Creative Obsession - Rachel Ecclestone

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: How Rachel grew from shooting with her dad’s old camera to collaborating with Maybelline and Samsung Why building a personal brand is non-negotiable for creatives in 2025 The battles women still face in photography and how Rachel pushes for more representation How obsession (and a refusal to gatekeep knowledge) shaped her career Finding creativity and identity beyond the lens 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