Today we’d like to introduce you to Riah Smith.
Hi Riah, 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.
While my small media studio, Riah Grace Studio, is only in its first year, photography has been my channel of expression and my most honoring task for the last six years. I began photography early in high school, teaching myself through constant practice, shooting every week at my local church. They needed someone to help with social media, so my teenage self jumped in and took over media management from start to finish. The process of shooting for publication, event photography, editing, copywriting, and social media marketing was enthralling. I was thankful to learn and grow alongside the platforms I posted on. The camera and I became inseparable, and I was asked to take photos of some friends and family occasionally. I never saw myself as being good enough to start my own business. After more shoot requests and encouragement from my wonderful cousins, I decided to do it. So, in 2023, I decided to step out and begin Riah Grace Studio, a design studio that includes photography, web, and graphic design. I now have had the honor of shooting births, weddings, events, portraits, families, and businesses. I joke that I’ve never done the same shoot twice, and I don’t think I ever will! I love to give people beautiful creative assets to capture moments and communicate their vision and values. So now, I shoot in North Orlando with the most remarkable people, meeting them at any stage of life and meeting them with creativity and strategy.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There is a reason why it’s taken me six years to grow into being Riah Grace Studio, and I know I needed every moment of that growth. I remember not knowing that I was learning photography on a less-than-optimal camera and needing clarification because I did not understand photographer jargon from professionals around me. Being young in a large industry has been intimidating, and looking at the perfection of curated feeds and successful shoots from photographers around you can lead to feeling very discouraged. Moments of comparison robbed me mentally and emotionally. But blessings surrounded every moment of my journey – from the broken cameras to the free editing software on my iPhone 8, my humble outlook on a very flashy industry helped me to remember the focal point of why I do what I do. It’s the mothers wanting to capture their child’s first breaths. The senior photos mark a transition into a new phase of life. It’s the growing small businesses excitedly sharing their passions. It’s the intimate weddings, where your photos give a big world a glimpse into a small moment of intimacy. Every bit of my growth in photography has been small, but I’m not afraid of small beginnings; they’ve given me some significant moments.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us more about your work next.
One thing you’ll learn about me is that I love to get to know what makes you unique – and how we can cultivate creative ways to communicate that. Growing up, I have always had a love for both creativity and strategy. I have fallen in love with the written word and am enamored by the power of photography and branding. But most of all, I live to enact change and create solutions to pain points in the world. I am actively engaged in projects and love quickly reaching goals. Finally, I am always looking out for your best interest, wanting to help you find your voice and share it with others. I specialize in photography and also create websites for growing businesses in Orlando. Riah Grace Studio is a digital media studio, and I have significant experience in print media design and branding. I treat media holistically, as I have worked actively in post-production media for the last four years. The most common response I hear from those I shoot with is that I make them feel comfortable and excited to have their photo taken – which is just the sweetest remark. Relationships are so meaningful to me, and I am most proud of the people I have been able to photograph and the journey I have been on to be able to photograph them with technical excellence. When you work with me on any project, know that I am here for you and with you, and I’m genuinely excited to help leverage media beautifully and effectively.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from growing up.
I grew up moving around the country with my family, so my favorite childhood memories are embedded in the golden California sun or the blue Texas sky. Walking down the tide pools in La Jolla, California, with my two big sisters and sweet parents will always be something I hold dear. My family is the greatest gift I’ve ever been given, and those nights watching the sunset over the Pacific in SoCal combine all my favorite things.
Pricing:
- – Portrait Shoots begin at $250, inquire through RiahGraceStudio.com
- – Family Shoots begin at $350, inquire through RiahGraceStudio.com
- – Website Design begins at $700, inquire through RiahGraceStudio.com
Contact Info:
- Website: riahgracestudio.com
- Instagram: @riahgracestudio
