I’m guessing since you are visiting my photography blog you probably see me as a photographer. This is true but there is another side to me… I teach figure skating! It’s funny because people at the rink see me as the skating coach that takes pictures. I’m very lucky to be able to do both. Teaching skating is not a full time job (not 40 hours a week) and has allowed me to build my photography business quickly. It’s random though… photography and skating, but I love both. They both allow me to be creative and meet new people. I have the best students and I look forward to teaching them every week.
Some people have asked me if I will quit teaching skating since my photography is pretty much full time now, but I can’t imagine doing that. I love the kids that I teach and they make me laugh. I couldn’t imagine not having that. For an example, yesterday, little Avalon was working on her waltz jump, salchow, toe loop combo (sounds complicated, huh?) and when I asked her to try it she covered her mouth and said, “gasp” in a dramatic voice. Like literally said gasp, not an actual gasp. How cute is that! Here is a pic during her lesson from my new iPhone. =)
I have been teaching skating since I was 19 and I have met some interesting (in a good way for the most part) people! I’ve learned a ton about parenting, from good and bad examples, and I’ve learned that kids are really smart! I don’t think we give them enough credit. I have been able to teach a three year old how to do a 1/2 turn revolution jump where they take off on their left foot and land on their right. It’s complicated but a three year old is able to figure it out. Pretty amazing!
There are some aspects of teaching skating that have helped me with my photography. Skating has pushed me to stay creative… doing choreography for programs, trying to create new spins and unique footwork. I bring this into my photography. I don’t want every shoot to look the same. I want everyone to have unique photos and a unique experience. I’m constantly pushing myself to stay creative and keep learning, just as I do with skating. I’ve also had a lot of time with kids and I love being silly and having fun! This definitely helps me relate to kids when I’m shooting too! I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from skating is seeing lines. For skating it’s seeing if the leg is straight or the foot is turned out… is the arm high enough, are the shoulders in the right place. For photography it’s more like is this a flattering line, are the shoulders back, is the chin high enough so they have a neck.
This is a lot of writing but when I’m talking about my two loves, I could go on for awhile. Here are a few photos of my students…
A few of the girls after a competition…
Not a skating photo but I still love this photo of Cole, so I’m going to share it! She is also an actress and I did headshots for her back in 2008. This was during one of the OC fires… the smoke was so dark!
Sometimes, if I have my camera with me I will do some video or still shots of their jumps and spins so they can see what they look like. Here are a few of the stills. Not my best photography but it gives you an idea of how talented these kids are!
This is Avalon back in 2006 (taken with a point and shoot). She was, and still is, so stinkin’ cute! I think she is four or five in this photo. She started skating when she was two!
When I was first starting photography, I would take my camera and practice shooting in between lessons. This was right after Cole’s lesson. I think she was happy it was over. =)
This was also a few years ago. I taught Beeve from the time she was eight until she graduated from high school. She recently “retired” to focus on college. I was so lucky to get to take her senior photos too!
A few with my students taken by the parents.
I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little more about me! Every once in awhile I’ll try to do a post with little random Richelle facts.
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