Today we’d like to introduce you to Alice Ray.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born in Russia and moved to the US when I was just 17 years old and started living by my own since then.
But, let me start from the beginning. From a very early age, I was very obsessed with photography, the reason for it was my sister, her name is Marina, – she was starting her career as a photographer. I was always very curious about what she was doing, and so unintentionally I started learning photography by spending time together. I was just 11-12 years old and used to search for photos anywhere I could find them: in the magazines, books, internet… I could spend several minutes staring at the picture. Of course, I didn’t know anything about retouch, lightning, and other professional stuff, but I was already so much in love with photography, that started taking pictures of friends and borrowing cameras from them just to try and see how it goes.
By that time my sister has already moved to the US, and it was my 16th birthday when I came to visit her together with my mother and got my first own camera there. I was super happy but at the same time scared – what if I lose and interest and leave photography? But this never happened since that moment.
I came back to Russia and started working with models doing collaborations, soon I got my first clients and had a little bit of income. I had my first publishing in a local Russian magazine at the age of 16-17 y.o. but there was not too much opportunities for me there as a photographer. Marina was telling to move to the US and that it would be so much better!
At the age of 17 y.o. when I have passed the final exam at school and three days after I met my sister in NYC, I didn’t go to high school graduation – there was no need for it.
After about half a year of living in America, I slowly started working on my career promoting myself as a photographer in Miami.
Now I am 19 years old. I work for myself as a freelance photographer and is very happy about it!
Please tell us about your art.
I have been doing photography for three years, and I would say for this period of time I only started getting to know about it, and there is so much more to learn!
I work in different genres of photography; mostly it is lifestyle and portraits.
The process of shooting is inspiring by itself – you have an endless possibility of options of the way to take a picture and show the person. We are very different, and I think there is something special in each of us.
During the shooting, I use the camera as an instrument to show this special feature and personality of my client. Also, I find portrait such a special genre of photography, that to learn it would take several years at least. The most important thing in a portrait is to catch that exact sight, emotion, and position at the same time so when you look at it, you will have a desire to explore the picture as long as you can.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I think for an artist success is defined by the people. When an artist has a unique way to express his\hers own vision and when it is something that takes people’s attraction, causes any emotions, that’s that quality of characteristic that is essential to success. The thing is nowadays there is a huge number of artists, and sometimes it is very hard to stand out with something different. But once as an artist you find your own special style, and when people like it when they want to work with you, I think this is when success comes.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have my works in social media, of course, it’s Instagram @aliceryaphoto and my website portraitbyaliceray.com.
That would be a great support if you follow me and let me know what you think about my works!
I didn’t have my exhibition yet, maybe in a few years, but I will let you know for sure!:)
Contact Info:
- Address: Miami Beach,
FL, 33139 - Website: portraitbyaliceray.com
- Phone: 7865713998
- Email: alicerayphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicerayphoto/
Image Credit:
Marina Ray
Alice Ray
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