We were lucky to catch up with Shannon Mahedy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shannon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission is to foster a joyful, consensual, and safe photography experience— in order to let the spirit of each subject effortlessly shine through.

People don’t normally associate portrait photography with being “mission-driven,” but I think creative work is most resonant when there’s a clear mission guiding it.

I think back to my younger years, and I remember a shy child who hated being asked to smile in photos. I would intentionally frown when an adult asked me to smile for a picture. I hated the forced, artificial nature of many posed photos.

As a teen, I was self-conscious about my long nose and round face, and photos became stressful for a whole other set of reasons.

As an adult, while my insecurities and shyness remain in many ways, I’ve chosen to reclaim joy and play when it comes to portrait sessions. I’ve found such satisfaction in letting myself let go in front of the lens.

My friend Gabi and I did elaborate themed photo shoots in college, and we had the best time hyping each other up, wearing fun outfits, choosing interesting locations, and looking through the photos afterward. This is the spirit I have taken with me as I have ventured into professional portrait photography.

I want each session with a client to be filled with joy, creativity, co-creation, and play. At the same time, this type of expression requires true vulnerability, so safety and consent must be at the forefront. I want to capture people as they truly are, and I’ll never tell someone how to dress or act. I’ll check in and make sure they are comfortable. I’ll make jokes to break the ice and put them at ease.

It’s so rewarding to create a fun experience for my clients that allows them to be present and to forgot their insecurities for a moment. To me, that’s the joy of being an artist!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I love observing people, preserving sweet moments in time, and making people feel like their best selves, so photography has always felt like second nature.

I’m mostly self-taught, and I asked for my first camera (a v-cam now camcorder) when I turned 11. I’ve been documenting our family vacations since middle school, and I became more serious about portrait photography in college. I took a photography class in college that allowed me to learn more about composition and the technical side of photography. While it’s hard for an artist to monetize their art, I’ve been asked more and more to photograph people in my community, so I decided to start Shannon Mahedy Portraits. Not sure where it’ll go, but it’s been a blast so far!

I provide many kinds of photography services— creative shoots, professional headshots, engagement/wedding photos, boudoir shoots, and more!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It’s hard to choose just one thing! I think one of the most rewarding aspects of being a portrait photographer is working through the photo shoot process with your subject. A photo shoot involves co-creation and vulnerability on each participant’s part, and it’s so fun to create together!

It’s a cliche, but it’s more about the journey than the destination when it comes to a photo shoot. Before a shoot, I’ll talk through the vision with my subject(s). We’ll figure out best lighting, fun poses, an interesting outfit, and a compelling setting. I’ll get a sense of what they want to get out of this experience.

I love working with people who are willing to leave their comfort zones and try many different approaches. The magic of digital photography is that I can easily delete photos after the shoot, so it’s worth trying out tons of ideas. Some of them won’t work, but when you find a good angle/pose/light source/background, it’s all worth it. It’s such an amazing feeling when you and your subject can feel that you’ve found just the right way to realize your joint artistic vision.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

It’s all about consistency and authenticity. Post frequently, create a recognizable artistic style, and be true to who you are. So much of social media is performative, but people respond to authenticity.

Follow and feature your friends and family first. Tag brands, collaborators, and local businesses in your posts when appropriate. Use trending sounds and hashtags. Create engaging reels that engage your audience. Follow similar accounts. Make your posts collaborative when possible. Ask your friends to share your posts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shannonmahedy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonmahedyportraits?igsh=aWYxNmdtM3Y0NHY1&utm_source=qr