Check Out Kelly Shroads’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Shroads.

Hi Kelly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From a young age, I felt like an artist at heart and knew I wanted to be a photographer. My pops gave me my first camera at 12, I got into the darkroom in high school and fell in love with all aspects of the process. I discovered that taking photos was one of the best ways to communicate my ideas and express the beauty & essence I see and feel in the world. I pursued conceptual art in college and received a BFA in Photography from CU Boulder. I showed my work in small galleries in Colorado, California, and New York, as well traveling with other artists to show in Mexico, Chile, and Spain. I then moved on to wedding, portrait and event photography, taking me all over the country for work, which was an absolute dream. I also did every other type of photography under the sun as I built my portfolio and figured out what I was meant for. Now, after two decades of work and a diverse range of imagery, my work has evolved to align with my personal mission, lifestyle and passions.

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in my 20s. So I turned towards a lifestyle of health and well-being, including yoga, meditation, holistic healing modalities, clean eating, and a deep connection with nature. To give me the time and space needed to manage my health and still pursue my creative endeavors, I leaned heavily into the freedom and creativity of entrepreneurship. I am super passionate about people making their dreams a reality, as I have done, especially with the many challenges we all encounter in life. So today, I primarily work with creative entrepreneurs and women in wellness, photographing them in stunning natural locations or in the heart of their cities, studios or places of business. My mission is to help this collection of people represent their healing and creative gifts, and share their best selves with the world, something near and dear to my heart!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The process of creating and editing images has always felt natural to me. But there have definitely been bumps in the road getting to where I am today. Initially, as many entrepreneurs do, I said yes to EVERYTHING; weddings, couples, maternity, babies, kids, families, seniors, professionals, pets, food, boudoir, product, events, corporate, art, product, real estate, retreats, music. All of these types of photography require different skills, gear and processes. So, I got really overwhelmed and spread too thin. My clients were happy, but I felt like I had lost my unique style, purpose and why. On top of that, photography is a physically demanding job, with long hours on your feet and constantly being “on”. With the existing challenges of having a chronic pain condition, I started to burnout. It felt smooth when I was in a state of manifestation; getting a lot of work, traveling, making good money and being a “successful” photographer. But I eventually asked myself, “What am I sacrificing for this? Am I compromising my well-being? I am grateful for all of the work, but what do I really want to create? What am I best at?” It only started to feel truly aligned, when I got clear on my soul purpose. I defined how I could help people with the biggest impact, and what brought me the most joy.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am genuinely meant to be working with natural light, out in nature, photographing women who are doing creative and healing work, meaningful storytelling and artful expression, all of whom contribute to a more connected, sustainable and healthy world. I am known for creating a comfortable, fun and liberating experience on photo shoots. My clients typically leave feeling assured of who they are, confident in what they have to offer, connected to their purpose and happy with how they look and feel in front of the camera. I don’t believe in perfection, so when my clients can embrace that and let go, we are able to make honest & beautiful images that resonate with who they really are. We typically laugh and get silly throughout the shoot, so it’s a genuinely fun experience for everyone involved. I’m not sure exactly how other photographers work, but I believe what sets me apart is an easeful experience and images that reflect authentic beauty, not perfection, as well as an element of magic and synchronicity. What my clients tell me is that they often come into the shoot feeling nervous and leave feeling seen, supported and inspired.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I am super inspired by artists and authors that connect human behavior, nature and beauty. I love learning about communication, connection, empowerment, psychology, astrology and personal development. A few of my favorites are My Human Design, by Jenna Zoe (Website/Podcast/App, IG @myhumandesign), all books by Clarissa Pinkola Estes (Author and Psychologist), Mystic Mamma (Mijanou Montealegre, Artist, Mystic & Mother, IG @mysticmamma) and Chani Nicholas (Astrologer, Author, IG @chaninicholas) Some of my favorite photographers are Cig Harvey (IG @CigHarvey), the one and only Annie Leibovitz (IG @annieleibovitz), James Turrell and Andy Goldsworthy.

Pricing:

• My portrait sessions run between $500 – $1800

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kellyeileen.co
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kellyeileen.co
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/kellyeileen.co 

Image Credits
Photo of me with camera: Tiffany Brock Photography, www.tiffanybrockphotography.com
@erinwaynickphotography
www.erinwaynickphoto.com