Today we’d like to introduce you to Rich Soublet.
Rich, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been into photography since I was a kid, and I was taking selfies before we even had that word. It became a pretty steady hobby by the time I was ten, and I would carry it with me as a fun thing to do all through high school. I had immersed myself in theatre in high school, and I majored in it in college. Being surrounded by actors for so long, I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone asked if I could do a headshot for them.
“That’s just a picture of your face, right? How hard could it be?” Both they and I were pleased with the results (though looking back on them now, yikes) and I thought maybe I had something. Over the next few years, I would shoot whatever ended up in front of my lens without trying to specialize. I ended up working a number of odd photo jobs (souvenir photos here, studio editor there) before I struck out on my own.
Since 2010 I’ve been shooting weddings and events pretty steadily, but in 2018 I put them on the back burner and began focusing (no pun) more on doing portraits and headshots. There’s something about that one on one connection with another human that I much prefer to any other kind of photography.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’d hardly call it smooth. I’ve had equipment stolen/broken when I was ill-prepared to replace it. I’ve lost large shoots that would have been very good for my portfolio/bank account. It took me a while to be a better businessman when it comes to my photography. For a long time, there was that nagging “Am I any good?” voice in my head. After some introspection and lots of practice, I learned to let the work speak for itself and not worry too much about how people view me or it.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I might have given it away by now, but portraits are my jam. Closeups in the form of headshots, far away in the form of fine art, and somewhere in between for everything else. Before that “click” I ask myself, what does this say? What does this expression or outfit or setting say about my subject? For that matter, what do I *want* it to say? Most importantly, what does the person paying me want it to say?
I pride myself in being able to bridge that gap between the image that’s floating around in a client’s head and the final delivered photo without too much stress on myself or on them. The work is high quality because the time, effort, and people in the work are high quality as well. I primarily shoot headshots for actors and & business people. I also do creative portraits for individuals, families, humans, and even animals!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is a combo of timing and opportunity, and I’ve certainly had bad timing and missed a couple of opportunities. Learning from those mistakes has helped me position myself to better take advantage of when timing and opportunity line up and capitalize on that luck!
Friends have often joked that I lead a charmed existence. I chalk that up to doing my darndest to always be kind to others and maintain a positive attitude. If you put good out into the world, good will come back to you.
Pricing:
- In studio sessions are $250 for the session, and $50 for each digital image you want at the end of the session.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.richshoots.com
- Phone: 619.813.2888
- Email: rich@richshoots.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richsoubletphotography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoubletPhotos
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-soublet-42747329/
Image Credit:
Rich Soublet
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