Today we’d like to introduce you to Shiloh Reed.
Shiloh, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I discovered my love for photography in high school when I first started shooting with an old film camera that my mother let me borrow for school. I loved taking assigned pictures and then developing the film and working in the dark room. It was so exciting to see what would evolve. My high school photography teacher was amazing! Years down the road, I started shooting landscapes and nature as a hobby, while I was pursuing my Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. It was a way for me to shut off the mind and roam around. I would post my photos to a blog that I am sure was only followed by my family, ha!
Friends began to see what I was doing and randomly, I would get asked to do engagement photos, child milestone photos and some newborn photos (gosh, you should see those today – yikes!). I continued to do photography as a hobby on the side, while working as an intern therapist in the addiction field. A few years later, I had my son and wanted to be home with him. As fate would have it, my photography began to spark new interest and a good friend finally gave me the encouragement/push to really invest in my photography education and experience. Since then, I have taken each year to learn, grow, step outside of my comfort zone and push myself to remain the photography student! I am incredibly lucky today to be able to call this a business and work because truly, it is so much more than that to me.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I primarily work with families and children. Anything from maternity to newborn, lifestyle and beyond, plus all the sweet moments of life that happen in-between. I really try to adapt to each client/family I work with. I never want for anyone to feel uncomfortable or out of character. I spend a good amount of time getting to know my clients, talking to them while we shoot and playing with their children. I really believe that from this, real connection is revealed and it’s not fake or posed. It’s real life, interactive, playful and honest. I hope that people take away the feeling and the emotion in those moments. I want for clients to look at their photos down the line and remember the experience of the session — that it was designated time with their loved ones just being present with one another and captured in a frame.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
I can’t really speak for anyone else but my biggest challenge is my own self doubt. I have days where I really think I’m getting the hang of everything – stay at home mom of 3, business owner and photographer and then there are days where I really wonder if I know what I’m doing — ha! I mean, I hate to admit this but it’s true. There are so many talented artists out there today and I am constantly trying to grow, learn, stretch myself and sometimes that comes with the comparison of others. Nothing will defeat you more than trying to compare yourself to someone else.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Most of my displayed work is shown on my own website and social media. I have had some work published by LooksLikeFilm and Tribe Archipelago.
Additionally, I have done some commercial work alongside an amazing media team. The photography from those ad campaigns can be found primarily on social media and websites for those specific branded projects.
The most flattering form of support is when clients share their sessions. I love to see which images they favor and share and the reactions of their family and friends. It means so much that people would trust me with their most important people and moments and to see that shared just makes my heart want to explode.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shilohcolleenphotography.com
- Phone: 858-349-1590
- Email: shilohcolleenphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/
shilohcolleen - Facebook: www.facebook.com/shilohcolleen
Image Credit:
Shiloh Reed by Amy Lynn Photography
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