We were lucky to catch up with LaShawn Green recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi LaShawn, thanks for joining us today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

I initially picked up a camera to take pictures of details from my event/wedding planning business. At the time I was finding it difficult to receive images of my work so I could use them to build my portfolio and to write content for social media. So I purchased a Nikon D5600 from Best Buy, schemed the manual, played with buttons and eventually got on everyone’s nerves to let me capture an image of them at any given moment. I started posting on FaceBook and a complete stranger from my area reached out inquiring about my work which led to her being my first client taking pictures of her dogs for $65 and receiving a $45 tip. Imagine how this boosted my creative juices, passion and desire to be creative as a photographer.

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

In the beginning, I had to nail down an area of photography that I was most passionate about which is personal branding, editorial and lifetstyle photography. In these areas I wanted to grow and build a lucrative business so I started placing emphasis in those areas of photography. Due to this genre of photography I specialize in, I provide consultations prior to my sessions to ensure both the client and I are prepared for the session from makeup, attire, hair, vision and props. This has worked out wonderfully over the years for my clients and remains a step that must be used prior to sessions.

I am most proud of being able to give back to my community. I started an annual Breast Cancer Survivor Campaign after an abnormal mammogram and a family member passing away. I am blessed that I am able to give a survivor each year a makeup and photo session to celebrate ALL they have overcome during this time of uncertainty in their lives. Hearing their stories and how this session made them feel so beautiful and seeing their smiling faces are…. Priceless. 4th year loading……

When I am not running my business you can catch me curled up on the sofa binge watching all the streaming stations with my fur-baby Winston, sipping a glass of Black Girl Magic wine, a bag of popcorn. + of course my phone with Amazon at my fingertips.

This has been a journey and August 2022 has placed me 5 years in the business. Some things have changed along the way…… I am super excited to announce my rebrand to LaShawn Nicole Photography. Although Blackberry Molasses Photography’s name has changed, my goal to inspire and empower everyone I work with and have my clients leave their sessions with a renewed sense of confidence in their personal and professional lives has stayed and will remain the same.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Prior to the COVID Pandemic, I met up with a group of business owners (mostly previous clients) and created a Facebook page for entrepreneurs to start meet ups to share their experiences in business through networking events. In 2021 I started incorporating meetups called Batch Sessions. This was an opportunity to share ideas and write content for a month for social media. Since then I’ve put together a few other events for networking purposes. I love a good catchy name so outside of a “Batch Session” we had “Shades and Smoothies” at a local juicery in which a smoothie was named a Pineapple “Empowered” Smoothie and everyone wore their favorite shades. Other ways I have stayed engaged over the years are by sending out postcards, Thank You bags full of goodies, Christmas cards, discounts on images the month of December, quarterly newsletters, professional prints and mini sessions for (headshots and branding).

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Well LIFE happens…..

On 4 February 2022, I experienced while at her bedside a young lady passing away an hour or so after her session with me. She was so beautiful. in her emerald green dress, press-on nails, professional makeup, her “named” wig and a little tiara. She was photoshoot ready! My heart is happy + full that I was able to share beautiful images with her family and for her celebration of life obituary and service. Poetically on 4 October 2000, my brother John-John gained his wings and watches from above everyday and one may say he may have given her a little wave as she was born on this day.

I had to close out opened slots to give myself time, reached out to another photographer for editing of those specific images and tried to regroup to ensure I was still giving my clients the experience that I am known for giving over the years. Once I had that time, I felt refreshed and was ready to do just that.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LaShawnNicole.com
• Instagram: @lashawnnicolephotography
• Other: PHONE: 321-317-8855 EMAIL: LaShawnNicolePhotos@Gmail.com

Image Credits
Samantha Everhart – (for my image only)