I’m a native New Yorker with Brazilian heritage. I was raised speaking Portuguese and lived in Brazil for several years. As a child I became influenced by many of the artists in my family and the culture around me. Art is in my DNA.
I’m no stranger to adversity. At thirteen I became pregnant and chose to raise my daughter Jessica, while attending high school in New York City. I then graduated college while working to support my daughter and myself.
In 2003, I discovered my passion for photography in college; in particular, I discovered my passion for telling compelling stories of love, beauty, culture and the human experience through photography. Since then, I have applied myself to sharpening my skills, capturing the beauty I see and growing as a business owner. When I started photography, my daughter was about ten years old and I was also busy raising her as a single young mother.
My educational experience in photography includes a bachelor’s degree at Empire State College, studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology, a two-and-a-half-year apprenticeship at a custom black and white studio in NYC, and an internship with Magnum Photos at its New York location.
Fast forward to today, I am hired by couples and brands worldwide photographing their personal stories and helping them share the passion they have for the life they lead and (in some cases) the products they sell; capturing a celebration of life. As for my daughter, she is now a young working professional with a college degree and like me, loves to travel the world!
My passion for photography is rooted in the desire to tell global stories of love, beauty, fashion and culture. I believe the challenges I faced at a very early age enable me to quickly connect with people and capture their lives with sensibility and compassion.
In many ways, my view on life comes through my photography. First it engages my own heart and then my hope is that it reaches the hearts of my audience.
I share my story with confidence to inspire and empower young parents to live their best lives and feel more supported by their communities.
Thanks for taking the time to read about my personal journey. I truly appreciate your friendship, your continued support and generous referrals. I’d love to hear from you so please email me: judith@judithrae.com
To read my professional bio, click here .
Here is a link to a recent article on my photography journey.
Thanks for taking the time to read about my journey. I look forward to hearing from you!
cheers,
Judith
Named by Harper’s BAZAAR a Top Wedding Photographer in the World.