Tilly Shull

I have so many feelings about this event that I’m still figuring out how to get it all out in one coherent post. For now, here are a few favorites with context from the day. Enjoy. 1. The people who are literally behind the scenes helping me do this thing @rhettshull @jakewybledrums (not pictured @kelseyvizzard who was behind me helping with video. G.O.A.T.) 2. @reidburrows putting in an effort for the pro double that I am still quite astonished by, this sunrise gave me energy for the whole weekend. 3. @cecily_decker and @laurenissima confirming they are in fact badass by pre-riding the water line multiple times, and sending it on race day. 4. A few of the kindest souls in the sport @brennan.wertz @ryanstandwich @camjonesnz 5. @paigepowered making sure the day was going to be interesting with all the power she can put down 6. Pro men traveling at an average of 27mph 7. First photo spot of the day with @cobe.free & @michael_garrison pushing the pace. 8. @adamroberge sending it through the river crossing 9. The spot where we found out a train had stopped the men and gave us an opportunity in the day for photos. @alexeyvermeulen first over the bridge 10. @t.dils @gwilliees @collinsigars showing everyone how hard the media crew works for these events. Pros. 11. @simon_pellaud stopping to chat, with a smile on his face even though his race was done. LEGEND. 12. @ryanstandwich asking for a high five. Still the coolest pro on course. I’ll die on that hill. 13. @sarahwlange telling me that my cheers(aka screams) helped her get through some low points during her day. A memory I will cherish always. 14. @lunchboxracing rider @midmocyclist giving the perfect layup for this red dirt road photo coming out of the river.

Ladies in Black and White @ilfordphoto

Leadville 2025: Digital first. Film next. I love what I do. There are so many people on the cycling world and I feel like I have found the best of the bunch. I have more to say, but I will save it for the film photos. For now, here are a few favorites from the Sony.

Sea Otter Film is packed. If you find Gold out there, might be mine again. See you there! @kodak @seaotterclassic

The emotional rollercoaster the weather has brought leading into @midsouthgravel week. Very selfishly wanting it to be dry.

Three years ago a friend asked if I wanted to shoot a bike race on film with him. I hesitated because I would have just flown home from a trip in Germany and had to turn around to leave again. But I said yes anyway. I shot my Mamiya 7 and my Leica M6 and my friend, notably, shot film on a hasselblad. We spent the day flying down red dirt roads to capture the day and even got pulled over trying to “make it to the next spot”. I grew up in the 90’s, which meant playing outside in the dirt was how we had fun. Something about that day brought me back to my childhood. It reminded me of the flower crowns and the feeling of the morning never coming quite quick enough. The memory of playing chicken on my mountain bike with my little brother to see who would “move first”, a game that happened daily. Oddly enough, my dad teaching me to ride a bike is one of my earliest memories. This world has always been here, playing a role that has impacted every corner of my life. Little did I know, @midsouthgravel would open a door to a world that would make me feel like I finally found my people. A world where I feel like I belong. That feeling is because of the people I have met along the way. The friends who have stolen my heart, the athletes who have been kind and the community that always welcomes you with open arms. Next week I will line up at Midsouth, to ride my first 100 miles. Not because I want to compete, but because I want show my gratitude to those dirt roads for the journey it has brought me on. Forever thankful that I get to do what I love, every day. Thank you to @joshuaheathscott for asking me to do something I was scared to do. I have grown so much by leaning into that fear. To everyone who is a part of @midsouthgravel crew I love you all so deeply, my heart cannot even handle it. To my husband @rhettshull thank you for telling me to do the things that scare me. 📸 (images of me) @joshuaheathscott

It’s hard to explain the feeling of “knowing”, but with you it’s always been there. Knowing you were the last person I ever wanted to love, knowing you are a safe space, knowing you will always be there in the good and the bad. You’re one of the best constants in my life. To all of the adventures we have been on and to everything that will happen next, thank you for being my person in all of it. Happy birthday @rhettshull 😘

To the friend whose call I will always answer.

This last year brought so many moments of chaos and joy. This incredible moment when @keegels99 crossed the finish line first at Leadville (for the 3rd year), sat down and everyone gave silence like it was a gift of recognition for what went into that day. That silence felt like it lasted an eternity. Everyone was surprised by it, because silence at the finish line is not the norm. This moment lives rent free in my brain. The look on Keegan’s face pretty much sums up 2025 for me, and I truly believe I’m not alone in that. Shock. Awe. Joy. All of it. With this year coming to a close, I want to thank everyone who made this year so memorable. You all know who you are. Thank you to @lifetimegrandprix for bringing these kinds of events to life and for letting us all play bikes. A special shoutout to @rhettshull for the endless support in everything I do (he’s touring with @themidnightofficial in 2026, trust me when I say you don’t want to miss it!) New @photo.pace photo book coming soon, keep your eyes peeled for pre-orders! New film photography course in 2026 too. Thank you to every person here, I get to do what I love because of your support. 🫶🏼

Absolutely adore these moments. Getting to capture the memories and the milestones is a true honor. My friends are having babies, and I am so honored to make some of the moments last a lifetime with these images. @_court.michelle you are such a stunning mama. @chadman_aye I know you are going to be the dad ever kid dreams of having. Love you both to pieces!

Mega Midsouth 2025. I have so many emotions about this past weekend. My husband @rhettshull set out to cover 300 miles on a bike. When he texted me at mile 99 and asked me to come get him, I felt so much pride. One, for him being courageous enough to say “when” and to ask for help. Two, for riding his second century in a single month. He did something hard, something that scared him, and my heart is so happy to know I am with a person that has the capacity to reach to the corners of his capabilities. To see @unlearnpavement multiple times over the course of two days, always smiling through the pain, was inspiring. Bobby has this thing, where he can reach to the depths of his pain and still find joy. He is a unicorn. An individual who can bring light to the darkest spaces and hold the light there until you feel safe. He finished 300 miles to the open arms of over 30 people, each waiting to hug him, some of whom had also raced 300 miles. I am lucky to call him family. I watched people I love do hard things. I got to capture some of the moments in between the joy and the pain and for that I am so endlessly grateful. Stillwater has become a place where I feel right at home. The people who welcomed Rhett and I with open arms have made us feel a part of something that is uniquely special. A chosen family. To Crystal Wintle, my little duck, I love you so much for all you have done and all you continue to do for the people around you. @painpatina stayed up to welcome everyone home. She was heating water and putting it in cups for people to warm their hands. Made sure there were towels for people to take a hot shower after the 28 degree night they rode through. Stayed awake until 3am (running on a few hours of sleep from the night before) to welcome the last person on course into the warm shop, and made sure they had someone to cheer for them when they finished. You are a gem. To Josh, your creativity and dedication to capturing the beauty that happens is one of my favorite things to be around. These moments, these memories, would not be what they are without you putting in the tireless hours to make it something so insanely beautiful.

Moments to last a lifetime. Thank you Nick and Tori for trusting me with your special day. 🫶🏼