Meet Raygen Samone

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

Hi Raygen, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success as a photographer is integrity. I have made it an upmost value over time and have seen how being a person of your word is not only important for client relations, but in how you show up for your own self. Running a business is hard and there are many days where you want to give up, but reminding yourself that you are a person that you can trust, you can do what you say you will do, and you are capable of hard things, has been a game changer for the way I approach work and has attributed to my success.

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.
While studying abroad in Florence, Italy, a photojournalism and global citizenship class allowed me to combine final projects into one: create a series of photographs on a single subject. Placed to volunteer in a foster home for the semester, I photographed three Italian women who cared for six toddlers that were brought into the country as refugees. After four months, I had a collection of photos of these women caring for these babies in the most ordinary of ways.

Upon my return to the States, I became overwhelmed with the realization that these photographs were the only proof that I once was apart of this time, place, and people. I asked friends with small children if I could photograph a day in their life, as I had abroad, convincing them that they may feel really regular now, but that over time they will matter more and more. That first experience with my friends led to others asking for a similar style, and that spurred my niche of being a Documentary Photographer.

Nothing lasts forever. Photos are proof that we were once here.

Its been nearly a decade and this craft has continued to sustain me, and I am grateful. Its never easy but its always worth it. I want my clients to take their photographs with them into their lives and come back to them time and time again seeing how their lives have changed and evolved with time.

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?
Chatahoochee River Chatahoochee Food Works
Your 3rd Spot
Don’t Tell Comedy Show
Portrait Coffee
SoFar Sound Show

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Amber O’Neal Johnston has completely reshaped my understanding of personhood. A flourishing non-profit leader, author, public speaker, homeschooling mother of four and devoted wife, she has single-handedly inspired me to press into the joys and realities of living the dream. Thank you for your way in my world, AOJ!

Website: www.raygensamone.com

Instagram: raygensamone