Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael McKinney-Mason.
Hi Rachael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I had spent my whole life in Florida, and after college I knew it was time for my next adventure. So I packed up and moved to Nashville without knowing a single person or having a job lined up — my parents gave me six months to figure it out. I landed at BMI and found my footing, and a whole network of people I’m still grateful to have crossed paths with.
The photography side of things started the way most things do in Nashville: it’s all about who you know. A friend mentioned needing a photo for a show, and I had just gotten a camera for Christmas. Photography wasn’t totally new to me, so I picked it up. And I never really put it back down. I was shooting shows all over Nashville, artists, bands, brands — my portfolio started to really take shape, all while building my career in the corporate music world at Warner Music Group with Atlantic Records.
Then I met Kylie Frey, and that opened up a whole new chapter — I started traveling the country with her, documenting tour life, capturing moments most people never get to see. And I was doing all of this alongside a full-time corporate job.
When COVID hit, like a lot of people, it forced me to slow down and really ask what I wanted for myself. What I realized was that my vision had shifted. So I took a step back, re-evaluated, and got to work, and out of that came Rock and Rae Media. I was able to walk away from corporate and build something entirely my own — and that’s where I am today.
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?
Smooth is not the word I would use, no. I think the biggest thing I’ve had to work through is self-doubt — and honestly, identity. In retrospect, I had mentally settled into being a photographer — and that was fine, until it wasn’t. As Rock and Rae Media began to take shape, I had to consciously release that identity, both for myself and in how I showed up publicly, in order to step into this next chapter.
On the business side, being a one woman show is no joke. I’ve had my share of difficult client experiences, and the sheer amount of time it takes to run everything yourself is something nobody really prepares you for. And doing it without a roadmap — without someone in my life who has built a business I could look to for guidance — has been a real learning curve.
But I will say, the support system I have means everything to me — my husband, my family, my friends. I don’t take that for granted. And we have plans for growth, so the one woman show won’t be forever.
As you know, we’re big fans of Rock and Rae Media. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Rock and Rae Media is a full-service creative agency — we specialize in content creation, social media management, and marketing, and we round that out with photography, videography, creative direction, branding, and paid advertising. But at the core of everything we do is storytelling. We build a world around our clients and tell their story through social media — from show recaps to brand lifestyle, the goal is always attention-grabbing content that actually resonates.
What sets us apart, I think, is the care that goes into it. I’m selective about who I bring on, and I make no apologies for that. The right client for Rock and Rae Media is someone who shows up collaboratively, trusts the creative process, and is ready to grow. I want every partnership to be built on mutual respect and a shared vision — and when that’s there, the work reflects it.
Brand-wise, Rock and Rae Media has a very specific feeling — think vintage Florida summer. Nostalgic, warm, aesthetically intentional, but lively at its core. There’s always fun involved. And there are some exciting new ventures on the horizon that I can’t wait to see take shape.
As for where Rock and Rae Media is headed — this brand is bigger than any one city. Nashville has given me so much through the years. The connections, the people I’ve gotten to meet and photograph — I don’t take any of that lightly. There’s something to be said for being in the right place at the right time, and I really feel like I was. And now, I’m just excited for what’s next — new ventures, new places, and continuing to grow this brand into everything I know it can be.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Working with Rock and Rae Media is pretty straightforward — you can reach out directly at info@rockandrae.com, fill out the contact form at rockandrae.com, or just slide into my DMs. I’m pretty much @rockandrae everywhere, so I’m very reachable.
If you just want to support the brand, follow along, share with anyone you think could benefit, and tell your friends. Word of mouth means everything to a small business. And if you want a more behind the scenes look at what we’re building, come find me on YouTube — the vlog lives there too.
And honestly, support looks different for everyone. For me, one of the things I value most is speaking people’s names in rooms they’re not in. If I think someone’s work deserves to be seen or a connection could be meaningful, I’m going to make it. I’d love for people to do the same for Rock and Rae Media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rockandrae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockandrae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DwHM85uTY/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rock-and-rae-media
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rockandrae
