Rebekah Gaillard is a visual artist and creative director. Highly sought after for her ability to use light, form, and color to create stunning photographs, she has worked with a variety of clients over the course of her career including Amazon, the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), Mellowhype, Sony Music, and The New York Times. Her work has been recognized by The Artist Gallery Awards, Black Women Photographers, and featured in multiple publications including CanvasRebel Magazine. We caught up with Rebekah to learn more about her work, how she forms connections with her subjects, where she finds creative inspiration, and more.
Hi Rebekah! Tell us a little about yourself — when did you first become interested in photography and how did you get to where you are today?
Hi! My name is Rebekah Gaillard, and I am an artist and creative director. I utilize photography to create emotionally expressive images inspired by my personal experiences and cultural identity as a Black immigrant woman. I have always been interested in photography; as a child, I always had a camera in my hands. More recently, I completed a critical internship/apprenticeship that greatly enhanced my technical capabilities. Throughout my work, I am to redefine photography’s role in fine arts by showcasing its sophistication through mastery of light, form, and color and generating painting-like images. My work has been exhibited in group shows in Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, and I organized my first solo exhibition of photography at The Michael O’Brien Gallery Phoenix in 2023.

“I always ask my clients, “Do you trust me?” before starting a session.
I always want my subjects to feel like their best, most confident self. When they feel comfortable and confident, it shows in their photographs.”
– Photographer Rebekah Gaillard
Are there particular themes you like to explore through your work? How has your personal journey influenced or inspired these themes?
My photographs are often a direct reflection of my personal experiences. My solo exhibition, Teardrops on My Lens, Again, explored heartbreak, mental health, rebirth, and growth within my journey. Love is a recurring theme in my work, whether familial, romantic, or platonic. I recently experienced two deaths in my family, which has inspired me to look into my family’s history and culture. I want to capture and document my history before it’s gone.

How did you find your own photography style?
I always wanted my photographs to look and feel like paintings—rich with emotion and color. My photography style is a direct reflection of that. It took me a bit of trial and error to figure out what works for me. I experimented with different lenses, lighting setups, and editing techniques until I found what felt most natural. And even now, I continue to experiment as I look for new ways to bring my creative visions to life. I think with photography especially, there is pressure to replicate what others who have achieved success are doing. But I’ve found that my most personal, authentic works are always the most well-received. I think part of finding your photography style is trusting yourself. You have to free yourself from imposter syndrome and be confident in your choices.

What has been one of your favorite projects to work on so far? What would be your dream creative project or subject to shoot?
My first solo exhibition is my favorite project so far. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and collaborated with some of my closest friends to produce beautiful, moving images. Through these collaborations, I was able to connect with myself and my friends on a deeper level. I have quite a few dream projects, including shooting an album cover, going on tour with a music artist, and shooting a magazine cover. I would also love to incorporate my photographs into and explore designing physical objects like furniture, glassware, vinyls, and clothing.

What’s your secret to forming a powerful connection with your subjects when you’re behind the lens?
Building trust. I always ask my clients, “Do you trust me?” before starting a session. I also create a space for them to feel comfortable and relaxed so they are able to be guided during our photo sessions. I always want my subjects to feel like their best, most confident self. When they feel comfortable and confident, it shows in their photographs. I always have a playlist ready or even ask if there is some music that would help to break the ice.

Proper planning is vital to ensure that your creative vision is achieved in the outcome of a photo shoot, especially in studio images. How do you prepare for your photo shoots?
Mood boards are my best friend. They allow me to figure out the direction I want to take. Mood boards allow me to explore and plan color, movement, lighting, wardrobe, makeup, and set design for my photoshoots. I have even curated a specific playlist for me to plan, capture, and edit to so I can reach my peak creativity.
How has being part of the Black Women Photographers community impacted your career? What are the benefits for photographers to be part of a photography community?
I was fortunate to receive a Nikon x Black Women Photographers grant. This grant gave me the inspiration (and funds) I needed to pursue my dreams of moving and relocating my business to Los Angeles. The grant also reminded me that all hard work isn’t done in vain. In just a few months, I’ve already taken advantage of BWP training resources. Recently, I attended a Zoom webinar with Dana Scruggs about how she secures bigger, more noteworthy projects, and I also attended a live photo editing session. Beyond the knowledge and skills I will gain through this community, the other major benefit is the network. Together, we can build as we climb. Having a community of like-minded Black women I can go to for support, advisement, mentorship, and project opportunities is tremendously valuable to me at this stage in my career. The name recognition of BWP also positions me for bigger creative opportunities, opportunities that otherwise would be more inaccessible to me. I’m very grateful to be a part of this community.
Where do you turn for creative inspiration for your work?
I have so many things that inspire me. Talking to my family and learning about my family’s culture have been my biggest inspirations lately. I love to watch movies, with a focus on the cinematography. I like to observe the film’s use of color and composition. Music is and will always be one of my biggest inspirations. The beats, lyrics, and instrumentation help me to illustrate emotions within my images. Lastly, I have to give credit to Tumblr and Pinterest. These two sites help me to think outside of the box and find ways to experiment when it comes to creating.
The lighting in your studio shots is so lovely. What is your studio lighting setup? What is your preferred gear for studio shots?
My lighting setup varies with each shoot. I’m more of a one-to-two light setup type of artist. I typically use a main light and the second light either highlights the hair or backdrop, adds color, and/or emphasizes the mood in the image. My favorite lenses to use are 24-105mm, 50mm, and 70-200mm. I consistently use a few modifiers which include a beauty dish, snoot, and 48 inch modifier. Lastly, I love to use color gels to add a touch of color and emotion to my images.

What are you working on now and what’s up next for you?
Currently, I am working on building my community and networking in Los Angeles. I recently relocated to LA and am still navigating the city and its art community. I premiered two new works at the BUTTER Fine Art Fair in Indianapolis Labor Day Weekend. BUTTER, going on its fourth year, is North America’s equitable art fair, anchored in Indianapolis and advocating for the care and economic viability of Black, visual artists.
Lastly, I am currently planning, researching, and curating my next solo exhibition.