Today we’d like to introduce you to Elissa Rinehart.
Elissa, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
As most young artists go, I liked to draw and imagine when I was a kid. Eventually I was accepted into the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and studied darkroom photography there. I never thought I could make money with art, despite all of the guidance given by my high school teachers, so when I went to college I chose liberal arts instead. It wasn’t until my own wedding in 2009 that I realized I had a good foundation for becoming a wedding photographer, and I dove back in. Nine years later, I’m doing what I love — making custom art for people who have sought me for commission. It’s pretty great.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I photograph weddings, and I approach each wedding in the hopes of capturing the way the day FEELS, and not necessarily just how it LOOKS. I’m all for fun decor at weddings, but what keeps me going is the human connection between not just the couple, but the couple and their families, the energy of their friends, the happiness of celebration. I love little details like teary bridesmaids, laughing parents, tipsy dancing. I love how unifying weddings are; they are happy bubbles of people coming together to enjoy the day, and I hope to capture that. I want people to look back at their photos and remember exactly how they felt when the shots were taken.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Sure, we don’t have a dedicated office we go into every workday, but there are so many supportive artists around the web. I find most of my peers on social media like Facebook and Instagram. I’ve become good friends with these folks over the years and email or text with them; we do online group hangouts while we work. My advice would be to reach out on social media with someone who seems friendly and strike up a conversation. What’s the worst that could happen?
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I blog extensively on my website, http://elissarphotography.com. I also post more instantly on Instagram at @elissarphoto. Support comes by word of mouth — tell your friends about me!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://elissarphotography.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/elissarphoto
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/elissarphotography
Image Credit:
Photo of Elissa by Caitlin McWeeney. All other photos by Elissa Rinehart.
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
