Raven B. Varona | |
---|---|
Born | 1990 (age 33–34)
The Bronx, New York, New York, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Education | New York University (BA) |
Movement | Photography |
Website |
andthebisfor |
Raven B. Varona (born 1990), [1] also known as Ravie B., is an American photographer. She is best known for serving as an official photographer for Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 2018 On the Run II Tour, for which she was nominated an iHeartRadio award. [2] [3]
Varona was born and raised in the Bronx. [4] She is of Black and Italian descent. [4] [5] She cultivated her interest in photography after taking a class in high school, and continued to shoot as a hobby during college. [5] Varona received her bachelor's degree from New York University. [3]
After college Varona began working full-time as a receptionist at a real estate agency, [1] while taking photography jobs on the side. [4] In 2015 she quit her job to pursue a full-time career in photography. [1]
Later that year, she met Future through a professional connection and was hired to be his lifestyle photographer. [1] She shot his Purple Reign tour. Varona has since photographed rappers such as Kanye West, Drake, Rick Ross, Cardi B, and Migos. [1] [3] She has also worked with Bombay Sapphire. [4]
In 2018, Varona rose to wider prominence when she became an official photographer for Beyoncé and Jay-Z's On the Run II Tour. After sending a Tweet to Jay-Z asking to photograph him, one of Jay-Z's producers contacted her, which led to her being hired for OTRII. [3]
While she had planned to debut her first solo exhibition in March 2020, she delayed opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [6] [3] She exhibited a virtual art show, And The B is For, in late 2020. [6] As of June 2021 she is planning a volume 2 of the show. [7]
Varona stated in an interview that she pulls inspiration from film. [1] Of her artistry, she seeks to "celebrate the borough she’s from and the people and places that shaped her" through her work and frequently photographs depictions of joy. [4] Lydia T. Blanco of Forbes described her work as "bold, feminine, and culturally relevant." [7]
Varona has spoken about the scarcity of Black women photographers and her desire to serve as a role model. [4]
Varona resides in the Bronx. [2]
Raven B. Varona | |
---|---|
Born | 1990 (age 33–34)
The Bronx, New York, New York, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Education | New York University (BA) |
Movement | Photography |
Website |
andthebisfor |
Raven B. Varona (born 1990), [1] also known as Ravie B., is an American photographer. She is best known for serving as an official photographer for Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 2018 On the Run II Tour, for which she was nominated an iHeartRadio award. [2] [3]
Varona was born and raised in the Bronx. [4] She is of Black and Italian descent. [4] [5] She cultivated her interest in photography after taking a class in high school, and continued to shoot as a hobby during college. [5] Varona received her bachelor's degree from New York University. [3]
After college Varona began working full-time as a receptionist at a real estate agency, [1] while taking photography jobs on the side. [4] In 2015 she quit her job to pursue a full-time career in photography. [1]
Later that year, she met Future through a professional connection and was hired to be his lifestyle photographer. [1] She shot his Purple Reign tour. Varona has since photographed rappers such as Kanye West, Drake, Rick Ross, Cardi B, and Migos. [1] [3] She has also worked with Bombay Sapphire. [4]
In 2018, Varona rose to wider prominence when she became an official photographer for Beyoncé and Jay-Z's On the Run II Tour. After sending a Tweet to Jay-Z asking to photograph him, one of Jay-Z's producers contacted her, which led to her being hired for OTRII. [3]
While she had planned to debut her first solo exhibition in March 2020, she delayed opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [6] [3] She exhibited a virtual art show, And The B is For, in late 2020. [6] As of June 2021 she is planning a volume 2 of the show. [7]
Varona stated in an interview that she pulls inspiration from film. [1] Of her artistry, she seeks to "celebrate the borough she’s from and the people and places that shaped her" through her work and frequently photographs depictions of joy. [4] Lydia T. Blanco of Forbes described her work as "bold, feminine, and culturally relevant." [7]
Varona has spoken about the scarcity of Black women photographers and her desire to serve as a role model. [4]
Varona resides in the Bronx. [2]