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

Hi Robert, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Escape from the ordinary is my artistic mantra. For me art has always included an element of escapism and the best art has the ability to transport the viewer into another state. I love the head-scratching nature of being able to interpret a piece in many ways and I’m compelled to romanticize my subjects.

Robert, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My first love of art was definitely music videos. I love the synergy between music and visuals and how the combination can be transcendent. In my teens I collected magazines and was a part of the TRL generation so music was ubiquitous. Creative directors like Dave La Chapelle were at their height and were creating such amazing work. The soundtrack of my life was that late 90s early 2000s pop and all of the culture that came along with it. I bought into it all. The magazines, movies and fashion were an aspiration for me and a huge part of my identity. I wanted to escape into that world of music, art and creativity.

I started modeling in college around the age of 17 and after writing my first monologue and getting signed with my first talent agency I got the affirmation I needed and never looked back. I loved telling stories and being a character. Each photoshoot was an opportunity to express a different side of my personality and it was such a gratifying way to learn myself and grow as a person. The shy kid I once was became an adult and a creative with a sense of identity.

My years of modeling experience and living out the stories of others is what led me to want to be behind the camera. During the pandemic I started an unsuccessful YouTube channel and after that journey I decided to flip the camera and try my hand at photography. I wanted to tell stories of my own. Shoot by shoot I gained confidence, skill and style and today I’m quite proud of my autodidactic prowess. I’ve built great relationships with fellow artists and have amassed many indie publications as well as contributing to the PhotoVogue and Getty images platforms.

Now I continue to freelance in the NYC area. Currently I provide commercial, fashion and portrait photography services and will soon be expanding into events. My ultimate goal is to build a creative team and grow into a full service production company.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Instagram specifically has been a great source of new leads for me. Friends and family are also an essential lifeline. From there, word of mouth works incredibly well in this particular space.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Everything I do is focused on capturing human experience and ingenuity. Ultimately I’m focused on the stories less often told. Those narratives of marginal and fringe existence are at the forefront for me and must be protected always.
In the age of AI I think it’s exceedingly important that the intellectual property and ingenuity of creatives is ensured. I want to create imagery that speaks to our social/political climate and that seeks to explore questions about technology, power, nature and our future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.robertjgrantphotography.com
• Instagram: @robertjgrant
• Facebook: Robert Grant
• Youtube: https://m.facebook.com/rj.grant/

Image Credits

All images by Robert J. Grant Photography