Honorable mention, New York Center for Photographic Arts, Primary Colors Exhibition

I am honored to announce that my image, “Feeling Groovy”, was selected by juror, Stephen Perloff, as honorable mention for the New York Center for Photographic Arts, 2019, Primary Colors exhibition. There were a total of 46 images selected for the exhibition out of almost 1000 images submitted.

This image is very dear to me as it was created in my home town of Portland, Oregon back in 2012. The image was juried into my first group gallery exhibition in 2014, at the Lightbox Gallery in Astoria, Oregon, and it received my first international recognition, being granted honorable mention, for the Prix de la photographie Paris competition in 2014.

I remember at the time, thinking it was just a fluke that my work received these acknowledgements. I felt very out of place being new to the photographic art world. My mentor at the time, Joni Kabana, kept saying that this was just the beginning for me, and it was not an accident. She said I had talent, and that she could see good things for me in my future. I had a hard time fully believing that, yet she kept encouraging me to continue to follow my passion as a photographer, create new work, and keep putting myself out there. I am grateful for her belief in me, and her ongoing support and encouragement. Since that time, I have won international awards for my work and been in several exhibitions, both nationally and internationally.

December 2018, I retired from my 34 year career as a registered nurse, and moved to the south of France to live my dream of being a full-time fine art and portrait photographer. Since that time, many doors have opened for me here in France. I have the most amazing group of friends, and the amount of love and support I feel is incredible. This place inspires me to be my very best, and to be open to trust and allow good things to happen. I am no longer doubting myself. I believe all things are possible, and that I can live my life as an artist. Life is good!

It is interesting to me how the events of our lives are so interconnected. We don’t always understand the deeper meaning of our experiences, or where they are leading us. But, I do believe that everything happens for a reason, and in time, it will be revealed.

As I was looking at the images that were chosen for the 2019 Primary Colors exhibition, I noticed that, my mentor and friend, Joni Kabana, had one of her images selected as honorable mention. What a lovely surprise to see her image in the same exhibition! For me, it was another beautiful message from the universe confirming that I am on the right path, and showing me how far I have come since 2014. Back then, I could never image I would be where I am now. It is a good lesson in trusting, allowing, and listening to the people around you, and saying, “thank you for believing in me”, even when you are not sure you are worthy of the compliments.

To check out all the wonderful images selected for the exhibition, click on this link. https://www.nyc4pa.com/primary-colors-2019 It is such and honor to be amongst these photographers!

Finally, If you, or anyone you know, is traveling to the south of France and would like to have unique and beautiful portraits made with me, contact me soon. I have my calendar ready to go for the upcoming season, and I am expecting to be quite busy here in beautiful Provence, France.

Feeling Groovy, 2013

Interiors Exhibition, at Jadite Gallery in Manhattan, NY, April 2016

I am very honored to have had my photo, "Ryder", selected by juror Stephen Perloff, to be included in the New York Center For Photographic Arts "Interiors" exhibition.  25 photographs, out of 750 submissions, were chosen for the exhibition, which will be held at the Jadite Gallery, in midtown Manhattan, on April 19-30th, 2016.  I am thrilled to be part of this show!

This photo is part of a series, on which I am working, that involves classic cars and 50's fashion, both of for which I have an obsession.  The model in the photo, Sara Kelsay, is the owner of this beautiful, 1961 Plymouth Fury, and the adorable little guy is her son, Ryder.  She restored this car on her own.  She is an inspiration!  I met her at a classic car show and instantly felt a connection to her.  Sara and her son Ryder were really a delight to work with.  

I learned from this shoot not to be afraid to ask people for use of their property in an artistic way.  I have found that most folks are very happy to be part of a creative process.  When I thought of this concept, I noticed a very cool old Craftsman style home, in Canby, Oregon, which I felt would be the perfect for the shoot.  So, I approached the homeowner bravely and she instantly gave me permission to photograph on her property.

Here is one more image that shows the full scene where I did the shoot.

Hair and make-up by the always amazing Michele Wade!

Raina Stinson Photography wins first place, single image, LensCulture Exposure Awards 2014

"...a very polished image, technically very accomplished yet evocative of a time that is enhanced by the bit of mystery it contains."
Jury member Sarah Leen, Director of Photography at National Geographic

Shortly after I celebrated my 50th birthday, due in no small part to a gift I received from my husband and family that day, I decided to change my career path as a registered nurse, and follow my dream of becoming a professional photographer, which had bubbled around in my subconscious since I was a teen.  I never dreamed that a mere, if whirlwind, four years later I could have,... let alone would have,... won an award like this.  When I decided that I wanted to pursue photography as a vocation, there were people whom told me that it would be difficult to make a living, there would be a lot of competition, and that I was not a spring chicken.  I think we all hear those voices, whether external or internal, that would seek to hinder rather than encourage us.  They are voices of fear, envy, projection and regret.  Instead of listening to the negativity, I chose to follow my heart and to let go of any beliefs and thought patterns that would limit me.  Damn the torpedoes!  I felt I had nothing to lose and only everything to gain.  I have always encouraged my children to follow their dreams and to not allow fear to get in their way.  I figured it was just maybe time for me to follow some of my own advice and walk the walk.  So, I decided to put my heart and soul into the art and soul of creating photographs, come what may.  It is incredibly fulfilling, to have followed my passion and made such a bold career change, at this time of my life.  Truth be told, the timing could not have been any better.  I am so honored to receive this international recognition from LensCulture.  My peer group has just expanded exponentially.  I am humbled.  Many winners and finalists of LensCulture competitions have had their careers launched or catapulted to the next level, as a result of the enormous positive attention that the LensCulture Exposure Awards draws and focuses onto the recipients.  The awards live up the name; "Exposure".

LensCulture is a photography network and online magazine about contemporary photography in art, media, politics, commerce and popular culture worldwide.  Will Coldwell, in "The Independent" in 2013, described LensCulture as one of the ten best photography websites, calling it a "definitive resource for anyone who wants to keep up with the latest trends and debates in contemporary photography".  Critic, Sean O'Hagan, in an article in "The Guardian" from 2012, listed it among the eight best photography websites or online publications, and hailed it as "one of the most authoritative and wide-ranging sites."

As a result of this award, my winning image "Alluring", (which is posted above), will be on exhibition at the "Photo London" expo, a major international photography event for artists, mavens, and collectors, as well as the general public.  It will be held at Somerset House, in London, England, May 21st-24th of 2015.  "Alluring" will also be part of LensCulture's top selected works, which image stream is projected at other photo festivals and events throughout the year, in cities like Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco, Dubai, and again in London.  My image will also be published in the LensCulture Awards annual edition, which is distributed to LensCulture insiders and industry experts, a group that includes editors, curators, festival directors, publishers, gallery directors, and more.  Again, I am simply humbled.  

I want to acknowledge and thank my very talented sister, Michele Wade, hairstylist and makeup artist extraordinaire.  Michele fashioned the incredibly spot-on hair and makeup for this photo, as she has done for so many of my best images.  I could not have created this photograph, without her intuition, flair and imagination.  She always brings so much breathtaking beauty and creativity to our shoots.  I never cease to be stunned by her work, after we're finished with a shoot.  Also, I want to thank my amazing model, Kira Aszman.  The first time I saw Kira, with her vintage 1971 green BMW model 2002, I wanted to photograph her and it together.  She was such a great sport and did an incredible job of following direction, while bringing her unique style and energy to the shoot.  Kira is one of the young chameleons, one of my muses, with which I've been so richly blessed, whom always seem to magically morph and blend into my photographs so seamlessly, effortlessly and appropriately.  She, too, shares in this award and my success.

I travel to London this May, to attend the Photo London exhibition, after which I will return to France for two weeks, where I will conduct another shoot in Provence.  I also plan to spend some time in Paris, to meet with various art directors and photo editors.  My life just got a lot more exciting,... again.

Dreams do come true...

"We are all quite thrilled that your work was selected as the top winner by the jury of LensCulture Exposure Awards. It’s a remarkable photo, and inspiring to all of us."  Jim Casper, Editor and Publisher, LensCulture

Check out all of the winners and finalists, by clicking here.

Elf Trouble

'Tis the season to be jolly!  Oh, what fun I had on this shoot, with my amazing team of artists!  This shoot is titled "Elf Trouble" and is part of my "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" series.  And lots of fun was had, by all! 

Hair and makeup artist Michele Wade did an amazing job.  I feel so fortunate to be able to work with her.   We have a synergy that is down right magical at times.  I was envisioning big, crazy, stylized hair, which would take on a Dr. Seuss-ish look.  But, before I could even voice this idea to her, Michele mentioned that she was thinking about taking this very tack with the hairstyles for this shoot.  I was really blown away, by the hairstyles she created, as well as the beautiful and complementary makeup designs she applied.

Justine Verigin was my set and costume design assistant.  Justine and I went shopping together at Portland area vintage stores, to find just the right elf costume and pink dress.  We lucked out and found everything we needed at the "Red Light" resale store, on Hawthorne Blvd.  I love it, when everything I need for a shoot suddenly materializes, like magic!  We also needed an elf hat.  But, alas, I couldn't seem to find one which projected the right look for my concept.  So, Justine, being Justine, simply designed and sewed the hat.  She just created the perfect hat!  I gave her some basic guidelines, let her go, and then totally trusted that she would add her spark of creativity and come up with the ideal accessory, which, of course, is precisely what occurred.  Justine also did an equally great job with the set design.  She is wonderful at assembling all the small details, which literally stitch the set together and give it cohesiveness and depth.

I do my best work with I am with a team of creative artists.  I always strive to present a safe and open space, where everyone is free to just be themselves and let their creative energies flow.  I believe,... no, I know,... that everyone involved has something to bring to each shoot.  That is why they are there.

My models were spectacular and such good sports, with it all.  My muse and main character for my "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" series, Malia Rodgers, played her part to a tee and brought her own "funk" to the shoot.  Tyler Verigin, the "Naughty Elf", embraced his character exceptionally well.  And, when he was not in front of the camera, he was filming the shoot.  Sarah Kue, who was styled specifically to bring to mind Dr. Seuss' "Cindy Lou" character from his 'Grinch" story, was spot-on with the embodiment of her character and liberally sprinkled her creatively impish spirit into the shoot.  The interplay among these three talented models was splendid.  

My trusted assistant, Ben Braden, was simply amazing and ever my "Santa's Helper".  I had the poor guy running all over the place, just as one might imagine the Number-One Elf might contribute at the North Pole on Christmas Eve.  He was great at assisting me with the lighting and assembling the set.  And he had some great ideas of his own to contribute to the shoot!  He even filmed parts of the shoot, when Tyler was occupied with his modeling duties.

Thanks, to my team for all their hard work and the amazing creativity they brought to this shoot.

Happy Holidays, to everyone!

Enjoy the slideshow below and, if you wish to view the individual images in the portfolio section, click here.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

PDX Photo Month Exhibit

I am pleased to announce that my photo "Be Happy" was accepted into the PDX Photo Month Exhibit, at Lightbox Photographic Gallery in Astoria, curated by Chris Bennett.  This photo is  from  my series, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". Artist reception April 12th 6-9pm.  You won't want to miss this exhibit, April 12th through May 6th.

If you want to see more photos from my "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" series, check out my website at www.rainastinsonphotography.com