Meet the Photographer: A Conversation with Rachel V. Feast

Rachel V. Feast is a New Zealand photographer known for her people-focused approach to portrait, fashion and dance photography, creating imagery that feels natural, expressive and timeless.

Sometimes the best way to introduce yourself is not through a formal bio, but through a conversation. Rather than listing achievements or trying to summarise everything in a few short sentences, I wanted to share something more personal. This is the story behind my work, what drew me to photography and what matters most to me when I am creating images for others.

Dog&Co. Photography

Tell us a little about yourself

Hi, I am Rachel, the photographer behind Rachel Feast Photo. I am based in New Zealand and work across both New Zealand and Australia, photographing portraits, fashion, dance and headshots for models, actors, dancers and creatives at all stages of their careers.

I work with people of all ages, genders, skill levels and from all industries. While I work with many emerging artists building their portfolios, I also work with people who are further along in their careers and looking to refresh their professional imagery.

My work is centred around people and personality. More than anything, I love creating images that feel timeless, natural and true to the person in front of the camera.

I hold a Communications degree majoring in Marketing from Massey University in Auckland, which gave me a strong understanding of branding, visual storytelling and how people present themselves professionally. That perspective naturally carries into my photography, particularly when working with models and actors building portfolios or personal brands.

I come from a blended family with three biological siblings and four step siblings, so life growing up was always busy and full of people. Being surrounded by so many personalities shaped my love for observing people and understanding how different everyone is.

Photography has never just been about taking a beautiful photo for me. It is about connection, noticing the small things, someone’s energy, the way they move or the expression that appears when they finally relax, and turning those moments into something lasting. Meeting new people is one of my favourite parts of the job, and every shoot is an opportunity to connect and create something meaningful together.

How did your journey into photography begin

My journey into photography developed gradually over time. When I was 14, I created a publication called Little One Magazine. It began as a project driven by curiosity, but looking back it was one of the first moments where I realised how much I loved imagery, storytelling and collaborating with other creatives.

The magazine quickly gained international attention and at 18 I was featured in The New Zealand Women’s Weekly, where the project was described as a global media sensation. It was a surreal experience and showed me how powerful creative ideas can be when they connect with people.

The real inspiration behind picking up a camera, however, was my younger sister Jess. I began photographing her when she was six, experimenting and learning as I went. She became my first real subject and the person who unknowingly helped me develop my eye for portrait photography. Over the years we continued creating together and, in many ways, grew alongside the work.

Jess is now almost 21, and I have had the privilege of working alongside her throughout that entire journey.

I have never formally studied photography. I simply picked up a camera as a teenager and started experimenting. Everything I know has come from curiosity, practice and constantly teaching myself new ways of seeing. I still approach photography this way today, always learning, always evolving and always growing creatively.

What were you like growing up

Growing up I was always active and full of energy. I tried many different things, including dance, although I quickly realised it was not where my strengths were. Athletics, however, was different. Sprinting became something I loved and worked hard at, and by the age of 11 I had the opportunity to compete as part of the New Zealand team.

Sport remained an important part of my life for many years, and in my early twenties I went on to run half marathons, which I loved for both the challenge and the discipline.

In recent years I have experienced a period of health challenges that forced me to slow down more than I would have liked. Rebuilding that strength is something that remains important to me. I have always believed resilience matters more than perfection, and that mindset carries through both in life and in my work.

Has travel influenced your photography

Travel has played a significant role in shaping the way I see the world. When I was 18 I spent a year travelling through Europe with my family, which was a formative experience creatively.

Since then I have been fortunate to visit many parts of the world including the Pacific, Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Photography has taken me to incredible places professionally as well, including California, across New Zealand and multiple states throughout Australia.

Each place offers something new, and I love adapting to different environments and discovering beauty wherever I am shooting.

What can someone expect from a shoot with you

Shoots with me are relaxed, collaborative and genuinely enjoyable. I am a very energetic person, I do not stop talking, and I love being behind the camera.

Many people arrive feeling nervous, which is completely normal, but my goal is to create an environment where those nerves disappear quickly. Through conversation, guidance and encouragement, the experience becomes something people genuinely enjoy. I will guide you the entire time, but in a way that still feels natural. Nothing is overly posed or forced, everything is shaped around you.

I have always had a deep fascination with eyes. I am completely captivated by them, and it has naturally become a defining part of my work. The first thing I usually notice about someone is their eyes and the way they carry themselves. I am often drawn to the way someone’s eyes hold emotion and tell a story, and I am known for capturing them in a really special way. You will probably hear me commenting on your eyes throughout the shoot, because I genuinely notice and respond to those details in the moment.

I am also incredibly drawn to light. For me, it can make or break a photograph. I am always paying attention to how it falls, how it shapes a face and how it enhances the overall feeling of an image. I especially love working with the sun and am naturally drawn to bright, warm lighting.

Natural light is very much my thing. I will absolutely shoot in studio, but I will always gravitate towards spaces with open windows and use natural light as much as possible. I do not love being in enclosed spaces relying purely on artificial light. There is something about the colours and shadows the sun creates that I find really inspiring.

I love any opportunity to get creative. Styling is something I really enjoy, and being given creative direction on wardrobe is just about my favourite thing. It allows me to bring a shoot together in a way that feels cohesive and intentional. I am very intentional with every detail, from light to styling to the final selection of images.

I love working with people who are open, creative and willing to trust the process, even if they feel nervous at the start. My focus is not just on creating beautiful images, but on creating images that feel like you.

By the end of most sessions, people forget the camera is even there, and that is usually when the best images happen. For me, the experience matters just as much as the final gallery.

Is there any type of photography you do not enjoy

Event photography is probably the only type of photography I do not gravitate towards. I love having control over the light and the environment, and in event settings that is not always possible.

I also do not have the patience for stage photography or sitting in one place for long periods of time. I need to be up, moving and communicating with the person I am photographing. I thrive on that back and forth energy, and I do my best work when there is a natural conversation happening throughout the shoot. I really admire photographers who do this well, as it requires a completely different skill set and level of focus.

I am definitely someone who thrives in a more controlled, creative environment where I can shape the final image.

What else should people know about you outside of photography

Outside of photography, I love travelling, exploring new places and spending time with my dogs. I have two Maltese dogs, Frank and Theo, who are very much part of my daily life and occasionally part of my work life too.

Theo plays a particularly special role in my life as a therapy dog visiting inpatient mental health units, bringing comfort to both patients and staff. Watching the impact he has on people is incredibly meaningful.

Even though photography is my job, it is also my absolute favourite thing to do. It genuinely makes me so happy, and I feel incredibly grateful that something I love so much is also the work I get to do every day.

I am very much a night owl and will often be editing or playing around on social media until 2am. Early mornings are not my thing, and if I ever suggest a sunrise shoot, just know I will need a coffee and a pep talk.

I am deeply passionate about supporting people facing mental health and addiction challenges, and one day I would love to work in that space in a more direct way.

For me, creativity and compassion go hand in hand.

A few things I love

Vincent van Gogh
Halsey
Crystals
Documentaries
The colour blue
Fashion and shopping
Blue bows & stripes
Decorating
Skincare
Chocolate & coffee
Maltese dogs

All of these things shape the way I see the world and the way I approach my photography.

Final thoughts

If you have found your way here, welcome. I am really glad you are here.

Whether you are a model, actor, dancer, creative, parent or simply curious about my work, I hope this has given you a deeper insight into who I am and what I care about as a photographer.

Photography, at its heart, is about people. Their presence, their stories and the moments worth remembering.

I want you to look at your images and feel like yourself, just elevated.

And that is exactly why I do what I do.