We recently connected with Chermetra Keys and have shared our conversation below.

Chermetra, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

“When it feels scary to jump, that is exactly when you jump, otherwise you end up staying in the same place your whole life.” Unknown or some Pinterest quote. Thats exactly have I have lived my life taking risks and seeing what happens after! I don’t regret any of the risks Ive taken either because I seriously wouldn’t be where I am today had I not jumped. I remember sitting in my car in the garage at Children’s hospital (in 2018 if I remember correctly )crying my eyes out before walking in to clock in for the day. I was at that moment what felt like my lowest. Working a full time job, going to school full time to get my bachelors degree, single mom to Jai’Dan and Jai’Monaie and not quite where I wanted to be in business for myself. I was wearing a lot of hats. I remember sitting in the car telling myself I couldn’t do it anymore. I’m not much of one to depend on other people and I recall that day being very stressful for me trying to get my kids to school and make it to work on time. I’m pretty sure I was late and at that very moment I didn’t care because I was burnt out. All I wanted was to work for myself, make my own schedule and more flexibility when it came to my kids. Without ever even having a plan I told myself I was going to quit my 9-5 and begin working for myself. That was the year I took the biggest risk of my life and didn’t look back and from there The Female Shoota was born.

The Skin I’m in…

Y’all, I swear I had a Issa Rae moment in the mirror last night…. “Who’s stressed , not you!” “Who gon kill it, it’s you!” 

I’m super excited to be here and thanks to the amazing ladies of Chic for giving me this platform to speak and tell my story and congratulations on 5 years in business!! 

Today I will be speaking with you about how I struggled to have confidence in my own skin but used my passion of  photography to find myself, love myself and now helping other women love themselves too!

I was once that little girl who sat in the class room afraid to raise my hand, talk or speak because some kid bullied me up out of my voice…when Jamarian called me and said your name was mentioned in the room today I couldn’t turn down the offer to speak and use my voice! Because I am confident and my story could help another younger version of me.

Growing up i was shy, insecure and had such low self esteem. I cared more about what others thought about me than what I thought about myself. For years I struggled with acceptance and the ability to feel somewhat comfortable in my own skin. I didn’t love myself and for that matter I found it hard for people to love and let alone like me.

Try longing for the love and confidence boost from those who you’re supposed to look up to but they continuously point out your insecurities and flaws too… yeah talk about breaking generational curses.

I was bullied and teased a lot for the way my teeth looked. Wore braces 3 times yall because I never seen the beauty in my smile. Like I was looking for perfection!

I remember boys making fun of me because I wasn’t a 10 in their eyes. Mind you those same boys who are men now,  stop, stare and some try to holla and I wouldn’t dare give them the time of day.

Growing up, People were cruel and although it hurt on the inside, one of my best traits and still until this day is never let them see you sweat. And I didn’t for that matter.

When I started my business and journey as a photographer I struggled! And I mean struggled because I had this vision in my head and wanted everything to be perfect but because I didn’t have much confidence I didn’t see perfection in my results.

Even while growing my business I had to learn to have tough skin. Boy will people talk about you and try to bring you down. Putting myself and my art out there for the world to criticize was truly hard for somebody as insecure as me. But I kept going, held my head high and kept dreaming.

Overtime, as my business continued to grow. I continued to see and notice a pattern in the women and even young girls who blessed my camera.

The pattern I noticed was insecurity! Like we all no matter the shape, size or beauty had something about ourselves that we absolutely hate and they would all let it be known before we began shooting.

“Girl, can you fix this. I got fat here, my eyes do this weird thing, I’m too skinny, oh I’m too fat…” like it would happen quite often!

It really had me thinking… damn we’re all the same. And society and everything we see now a days on social media don’t make it any better because everything is photoshopped or has a filter… Literally Everything!

I shifted my perspective …. I went from Monaie Diamond Photography to The Female Shoota because who and what I served was women and young girls! I wanted to be… pause…. no I am a bad female with a camera who is changing the way other women see and view themselves on and off camera!

It probably wasn’t until the end of last/ beginning of this year that I truly started to see the beauty of my smile, began loving myself and just really exuding my confidence…confidently! Like I mean with no cares, thoughts or worries about what anybody else thought about me. Just out here, Living my life free!

The skin I’m in is imperfect. I say that now with confidence because I’m no longer fighting the urge to be perfect or anybody else’s image or idea of perfectionism.

The skin I’m in is unique and creative because God gave me all the curves to flaunt and my smile that lights up the world and yes it’s different but it’s me.

The skin I’m in no longer looks for validation from others because I validate myself! I know who I am and I love her flaws and all!

The skin I’m in isn’t jealous of another woman’s skin and can give a compliment without ever needed a compliment in return.

The skin I’m in does think she’s all that and a bag of chips because I’ve fought  a long fight to love the skin I’m in and think you should think you’re all that too and a bag of chips as well because you are sis!

The skin I’m in created a daughter who is confident and boy does she know it. Because I didn’t want her to grow up like I did allowing the world to tell her who she is. Because she knows it!

I didn’t walk this Journey alone. I’m so thankful for my kids who have taught me the true meaning of loving unconditionally and helped me learn to love myself as well because I mean if I’m instilling it in them I must do as I preach.

Thankful for my cousin and close knit friends for being a shoulder to lean on. Listen you don’t need a lot of friend just a few close ones your can truly trust and know will have your best interest at heart!

Oh and my playlist! I titled it God, Family, Growth and continue to add songs that encourage, inspire and uplift me on a daily! I am nothing without music!

To each of you!…. Thank you for being here and listening to my story.

I want each and every woman who graces my lens or even if we don’t get that opportunity to love herself flaws and all and confidently say I am beautiful in my skin just the way God intended me to be! Despite what others May think of me…. I love me!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Chermetra Keys is more than a photographer and visual artist. She uses the beauty captured through the lens of her camera to change the world around her. Through her photography, she has healed her own heart and lead her movement of beautiful and impactful images. In a world where few are told their dreams can actually come true, it’s a sheer act of resistance and radical self-love to create using oneself as the ultimate canvas.

Looking back, Keys says she’s learned more about seeing the bigger picture than she ever could have known years ago. Like many women, she suffered from imposter syndrome, forever wondering if she was really “good enough” or “pretty enough,” and unable to see her worth as an advantage. “I was way too dependent on wanting a man’s love before realizing that love starts from within.” Growing up, Chermetra didn’t have the confidence or understanding of who she was meant to become and was often criticized for not being your standard “beauty.”

We all know men are supposed to be strong and women are supposed to be beautiful. Two society-imposed norms that can feel so difficult to live up to. Creatives, especially black women creatives, often have to work harder for their place in industries and fight to be taken seriously. Nevertheless, she persisted through failed relationships, changes in family, friends, becoming a single mother of two, and finally quitting her full-time job to pursue photography as her passion. This leap of faith was the full evolution into The Female Shoota and, unsurprisingly, her mission has taken off.

The Female Shoota is the culmination of a single mother’s hard work, self-healing, truth, and determination to become internationally known behind the lens. Stories like hers are important because it amplifies the voices of those who have been forgotten in the quest for artistic expression.

It hasn’t been easy for her to create a brand that stands on its own, but through her loyal clients, creative evolution, and natural love of photography, Keys believes her brand will continue to grow and her story will inspire others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My entire journey Ive had to be resilient, after all I grew my business with no previous photography background, knowledge or education in the filed. All from my creative eye and willingness to learn and grow. I remember getting my very first really bad review from a client I wanted to give up. It broke me down to the point of giving up. I was very much so a people pleaser and I wanted nothing but to make any and every one happy. After the shoot I felt like it was my best wedding session of them all and like I had made it so knowing I upset someone with what I thought was my best quickly turned to a very tough loss for me. I was constantly being harassed and talked about after that situation that I used all of the bricks thrown my way to keep going. It didn’t stop me and only made me stronger and learn to take constructive criticism. I now know and am okay with not pleasing everybody.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During covid my business slowed down drastically after going full time to work for myself. Nobody was shooting in fact the world completely stopped. I remember seeing another Photographer offer front porch sessions on instagram and thought that would be a great way to keep business going, keep my name out there and gain new content. I took a shot at it and it was a huge success. Not only did it get my out the house it helped the buzz keep going about my business and brought something fun and new for my clients to enjoy.

Contact Info:

• Website: thefemaleshoota.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefemaleshoota/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefemaleshoota

Image Credits
@Thefemaleshoota