Today we’d like to introduce you to Elijah Ragin.
Hi Elijah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up, I was always into art and creating. I had a few digital cameras as a kid, but I didn’t get my first DSLR until after I graduated high school. Once I got it, I pretty much never stopped taking pictures. Since then, I’ve explored a lot of different sides of photography, and every experience helped me develop my eye and figure out what I connected with most.
Nowadays, I mainly work with artists and cover concerts and live events. That’s really where I found my lane. My camera has allowed me to capture some special moments, be in rooms I probably wouldn’t have been in otherwise, and meet a lot of dope people along the way. What started as something I was just naturally drawn to has grown into something much bigger, and I’m still building on it.
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 definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been a lot of long days out shooting, then coming home and spending even longer nights editing, learning, and trying to make sure the work keeps getting better. A lot of it has been figuring things out as I go and staying consistent even when I wasn’t seeing immediate results.
One of my biggest struggles early on was learning how to pose and direct people. I had to get comfortable telling people how to stand, where to look, what to do with their hands, and making adjustments without making them feel uncomfortable or overly posed. That confidence took time.
Another challenge has been learning how to balance the creative side with the business side. Photography isn’t just taking good pictures. It’s networking, building relationships, marketing yourself, communicating with clients, meeting deadlines, and constantly finding new opportunities. There have definitely been moments where I questioned if I was moving in the right direction, but every challenge has helped me become more confident, intentional, and well-rounded as a photographer.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I mainly specialize in concert, live event, and artist photography. I also do graphic arts, merch, logos, flyers and cover arts. A lot of my work is centered around capturing the energy of a moment as it’s actually happening. The crowd, the artist, the emotion, and all the little things people might miss. I like my photos to feel alive instead of staged. I’ve also worked in portraits, clubs, family sessions, and other types of events over the years, but live music is really where I’ve found my niche. I’d say I’m becoming known for catching those candid moments that really tell the story of the night.
Somethings im most proud of is how much my work has grown and evolved over the years and all the connections ive made. I’ve been able to build relationships with artists, promoters, and other creatives just from consistently showing up and doing good work. What sets me apart is that I’m not just trying to get a technically good picture, I pay attention to the atmosphere and try to document the whole experience. I want someone who wasn’t there to look at the photos and almost feel like they were.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the art scene of the city, so many talented individuals from all over doing so many things. And all truly dedicated to their crafts.
One of my least favorite things is the pot holes, they everywhere and eat so many tires smh lol. Other than that i don’t really have anything lol
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Channel3visuals.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3r.d_?igsi=ZzJzOW9xaG9uNDc5
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@th3mostchill?si=xcRQx7nYWe7LyFPV
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/rvscalsandr3b3ls?igsi=MTdqNWkyczZ6Z2pqYw==
