Life & Work with Daryl Rice of Nashville

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daryl Rice

Hi Daryl, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My photography origin story wasn’t so enchanting, at least not to me, but it is genuine. It’s like 2004, and I’m in computer class, and we’re transitioning from the 2D brick maze and colorful pipes era to the scenic wallpaper/screensaver generation that we know today. I remember being the kid in computer class who would gaze in amazement at those scenic wallpapers & screensavers, stimulated by the captivating imagery that would appear and reappear in slideshow format, and I remember thinking about how I wanted to go to these places one day and hopefully create scenic images of my own. Another not-so-enchanting part of this story and for a not-so-common reason is that I was inherently attracted to the 2000s Adult Swim commercials (The nighttime Cartoon Network programming block) and the random mundane imagery that popped up during their commercial breaks. Essentially it never took much to grab my attention if it involved anything showcasing our environmental experience via photographic imagery. I was ALWAYS engrossed. Eventually, while in undergrad, I got my first camera, I was a student-athlete and made it a habit to take photos of my teammates during practice or at meets whenever we traveled to other campuses. I was also notoriously known amongst my teammates to wander off spontaneously unannounced during the track meets. Unbeknownst to them, I’d be out doing passive street photography around the campuses to kill time in between events, while doing so I often found myself trying to mimic the “vibe” of those screensaver images & Adult Swim commercial photos for fun. When I finished undergrad in 2015, I was cameraless, having sold my gear, and wound up taking a break from shooting to navigate life. During this time in my life, I did some traveling, my passion for photography never wavered so I was perfectly fine taking dedicated photos with my iPhone and honing in on my skills. Around 2021, I was fortunate enough to secure another camera and picked up right where I left off in 2015, and I haven’t stopped shooting since.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road did not come without obstacles. As mentioned, when I finished undergrad I was cameraless. Circumstances got tough and I had to sell off my camera gear to take care of priorities. So for about a 6-year stretch, my phone was all I had to refer to for creative outlet. That’s not to say that you can’t achieve great work with a phone, I know people who do amazing things with their phones, however, I was just anxious to expand creatively beyond that. I considered myself a passionate purist I suppose, and I wanted to engage the discipline with a traditional modern camera, learn the fundamentals, and be active with my photographic interest to the best of my abilities. Being a self-taught photographer comes with challenges also, I’m always looking to add more to my “bag” if you will, so I approach every opportunity to shoot as a chance to learn and improve on an area of what I may consider a weakness.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I consider myself freelance. I specialize in street photography, event, and on-site portrait work. I would say street photography is where my heart is but I also love the creative process that goes into portrait art as well and as an on-site specialist, I feel that my passion for street work coincides with it perfectly. As far as event photography, I have experience covering a variety of occasions, from weddings, business grand openings, celebratory gatherings, etc. I’ve also done work in battle rap battle culture on the Smack URL and RBE platforms which was a lot of fun for me as a Hip-Hop/Rap head. Photography is very therapeutic for me, its taken me to a lot of dope places, I’ve met the best kinds of people, and worked with some very exceptional visionaries who inspire me to grow and remain dedicated. What I’m most proud of is my commitment to the craft and the growth that’s come from it. Regarding what sets me apart from others it’s hard to say. I always believed that I was a just member of a large community of visual creatives who inspire each other in different ways, however, I would probably say my versatility is what stands out most and I’m confident in my capacity to produce quality work regardless of the setting or circumstances.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I feel like anyone who gives me opportunities deserves credit. Bles+d , a local artist here in Nashville with whom I’ve collaborated several times, he’s been a strong supporter and advocate of my work. Through our collaborations, I’ve been able to sustain growth by actively engaging in various visual projects with him. His trust in me during the early stages of my work and willingness to allow for creative input and, at times, creative control over concepts are things I deeply appreciate and never take for granted. K. Renee, another photographer in the Nashville area, also deserves recognition as a mentor I’d say. I’ve had the privilege of working with her on a few occasions, and her advice has guided me across various subjects. I’ve worked with various other clients in and out of the Nashville area. Family and friends, my siblings always show love and encouragement. I’m grateful for it all!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stillthematic.com
• Instagram: @still.thematic