Meet Jodi Richards | Owner and lead photographer for JK Richards Photography

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jodi Richards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jodi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve had a love of art from the time I picked up my first crayon. Art gave me the freedom to express who I was in a way that exceeded any other facets of my life. I have always been creative and art gave me confidence and joy. During my elementary and high school years I journeyed into drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture and photography. My high school art teacher was so involved in my passion for art and he took me under his wing and nurtured my creativity. People began to notice me and my work which boosted my self esteem at a time when teenagers might be at their lowest in confidence and self awareness. It gave me an escape from the difficulties of adolescence. I went on to study fine art, graphic design and photography at Bradley University and American Academy of Art. I became a graphic designer but soon realized it was photography that allowed me to express myself at my highest level. Through my photography, you will be drawn into a story about a person, a place or a moment in time. Though I photograph anything from abstract to landscape, I am captivated by the human face and form, whether quiet and at peace, or in the fast moving action of life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a photographer in Peoria, Arizona, I am a “needle in a haystack”! The competition is steep with the hundreds if not thousands of photographers in Maricopa County. I am constantly challenged to create something different than all the other photographers out there. I concentrate on every aspect of the photo from edge to edge to make sure everything within that frame of the photo is interesting and important. In addition to portrait photography, I spent 12 years photographing sports and sports related projects in the small town of Genoa, Illinois. I do believe my expertise and experience in sports photography gives me a step up from many of the portrait photographers out there. One of my specialties is sports portraits that either depict an athlete in action or posed. For these types of portraits, I utilize all of my knowledge in studio and natural lighting, to create drama into the full frame of the portrait. I have done anything from a volleyball player spiking the ball at sunset, to a football player in a dark and foggy farmhouse. In general, I let my creativity drive my photography business, which means I never say no to hiking onto a butte, venturing into the desert, or crawling into a dry water channel to get the shot. I always strive to set myself apart from all the competition by not only giving beautiful and unique portraits, but also by building wonderful relationships with my customers. I get to know my portrait subjects so I can tell their story through my work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I always say, Arizona is an adult playground. There are so many fun things to do and see, the possibilities are endless. I would start with the obvious which would be a ride to Sedona which is probably one of the most beautiful, picturesque places on earth. A Pink Jeep Ride would also be in order in Sedona. I’ve done the most rugged rides that take you deep into the crevices and canyons, as well as the top of the rim. The views are simply amazing. Lake Pleasant is a fun experience as bodies of water are so scarce. We generally dine at Scorpion Bay for a nice mellow experience with beautiful views. I am someone that absolutely loves driving through the mountains, no matter how steep the drop-off and how scary the curves! Probably my favorite two drives are to Jerome, Arizona on Route 89A which has harrowing drops and curves the whole way. My other favorite drive is to Canyon Lake with spectacular views through the mountains and the end result is the beautiful body of water nestled within the mountains. I loved the Dolly Steamboat tour on Canyon Lake which brings you up close and personal with mountain goats, eagles and beautiful views. Favorite restaurants would be a little place in Scottsdale called Coconuts, a casual restaurant with a Hawaiian flare and the freshest Sushi. We love Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in Peoria with energetic ambiance and great food of course! By far, Scottsdale has most of our favorite restaurants so we’d be spending most of our time dining there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I had the good fortune of being mentored by an amazing, international photographer, Nels Akerlund of Nels Akerlund Photography and Video, LLC. He opened my world up to new experiences and new techniques. His spirit and expertise gave me the courage and the wisdom to take my photography to new and exciting heights. Nels will always be my mentor and I truly owe him a debt of gratitude.

Website: https://www.jkrichardsphoto.com

Instagram: jk_richards_photography

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-richards-4345a715/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JKRichardsPhotography

Image Credits
All photos taken by Jodi Richards of JK Richards Photography