Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Reinhart.
Hi Caitlin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I suppose it all began in the woods of my family’s backyard where I spent most of my childhood exploring and entertaining myself under the tree canopy. I’d easily spend a day collecting insects, making mud pies, or building stick forts. Those early years instilled in me a love for nature which I’m very grateful for today.
Once I entered school I spent less time in the woods and more time exploring my creativity through various art forms. In college, I retraced my roots and started spending time in nature again. I instantly felt at home among the trees and had the urge to document the beautiful sights I encountered. I would bring my phone on hikes to take pictures and start sharing them online.
In 2018, I bought a professional camera and my passion for photography took off. No subject in nature was off limits; I’d take pictures of moss, rocks, trash, and dead animals. I brought my camera with me on every walk and started training my eye. Photography is often associated with travel, but I’ve learned you don’t need to go cross-country to take interesting photos.
I wanted to show people the beauty that’s accessible to us all in “ordinary” places, such as small-town Ohio. I started brainstorming ways I could practice nature photography, satisfy my wanderlust, and also provide a service to my community. I’d be on the road headed to a nature preserve and drive past countless beautiful properties (sixty percent of the land in Ohio is privately owned!). That’s when I had the idea of starting a “property portrait” business.
Some of my favorite memories have been made in backyards, and I think that applies to a lot of people. These are special places that are meaningful to those who’ve created them, and I love being able to photograph homes and yards in a way that’s intimate and novel for the owner.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think I’m dealing with the biggest challenge right now, and that’s getting people interested in this niche service. I’ve received positive feedback which is very encouraging and my focus has been on building my portfolio and getting the word out. We don’t hesitate to have professional portraits of our family taken over the years, so why not the family land? I think it’s valuable to have beautiful photos of the places we love that we can share with future generations.
I’ve encountered people who are hesitant to have their property photographed because it’s not manicured or there’s some junk lying around. I want them to know that their property doesn’t need to be “perfect” to be worth shooting! I find beauty in nearly everything (often the “junk” adds character!), but if there is something, in particular, they don’t want to be captured I’m happy to keep it out of frame.
I also like to hear from owners about what they love about their place and I make sure to get great shots of those areas or things. It’s been amazing seeing people’s reactions after receiving the photos and I like to think I’ve strengthened their connection to their home by showing them how I see it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
A Property Portrait session usually begins with a phone call. I’ll schedule a time with the owner to come out and shoot and I’ll ask a few other questions about their place. Typically, I’ll arrive around the morning or evening golden hour and stay for an hour or longer. They’re welcome to give me a tour if they want, and then I just wander around- I’m always careful and respectful of the property.
I’ll shoot with a variety of lenses (wide angle, zoom, macro) so I can capture their place from various perspectives. In a week or less, the owners receive their photos in an online gallery. I think what sets me apart is my creativity and my vision. I don’t have state-of-the-art gear or a degree in photography, but I’ve learned a lot over the years about composition and how to use my camera intuitively, and I never stop learning. Most of all I am genuinely interested in and excited about every private property I visit and how they are all a reflection of their owners.
Photography has made me feel closer to the people and the land in this small part of the world. Alongside offering photoshoots, I have a variety of nature photographs in the form of matted prints, postcards, stickers, and more, which I’ve begun selling at local art shows. It’s been a cool experience seeing people react to my photos in person!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
There are several! Perseverance, patience, and passion are all important. It can be very discouraging to put time and energy into something that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere but don’t give up too soon. Sometimes success is right around the corner, other times you may need to evaluate what you’re doing and try something else. If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, it’s a lot easier to throw in the towel.
Being kind and active in your community goes a long way! I’m an introvert, but for the past couple of years, I’ve been making an effort to push myself socially. I’ve met many amazing people since I moved to Carey and it’s helped me feel both supported and inspired.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.omanobservations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oohh.man/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OmanObservations/
