Renell Medrano Is the Photographer You Need to Get to Know
24-year-old Renell Medrano from the Bronx, NY, has used her creativity and attraction to color to start taking over the photography industry.
Her photography aesthetic is unique and fresh, it highlights aspects of photos people wouldn’t normally look at and allows her pictures to speak for themselves.
When she’s not capturing moments, she spends her free time hanging out with some of today’s biggest it girls like Justine Skye, Kendall and Kylie Jenner and Bella Hadid just to name a few. I talked to her about her brand, inspirations and what we can expect to see from her next.
When did you first get into photography, and what kind of camera did you use when first starting out?
I started around age 15 when my dad got me my first sony point and shoot. From there on it was history lol.
Who’s the coolest person you can think of and why?
My little brother Ryan, he’s knows everything and is a super smart kid. Dude is nice at everything… especially snowboarding.
Did you go to school for photography or are you self taught? How did choosing to or choosing not to impact your photography style?
I’m a Parsons graduate but a lot of the techniques I use are self taught. I can say school did teach me how to view art in different forms which helped me as an artist.
READ MORE: Black Women Who Slayed History: Oprah Winfrey
How did you link up with Justine Skye and A$AP Ferg to start taking their tour photos?
I met Justine through my college years. She became one of my favorite muses and I remember her asking me to come with her on tour to document her music career & ever since then we’ve became inseparable. First time I met Ferg I bumped into him in LA and he had approached me on how much he loved my work.
Tell me more about ICE STUDIOS.
The term ice to me is in reference to being something “icy,” cold, cool. The concept came about when I wanted to start my own creative agency and having my own studio. Ice is short for what I am known by on social media “Renellaice.” With Ice Studios, it’s something I can give back to those who been supporting me and my work.
READ MORE: Magical Melanin: 25 Black Women Who Are Killing It Right Now
You pay so much attention to the aspect of color in your photos, why do you think color is so important, and how do you think it makes your work unique from other photographers?
Ah man, I have an obsession with colors. I love watching old films and sometimes that plays a big role on how I view color in my images. Im mostly attracted to the colors blue, yellow and reds.
What’s a project you’re currently working on that you’re super excited about?
There’s a few but I’m excited to just create new personal projects and share that with the world and possibly have some gallery shows this year.
Recently you’ve shot for a host of different celebrities and big campaigns like Nike, where do you see your career being in the next year? 5 years? 10 years?
Collaborating with bigger brands and having my own studio and of course having a pet Panda 🙂
What is it like hanging out with your group of celebrity friends?
No different, I surround myself with groups of people who got good energy and same sense of humor as me.
What’s your biggest insecurity and how have you learned to accept it and/or tried to mask it?
My biggest insecurity has always been feeling like my work was not good enough until I saw how it has impact.
Do you prefer to take digital or film photos?
If I can pick one I would definitely go with film, I love the anticipation of seeing how that one shot came out.
Whose photography has impacted you the most in the past year?
William Eggleston, his choice of colors are beautiful.
What advice would you give to young photographers inspired by you or just starting out? What’s been hard for you to learn?
Be yourself & create what you feel, & what whatever that is someone will always relate. & something that’s been hard for me to learn was to have trust in my vision
Photos provided by Renell Medrano
