Rachael McKenna (born 1971)[1] is a photographer from New Zealand,[2] described by the Bay of Plenty Times as "one of the world's best-known animal photographers".[3] She has published at least 19 books of photographs, primarily of animals and children,[4] which have sold millions of copies.[5] Her work has also featured on greeting cards and calendars.[5]
McKenna has been taking photographs since the age of eight and says she has always wanted to be a photographer.[4] She graduated from Auckland University with a diploma of arts, majoring in photography and printmaking.[4] Her first job was as an assistant to photographer Anne Geddes for three years.[3] She has worked around the world, has lived in France, New York City,[4] and currently resides in Central Otago.[4]
McKenna originally worked under the name Rachael Hale,[4] and built a brand under that name, but sold the Rachel Hale brand in 2007.[3] She then worked as Rachael Hale McKenna,[3][6] then as Rachael McKenna.
She is married and has a daughter.[4]