Rachel Feinstein is a New York City based photographer.

Rachel draws on the aesthetic of vintage cinema to craft images that feel both nostalgic and unsettling. But where those films often reinforced limiting ideals of femininity, her work turns the camera around—inviting viewers into the often-overlooked interior worlds of women today.

At the heart of her practice is an ongoing exploration of bodily autonomy, emotional vulnerability, and the pressure to maintain impossible standards of perfection. These themes are deeply personal for Rachel, born out of a sense of fear and frustration growing up in a world that often fails to support or fully see women. Her photographs begin with an idealized image and then add subtle distortions of gesture, setting, or atmosphere to reveal deeper layers of discomfort and tension, challenging viewers to confront the illusion.

Through this approach, Rachel creates visual narratives that push back against the historically dominant male gaze. Her work invites audiences to reflect on the unspoken expectations and emotional weight carried by women in their daily lives.

Rachel earned her BFA in Photography from Kent State University.

2024: August - Waterloo Arts Gallery, Cleveland, Ohio

2024: March - Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois

2023: October - Galerie Anita Beckers, Frankfurt, Germany

2023 September - Just Women, Milan, Itlay

2023: March 18 - April 1 - Femalia, Praxis Photo Center, Minneapolis, MN

Awards

2023 - refocus awards - Honorable Mention

2021 - Photo Lucida Critical Mass Top 50

Features

2024 - PIX 037 Magazine

2022 - Causette Magazine

2022 - ZineForHer Magazine

2021 - Ruin Magazine

2021 - Float Magazine