We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ava Rymer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ava thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I started out learning photography while completing my Marketing Degree, and for my graduation present I bought my first camera. After that everything has gone so fast and I poured myself into finding my style and voice in my work. Eventually I got to the point that I could start planning to go full-time. I hired a career coach to help keep me accountable for building the foundation of my business. Everything was going so well and on schedule, but then 7 months out from my planned day to quit my day job COVID hit. I felt so stuck, and was like should I wait until it passes. I just felt that if not now, then when? There’s always going to be a reason to not go for it so anyways I went for it and stayed on the original schedule. It was the best decision, but also scary. It has been a rollar coaster financially it’s hard to plan ahead. Was it worth the risk? Absolutely, it has been so clarifying and I will never have to think what if. I am still a full time photographer, but it’s hard to fund the projects that I truly want to do on a freelance salary.

Ava, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Ava Rymer and I am a 28 year young photographer from Chattanooga, TN. I love traveling and often do so. During college I started modeling for fun, and wanted to express my ideas more so I started teaching myself on rented library cameras when I wasn’t working or going to classes. After graduation I bought myself my first camera, and soon after met my partner who was also a photographer. That really helped because I could practice with him and he would give me a lot of editing tips. I started asking people to shoot with me as a trade, and then eventually started advertising low costs shoots until I built up more skill and figured out my style.

I’ve noticed I’ve really connected with other women through this craft, telling their stories, and helping them get through past trauma. I would say that’s what I am most proud of and the most fulfilling part about doing what I do.

My work is highly influenced by fairytales, travels around the world with my partner, and telling the stories of the women I shoot. My work often has a dark, romantic, and dreamlike quality that allows the viewer to escape into my inner world.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think the best way for society to support artists/ creative to create a thriving creative ecosystem is to support them by buying their art compared to buying art from large corporations like Walmart or Target, etc. Also, for cities no matter how small have an art walk where it’s free for artists to showcase and sell their work. I think a great idea is to increase fundind or start non-profits that support artists with learning the business side of being an artist/creative. Adding on for the general mindset for appreciating the work and effort it takes to be a full time artist, and seeing that it is a “real” job.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Working full-time and creating in your freetime does not make you any less of an artist. I had a full-time job and was just felt like I wasn’t keeping up with “real” artists. Now that I am a full-time photographer I see the value of being able to create without the intention of making money. I was more freely able to express myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.forrest-photo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gingeredspice/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@avarymer?lang=en

Image Credits
Olivia (@froggieapple), Damien(damien.kylec), Matty (mattydfield), Valkyrie (valkyrierutledge), Mya(ifnotm.), Jade(jadebabybrows), Meagan(@magpierodgers), Candice(@ccandicemariee), Rachel (@rachelb24)