Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Teveldal.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Even though I grew up in a tiny town in rural South Dakota, over 1300 miles from the nearest coastline, my path to becoming an underwater photographer started right here at home. My mother is an artist and entrepreneur of sorts. Her business was painting, sculpting, and running a framing shop and art classes out of our home. I always had a variety of art supplies at my fingertips, and that environment allowed my creativity to flourish from a young age.
After applying that passion to earning a 4-year degree in Graphic Design, I took off on an adventure and spent a year living in New Zealand. There I made a wonderful friend and underwater photographer, Sarah Alice Lee of Salty Souls Photography. She opened my eyes to an art form that I had never seen before, and I was hooked. The uniqueness of underwater photography stuck with me until my travels landed me in Austin, TX, where I started my business. There was nothing like it at the time, and I took the idea and ran with it. Austin’s creative culture supported the idea of introducing the beauty of underwater photography to people here at home and to fill a niche that hadn’t existed. Plus, there are pools everywhere and so many swim teams and swim schools. Roughly a month after considering starting and underwater photography business, I dived in, invested every penny I had into building a business and never looked back.
Please tell us about your art.
Underwater photography fulfills my desire to work with people and employs my passion for the arts. I look at every photo shoot as a creative collaboration with my subject and the water. My favorite thing about underwater photography is the that most of what makes up a shot is at the mercy of the water – from the position of your body to the flow of fabrics, to the reflections from the surface of the water, shots are less planned and instead, just “happen”. There’s a little bit of magic that happens in every photo shoot, and it makes me fall in love every single time.
A big part of what I do involves coaching people to feel comfortable in the water and trust themselves. Although quite challenging, anyone can model underwater. You don’t even have to be a good swimmer, you just need to be somewhat comfortable in the water. I start each session with instruction and tips on how to submerge, relax, control your breath, move, and pose underwater. For most people, the first few submersions are a bit overwhelming and sometimes even frustrating! However, with a little practice and instant feedback, it ends up clicking for everyone. Once that happens they really start to enjoy and excel at moving in the water.
I have aimed at diversifying my portfolio as much as possible. I offer a wide variety of services including, but not limited to:
Underwater photo booths for pool parties
Mermaid Makeovers (an EPIC idea for bachelorette parties!)
Underwater Dogs
Maternity
Engagements
Bridal
Kids
Photo Days for Swim Teams, Synchronized Swimmers and Water Polo
Photo Days at Swim Schools
Underwater Tea Parties
Commercial
Body Love Shoots with Motivational Speaker Sandy Parker
The field of Underwater Photography is growing rapidly with more and more people interested in working both sides of the camera. Seeing a need for education in this industry, I’ve partnered with traveling underwater model Astrid Kallsen to host Underwater Workshops around the country. These workshops are a platform for underwater photographers of all skill levels and those interested in learning the art of movement in the water to come together in a private, luxury setting to co-create and learn from Astrid and myself as well as each other. Our next workshop is a 3-day all-inclusive event at a lake-side chateau in Atlanta, GA. You can learn more and follow along at www.flashpoolproductions.com/underwaterworkshop and www.instagram.com/underwaterworkshop
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
To be a successful artist, you must also be a successful business person. In short, learn how to make the most of social media platforms, how to write a proper email, how to price your work, how to SELL your work. There is so much value in shaking hands and networking with others. It’s not hard – just get to know people, ask questions, be sincere and authentic. Learn the value of partnering and collaborating with other artists and businesses. Invest in yourself and your work by getting yourself the right tools. Lastly, never stop learning and growing – celebrate your accomplishments but then remember that there is always the next level to work towards.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flashpoolproductions.com
- Instagram: @flashpool_productions
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/flashpool
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/flashpool
- Other: www.instagram.com/underwaterworkshop
Image Credit:
St. Laurent Photography, Lilah Bazarte, Libby Hill, Astrid Kallsen, Sabine Bredow, Natalia Victoria, Sean Grieshop
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas 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.
