Written by Claire Killian
If you are thinking about upcoming photoshoots, for graduation or formal, consider a student photographer! These are some of our Ratrock photographers who have experience doing photoshoots and will make you feel comfortable, cool, and totally in your element. They know their way around campus, and can swipe into any of the buildings or libraries if you want. For anyone who wants to support a fellow student (and young artist!) we encourage you to check out some of the incredible people below.
Name: Lauren Zhou
Pronouns: she/her
Graduation Year: 2024
Instagram: @laurensfilmdumpt
How she describes her photography style: I shoot both analog and digital, but have shot digital for much longer. I specialize in portrait photography, but also have some ongoing visual storytelling projects (my Flushing series for instance). I have a distinct style of editing — not exactly sure how I'd classify it, but I tend to work with warmer color pallets. I love working with people, especially members of the Columbia community. I've shot for Hoot — the Columbia fashion magazine — and for CU Bacchanal — I shot the 2023 concert and did the outfit series. I've also been shooting grad photos since my Freshman year, and I'm graduating this year! You can check out some sample grad photos in the grad section on my portfolio :)
Best way to contact: Her portfolio contact page!
What are her baseline rates (subject to change!): For one hour: I do $150 for one person, $80 per person for groups of 2-3, $60 per person for groups of 4-5, and $40 per person for groups of 6+
If Lauren were a cabinet spice, what would she be: Not a spice, but Everything but the Bagel seasoning.
Name: Anaïs Mitelberg
Pronouns: She/Her
Graduation Year: 2024
Instagram: @ananologs (currently no content on it but that will soon change)
How she describes her photography style: Hi all! I'm Anaïs and I'm a senior in the Sciencespo/Columbia dual degree in GS studying English lit. I got into photography as a hobby in high school (I used to shoot digital photos of my dancer friends for fun) and then started shooting with a 35mm film camera when I started college. I almost always shoot in 35mm now. I started out with landscape/street photography but have slowly made the transition to portrait work in recent years. When I got to Columbia my friends began noticing that photography was a huge part of my personality, though I didn't advertise it much at the time. Little by little my senior friends began asking me if I could take their senior photos with my film camera because they liked the idea of having their photos shot in a different way :) I love meeting new people through shoots I do for Ratrock or shoots with friends or even people that friends refer to me through word of mouth. My process is more old-school because it's film photography, but I find that that difference is all part of the fun. I either shoot in color and get the film scanned/developed at ProImage on 96th or shoot in black and white and develop the film myself at Columbia. I love to meet with whoever I'm shooting beforehand to get to know them and make sure that the photos cater to their vision and what they wish to get out of the process! I feel like shoots are a fun way to get to meet people and I like making it a very chill environment.
Best way to contact: phone (917-657-3221) or email (agm2206@columbia.edu)
What are her baseline rates (subject to change!): $75-$100 / hour
If Anaïs were a cabinet spice, what would she be: definitely cinnamon :)
Name: Grace Li
Pronouns: she/her
Graduation Year: 2024
Instagram: @gracestills
Website: https://www.gracestills.com/graduation
How she describes her photography style: My photography practice really centers on collaboration and communication. What that looks like is gauging how comfortable you feel around modeling/posing and listening to your thoughts and preferences for your grad photos and then tailoring a 45 minute shoot around those insights. grad shoots should be no stress, and by focusing on collaboration, i hope to deliver a set of your dream graduation photos!
Best way to contact: email (booking.gracestills@gmail.com); phone; DMs
What are her baseline rates (subject to change!): $150/hour for around 30 edited photos
If Grace were a cabinet spice, what would she be: Ginger!! it's a warming spice that can brighten any dish and give you that warm and homey feeling after finishing a meal
Name: Grace Schleck
Pronouns: she/they
Graduation Year: 2024
Website: https://graceschleck.myportfolio.com/
Best way to contact: gjs2149@barnard.edu
What are her baseline rates (subject to change!): Please talk with me! I offer a sliding scale for FLI and LGBTQIA+ students.
If Grace were a cabinet spice, what would she be: Cinnamon
If you’re a photographer and would like to be added to this list next semester, fill out this survey!