Each year, the Master Musicians Festival chooses a featured photographer who has full access to the festival to capture the experience through their lens. This photographer is chosen based on their love and mastery of their craft, and their contributions to the community and the music scene. This year’s featured photographer is Somerset native Mayson Rainwater.
Tell us about yourself! Where are you from? What school(s) have you attended, any special training or recognition, where you work, the name of your photography business, and family?
I was born and raised right here in Somerset! I graduated from Southwestern High School and went to Eastern Kentucky University for undergrad. At EKU, I had a couple of different majors before I landed on broadcasting and electronic media, but once I found it, I was at home. In the BEM program, I produced several video projects for classes, as well as client-based ones for various departments and programs at the university. I also worked on EKU’s sports broadcasting team, shooting and directing for football, women’s soccer, volleyball, and basketball. In 2018, I graduated Magna Cum Laude and was an Honors Scholar, having completed an extensive thesis project covering the historical representation of mental illness in cinema. Within my department, I earned several awards, including the distinction of my class’s Outstanding Senior. I’m very proud of the work I did in school. The practical nature of what we did, creating things with the skills we were actively learning and honing, was incredibly satisfying. I’d found my trade, and the camera was my tool of choice. My family has always been very supportive of the paths I have taken. My mom has worked in education for basically my whole life. My dad has been a semi-truck driver since before I was born. My sister works at a prison, and she consistently has outperformed her male counterparts (and doubters) for the years that she has done this job. As for me, I run my own online resale business full time, and I’ve been growing my photography business for the past year. It’s operated under my name, Mayson Rainwater, because I like it having a personal approach. Plus, my last name is easy for people to remember.
How did you first get involved in photography, and what drew you to this art form?
In school, I did a lot of work behind the cameras, and it was always my favorite place to be. Photography is storytelling, and the more I grasped how much you could convey in single, still shots, the more I wanted to develop in that way. I like the simplicity of it, but I also see how much emotional resonance can be obtained through photos, so I’ve been drawn to capture moments that resonate with me, and hopefully others. Funny enough, professional wrestling photography is what enamors and emotionally captivates me the most.
What has been your most memorable experience as a photographer?
Being asked to shoot a benefit show for Byron Roberts earlier this year resulted in an experience that I was very proud to be a part of. Over $20,000 was raised for him and his family, and the night was full of love and support. That sort of experience was kind of mirrored after the tornadoes that went through Somerset, when The Virginia hosted a benefit show that I was able to help capture. When communities come together like that, it sticks with you.
How do you prepare for an event like the Master Musicians Festival in terms of equipment and mindset?
This year will be my first time at MMF, so my mindset is to be ready for anything and to have fun with it. Adaptability is crucial in a festival setting because you don’t have control over much more than your being and equipment. I’m just going to make sure my batteries are charged and my sensors are clean.
How do you describe your photographic style, and how does this complement the atmosphere of MMF?
Gritty. I’ve never been a fan of styles that are too smooth or that have a lot of gloss. I enjoy photographs that have texture, like with film. I like to play with negative space and let shadows envelop subjects when it fits the scene. Darkness is just as important as light. Not everything should feel so clean, because that’s not the nature of us as people. We are rough and gritty, and there’s a beauty to that, which I like to capture and respect. MMF is made up of people who are grinding and putting in work tirelessly to craft their paths and achieve their dreams. I hope my style can help to tell those stories.
Who in this year’s festival lineup are you most excited to see perform?
I’m excited to see several of the people who have performed at the monthly open mic nights get their spotlight on the stage. Emily Galloway, Logan Smith, Jadan Trammell, and Todd Clayton have regularly captivated people with their songwriting abilities and performances. Hunter Flynn’s ability to command an audience and deep hometown connection are sure to make for a good time. I’m especially excited to see Cody Lee Meece at the festival. Cody has an aura. He’s one of my favorite performers to photograph, and when he walks into a room or steps onto a stage, you feel like a star has just entered your presence. When he starts playing guitar, you know without a doubt, you’re in for something special.
What do you aim to capture in your photographs at MMF? Are there specific moments or emotions you are hoping to document?
In terms of the performers, I want to capture the gravity of making it to this festival, especially the hometown folks. The emotion behind the songs they’ll be performing, but also the scope of being on this big platform. If I can make my friends look like stars, I want to do everything I can to achieve that. I’d also like to capture the sense of community between attendees. Somerset has been through a lot lately, and I think MMF is going to be a point of pride and unity for my hometown, and I want to show the togetherness.
Tell us about your favorite photograph you’ve ever taken and why it’s your favorite.
One of my favorite photos I’ve taken, if not my number one, is a black and white photo I took of Laidback Country Picker at a benefit show in Lexington, Kentucky, earlier this year. His positioning, along with how deep I was able to play with the contrast because of the lighting and the dark nature of his outfit, allowed me to use negative space to almost completely engulf him, while he was highlighted only by the fringes of his western jacket, and what light visible parts of him or his outfit there were. It makes me feel like I’m looking at an old country western album cover, and I love it for that.
What must-have do you carry in your camera bag when you’re shooting?
Earplugs and water. If you’re getting up close and personal near musicians (drummers especially) or stage speakers, your ears are taking a beating. I want to be able to hear when I’m 70. Water is such a priority for me at any sort of event or show. I’m constantly on the move and expending a lot of energy, especially when outdoors, and proper hydration is of peak importance. I see so many shows where no one is drinking any water, and that’s when you get people having medical emergencies. My water bottle has a built-in filter, and it is usually glued to me.
What is your favorite type of camera and/or lens?
I love my Fujifilm X-T3 so much that I bought a second one just a few months ago. The Fuji system puts so much creative control in your hands, similar to how analog cameras do, and I love that it ergonomically encourages you to do most everything manually so you master your craft. I tend to love prime lenses. My go-to is a 56mm 1.8 right now. It encourages me to zoom with my feet, and I think if you can learn how to work around all sorts of obstacles with a fixed lens, then you can achieve anything with any lens.
What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who want to get into event or festival photography?
Show up. If you go somewhere with a camera and act like you belong, it can get you pretty far. Then you’ve got to do the work to figure out what’s going to separate you from everyone else with a camera. That’s a personal journey. The most important step is just being there.
What is your favorite thing about MMF?
I love that it celebrates the artistry, talent, and hardworking nature of people from my hometown, while also inviting others in to partake in our community and festivities. When you have big names sharing the lineup with hometown heroes, that’s pretty awesome.
Where can people find you on social media or online to see your work?
My main social media platform is Instagram @MaysonRainwater. I sort of use it as a portfolio, and it’s the best way to see my up-to-date work and get in touch with me. I’m also available on Facebook, and I do have a portfolio website: https://maysonrainwater.myportfolio.com
