Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherrie Graves.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My passion for photography began in high school when I enrolled in a photography class. My very first picture was taken with a homemade pinhole camera fashioned out of an oatmeal box. But I soon upgraded to a used Pentax K1000. I loved every moment, thrilled to capture candid moments of family and friends. I then spent hours developing images in the darkroom, a hands-on process I still miss. As technology evolved, so did I, but my goal remains the same: capturing authentic, compelling portraits with my trusty Canon R6 Mark II.
Trained at the British Academy of Photography, I specialize in portraits that reveal personality and emotion, whether working with couples, children, or high school seniors. I strive to create a relaxed, fun experience in a studio or outdoors, using the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest as my backdrop.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As with all the important things in life—raising kids, relationships, pursuing goals—building something meaningful takes a lot of hard work and time. I still have a long way to go before I can say I’ve built a truly thriving photography business, but I try to remind myself to be proud of where I am in my business right now. It’s so easy to feel disheartened after years of trying to make a living from your art while still needing to work other jobs to pay the bills. Sometimes it can feel like you should be further along by now, or that needing a day job somehow means you haven’t succeeded. But I also think it’s about continuing to create, to learn, and continuing to believe in your work even when the path is slower and harder than you imagined. But maybe that, too, is just a part of being an artist.
I’ve struggled with self-doubt, money worries, and the feeling that I’m not doing enough to help support my family. And then there’s the whole challenge of marketing yourself—which, honestly, can feel like a completely different job in itself.
The truth is, I don’t really want to spend my days trying to figure out algorithms, creating social media posts, or convincing people to pay attention to my work. I want to be out in the world doing street photography, noticing the moments that most people walk right past. I want to be at home experimenting with still life, playing with light and shadows. I want to just sit in a café, editing photographs from my last senior shoot and getting lost in the process. But unfortunately social media is also a part of being a portrait photographer these days.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love working with people, and especially with high school seniors. Portrait photography is my passion! Every photo shoot is an opportunity to create something meaningful for another person, a moment that will hopefully bring them joy for years to come. But each session is also an opportunity for me to grow, experiment, and learn. There will always be more to discover, and that’s one of the things I love most about photography.
What I find especially fascinating about working one-on-one with someone is getting to know that person. Who are they? Who do they want to be? What do they want the world to see? And, perhaps most importantly, how do they see themselves? If I can get to the heart of those questions, I can create portraits that feel authentic to who they are or perhaps even reveal something they didn’t realize was there. I want to bring out the beauty, strength and humor that all people have within them.
The greatest compliment I could receive is for someone to look at their images and think, “Yes. That’s me. That’s what I want the world to see.” That’s when I’m most proud, when they see themselves and love what they see.
What sets me apart from other photographers is my ability to connect with the person in front of my camera.
Sometimes a senior will arrive at a session feeling nervous, self-conscious, or a little unsure about me and the whole experience. And that’s completely understandable, having a camera pointed at you can feel pretty vulnerable! But something amazing happens when we take the time to relax and get to know each other. By the end of the session, we’re laughing together, they’re comfortable enough to tell me where they want to stand, and they’re even coming up with their own ideas for images. That’s when I know we’ve found something special. I want them to feel seen and confident enough to let their personality come through. I want to experiment, play, laugh, and create images that let the real them shine though. Because I also believe a great portrait session shouldn’t feel stiff or super serious. I love to experiment, get a little goofy, try something unexpected, and see what happens. Often the best images come from doing something completely different from what we planned.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Weather apps are a must! Finding out when the tide is low and when the sun will set is so important to capture that magical golden hour for awesome beach images.
I devour books in general, but I especially love collecting photography books. They’re a wonderful source of inspiration, new ideas, and technique, and they remind me that there are so many different ways to see and photograph the world.
I’m currently reading The Women Who Changed Photography: And How to Master Their Techniques by Gemma Padley. I love discovering how other photographers approach their work and then experimenting with those ideas in my own work. It’s fun to try something new, and look at people and objects from a different perspective.
I also recently visited a photography exhibit at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture featuring Janette Beckman, who photographed the punk scene in London and later the emerging hip-hop scene in New York. While those portraits were fascinating, it was her street photography that really spoke to me. Her images are so engaging!
I think that’s another of the things I love most about photography: there is always someone new to discover and something new to learn. I also think it’s incredibly important to seek out what other artists are creating. To step outside of your own work, see how others approach their craft, and let their ideas spark something new in you. Inspiration doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It grows when we share, explore, and learn from one another.
The artistic community here in Astoria, Oregon has been so good to me. I’ve been welcomed with open arms and made to feel like I truly belong. A few of the local cafés have been incredibly kind in giving me space to display and sell my still life photography. There’s something really special about seeing my photographs hanging in a place where people gather and enjoy their day. A special shout out to Kendall at the amazing Green Door Café for being one of those people who has encouraged and supported me along the way. Thank you for giving my work a little corner of your space!
Pricing:
- -Tier One: The Keepsake Session $175
- -Tier Two: The Signature Senior Session $250
- -Tier Three: The Storyteller Session $395
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mile13photography.com/
