Meet Corean Reyes | Photographer & Esthetician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Corean Reyes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Corean, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Both of my parents are creatives! My dad was a DJ, and his father was a DJ. My mom sings and taught me how to sing and even draw. She would buy me those little art kits that came in the plastic case and I would spend hours painting and sketching, but my true love was music. I swore up and down I was going to be the next Beyonce, but life is funny in where it takes you! Either way, I knew from a kid that I didn’t want to be a doctor or lawyer. It didn’t appeal to me! Colors, sounds, lines, textures, those caught my eye! I knew I wanted to be in a field that allowed me to be me, and not be stuffed behind someones desk punching numbers.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is a reflection of my journey, and my journey hasn’t been easy. In fact, it’s still going! I had a lot of alone time growing up, so I spent a lot of time writing songs, drawing, painting, and playing piano. Everything that I know I have taught myself due to having to keep myself busy. Originally, I thought I was going to be a singer, actor and dancer. I swore I was going to be the next Beyonce! Over time, I realized, that though it is an achievable dream, I did not have the resources to get there. When I graduated high school, I definitely didn’t know what I wanted to do. Then instagram became a thing. I was trying be a fancy photographer at first with my android phone lol. As Instagram got bigger, I noticed a few of my followers were modeling, so I researched how I can be a model because why not? Little did I know that this would be the start of my career! I ended up meeting Showout, who is now my brother from another mother, who was (and still is) one of the biggest photographers in Atlanta at the time. Once I started working with him, it was up! I started modeling for clothing boutiques and walked a few fashion shows, but it wasn’t enough. I loved modeling, but I wanted to get more creative. I didn’t want to keep posing in a tight dress, I wanted to look like something off of Vogue and I knew I didn’t have the Vogue look. Instead, I took my paycheck I got from Zaxbys and bought my first camera in 2015. I spent hours learning how to use my new camera, while also learning how to do makeup. I took every opportunity I could to photograph someone or anything and did a lot of makeup for free. It was all worth it! As I continued to grow into photography and makeup, I started thinking of how I can make my clients experience with me a memorable one and what is something new I can implement into my services. Then it came to me: skincare! I wanted to become a licensed makeup artist, but skincare was never a thought to add. So during the pandemic, I went to Paul Mitchell the School ESANI to become a licensed makeup artist, but left an Esthetician! During my time there, I really started thinking of ways I can implement skincare into my services because a lot of my clients would have skin concerns and I didn’t know how to answer them. Also during my time I’ve gotten a deeper understanding of makeup and learned more aspects to makeup than I have before. Currently I’m revamping my entire business to incorporate everything that I have learned thus far and I’m excited for what’s to come!

I’ve definitely learned to have patience and continue to be a student to your craft. Nothing comes quick and you have to use that time to grow. You are not the same person you were yesterday, and you won’t be the same person tomorrow, so just make sure you are the best you no matter what. That’s what Rena’s Garden stands for: continued growth into YOU. Every seed planted, grows. It’s up to YOU to make sure it becomes that flower. You need to water it, make sure it gets some sun, protect it from the bad critters, but also nurture the good, everything to get it to grow, and that’s how I view my business and myself! My flower is still growing, but the journey will be well worth it!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am not the one to ask this question lol, but I can definitely tell you all the good food places to eat! So this will be a Fatty Trip, hosted by your fav taurus, Me! My favorite breakfast places are Another Broken Egg Cafe, Flying Biscuit Cafe, Milk & Honey, and of course Waffle House! A good brunch spot if you want to twerk with Mimosas is Atlantis. Drinks are always on point and the food is *chefs kiss*, not mention its a party all day into the night, so any time is a good time to go! Reservations are highly suggested! Another place is Boogaloo Lounge. This is another place you definitely have to make reservations or get there early. Great brunch place and lit at night! The swings at the bar are plus! Atlantic Station has PLENTY of restaurants to choose from, plus there’s a roof top bar and game area. Fuego de Chow Brazilian steak house for all you can eat steak, Taqueria Tsunami for Mexican/Asian infusion or The Bowl for some amazing Japanese ramen.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout my friend, my brother, my gang gang, Showout! He is a big part of why I do what I do! I knew when I seen his photography work on instagram I had to work with him! I couldn’t afford him so when I ran into him at a power photoshoot in Atlanta (I was trying to make it as a model at the time), I HAD to make sure we worked together! From there, we started working together and he helped me come out of my shell. He pushed me out my comfort zone and pushed me to do better every time, and I am so grateful for that!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renasgarden_/, https://www.instagram.com/renasgarden_skin/

Image Credits
Models: Edith, Toni, Ann, Unique, Barbie, Mercedes Fairy Photo: Photographer- Showout, Image Edit- Rena’s Garden LLC