Today we’d like to introduce you to Rayne Cerro.
Hi Rayne, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My mother always had a camera in her hand, and from a very early age, my favorite thing to do was flip through our old family photo albums. While she would sit and explain the memories behind every photo, she’d continuously encourage me to be my truest self and never let what anyone else thinks affect you. My great grandfather was always an inspiring figure in my life, for he was truly the patriarch of our family. He was a dedicated artist who always carried his Yashica camera to photograph inspiration for his paintings over the decades. Hearing all his stories growing up inspired me every day to never settle for less and to chase my goals no matter what they may be.
My mom saw my passion spark from photographing the squirrels and our dogs in our backyard; then in 8th grade, I was enrolled in my first beginner photography class. During this, after-school class I met some of my best friends who I am still in touch with to this day. We took everything we learned and applied it to our daily work and life throughout the next three years.
At the age of 16, I graduated early from high school and started attending Lone Star College. This is where I’d found “Photo 1” and immediately started the enrollment process. On my first day of class, I walked into the classroom with my digital camera, excited to finally be able to expand on my skillset in a college atmosphere. Turns out this class would change my life, and it was not for digital cameras at all.
Over the next 2 1/2 years, I expanded my knowledge of Film Photography + Darkroom Techniques. Honestly, learning everything I needed to know on a film camera was such a blessing in disguise. Being able to translate everything I learned from the most kind and understanding professor in the world back over to the digital realm, was such an invigorating experience. The darkroom really became my happy place. I was so used to the chemicals, the metering, white balance cards, learning about different toning chemicals -and that one specific toner will literally make the entire art building smell like rotten eggs-, digital photography almost felt too easy after that.
Right after I graduated college, my husband joined the Air Force, and we had the opportunity to travel through New Mexico, North Texas, Colorado. When we got our final duty station in Salt Lake City, Utah, we met the most amazing friends and other creatives. Being able to experience so much and photograph all the beautiful places we never thought we’d be able to experience before back in Texas was truly once in a lifetime. These people made me realize my passion is to creating stunning creative portraits for my friends.
After nearly four years of creating a solid professional portfolio in Utah, we moved back home to Conroe and I knew I was ready to make this a business. Since being back, I’ve met a group of positive and outgoing creatives who I’m so lucky to call my friends. They’ve been nothing but supportive of my business since the beginning. I’d love to give special recognition to my amazing husband for endlessly supporting my dreams for nearly ten years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although is hasn’t been the smoothest journey, every second has been worth the view. Back in 2019, I was diagnosed with a chronic condition called Fibromyalgia. It’s a condition that can be hard to understand, even for healthcare providers. In short, it’s a chronic disorder that causes widespread pain throughout the entire body. Imagine you did an intense 2-hour full body workout with no previous training. Then imagine how sore, and achey your body would feel the next day. This is how my muscles react to everyday life and is only just the surface.
There’s an amazing analogy called “The Spoon Theory,” which is a personal story by Christine Miserandino, which perfectly describes this idea of limited energy, using “spoons” as a unit of energy. I would highly encourage reading the full story in your own time, for it is an amazing way to view life from a different perspective.
The way it goes is each day; you start out with 12 “spoons,” or 12 units of energy. Each activity you do throughout the day requires different amounts of “spoons,” depending on the demand of that activity. For example, taking a shower could use one spoon, taking a trip to the grocery store could use four, or going to work for the day could use five. As someone who lives with limited daily energy, this analogy has spoken worlds to me. I now have a great way to communicate to the people around me how my energy feels throughout the day, instead of just replying “I’m tired” when I’m asked.
Finding this diagnosis was hard enough; it took nearly six years to have an answer on paper. Once I had the information and the ability to take next steps, that’s where the struggle really began. Unfortunately, there is no answer or medical treatment for this condition, but over the last two years, I have gathered a handful of useful tools that personally help keep me level, even on my worst days.
Addressing this condition in relation to my business has been complicated, but as long as I allow myself the time before and after a session for my body to recover, I’ve been making it work. A lot of people don’t realize that having a location session in the Texas heat is a full-body workout! I’ve never had a session end where I’m not exhausted immediately after from constantly squatting, standing, laying on the ground, leaning backwards halfway into a backbend; I could go on forever. It’s tough work! It always comes out worth it in the end, and I wouldn’t trade this life for the world, chronic disorder or not.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Creative Portrait + Couples photographer here in Conroe, Texas. I specialize in making people feel their best, their most comfortable, and to let them visually experience the little moments you can’t recreate in a mirror. During a session with me, I might ask you to do a fun prompt, and as much as I love these activities for my clients, I’m looking for the incredibly special in-between moments where the magic really happens.
I am proud of so many milestones in my career, from winning first place in a local juried art show in high school to being selected for the cover of Moevir Magazine August Issue. This entire experience has been a ride, and after every milestone I hit, it only inspires me to become better.
I’ve recently started applying my skill set to the more editorial side of the business and break out of my comfort zone to be more involved in printed works. This year my photos have been accepted for three publications. My journey is still beginning, and the one constant theme I try to practice is to keep learning on a daily basis to better myself and my work.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
So many people deserve a huge credit in my life, but there’s a handful that stands out for such special reasons. Firstly my mom, Nikie Wishnow, who taught me almost everything I know about photography. She has always been such an entrepreneur and really instilled that “be your own boss” attitude in me. She has had several different successful businesses but has recently found her love of photography is still the priority. Now we collaborate on different ideas + shoots and encourage each other’s business everyday. Her endless support means the world.
My amazing husband, Michael, has undoubtedly been my number #1 cheerleader this whole time. We met when I was only 15 years old, in a Taekwondo class. I was paired up with him on my first day to learn my very first martial art techniques, and we’ve been partners ever since. In 2015, he joined the Air Force to jump-start his career for the life he wanted to provide for us. While we were living in Utah, I decided to really take photography serious, and he was behind me every step of the way. He was even willing to learn how to use my camera so I could step in front of the lens every so often! In 2019 we got married with all of our closest friends and family present, then shortly after, we moved back home to Texas to establish my new business. He has always been my number one supporter, even when things feel a little tough. After total of nearly ten years together, I’m so lucky to call him my best friend.
For the credit of my education, that will go to the one and only Valerie Yaklin-Brown. She is the kindest and most amazing and relatable professor I’ve had in my entire college career. I attended all three of her darkroom photography courses at Lone Star College (Photo I – Photo III) and learned more about my style and where I wanted to go with my work as a career than I had ever prepared for. From learning the about the history of photography, creating cyanotypes, and creating the entire classroom into a pinhole camera, we covered so many topics that I am so grateful to have learned. I still keep in contact with the friends I made from those classes, and I’m so proud of how far we’ve all come.
Lastly, I’d love to credit my amazing group of friends who let me throw my crazy ideas all over the place and then help me make them come true. Bunni, Prestynn, Anastasia, Lexie, Myra, and Jacey, and many more who have let me be their hype girl and heard me say, “I don’t know what I’m doing” in the middle of a session way too many times. Thank you for all the endless laughs, random dance breaks, always having the encouragement when I need it, the ideas when I’m drawing a blank, and the inspiration to keep doing what I love for you guys.
Pricing:
- Portraits – $175/hr
- Couples – $190/hr
Contact Info:
- Email: lena_rayne@yahoo.com
- Website: lenaraynephoto.com
- Instagram: lenaraynephoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LenaRaynePhotography
Image Credits
Models in photos (In Order): Tessera Giles Myra Grace Anastasia Pontiff Bunni Day Kamryn Calderon Kyra Gause Drew + Allison Zippiere Prestynn Lacey.
