Rebecca Grant
Q What do you do?
“I am a Los Angeles based commercial beauty & portrait photographer and director known mostly for my studio work.”
I work closely with clean & sustainable beauty brands to help create and elevate their creative visions for photography and motion.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
After graduating from RIT in 2011 with a BFA in photography, I spent years building my portfolio- concepting, producing, shooting, retouching, networking, and researching.
My career has been and continues to be a learning experience. Whether it be stills or motion,
I look at every photoshoot as an opportunity to challenge myself with new techniques and ideas and am constantly refining my style which is known for its crisp lighting, striking detail and authentic storytelling.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
When clients or models work with me, they are not just getting a professional photoshoot, they are getting a collaborative experience. I pride myself on making everyone on set feel comfortable, especially those in front of my lens. I keep my shoots fun, uplifting, energetic and positive, while of course getting the shots we need. Positive vibes only!
I also offer motion to my clients so you can get all your photographic and video needs in one place.
Q What are you working on right now?
Lately I’ve been focusing a lot on reaching out to new potential clients and just shot a great new campaign with Gwen Stefani and her beauty brand GXVE beauty. I’m also working hard at planning a larger personal project that I’m hoping to make some headway on sometime this year. And to fill in the gaps I plan smaller test shoots to build my portfolio and play with new ideas and techniques.
Q What’s your style?
My body of work focuses heavily on the power of the female gaze, femininity and body inclusivity. 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.
I think most of my work at this point represents the work I want to be shooting but these deeper female driven personal projects I’m working on currently will be most representative of the kind of photographer and artist I want to be. You’ll just have to wait and see!
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I love being in the arts so I think I’d want to spend more time on painting new backdrops for photoshoots and creative writing.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
I think what could help me most at the moment is money! There are so many photoshoots and projects I’d like to accomplish but all of these things cost. Getting sponsored or winning a grant would help me make some of these dreams a reality.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I would hire someone to keep my client spreadsheets up to date! Researching is the most time consuming part of my business so having the help to keep my lists updated and adding to them with accurate client contacts would be most helpful.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
If I had a time machine I’d go back to college me and tell her that photography is more than being an artist, it's about running a business. College unfortunately didn’t cover the business and finance end of things as well so I wish I had the insight to take more of those classes so that I could have entered the workforce better prepared.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
At this point I think the things I would benefit from the most are to learn about SEO management for my website and bookkeeping/financial advising to learn how to better manage my money.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I am always looking to work with new creatives and new brands in the portraiture and beauty realm for both photography and motion projects! The most important thing to me honestly is just working with good people who are open minded, innovative and able to trust me through the creative process.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I am so lucky to have some amazing clients who have become friends in the process. I’m truly looking to work with people who are bringing me in because they trust me to help bring their creative visions to life. These people are open, collaborative, upbeat and passionate about using their brand and position for good, authentic messaging and visuals. I would also love to work with more brands who are truly body positive and inclusive!
Q What is your rate?
Every photoshoot is unique in its specifications and deliverables so when you’re ready to talk about your photoshoot I am happy to jump on a call to discuss the plan and send you the most accurate quote for what you are needing. Currently my creative fee/day rate start around $2k and goes up depending on the job. The rate will sometimes go down if the client wants to sign a retainer with me which means the client will get the best rates they can but are guaranteeing me a certain amount of work over the course of the next year. Definitely a good investment on their part!
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Please never hesitate to reach out to me at rebecca@rebeccagrantphoto.com for any sort of job inquiry, project collab or even just to say hi! Feel free to follow along on the adventure @rebecca_grant_studios
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Q Who is a creative you admire?
There are so many amazing creatives in my life that deserve a shoutout!
First and foremost my partner Steven, who is one of my biggest supporters and is an amazing writer/director/editor himself. Better follow this guy so you can watch him do big things…
Here are some of my amazing photographer friends who all have different and interesting perspectives in this world.
@mterrisphoto
@thisisshih
@toridicksonphoto
@nalanihmelo
@rebeccapeloquin
@brookevandever
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Pushing myself outside my comfort zone always!
This member profile was originally published in March 2023