CELEBRATING ALONGSIDE YOU
There’s a photographer / videographer for any given occasion who will speak more or less magic into someone’s experience and photos/videos. You not only deserve a collection of great photos and film that feel like you, but also a genuine and fun experience. What people say they appreciate the most about me is how comfortable they were able to be around me, and the priority I place on making sure you have a collection that’s uninhibited, and completely ‘you’, with a sprinkle of my magic. I work for you – Someone who values authentic photography & film, but also may be a little nervous about the camera and doesn’t want cheesy poses. I go above and beyond from what you’ve hired me for, and even my most camera-shy friends tell me I help them totally forget it’s there.
My heart is always set on finding the perfect blend of unbridled life mixed with a deserving amount of dramatic art in the places we find ourselves in. Through my eyes & heart, I weave together your collection. The only elements I need for that are your story, your truth, and trust in me so the goosey-bump moments can unfold. This way, you can sit back and live in the moment as I catch each ounce of fun & lingering love, so you never forget how it felt. Thank you for letting me create things that bring joy to this world.
UPCOMING DESTINATIONS
Oklahoma
Maui
Italy
Germany
NYC
Catskills, NY
VOTED BEST PHOTOGRAPHER IN ANCHORAGE – ANCHORAGE PRESS, 2022
WHO I AM
Megan Rai (pronounced Ray) Freeman; I’m a New York raised / Alaska braised 5’0″ multi-passionate, photographer and filmmaker – I can appreciate a gritty city, but my heart also appreciates the community and retreat of a small town. I’m layers of hard work, empathy that I wish I could tone down sometimes, and a Roseanne cackle-laugh. When I was 19, I hopped on a plane with $80 to my name, and moved from New York to Alaska chasing spontaneity. I’ve lived here ever since; surrounded by love and healing and family all the while blessed to be held by this beautiful land.
I’m all about having my cake, eating it too, and sharing some with you. My blind optimism never steers me wrong (or maybe I wouldn’t know, because I’m constantly making lemonade out of it). I believe in celebrating family & friends, NY pizza, acting a fool, editing my photos & videos to candid perfection (mostly this), and caring about understanding each other and this world we’re lucky to be in.
FOR THOSE HUNGRY WITH A DEEP INTIMACY IN ALL OF LIFE
You deserve good photos and film to showcase for a lifetime; The best way I’ve been able to give you that are by making our time together an ‘experience’ rather than just going from one pose to another; this way, we’re capturing your celebration in all it’s glory as it unfolds. It’s a beauty you might not see from your shoes on an everyday basis, but that’s what I’m looking for as I sit beside you and go about life with you for those few hours. Regardless of what’s gone on your day, year, or life, I just want you to see that spark of life you know is there, deep down. I’ve been blessed with the gift of seeing the best in people, and the best way I can serve is showing that goodness back to you incase you need reminding.
That’s my goal at the end of the day – For your collection to speak your inhibited beauty back into you; Whether it’s during a portrait session or as you’re getting married.
In a world where art is filled with shallow sentiments iust for Instagram-worthy shells of stories, I’m constantly looking to get the real you to show you that that, too is worthy of being showcased. I look for a mix of intimacy and raw perfection in all that I do.
PHOTOGRAPHER - VIDEOGRAPHER
Award-winning portrait, couples, elopement & wedding photographer
DEEPER THAN THE SUPERFICIAL
BASED IN ALASKA / TRAVELING WORLD WIDE
YOU BE YOU, AND I’LL DO THE REST.
pictures my friends take of me…
Likes: New York pizza, Alaska’s vast beauty, happy tears, giving goosebumps, sun rays, light refractions from water or ice, people’s life stories, the underdogs of society, being with family/friends, stumbling on the little blessings that remind us why it’s great to be here
Dislikes: hotdog burps, putting on tight pants after the shower, closed mindedness, two-step verification, mean people
“Why do you do this job?” I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude at times knowing how symbiotic this career has been for my life and my clients. I feel completely aligned in this industry of love. 12 years ago, I started because I’m a natural giver and see the good in people, and want to show that light that they may not see everyday shining back at them. Now after doing this for 12 years, I do it because I have never felt more aligned being able to be in the powerful presence of love & knowing what this work has meant to people and myself. I get to bask in incredibly powerful and hope-marinated love between people and see the truth of love existing. These many instances of true love I've been fortunate enough to witness has carried me through my own life with so much hope and optimism, especially during times where that was my only (thankfully) very bright light.
“Who/What influences you?” Each and every person I get to work with and their unique background & life position brings out a different spark of inspiration or grit I am lucky to get to witness and document. Other things that inspire me are knowing people treasure my work, and how important my photos have been for peoples’ loved ones through all of life and beyond. Also people with timeless & genuine personalities.
“What elements inspire you?” Historic architecture with ivy & cracks that tell stories, the energy of people who care, nostalgia, sun beams, silk blowing in the wind, misty forests, wedding dresses that have gone through some things, windy wisps of hair, florals that speak life into a moment, grainy film
Q&A w MEGAN RAI
A story is more than the recounting of events. The events are the sketch, the outline, but it is the colors and the landscape and the medium and the artist’s hand that make it what it is in the end.
-Emma in the night, novel