Today we’d like to introduce you to Raina Brewer.
Hi Raina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In all truth, I’ve loved taking photographs since I was a little girl. I was constantly stealing my mom’s camera and taking photos. In high school, I began taking photos of my friends for fun and developed a love for portraiture. My friends would share them on Instagram and more people would ask to get their portraits taken. It never occurred to me at that time to ask for compensation, because I truly loved it so much. And yet, believe it or not, by the end of high school I was taking on some of my first paid projects.
For many years, photography was a side-gig. In between my time serving in the military, studying journalism in college, and working your average 9-5 jobs, the passion I had for photography never left me. One day, I just decided to take the leap and do what I loved full-time.
Fast forward ten years after my first paid project — to say that I photograph people for a living full-time is such a blessing. I really do feel like it’s my calling. For me, there’s so much more to photography than what meets the eye — I get to know people for a living and I help tell their stories and that is, more often than not, really intimate.
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?
Certainly not. More than anything, my time in the service caused me to have to set down my camera more than once. In 2021, right in the middle of what felt like a major growth period for my brand, I was told I’d be deploying overseas with no more than a two month’s notice. I had worked so hard up until then to build a client base, as well as so much creative momentum, and then it all just came to a halt for a year. When I returned home, it felt like I was at square one again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a documentary-style photographer specializing in weddings and portraiture. In so much of my work, words like artful, emotive, and cinematic seem to string it all together. Being as extroverted as I am, people often tell me how easy it is to open up and be comfortable around me — I think that has extended over to my relationship with clients and has given me the ability to capture the raw moments that remind me why I love what I do. I think that is largely what sets me apart from other creatives.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Never be afraid to throw your hat in the ring or spark a conversation, even if you’re just starting out. Talent, skill — both are of course so important — but in my experience the #1 thing mentors, publishers, art directors, peers, and clients look for is personality. I think the energy you bring to the room can really drive things home. It was often my confidence and personality that led clients to take a chance on me, even if I didn’t have as expansive of a portfolio to show, in those early years.
Most importantly, the photography market is a saturated one. Don’t make the mistake of slipping into a competitive mindset; building a community takes you much further.
Pricing:
- RAINA co. wedding clients invest an average of $3k
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thisisraina.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisraina.co/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/rainabrewerphoto
