Artist Spotlight: Allie Richards

We are excited to spotlight Allie Richards, a photographer based in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this week. Allie has been a full-time professional photographer for three years but has been practicing photography since she was 13, when her parents bought her a small point-and-shoot camera. “I would take it with me on walks around the neighborhood and photograph flowers, bugs, animals – everything.” This sparked her love of nature and continues to inspire her photography to this day. She offers many fine art prints of her photography on her website https://www.allierichards.com/. 

Allie’s favorite part of being a photographer is the opportunities it opens for travel. “I work as a photographer but also as a co-partner and instructor of BlueHour Photo Ventures, a photo tour and workshop company where we take other photographers on fun trips to improve. I have been able to visit places like the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, Ireland, The Azores, Thailand and more.”

Allie’s favorite piece is the photograph she took of the Artemis shipwreck in Provincetown, Massachusetts under the Milky Way (pictured below). “It is captivating and dreamy to look at and represents a specific point in time which is no more. The boat has since been towed away and destroyed, but I’ve captured it in print. The Cape is mostly characterized by beach waves and flowers, so I really love that I was able to capture something new and different.”

 

Like the photograph of the Artemis shipwreck, Allie enjoys capturing “beautiful and captivating landscapes of all kinds. “I look for interesting subject matters, like trees, stones, or structures as well as bright colors.” She uses these elements and environments for inspiration when starting a new project or piece. “I believe that anywhere can be captured in a beautiful way, but it takes the right conditions to do so. I have in my head specific shots I would like to make at some point in time, and I will often go out to photograph based on weather conditions, like the tides, or whether or not the stars will be out.”

For aspiring photographers, Allie says to not expect it to be easy but to stick to it. "I still haven’t “figured it out,” and I understand that it will take many years to find my footing if I want to make this into my only career. It is exceptionally hard work to stay motivated, to keep creating, keep learning, and to maintain and run a business at the same time. Each photographer has to find their own way – there are few roadmaps."

Allie Richards in action.

Unable to travel due to COVID-19, Allie has found a change of pace with local projects. “Due to COVID-19, I’m unable to travel or participate in any art festivals, so I have been very focused on creating new work in my local landscape of Cape Cod. Over the past two months or so, I’ve been happy with what I have been able to make so far and will continue to highlight the area throughout the seasons. You have to make the best of it!”

Allie found Golden State Art through the recommendation of other artists. “I sell my work at art festivals, so I needed a way to easily mat my prints and in a timely manner. I found that Golden State Art has the best value for pre-cut mats and quality and have used them ever since for all my matted work.” She finds our pre-cut mats and show kit packs convenient for selling her prints. “I would not be able to have a successful business selling my prints without them! The pre-cut mats and packages have made my life so much easier and streamlined.”

Check out more of Allie's work below and on her website https://www.allierichards.com/. Connect with her on Instagram at @allierichardsphoto and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/allierichardsphoto/.