Meet: Rachell Smith
- Written byGiada Maestra
- Published date 04 March 2026
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We caught up with London College of Communication (LCC) alumna, photographer and director Rachell Smith to learn more about the photography industry and her career since graduation.
Hi Rachell! Could you introduce yourself and tell us what you studied at UAL?
Hi, yes of course. I’m a portrait and fashion photographer, and the founder of DEFINED magazine. I studied BA (Hons) Photography at London College of Communication (LCC) and graduated in 2008.
What made you decide to study this course, and were you already working in photography at the time?
I’ve had a strong passion for photography since I was a kid and wanted to study at the best place for it - luckily, I got into LCC. I didn’t do a foundation year because photography was already what I knew I wanted to do, and I’m still passionate about it today…maybe even more so!
What was one of the most challenging parts of studying photography?
For me, it was always the written essays. I felt like they often affected my grades because I express myself much better through art than through writing. I think that’s probably why I recently started my own magazine - I really respect writers and want to learn from them, and understand how powerful words can sit beautifully alongside photography. I’m still learning every day.
What are the most challenging aspects of working in photography?
Creating is the most rewarding and fun part. The most challenging side is the business- getting the work, getting the right work for you, and making a good living from it. It can be extremely stressful at times, but belief, passion, and hard work always win in the end.
What did you do after graduating?
I went on to assist photographer and director Rankin for a few years after graduating. Assisting isn’t for everyone, but for me, coming from a small town and not knowing anyone, it was the best experience. Being in a high-level working environment taught me so much, in so many ways.
You’re a photographer, director, and publisher. How do you combine the different aspects of your creative practice, and is there one you enjoy the most?
I enjoy all of them. Publishing is still new to me, but I love a new challenge. They all go hand in hand, and I find it exciting to tell a story while thinking about every aspect - for example, how the photography, motion, and interview all tie together, and what impact it might have on culture today.
How was DEFINED magazine born?
It launched in 2024 out of a need to create my own platform and give myself a new challenge. I love working for other magazines and still do, but DEFINED has taught me so much. It allows me to create freely and be fully in charge of the narrative, more so than when I’m shooting for others.
What advice would you give to students and graduates considering a career in photography?
Manifest where you see yourself in five years and think deeply about the steps it will take to get there. For most people, it’s a very slow journey, so you have to feel genuinely passionate and enjoy the process- that’s the best way to succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t feel disheartened by lots of no’s.
Lastly, you don’t need a huge amount of lighting or camera gear to prove you’re a professional. People believe in you and your vision, not how many cameras or lenses you own. I only shoot with one lens because that’s my preference- it’s the idea behind the camera and the execution that really matter.
