Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Schultz.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Photography has always been a part of my life. I can attribute that mostly to my father, who’s love of cameras and the science behind the process was passed to me at a very young age. While I was fascinated with the technical innerworkings of the cameras themselves, it was what happens then the light hit the film that caught my imagination. It was magic to me, and I wanted to know more.
I found myself buried in the local library, looking at magazines of all types. I marveled at the amazing photographs of famous people, places, and events, but also at how the photographs were captured and what was required to create these wonderful scenes. As I went through high school, my love for the arts and sciences were locked in a constant battle, and it left me with some serious decisions about my future. I ultimately chose more practical path into the sciences, knowing I could always keep my other pursuits as a hobby.
After years in the hard sciences, I started to yearn for something more creative. That lead me to go back to school and headlong into the booming tech industry. Web design became my calling, because it was a place where I could use my photography skills and photo editing knowledge together. It was a great experience and a journey that took me into a 20 year career in the industry. However, it was becoming clear to me that my heart was no longer in it at the level it needed to be.
I realized that something wasn’t right. I could feel that a change was in order, and I did a lot self analysis to determine my next steps and what my goals in life were. Opportunities arose where I could continue on my path, but part of me was yearning to follow my passion and jump off the deep end into a new career as a photographer. I figured that if I didn’t give it a shot now, I always would have wondered, and I didn’t want to regret never trying. Ultimately, through the guidance and support of friends and family, I went for it and opened my business in 2017, selling fine art landscapes and cityscapes.
Over time, I fell into an opportunity to do a fashion shoot. I wasn’t sure if it was for me, but I jumped at the chance to try something new. I said yes, and it was a huge revelations for me. I was instantly hooked on portraiture, and it felt so natural for me to work with people and connect with them to create beautiful images for them. That lead me into taking in as much information as I could find about the practice, and ultimately I found a brilliant photographic mentor in Sue Bryce, who’s work inspired me and filled my heart with joy.
So now, here I am! I’m a contemporary portrait and fine art photographer. I create timeless legacy portraits that capture who you are, as you are. I work with individuals to capture personal branding and headshots to help my clients put their best face forward for business and personal platforms. I also create landscape and cityscape photography to beautify special spaces in both home and office.
I love being behind the camera, no matter if it’s under studio lights, up to my knees in a stream by a waterfall, or anywhere in between.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve made some pretty big direction changes throughout my entire working career. Going out on my own after 25 years of being an employee was always a cause of great concern. There are always challenges when creating a new business from scratch, that’s for sure. It’s not just the nuts and bolts of putting a business together, but the personal stress and self-doubt that comes inherent to the creative process have found their way into all levels of my business at one time or another, especially when I started.
Well, then there’s COVID. I was just starting to pick up steam when the lockout happened. It was certainly difficult to take portraits and remain safe, so it took a long time to get back up and going once we were given the green light to proceed. We are back up and running, and for that I’m thankful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My goal is to capture the wonder and natural beauty of my clients in a timeless manner, that can be enjoyed by generations. I’m passionate about empowering all people and showing them how amazing they are through my eyes, and not through the lens of unattainable beauty standards that prevail in society and social media. Having your portrait taken can be a very emotional and healing process, but it’s also a high energy and creative process that is a ton of fun! There is no negative self-talk of judgment allowed in my studio space–I want everyone who comes to my studio to have a fantastic and fun experience filled with positivity that makes you feel like a million bucks. I always say I capture people ‘who they are, as they are,’ and I mean just that.
All are welcome!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can contact me through my social media channels on Facebook and Instagram, as well as through my website. We can set up a consultation in person or on Zoom and discuss what is involved in the process.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: richardleonardschultz.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/arr.ell.ess/
- Facebook: facebook.com/richardleonardschultzphotography
