Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoe Rain.
Zoe, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Seattle, WA. There was always an interest in art, from drawing and painting to pottery, but I never thought it could be a career path. In high school, I took the photography class in order to get certain credits needed to graduate. I struggled to keep up with assignments, and ended up on the verge of failing. Jason Koenig, a professional photographer, volunteered in the class, and helped me raise my grade. When the semester was over, he hired me to work part time for him sorting wedding photos and assisting on shoots. I built my experience in editing and shooting, and established my own photography business modeling after his.
Jason snuck me into a 21+ Macklemore and Ryan Lewis concert at a small venue called the Nectar Lounge. That was my first experience with live concert photography, and I continued to shadow their up and coming career in Seattle, until 2013 when they hired me to shoot on their World Tour. From there my career really took off.
I moved to Chicago in 2015, but continue to work on projects with Jason as well as support myself as a fulltime freelancer. See Jason’s work at JkoePhoto.com
Great, 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?
This career path has been an extremely bumpy one. I was blessed to be mentored by one of the most talented shooters and videographers I know, and also be in the right place and time to work with some very unique and explosive artists, including Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Chance the Rapper, and Ed Sheeran. But with those experiences came years and years of toiling work, networking, fear, mistakes, and learning.
Photography is hard, and anyone who says otherwise has low standards. Even after the many years I have shot, I am constantly learning and growing. Advancing my work to the level I one day aspire to be at will require a lifetime of work.
Not only is the creation of images difficult, but getting work as a freelance artist is daunting. There have been times I could not afford to take a bus home, eat, or pay rent. There have been times where I did not know where my next payday would be, and many opportunities where I considered quitting. To be your own marketer, brander, accountant, and creator takes years to get better at. You just have to stick with it and the work comes easier every year.
Zoe Rain Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am best known for my work with musicians and live music photography. After being on the road with Macklemore for over 6 months total, shooting a show nearly every day, I got a lot of practice. I shot tons of musicians along the way, from Lorde, Galantis, Steven Tyler, Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus, G-Eazy, and Danny Brown. This helped promote my brand as someone who works with celebrities and has the experience to shoot in situations where a label or manager needs to trust my professionalism.
Now that I moved into a studio (Rain Studio) I shoot a ton of studio lighting portrait work and fashion. I want my brand to not just be known for artists, but also for edgy and unique portraiture. Creative people of all types are what interest me.
Being a young female in this industry is something I hope also sets me apart. There is a high saturation of men working this business, and often women are not taken as seriously, both in the photo pit, and on set directing a music video. It has been an empowering experience to be respected in my field and listened to.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am most proud of my Rolling Stone cover this year. That was pretty nuts.
Pricing:
- Wedding Photography $2999-$4499
Contact Info:
- Address: 1932 S Halsted
- Website: www.ZoeRainPhoto.com
- Phone: 206.291.0542
- Email: ZoeRainPhoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: ZoeRainPhoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeRainPhoto/
- Twitter: ZoeRain
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/zoe-rain-photography-chicago
Image Credit:
All images copyright of Zoe Rain
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