Hello, I'm a freelance photojournalist, documentary and commercial photographer in Columbia, SC. A 2001 graduate of the University of South Carolina, I've been covering the state since 1997. Beginning with the "1,000 Year Flood,"in SC in 2015, I've come to document some of North America's most powerful storms. I have a micro camper van, allowing me to work and live off the grid for extended periods of time.
Before becoming a full time photographer, I bartended at a music venue for more than decade. I like to run, kayak, hike, ride bicycles, tube on the river, play kickbal/basketball, etc. I made the photo below kayaking in floodwaters caused by Hurricane Irma.
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Rayford works with:
Getty Images
The New York Times
National Public Radio
The Associated Press
The Wall Street Journal
The Washington Post
Fox News
TIME
European Press Photo Agency
The Guardian (UK)
The Boston Globe
Dove Soap
ESPN
The ACLU
Texas Instruments
Facebook
Comcast
The Red Cross
The South Carolina Dept. Agriculture
Chernoff Newman Ad Agency
Columbia Visitors Bureau