Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Rainey
Hi Adrienne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My passion for photography began at a very young age. I always had either my film camera with me or a digital camera with me on family trips, at school, camp- everywhere. When I was about 11 years old I started to really grow my passion and take photos a little more seriously. I would spend my money I made from babysitting to have all of my photos developed at my local Winn-Dixie and drug store. While in college for Nursing, music and photography were my outlets. I officially started my business in Fall 2010, and have never looked back. Photography is more than a career for me, it truly is a passion of mine. It has taken years of persistence and long, hard hours to get where I am today, but I’m so thankful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been anything but a smooth road. I started out in my business as a part time photographer specializing in newborn and portrait photography for about 8 years. After years of infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and still no living children– over the last 10 years my specialty has changed. I am now a full time photographer specializing in interior & Vacation Rental photography, as well as landscape scenery & wildlife photography. I’ve learned so much over the years through trial and error, numerous hours of research and education, and teaching myself along the way. I’ve learned so much about myself and others through this process of growing my business. I’m very proud of myself for how far my business and I have come, especially being self taught, pushing through so many hardships, as well as battling chronic illness.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Professional photographer here in the Upstate of South Carolina and I specialize in Interior & Vacation Rental photography, as well as landscape scenery & Wildlife photography. I’m a proud South Carolina Native, and have lived all over our beautiful state. What sets me apart from others is my premier customer service and attention to detail, my past experiences and empathy I relay for my clients. Feedback from clients and repeat clients often includes those factors, and they’re both important to me in my work. I put my heart and soul into my work and products, and I’m so glad that it shows. I am very detail oriented, and that requires a lot of knowledge behind the scenes of things like knowledge of weather patterns, wildlife behavior, and seasonal timing– just to name a few. Another thing that sets me apart is my experience and knowledge as a photographer. I strive to keep my images as real and raw as possible. I don’t like my work to be oversaturated or have the “fake” look. I’m most proud of how much I’ve grown as a person through my business. I’ve grown in ways I never thought were possible. I’m also honored, humbled, and very proud of my work being published in Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Garden & Gun, Smoky Mountain Living, Food Network Magazine, Southern Bride, and more.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Photography is changing faster than ever now with new technology, including mirrorless cameras, upgraded cell phone cameras, editing software, as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Sadly, I am highly concerned, and quite frankly frustrated, that AI is taking away the appreciation for the real talent it takes to create art, and human connection with the creation of art. AI has a tendency to create a magical effect, however, it’s not the essence of real occurrences that happen in nature. For example, AI can create a beautiful scene with a magical sky, or even with sky swapping–but I really appreciate the value of real artwork that reveals layers of hard work behind the scenes. I appreciate a real photo with a magical sky that it took 6 trips to that destination to get the perfect lighting, the right colors, and a great sky. When you finally get the shot, it’s so exciting, gives you goosebumps, and you can’t wait to get home to upload it and see the end result. The process is all part of it, and sometimes the best part. AI takes away that raw goodness of art creation. It (AI) makes it all happen in an instant. It takes away the process of art creation and memories made along the way. Many of my top selling images are from a moment of serendipity and include many flaws that capture unplanned wilderness, weathering effects, and/or human involvement. For example, the snowy barn included with this interview contains briars on the side of the barn, crooked doors, and a loft door that has fallen and hanging. All of these elements are expected with an old barn, however, would AI make the barn look perfect or would it only show 1 element? If I were to revisit the barn today, I would not be able to reproduce the same exact image as some elements have changed and time and weather have taken more of a toll on the barn. I’ve met so many amazing people, seen amazing sights, heard chilling and soothing sounds of nature and wildlife that AI can never reproduce, and for that I’m so thankful for the process of real art and photography.
Pricing:
- Interior & Vacation Rental Photo Session Starting at $165
- Floorplans Starting at $75
- Twilight Sessions Starting at $75
- Fine Art Prints Starting at $20
- Framed Fine Art Prints Starting at $55
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.palmettolifescapesphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palmettolifescapesphotography/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PalmettoLifeScapesPhotography
