about
Sarah Collins
Designer + Photographer
Portland, Oregon
Often times people ask me what "neon grounds" means...and in the case you also find yourself wondering: neon grounds was my coined term to describe the circumstance in which you are influenced by something powerful, and unstoppably fueled to do something. It happens to all of us, creative or not — whether it be visiting an art museum and it inspires you to try your hand at painting...or when listening to music and you are moved to dance...or when you see someone in need and you are drawn to help. In those times, you feel the space you're in lights up — the ground beneath you is illuminated as a launch pad to take action. You are on neon grounds.
This used to be a place I'd arrive on accident. Now putting myself in the way of inspiration has become my profession, and I am focused on bringing these experiences to clients in the form of design and photography.
CLIENTS
PARTNERS
Oregon Athletics
Outer Rim Bicycles
Peculiar Tales of the S.S. Bungalow
Pluralsight
Portland General Electric
Portland Internetworks
Powers Studios
Project Patch + the Family Experience
Prosoco
RedBull Sound Select
Redington
Second Profession Brewing
Sticks & Stones
Top Shelf Productions
Umpqua Bank
Windriver Counseling
Without Walls
testimonials
Kate Zimmerman art director @ umpqua bank
Anytime I get to bring Sarah on a project, it's such a treat. She brings her sweet, sunny attitude, works for solutions to challenging creative briefs, and communicates clearly. And of course, her work is rock-solid, smart and beautiful. Sarah is always top of mind when I'm giving a recommendation for a great freelancer!
Aaron sales co founder @ global sessions
Sarah did an amazing job listening to our vision then adding her expertise to improve our look, yet staying with the feel of our brand that we have established over the years. Her creative design is something we welcome for future projects!
Tim HOlmes art director + photographer @ DHX Advertising
We asked Sarah to wear many hats when she worked at DHX Advertising and she wore them all with a heart warming smile. There is not one person that can come into contact with Sarah and not love her. Clients, fellow employees, vendors, everyone. Her design is out of the box but she does a great job of pulling it in to suit a clients needs and branding. Her photography? Simply, utterly, inspired!
heidi nielsen design director @ brink communications
Sarah is easy to work with and is an amazing illustrator. She’s capable of sorting through a creative brief and nailing the concept right away.
Mike Malone Founder @ Livestock Framing
I've worked with a number of talented designers and photographers. What's made Sarah indispensable is a combination of her reliability and attention to detail. She does a terrific job of managing expectations, and because Sarah took time to understand Livestock's brand and its aesthetic, she creates excellent work consistently and quickly.
jeff smith brand + marketing director @ muselet restaurant + wine bar
When I met Sarah, I found her incredibly engaging and curious. She has a wonderful eye and a sense of her surroundings which informs her work. I am always looking for opportunities to work with her because she brings something special to any collaboration. I recently had Sarah come photograph Muselet and she captured the spirit of our new restaurant in her beautiful shots of the dining room, bar and staff portraits.
brett warnock founder + art director @ top shelf productions
I recently sold a comics publishing house I founded and owned for 20 years. I met Sarah rather by accident, as we bumped into each other at a coffee shop and geeked out over the production and design of a graphic novel called Asterious Polyp, by David Mazzucchelli. I asked Sarah on the spot if she would like to design one of our books. After a second consultation we opted for Sarah to do the complete package design for a book called "We Can Fix It" by Jess Fink. To say that Sarah knocked one out of the park with this book design is no exaggeration. With rounded corners and a 5th-color spot-gloss, this book literally pops, inviting any passerby to stop and peruse.
Additionally, knowing that Sarah was a photographer I've hired her to take portraits of my son and I — her photos are exquisite.
I choose to work with Sarah because it is always less like work and more like spending time with a friend...and on that note, after all these years of working together, she has become a friend.
rob cannon designer @ dhx advertising
I first met Sarah when she joined the agency I work for as a graphic designer. But it soon became apparent one of her major talents is photography. She’s one of those people who, first of all, totally sets people at ease. Makes them forget they’re being photographed. Next thing you know she has taken a series of candid shots that captures the essence of her subjects with no obvious posing. I had the privilege of watching her work at a friend’s wedding, seamlessly flitting in and out or setting up group shots with an admirable efficiency. She also has a knack for finding marvelous backgrounds wherever the wedding takes place, often in unexpected settings.
So when my fiancee and I started discussing wedding plans, I knew Sarah was the one for the event. And sure enough, in an outdoor setting, with a small group of just over 50 guests, she captured an afternoon’s worth of magical moments which are already priceless, and as that special day recedes in time, will keep our memories of that day evergreen.
bob dorsey owner @ windriver counseling
When I first met Sarah, I was attempting to design my own website and she graciously agreed to provide me with feedback. Most of my friends had already provided their views on my creation and when Sarah provided her professional opinion, I was so impressed that I hired her on the spot; before ever seeing her work! After actually seeing her portfolio, it only solidified what I already knew, that Sarah is a highly talented designer. She provides a very clean, fresh and professional product and I could not be happier with the site she designed for me. New clients consistently tell me they love my website and, in the end, that’s the whole point. Working with Sarah was easy. She is kind and very professional and she took my ideas well beyond anything I could have imagined on my own. If you want a talented, innovative and nice person to design your site, then Sarah Collins is the person I suggest.
zeljka hadija shah
communications coordinator @ Kathmandu international study centre
Sarah has been an amazing gift to our organization. She agreed to fly to Nepal to do pro bono work for us, redesigning our website. She was loved by everyone from the very first day for her personality and friendly attitude. She took time to understand the organization, our mission and vision, and to listen to our needs. The website she produced for us is spectacular as it encompassed everything we were hoping for, and then some more. Sarah is incredibly creative, talented, intuitive and easy to work with. We are looking forward to working with her again!