Reality Rally

Today’s “Up Close and Personal” blog interview features Rich Kee, one of Reality Rally’s talented photographers who captures exciting  and touching moments of the weekend every year.

Kee, who owns his own photography business (richardkee.com) and graduated from the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography, has been volunteering his time to Reality Rally for five years now.

“I was always a Big Brother fan and I would follow several other reality series and TV shows. About five years ago, I ran across Gillian and she had a booth at the Temecula Rod Run. From there I decided to donate some materials, some photographs, for her silent auction that she had in place at the time. So that’s how I got involved,” Kee said.

After watching Reality Rally that year as a member of the community, Kee later approached Gillian and offered to lend his services as one of the dozen or so photographers on her imagery team.

“In addition I do some design work for her, where instead of sending out a photo I try to combine it with a message and a graphic design or a template. It makes it more effective and encourages the participants to post it on their social media.”

The templates that Kee designs are meant to assist the stars and teams in their fundraising. They provide a fun and noticeable way for participants to ask for donations when they post the templates on their social media. According to Gillian, there is a significant increase in donations after the templates are sent out.

Kee views his participation in Reality Rally as a no-brainer.

“I have family members who we’ve lost to cancer, and I think even if it wasn’t something that came close to home, I would challenge anybody to go take a visit at Michelle’s Place and not be able to walk out of the room and not be eager to donate whatever talent or service they have. That’s really the kingpin, is Michelle’s Place,” he said. “Everybody is inspired and energized to jump in and help out. Initially I didn’t know anything about Michelle’s Place so the original draw was to go and meet some of the reality personalities. Then once I understood the result of the event, then I saw what it was for and that would just basically lock anybody in.”

Kee’s favorite parts about Reality Rally are two-fold: photographing the finish line and watching the reality stars come together.

“I think since my assignment is photographing the finish line, that’s pretty cool because everybody is excited yet tired, and exhausted. That’s a fun culmination of the weekend, is them coming to the end of the challenge in the race,” Kee said, going on to explain his second favorite part.

“In the morning prior to the race, in the community room, that room is packed and I always find it a little quirky in the sense that everybody’s excited, and I describe it as a ‘friendly collision course of egos’. Because most of these participants can have very large egos, and I am always pleasantly surprised to see them, and how they leave the ego at the curb. They know what they’re doing, they’re excited about it, and they band together.”

Overall, Kee sees his volunteer work as an opportunity to put a smile on people’s faces.

“You get some pretty zany, fun [pictures]. If you can look at an image like that and smile then I’ve done my job.”

When asked how long he will photograph for Reality Rally, Kee replied jokingly, “As long as Gillian knows my number. I tried to change it four times and she still locates me!”

In all honesty, Kee stresses that he is honored to be a part of such a purposeful event.

“It’s a winning recipe of people who are unselfish across the board and are very kind, and are all pulling together in the same direction. And I think that’s a really cool thing to be a part of.”

Thank you for being a part of our team, Rich!

- Taryn Murphy