Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carmen Henderson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Carmen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Growing up, one of my biggest goals was to find ways to incorporate acts of kindness and love even in the little ways and moments!
As I went into high school, my family and I went to a non-profit charity that builds schools around the world for students facing poverty, it was truly such a transformative experience. Seeing people around me using their work and hearts to create change was something that touch my heart, and from that point on, hoped to do the same when I started my business!
Once I started to build and go through the process of creating Sunshower Media, I made it a mission to be an affordable, inclusive media company, and donate a part of all my sessions to a local charity. I hope to one day grow to a point that I can make larger donations and to make sure everyone I work with feels loved, seen, and deeply beautiful (inside & out!)

Carmen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi there! My name is Carmen, owner of Sunshower Media! As I approached graduation after studying Visual Communications, Nordic Studies, and Education, I decided to start the process of building a business that could offer affordable photography, videography, graphic design ( and a few other components like art and dance lessons sometimes too!)
The first step was finding a name for the business… ever since I was little, I was always drawn to sunflowers, rain, and sunshine!… I loved the feeling of warmth that all of those thing have and the joy they bring to my life. It was very similar to the feeling I wanted to create in my company, where warmth and joy is found and captured whether in rain or shine! Sunshower Media started to slowly find it’s own life!!
Ever since my hands were big enough to hold a little bright pink digital camera when I was about 5 years old, I have been drawn to photography, cinematography, art, and anything that can capture the beauty and depth of the world and people around us. I truly believe there is so much if you take the time to notice the little things and recognize beauty can be found in hardship too.
That still applies today and continue to love learning about new styles of art, design, and media! I am always open to trying new projects, creative shoots, and new genres of film, but also have such a love for tradition projects like portraits and wedding film. I am so grateful for it all and am so excited for all the different client projects and imaginative ideas that I hope to help bring to life!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of my favorite aspects is being reminded of the beautiful little components that make up each person… Often, they are little things that may go unnoticed, but photography and art allows me to take the time to capture the deep and unique essence every person holds. It can be as small as a pretty spec of color in their eyes or they’re face lights up when they giggle. It allows me to slow down and take time to really be in the moment and go one new adventures that I would have never expected to go one!
I also am so appreciative to be apart of seeing the creativity and life others bring to ideas and being apart of capturing their imagination through art is such a beautiful process, I learn so much from everyone I meet and work with and they help me see the world in so many different ways!

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

For a long time and while entering school, I had started studying Elementary Education, it was something I loved, but also thought it was a safe option for work. The idea of going into a field that was a little more up in the air and less steady was a very scary concept to me.
I remember a day that I talked to my family about it and all the different paths I could go down and so many different ways my life could go. With a very loving and gentle push, my parents talked with me about following my passion and although it may be scary, some of the most beautiful things can come out of facing things in life that may frighten you. From then on, through whatever courage I could collect inside me, I started down the path of entering the artist. I am so grateful for that conversation and where it has taken me.
I have also been so fortunate to be surrounded by very kind people in that have worked in the photography, videography, and media industry! Growing up we had a family friend that mentored me in photography when I was younger and really helped spark my passion. As I got close to graduation, I also met someone who inspired me a lot in so many little ways and told me something very powerful. We were talking about his experience in the field and he said that it can sometimes be hard and sometimes you have to allow yourself to fail and make mistakes, and know it will be okay and that is all apart of growing stronger. It allows you to learn so much more than you could have expected and reminds you that you have the strength to overcome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sunshowermedia.square.site
• Instagram: sunshower.media

Image Credits

Cassie Furter
Joe Siple