We were lucky to catch up with Celene Stanley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Celene, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

100%
 My mother, a single parent, has been the source of inspiration and strength throughout my life.We have shared many experiences that have taught me about perseverance. I continue to learn resilience and adaptability, through her, which has shaped my outlook on life.

One particular belief that my mother has instilled in me is how much better she wants me to be, than her. She has always expressed her desire to witness me surpass her, emphasizing the importance of aiming higher and constantly striving for excellence. It is not that she pressured me into specific paths or choices, but rather that she encouraged me to continually better myself. Her unwavering support has given me the courage to pursue my passions and explore new paths. Whether it was encouraging me to participate in activities, pursue creative endeavors, or on my educational opportunities, she has always been there to cheer me on.

“My mom said” and “my mom told me” are phrases that are staples in my vocabulary. I think that is just testament to the impact she has on my daily life and choices. She has been my confidante, advisor, and best friend. Whenever I find myself facing a dilemma or seeking guidance, her voice has become my inner dialogue. Her faith in my abilities has become a source of strength, empowering me to reach for my aspirations.

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.

Wow, let’s see, where do I start? To put it plainly, I turned my hobby into a fulfilling career. For years, I had talked about my passion for photography and my dreams of becoming a journalist. However, it took me around seven years to truly take myself seriously in pursuing this path. I owe a great deal of credit to my best friend, Liliana, who played a pivotal role in reigniting my creativity. Back in high school, Lili and I shared a common dream of attending UNT together and becoming photographers. Unfortunately, that dream faded for me when UNT didn’t accept me. However, Liliana never lost sight of our shared dream. Some years after high school, she asked me to model for her, as she was building her portfolio. Witnessing her creative spirit reignited creative spark.
Since then, I have finally established myself as a photographer. I have created an online platform for my brand, and I must give myself a small pat on the back for the growth I have achieved. I am now a full-time photographer, specializing in clinical and surgical photography, while also managing my own wedding photography business.
My journey extends beyond photography. I have also picked up my love for writing (hello, I wanted to be a journalist), and as of 2022, I am a published author.
I recently completed my Masters degree in Christian studies and I am actively involved in running an online ministry with the Fold Family. Together, we host online Bible studies and have built a small but impactful worldwide community where we come together to share the gospel and support one another.
Looking back on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities and growth I have experienced. From turning my hobby into a career to exploring new avenues of creativity and faith, I have embraced a fulfilling and multifaceted path.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Sure, a common misconception about photography is that it merely involves “clicking a button.” Running a photography business is so much more than that. It requires years of experience, expertise, and in-depth knowledge of our craft. Owning an expensive camera is just the tip of the iceberg. It is essential to understand how light interacts with the subjects and how it can enhance or diminish an image, understanding color theory and mastering digital software like Photoshop are also crucial. The process goes far beyond relying on the automatic settings of a camera.

When I purchased my first DSLR camera, I quickly realized that it took time and effort to grasp the intricacies of correctly manipulating its settings. Learning how to pose models and clients in a way that appears natural and authentic without looking overly staged or cliché was another skill I had to develop. It was a journey of continuous learning and improvement.

Moreover, despite the assumption that photographers are inherently outgoing, I am actually more introverted than most people would expect. Interacting with clients and building lasting relationships required me to step out of my comfort zone and overcome my natural inclination. It was a constant process of pushing myself to connect with clients, understand their vision, and create a comfortable environment for them to express themselves.

As a photographer, my work extends beyond capturing images. It involves building trust, establishing rapport, and ensuring that clients feel at ease throughout the entire process. It requires active listening, effective communication, and the ability to adapt to different personalities and preferences. These interpersonal skills have become as vital as my technical expertise in delivering exceptional results and creating a positive experience for every client.

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

This is my favorite story, and it’s truly divine intervention. My friend Jalein played a significant role in opening my eyes to that. 

For eight years, I dedicated myself to a career in education, and I genuinely loved my job. It was my true calling, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life. In 2017, I took a leap of faith and started my own photography business, taking it seriously and investing time and effort into building my online presence, marketing, creating a website, and investing in workshops and education. Three years into my practice, I discovered my passion for capturing love stories in wedding photography. However, I continued to work full time as an educator, unable to leave behind a profession I adored. While photography provided great income, it was not consistent. Then, two years ago, an unexpected opportunity presented itself. A friend who had been working at a world renowned children’s hospital for years reached out to me out of the blue, and told me that they were looking to hire a photographer. Although I hadn’t been actively seeking a new job, I explored the possibility. Long story short, I was offered the job.

During my interview process, everything clicked. It was a perfect convergence of my love for children and my passion for photography. How many people can say they have a job that combines their passions in such a unique way?

When I shared this news with my friend Jalein, she immediately recognized the act of God in the moment. “Celene, this isn’t just any job! This job was specifically created for you! It’s as if the Lord himself orchestrated this opportunity just for you!” And she was absolutely right. Who goes around actively searching for a photography job at a hospital? It was an incredibly niche and specialized opportunity. It was evident that God had placed this opportunity in my path, perfectly combining my love for children with my artistic passion. Jalein raves about this story because she discovered that God had created a job specifically for me, which inspired her to start praying for God to create a job for her also – she now has a similar story.

My job serves as a constant reminder of how the Lord has a way of aligning things when the time is right. My friend Jalein’s words echo in my mind, reminding me that this unique job was not a coincidence but rather a divine intervention. I am blessed to be able to combine my love for children and photography in such a meaningful way, and I will forever cherish this extraordinary chapter in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shotsbylc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shotsbylc/
• Facebook: FACEBOOK.COM/SHOTSBYLC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidiacelene/
• Twitter: https://www.threads.net/@shotsbylc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjiygm0tSzCmYcgKwGWQWQ
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Silencing-Sophia-Lidia-Celene-Stanley/dp/B0BCDB8TCC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HNDIXINJ9709&keywords=silencing+sophia&qid=1688655055&sprefix=silencign+sophia%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1 https://www.instagram.com/foldfamily/

Image Credits
@zanabjaffrey @_taylormcallister @tay_hub @foldfamily @amandadurbindesigns @_kphotography_ @roldanrivas.photos @leannsbridalmckinney @themasondallas @esteecouturebridal @blushed_arrangements @jenniferserrabeautyteam, @crisjennmakeup