In this episode of the 301 Podcast, Marcus Engel talks with Rachel Ecclestone — a creative powerhouse who’s redefining what it means to be a modern photographer and videographer. From shooting the biggest brands, festivals, and stars to building her own personal brand, Rachel’s story is a mix of grit, obsession, and raw honesty.

Rachel didn’t just “pick up a camera.” She carved out a space for herself in an industry that’s crowded, competitive, and often stacked against women. In this conversation, she shares the behind-the-scenes reality of building a career in creative work — from surviving saturation and burnout to turning herself into a brand without selling her soul.

You'll hear about:

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  How Rachel grew from shooting with her dad’s old camera to collaborating with Maybelline and Samsung

  
  


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  Why building a personal brand is non-negotiable for creatives in 2025

  
  


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  The battles women still face in photography and how Rachel pushes for more representation

  
  


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  How obsession (and a refusal to gatekeep knowledge) shaped her career

  
  


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  Finding creativity and identity beyond the lens

  
  


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  The business lessons learned from tough client work and industry politics

  
  

Timestamps:

(00:00 ) – Rachel Ecclestone joins the podcast

(03:00 ) – Building a brand vs. just taking photos

(10:00 ) – Creative obsession and staying original

(18:00 ) – Breaking into festivals and big brand work

(30:00 ) – Representation, Flinta, and women in the industry

(40:00 ) – Burnout, creativity, and staying human

(52:00 ) – Business lessons no one tells you

(01:02:00 ) – The cocoon phase: what’s next for Rachel

Connect with Rachel Ecclestone:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelecclestone?igsh=MTlpODFnbWNnbHM4aQ==

Follow the 301 Podcast:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/301podcast

Marcus: https://www.instagram.com/themarcusengel

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts

💌 Business inquiries: studiobooking@weare301.com