Meet Rae Smith | Photographer & Musician

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

Hi Rae, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from San Bernardino, California—born and raised. Growing up in a city where survival often took priority over creativity has deeply shaped who I am, both as a person and an artist. San Bernardino is where it all began for me. It taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of turning what you have into something meaningful.

My father was a huge creative influence. He was a multifaceted artist before it was considered cool. From him, I learned embrace creating things with what i have in front of me, even if it’s the bare minimum. Before stepping into the photography business, music was the driving force. I’ve been singing, playing instruments like the tenor sax/guitar, and performing since I can remember. Over the years, I’ve curated shows, released my own music, and found new and innovative ways to market myself in general.

One of my most meaningful experiences was being the featured artist for the “Sounds of Recovery” show based out of San Bernardino Valley College. For about two months, every weekend, we worked to turn the real stories of recovering addicts into powerful songs and performances—a full-scale production that brought healing and art together.

Photography came into my life around 14 or 15, when my uncle, Dwyne Smith, started taking me on shoots and teaching me the business. He wanted me to see more than just the environment I was subjected to and understand what professionalism can look like across different spectrums. In 2011, I was introduced to club photography with a friend, Kenneth Mosely. His encouragement opened a major door for me, allowing me to document the nightlife and vibrant culture of the Inland Empire.

I eventually launched my photography company, Creatively Rae, to build a life that could support my music and creative ambitions. Since then, I’ve curated so many different kinds of events, Soul Shots being the most recent. Everything I do—whether visual or sonic—is rooted in storytelling, connection, and honoring the spirit of where I come from.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is rooted in truth, connection, and presence. Whether through photography, music, or curating creative spaces, my goal has always been to reveal the soul of a moment. I’m not here to just make things look good, I want people to feel seen.

What sets my work apart is how personal it is. I come from a place where creativity had to fight to exist. So everything I do i try my best to do with intentional. Keeping the underlying fabric about emotion, storytelling, and real-life energy.

Was it easy? Absolutely not. It felt like it took forever to find my personal style in both music and photography. I’ve had to give up everything—apartments, cars, stability—multiple times just to be able to create freely. Even now, I’m still learning from those sacrifices. But I kept showing up because creating is not something I want to do, it’s something I have to do.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how to play my role. Early on, I got caught up in chasing certain outcomes or expectations, what I thought success should look like. But over time, I’ve learned how to stay grounded, to show up, execute with purpose, and allow creativity to flow through me rather than force it. Playing my role means letting others shine in their light, and in doing so, I honor my own.

That’s especially true with photography and the whole roll out of Soul Shots. Music can have your head in the clouds, always revolving around your personal story. But being behind the camera is a deeply humbling experience. It requires me to put everything in my life aside and fully focus on the subject, to capture them in their essence. And that’s an honor I don’t take lightly.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that it’s real. Taking pictures or posting content is cool and all, but I’m really here to tell stories, build legacy, and remind people of their light. Everything I do is for the people who came before me, the ones walking with me now, and the ones who will come after.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I actually got to live this question out with a friend of mine named Naomi, who I used to work with back in NYC. She had such a positive impact on me during that time in my life, so when she came out to visit, I knew I had to show her a proper California experience.

To me, the first real act of love when someone visits is picking them up from LAX—with no complaints. That ride alone can set the tone for the whole trip, and I feel like it’s such an underrated way to show you care. After I scooped her, we went straight to the Santa Monica Promenade. It’s the perfect introduction to LA—the beach culture, palm trees, ocean breeze, and just enough chaos to say “welcome to the West.”

We grabbed lunch at Tender Greens (you honestly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu), and later found this chill spot—I can’t remember the name, but it was good drinks, 4/20-friendly, and a whole vibe. From there, we took a walk through Downtown LA, randomly stopped for photo sessions, and let the day unfold naturally. That’s how I like to travel: curated, but with room for the magic.

Now, if I were putting together a go-to itinerary on the fly, here’s what it would look like:
We’re definitely doing a beach day—either Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, or driving up the PCH toward Malibu, finding a spot to park, and just listening to the waves. That kind of peace hits different. I’d take them for a ride through the Hollywood Hills, cruise the mountains, and admire all the unique architecture and wild mansion setups you never get used to.

Of course, we’re grabbing Afters Ice Cream at some point—it’s a must. And if there’s a cool art exhibit or pop-up happening anywhere in the city, we’re there. I love showing off the creative heartbeat of LA, from independent galleries to backyard shows.

For me, it’s never about doing the most—it’s about creating real moments. Music, good food, spontaneous photos, and the kind of laughter that turns into memory. That’s the kind of LA experience I love to give.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely—I have to dedicate this shoutout to my father, known by many as RAS. He made a major impact on the city of San Bernardino by showing what it looks like to live fully as a creative and build a business around it. He was a graffiti artist, DJ, breakdancer, graphic designer, producer, engineer, you name it. He was one of those rare people who did it all, and he did it with love, intention, and community in mind.

His influence didn’t just shape me, it also deeply impacted my uncle, Dwyne Smith, his younger brother. After my dad passed in 2013, my uncle carried that torch and passed it on to me. Everything I know about photography, professionalism, and showing up creatively with purpose, I learned from him. They both played such major roles in helping me see what’s possible when you lead with passion.

I also want to shout out the book The Power of the Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy. I’ve read it over 20 times, and it’s completely shifted how I show up in my craft and for myself. It continues to teach me that everything starts internally. That book has been a constant reminder to stay intentional, and it’s played a huge part in the artist and person I’ve become.

Website: https://www.creativelyrae.vip/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativelyrae/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativelyrae/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@soundslikerae

Image Credits
Louis Eugene Lee
Nadiyah Sims
Vanessa Willmore