Today we’d like to introduce you to Raja Green.
Hi Raja, 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.
Well, I’ve always had a God-given talent to draw which then it turned into painting. I picked up a camera around 2017 playing around just to be creative and then it grew just like my paintings to become a passion. I didn’t understand how or why I picked up a camera but I unconsciously thought about when I was little and my mom would always have a camera around so I guess I was learning from her and watching her, so when I got older, I just gravitated to a camera in a way. Then I began to take more pictures around 2018 and people told me I could get paid for it. I’ve always had good angles but didn’t know anything about editing or Lightroom or how to use photoshop. So, I got better with editing and indulged in the craft and here I am today, still enjoying the process.
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?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I had at one point lost the love of drawing back in middle school (7th grade) and didn’t pick pencil or pin up until 10th grade of high school due to an I guess frustration of something I went through that I didn’t know how to channel it except buy quit drawing and painting 24/7, something that I could do in my sleep. That was the hard part, getting back to a craft from God that I loved. I told God I didn’t want to lose my gift because I went so long without doing anything. So that was very hard to get back to that mindset of drawing and it wasn’t easy at all.
When I first picked up a camera it was me watching the fundamentals on YouTube on how to work camera work, aperture, shutter speed, and iso. So, one summer I spent a lot of time outside with my dog as my model and my brother and then started to carry it with me around and just snapped away. My first camera had gotten stolen out my car, and I had to buy another one which we all know is not cheap. A lot of frustration with pictures not coming out the way you wanted them to or how they were perceived on YouTube. Starting a business with your own money and losing money along the way. Losing focus at one point because you felt like it wasn’t working when times got slow. Not really understanding what type of photography I like because I feel I can do it all.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in drawing and painting. the process of messing up or covering up or bringing color onto a painting after drawing it. I also specialize in is street photography. I understand my eye for seeing random things or angles or what it can turn out to be once edits starts to take place. I’ve been known to do it all from, weddings, birthdays, events, maternity shoots, you name it, I’ve done it.
I’m most proud of the passion, mind, and relentlessness to not give up something that I love to do. I love to draw or sketch and I love black and white anything. I’m most proud of the mindset that I’ve grown to redevelop to draw and paint and to do photography, that’s my biggest thing is the mindset.
I’m not really sure what sets me apart from others just yet because there’s a lot of people before me that done the same thing. But if I had to say anything it’ll be my belief in myself to pressure something and take the risk. To hustle for what I believe in no matter what.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important thing that I’ve learned in my journey is to put God first in everything I’m pursuing to not quit. To listen to your heart when you’re going after something. To not listen to the outside noise and trust yourself. It isn’t going to be easy and anything that will last or is supposed to last will not come easy. And that you have to put in the work if you want to see the results you’re looking for. And you really have to have tunnel vision when it comes to perusing something.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: _0raja and rgph0tography
- Facebook: Raja Green
