Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayna Vincent
Hi Shayna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started out as a wild child. Born and raised in Washoe Valley, NV I spent my childhood in various places, from riding wild horses to playing in the dirt, I was not one to sit still. I still believe that applies to me today as well. We didn’t have a lot growing up, living in hotels, and in RVs around the valleys. Food was scarce but somehow my parents made it work. In 2007 My sister and I were put in the foster care system, and spent years living with foster parents who did awful things to us said even worse. I was 14 In 2010 when my mom got sick and 9 days after her 40th, she ended her own suffering. By the time I turned 17 I enlisted in the Navy to get away from it all and start my life over. I met my ex husband while stationed in Pensacola FL, a man who promised me the world and proceeded to abuse me for 8 consecutive years. In 2021 my best friend helped me escape and pack my car with a couple garbage bags of clothes and my golden retriever, and run. I drove 2800 miles to save my own life. I was dealt a difficult hand pretty consistently over the last 30 years. But my life and everyone in it has helped shape the person I am today. All of my experiences have made me stronger and more caring to those around me. I have endless amounts of empathy and love and try every day to be a better person despite the last 30 years. I will continue to wake up every morning and try to be a better human than I was the day before. Because even though life pushed me down 100 times, I got up 101.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a really rough road. I’ve been abused, cheated on, lied to, treated like dirt, homeless, jobless. All of it. Even though it’s been down right exhausting, I know I want the best life I can give myself hopefully pave a bright path for my future children one day. I know that one day I will have children that will never know what hunger is or what homelessness feels like. That’s my motivation. I’m better than the things that tried to take me down.
They say “a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”. I think to a degree all the good and all the awful moments in my life made me a better person, in a weird way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Professionally I have been working in photography for the last 9 years. It’s an area of industry that I strive in. I’m definitely proud of how hard I work every day. Building a good life for myself is something I’m motivated for. My determination and ambition to grow professionally is what sets me apart. I take my job and my work ethic very very seriously. I have a reputation for being an efficient and honest employee wherever I am. I love that.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My mentors and/or the people I look up to in my life are the ones in the places I want to be one day. My advice to anyone searching for a mentor is this: surround yourself with people who are in the places you want. Take advice from them, learn and grow. But also take criticism. Understand the areas of improvement and strive to be better every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.shaynavincentphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaynavincentphotography?igsh=MThtd3FwMWtoejRmNg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaynavincentphotography
Image Credits
Shayna Vincent Photography