Roxy Rodriguez’s vibe is irrefutably cool girl — and we’re talking about both her and her work. No matter the individual insecurities of her subject, they emerge from the camera as women of personal power, their looks balancing defiant confidence with a dash of girl-next-door realness. In other words, you want nothing more than to be in their orbit, and the LA-based Roxy fits right in.
When Roxy was featured in the first season of Top Photographer with Nigel Barker, she revealed a natural talent for swiftly connecting with and directing the subjects. It’s an integral skill to succeed in her specialty of fashion photography, and that’s exactly what Roxy’s doing. She regularly shoots for Pretty Little Thing, and past clients have included Kona Brewing Co., Zara, and numerous swimwear labels.
Vibrant color and light like a properly sunny California day are her friends, and with them Roxy has developed a signature style that continues to win her work. Now we’re hoping to win her best photography tips.
Adorama: Was there a moment you remember first falling in love with photography? Describe it.
Roxy Rodriguez: I decided to take a photography class my senior year of high school. That class basically made it VERY clear that photography wasn’t going to be just a hobby for me. I became obsessed with doing the best and most creative work. After that class, I kept shooting my friends, nature…whatever. That class really helped to light the fire of what is now my career. To be honest, I feel like I am constantly falling in love with it all over again. Of course some days I love it more than others, but that is what keeps it exciting.
Adorama: What was your first camera, and what is your current go-to gear?
Rodriguez: My first digital camera was a Canon Rebel XT, I think it was a beige color. I really had no idea how to use it. I just set it to the little running man (AKA motion detection) and was good to go! Today, my go-to gear is my Canon 5D Mark IV, with a 24-70 lens.
Adorama: Why did you originally enter for Top Photographer with Nigel Barker? What did you hope to get out of it, and what did you actually learn from the experience?
Rodriguez: My intention for entering for Top Photographer with Nigel Barker was to prove to myself that I was good enough. You wouldn’t enter a competition unless you truly felt you were qualified, you know? Once I was selected I honestly just wanted to enjoy the process and learn as much as I could. In the end, I was so proud of the work I did. There were situations where, if you asked me before, “do you think you could execute that?” I would have said no. But after being thrown into those challenges, I was surprised that not only was I able to complete them, but I also won some. I feel like it was a huge self-love experience.
“In the end, it doesn’t matter what people look like; what matters is if they have a story to tell. And that is what is worth capturing in a portrait.”
Adorama: You’ve described the Top Photographer with Nigel Barker 30-minute portrait challenge with champion fencer Miles Chamley-Watson as your craziest photo session ever. What’s been the second craziest, and why?
Rodriguez: That portrait challenge with Miles was so fun and so crazy! The adrenaline from that was insane. Second craziest would have to be when I shot for Kona Brew Co. I was flown out to Hawaii and spent a few days driving around the island, working with amazing people, and shooting beer. There were a lot of moments where I thought, “Is this real life?!” I was so grateful and so humbled that I had the opportunity to be a part of that shoot.
Adorama: When shooting in a public space, what advice can you share for encouraging a model to relax, ignore onlookers, and connect with the camera?
Rodriguez: Shooting in public spaces isn’t my favorite. It’s hard to connect and remain focused with so many distractions, yet a lot of the time there is no other option. It helps if you (the photographer) and the model go over expectations for the look, as well as review poses and the specific shots you want to achieve.
Also get your lighting set up to as close as possible to how you want it before the model starts posing. That way, as soon as you walk into the space and start shooting, you both know what you need to do to get the shot. You’re not wasting time trying to get comfortable, or adjusting lighting in front of an audience.
Adorama: How do you handle or recommend responding to people or parties who ask to “collab,” but mean it in the way that they want you to provide them with free work?
Rodriguez: Outside of working for brands, I try to shoot stuff that I love whenever I can. I always make sure that all parties involved are working with me because they (the model, the makeup artist, the stylist) want to create art on their own terms, and not because someone is asking for free work or taking advantage of any other person’s talent. I think it’s so important to do shoots like that just so you don’t lose that creative passion/fire.
It’s so easy to get burnt out shooting stuff just for a paycheck, but there is a fine line between shooting because you want to create and being asked for free work. I have definitely left shoots where I felt like, they just took advantage of me. It’s not a great feeling.
“As you grow your photography, you begin to value yourself and set limits.”
When I first started getting serious with photography, collaborations were everything to me. I would work with whoever wanted to shoot with me; I needed to build my book and gain more experience. Now, unfortunately, there is just not enough time in the day to do “collabs” or free shoots unless they are benefiting my book. As you grow your photography, you begin to value yourself and set limits. It’s a hard thing to manage, especially when brands and influencers ask for trade/free work all the time. It’s also hard sometimes to know where you are in your career. Am I ready to start charging? And how much?
Many times I’ve responded to companies with my rate, and they decide not to go with me because they were able to find another photographer to do it for much less, or even for free. Maybe that photographer is just starting out and needs any work he/she can get. I’m not going to lie, but it’s pretty discouraging when you’re trying to price yourself with what you believe you’re worth, but you’re not sure whether people will pay that. At the end of the day, you need to be confident and stand by your rate and decisions. The right companies will hire you.
Adorama: What rule of photography do you find yourself having to break to get the results you want?
Rodriguez: One of my favorite things to do is break the rule of thirds. I love framing a photo “incorrectly,” or having the subject off-center. I also love playing with focus. I like for my subjects to look like they are in motion, so, instead of maybe focusing on the eye in a portrait, I will focus on the hair or the shoulder. I think it makes for really interesting shots. I love breaking the rules.
“When clients are happy with you and your work, word of mouth travels fast.”
Adorama: What is the best compliment someone could give to you about your work?
Rodriguez: The best compliment for me is a referral! I love when people recommend me to another person or for another job. I always try to establish a fun and creative set, where everyone is comfortable and excited to be creating. When clients are happy with you and your work, word of mouth travels fast.
Adorama: If you could photograph one person from history, who would it be and why them?
Rodriguez: That question is hard — there are so many people! One of my top would have to be Frida Kahlo. She was such a creative genius and her story is heartbreaking. The life she had, and what she endured made her all the more raw and beautiful. In the end, it doesn’t matter what people look like; what matters is if they have a story to tell. And that is what is worth capturing in a portrait.
Ready to share your best landscape image? Check out the new Top Photographer Challenge With Nigel Barker to submit your best shot and win a $5,000 prize package from Fujifilm.
