Meet Rachel Rogers | Rachel is a photographer, director, and creative manager in Manhattan, New York.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Rogers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
A lot of trial and error has taught me that seeking out a healthy work/life balance is what made me able to refer to myself as an artist. I have been working in the creative arts industry since I was 14, starting as a Stage Manager for my local community theatre and from then on I never held a job that wasn’t creative in its nature. Back then, I believed that what would make me an artist would be a long resume that proved all the times I worked as one. But; as we all might be familiar, that pressure and constant schedule often did the opposite. I was exhausted, I was over worked, and I wasn’t considering myself. In 2021 when my husband and I got married I decided to quit my day job and focus on my own desire to create art through photography. The freedom was daunting at first. I wasn’t taking as many photos as I was focusing on my husband and our new life together. As time passed and being married brought on less surprises I recognized patches of free time in my week. It is what I created in those moments that truly feels like art to me. In short, I learned that my creative nature is one to be patient with. Focusing on and allowing myself to find day to day peace increased my artistic desires more than the hustle ever could.

I have been so fortunate that personal finances has not been an overwhelming concern of mine. It is a privilege to have been allowed time and space to quit my job and just live. I recognize that my path is not one others can easily take. Yet, it has been crucial to who I am now and how I have found balance in my work, life, happiness, stillness and most importantly art. I had to experience giving my life and my partner the same attention and dedication I had been giving work to find the time to do both.

I think the best advice I can give in order to find balance is to take a moment and tip the scales the opposite direction. Too much of anything is uncomfortable, even free time. In the experience of both I believe you can find the balance that keeps and prioritizes your peace.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If you saw me you’d know… I’m known for my eyes. Large and doll like in nature they have attracted many. But I have always had a preference for what they see. I delight in the weird, wonderful, and humbling comedy of being a person in the world. Life is constantly proving itself to be hysterical, odd, and beautiful. I love it. So, when I’m photographing I seek the scenes that remind me of that innate humanness. I photograph mostly on 35mm film using a manual Pentax K1000. It is a very classic and non-gimmicky camera with an aggressively loud shutter. I had to learn quite a bit about the exposure triangle before I got the hang of it. But, it is the additional ‘math’ and attention to detail that a manual film camera requires that remains very appealing to me. When I am in my viewfinder and looking at the world time stops for me. I wish I had a better way of explaining it but I think that the magic is the mix of the colorful and naive way I look at the world and using a tool that allows me to communicate that. Not to diminish my current talent, but I feel very young in my artistic practice. I’m excited to continue to learn how to use more tools that I can have a special relationship with like I do my Pentax in the future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is the perfect question for the creative manager in me, I LOVE and often obsess over an itinerary. Here is an actual itinerary I made for a long weekend with my brother and his girlfriend for a recent long weekend in New York City.

*THURSDAY*

AFTERNOON
Check in @ Empire Hotel, Upper West Side
I am an upper west side girl myself, so I will want my bestie close to me. But I also just adore The Empire, especially for their rooftop bar. When visiting to New York to take in the sights and sounds, you want to be central in Manhattan but you DON’T want to be in Times Square. The Lincoln Center area is the perfect compromise. Surrounded by good food, trains, and central park you can’t go wrong.

EVE
Dinner @ Paola’s, Upper East Side
This is a personal place to my friends and I. I am almost scared to share this secret. The food and wine is delicious, the staff is kind, the owner is hilarious. It is only doubled by the amazing memories I have had here.

*FRIDAY*

LUNCH
Deli Salad Picnic in Central Park
In my personal opinion there is nothing better than eating your greens while sitting in the grass. I feel like one with nature. My bestie and I would walk to one of the many salad shops (sweetgreen, fresh & co, chopt, just salad, lenny’s, fairway, most deli’s… you get the point) and do a build your own. I like a build your own. Then stroll in the park until we find a perfect patch to sit and eat. Sounds perfect to me.

AFTERNOON
Central Park Photoshoot!
OBVS!!! One of my favorite activities is to walk around and take photos in the park.

EVENING
Full Glam + Drinks & Dancing Downtown
Don’t worry! She has fun too!! We are headed to downtown Manhattan to the Roxy Hotel for an evening Jazz Concert. After that we’ll step outside to get our groove on at Paul’s. Once we are tired of dancing we get a slice at Saluggi’s and a beer at Nancy’s. SO much fun.

*SATURDAY*

LUNCH
Hangover Bagels @ H&H Bagels, Upper West Side
It’s a must after the night we just had… but a delicious must at that!

AFTERNOON
Museum Day @ MoMA, Midtown
I love art and so does my bestie! I pick the MoMA because it’s an incredible collection. Any one who has taken Art History 2 will be wow’ed seeing the artworks they studied in person. On a recent visit we saw the work of Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Edgar Degas, Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe just to name a few.

EVENING
See an Off Broadway / Broadway Show!
It’s a must when visiting me, we are going to see a show! I’m suggesting Into The Woods, Six, A Strange Loop, Titanique!!!!… but honestly I’ll go see anything.

*SUNDAY*

BRUNCH
L’Avenue @ Saks 5th Avenue
For a brunch filled with opulence and glitz I have chosen L’Avenue. It’s a restaurant inside of Saks 5th Ave. It has a great menu in a really luxurious dining room. Me and the bestie will marry our croque monsieur & madame and toast to their life long happiness.

AFTERNOON
Shopping @ Saks and 5th Ave
It’s required to shop until you drop here in NYC, it just is. No matter the price tag we are taking whatever we desire back to the dressing room and having proper hype sessions for each look pulled. Shopping… it’s good for the soul.

SUNSET
Last Look at Manhattan @ The Edge, Hudson Yards
I think it’s fitting to have a look at the city at the end of the trip, It’s a little emotional and sweet end to a lovely long weekend with my bestie.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Please excuse the cheese, but I would like to dedicate my shout out to my husband, Steven. We are high school sweethearts who got married on the 10 year anniversary of our first date; so it goes with out saying that they know me very well. We have seen so many different versions of each other and have always encouraged the best parts. It was Steven who purchased me my first film camera and pushed me to photograph professionally. To this day they fund and encourage my growing camera lens collection and career. From the small things to the big, like attending events and assisting me, Steven has never wavered in their belief that I am a talented, unique, and capable artist. I am forever blessed to have this support in my life.

Website: Rachel.photo

Instagram: @rachelindisposable

Facebook: https://fb.me/rachelrogersphotography

Other: Booking: https://www.honeybook.com/widget/rachel_rogers_photography_231261/cf_id/6170add472102b06ceffeafe