with my photos instead.
With directing and playwrighting, I strive to tell stories that matter. I have had a play produced and performed. I am currently writing a full-length play about single mothers fostering a child and their day to day. I hope to stage it next spring.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as happiness. When people see my work and tell me what they think about it. I feel successful then because it is not about the job for me. I have a lot of skills and passion for what I do. So when I get to work and create while making the people, I share my work with happy. That is how I define success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ravenwatsonphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatssorrraven/
Image Credits:
Raven Watson
