Rising Stars: Meet Rylee G.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rylee G.

Hi Rylee, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started doing photography by first buying a camera to shoot video footage of my buddies and I working on music in a studio somewhere in Hollywood, California. I really wanted to capture this moment, it was such a big deal to me at the time, I was excited to be recording an album at a major studio and I wanted the memories to last, so I started researching cameras, this was back in 2015 and the canon 7D seemed to be the move, really wanted the 5d but it wasn’t in the budget and neither was the 7D however I found a used one on Craigslist for cheap that was barely used and came with a lens, I was so new to the camera world I thought the camera automatically came with a lens attached but quickly learned that professional cameras have all kinds of different lenses attachments and variance. I learn something new everyday and that has been the thrill of photography since day one. Knowing absolutely nothing about a camera, I just knew I needed to have one and wanted to do creative things with it. To make a long story short, the music didn’t go as planned and I found myself doing photo shoots for my girlfriend and her friends more than the band. I truly believe everything happens for a reason.

I’ve been a photographer for six years now completely come full circle. Currently managing up and coming models sharing the spotlight and giving back to those on the rise, realized I’m more than just a photographer I’m now a brand, im a platform with an audience that is curious to see what rbbtwlf will post next and rather they like it or not they keep coming back for more and I thrive for this, this is what makes the world of rbbtwlf all worth the hard work.

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 biggest challenges I’ve faced with rbbtwlf have been more on a personal level, I’ve had to really differentiate the fact that friends and family may not support what I do because of the content I produce, this really affected me for a while, I even considered quitting when I was giving an ultimatum from an ex who I thought was the one… as hard as it was to do, I walked away and kept rbbtwlf alive it was a confusing two years of my life but I’ve broken through this time and I’m so thankful I took the loss and kept doing what I love because it’s taught me more about myself it’s made me stronger I’ve lost close friends because of rbbtwlf It’s so mind-boggling to me that people I’ve known in my life for years will continuously watch my Instagram stories send me direct messages complimenting my work saying: wow dude, these girls are so hot, your photography is freaking amazing, how the heck did you create this, how can I do this. Yet they cannot like a picture I post they cannot comment on a picture even if I ask them to all because they live in fear of what their significant other will say or do if they find out this is what their man/girl is viewing they have fake accounts they’ve had to create just to watch what I’m doing to know that there’s people out there that don’t have the freedom I do saddens me but I say this now but in the past, I took this activity very personal instead of being sad for myself I am no longer that person I am more sad for the ones who don’t have the freedom I do and now I’m laughing all the way to the bank cause I didn’t give up on my Vision for such a niche market that is now becoming very very mainstream.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am most known by my brand rbbtwlf (rabbit wolf) I specialize in digital photography primarily color photography once in a while I’ll do a black and white set but most inspired by color. I’m most proud of the connections I’ve made, the people I’ve met the places I’ve gone, the camera has been a great vehicle for me opening lots of doors. I’d say the main thing that sets me apart is my process… when I do a photoshoot, I’m not just there to take pictures I’m there to learn about the model I’m shooting with talk to them. I almost look at it as a way of interviewing them while I’m taking pictures, I’m learning clues about what they like about their self what they’re trying to accomplish in life who are they trying to become. I thrive off of my subjects story and when I sit down in the editing process and it’s just me and my laptop, I’m working to bring out the projection of the subjects story. I want to make my audience feel some type of way. I take every photo shoot differently I never use the same color grading; I never use the same exposure I never use the same settings on my camera everything is custom for that photoshoot and that situation. I know there’s a lot of photographers out there that have their settings set and they have this formula but I don’t have a set formula other than the steps I take to finishing and completing a photo. I listen to the photo the photo talks to me it tells me what to do and that’s that!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Pod cast: Joe Rogan

Books: own the day by Aubrey Marcus
Books: green light by Matthew McConaughey
Books: range by David Epstein
Books art of communication by Thich Nhat Hanh

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.rbbtwlf.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/rbbtwlf

Image Credits
Haley Jade, Heather Luna Lavendre, Jade Million, JR, Kindly Myers, Kristin Parks, Brittany Fleming