We recently connected with Shae Rose and have shared our conversation below.
Shae, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?
The most important lesson I learned on the job was while working retail at White House Black Market (WHBM). I worked at the highest volume store in the entire company at the time, and we had a motto with the abbreviation M.A.P.S – Most Amazing Personal Service. Shopping at WHBM was a beautiful experience overall. Unlike other stores, WHBM had a curated experience for each shopper from the moment they walk in to the moment they cashed out. My favorite part is the fitting room. The fitting room attendants were referred to as stylists, women who helped style your clothing and make suggestions to meet your needs. It was always personal and each stylist took their time to get to know each customer, while incorporating smart sales techniques. The aspect of MAPS and the overall environment of WHBM was very elevated and sophisticated, and I want to bring that same experience to my clients. I try to take care of my personal appearance, although I dress very basic, while on set (I have to move a lot), and do my best to understand every need of each prospective client, giving them a personalized experience each time, such as including Zoom consultations and creating mood boards, and even playing their favorite music while on set. I allow them to express their doubts, fears, wants, and desires to me because I know a comfortable client is a confident client.
Shae, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Shae Rose and I’m an Orlando photographer. From a young age, I’ve always been creative – finding ways to keep myself occupied with no sibling to talk to. After working through creative writing, arts and crafts, and more, I found my way into photography. In my sophomore year of high school, I decided to take Digital Photography 1. The summer before my sophomore year, I needed to get a camera for this class, and I was worried about where the money would come from. At the time, I was working at the housekeeping department all summer, and when my check came, I took the leap of faith to purchase my first DSLR camera, a Nikon D3100, with the entire check (I have since then upgraded my camera in 2021). I excelled in my photography classes and decided I didn’t want to put my camera down. Even though people doubted my ability to make photography a career, I couldn’t shake the insatiable desire to keep that camera within reach at all times. I tried to do something more appealing to the public, such as becoming a French major with hopes of being an Interpreter/Translator, but the love of photography lingered nearby.
I provide professional portrait photography, such as headshots, birthday portraits, model digitals, fashion shows, events, and sometimes even product photography.
What sets me apart from other photographers is my unlimited look at black people through the lens. I don’t only welcome black people, but I do know my importance in being a black female in photography. I proudly welcome all genders and races, because I’m fully confident in my abilities to translate their ideas into art that we’ll both be satisfied with. In my area, a lot of photographers follow the same trend, and I just follow what works with my gut, whether it’s trending or not. Even if a client brings an idea or location that’s been used before, I always do my best to bring a unique perspective to it.
I pull inspiration from celebrity photographers as well as some local photographers. My ultimate goal is to become a large corporate headshot photographer and celebrity/fashion photographer, and I strive to create work that reaches those expectations. I know I’m not there yet, but I do aim for a more high-end and sophisticated look and do what I can to learn new tips and tricks to accomplish these goals for my clients and myself.
I’m most proud of my perseverance and willingness to challenge myself to give more in value than I receive in payment. Many times I’ve wanted to quit, and found myself obsessively comparing myself to other more seemingly popular artists in Orlando, but deep down I believed that I could do this and decided to show up as the photographer I wanted to become, especially once I made the painful realization that comparison truly is the thief of joy, and doing so obsessively will only leave me humiliated. In regards to giving more in value than I receive in payment, these photoshoots go beyond an invoice and a click of a button. I offer tips, find resources for clients, such as makeup artists and modeling databases for inspiration, and more. Any question a client may have, I willingly answer to ensure everything is clear and concise by the day of the shoot. I show the clients the images as I take them, so they know how they look and to confirm we’re achieving goals. I’ve heard that some photographers don’t do this. They don’t take the time to curate a unique experience with their clients, and I refuse to have my brand follow suit.
What I want people to know about shot by shae rose is that they can be open and honest with me as far as they’re comfortable. When I photograph a new person, it can be awkward, even for me, so my goal is to break the ice from the very beginning. It is imperative to have a consultation call or a few direct message conversations so I can truly get to know the client. I want to know what music makes them feel most confident, share and collaborate on ideas, and create something that exceeds their expectations.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
One of my favorite stories regarding marketing (in an indirect way) was getting my first sort of celebrity client. In July 2020, I gained mentorship from Antwon Maxwell, a DC-based celebrity photographer. It was pure chance that I decided to dm him, leading to me gaining so much knowledge and a little tough love that has proven to be pivotal to my photography business. One of the stories I asked him to disclose, was how he started photographing celebrities. He told me that he reached out to this celebrity’s PR and created a vision for her (Skai Jackson). He encouraged me to build my portfolio so that I have high end content that matches what celebrities go for.
Long story short, I decided to do the same, but it came at random, like a lighting bolt from an unbeknownst approaching storm.
I was logged into my father’s Netflix account and stumbled upon a show called Selling Tampa. I LOVE Tampa, and although I hate reality television, I enjoy ones involving million dollar homes, for some reason, so this show caught my attention. While watching the show, an intrusive thought came in that said, “Reach out to one of them.” My heart dropped to my stomach. “Me? Uh.” It was a feeling that left me frozen, causing me to pause the show and let the anxiety fill my body, my doubts following closely behind. After searching through each cast member’s Instagram profiles, I was stopped at Juawana Colbert’s. I reached out to the email listed on her bio, and within 5 days, I received a response from her PR, Gabriel. I was at work during an 18 hour shift, leaving to take a break to rush to create a concept, putting my unfulfilled stylist career to the test. I funded 100% of this photoshoot, from the hair, makeup, and clothes, to the venue. It was the most expensive, and most influential thing I had ever done for shot by shae rose. Juawana later booked me two more times, which led to more target clients reaching out to me as a result.
Is there a mission driving your creative journey?
I want to photograph celebrities and set myself financially free with photography. I thought I just wanted a little bit of attention from my city here in Orlando, but I started to believe I can photograph celebrities. Who says that I can’t? I have an ever-growing list of celebrities that I would love to photograph, the top of the list being The Weeknd and Usher. It would really validate the little insecure girl I used to be, the one who never felt like she was never good, pretty or talented enough. It would validate the little girl who never expected great things to happen to her without misfortune following close behind.
I don’t think I’ve ever fought for anything hard enough or really pushed past my limits over the course of my life. This is the ultimate challenge that requires me to learn and practice as much as I can in photography to be as well-versed as possible to match up to the standards that celebrity photoshoots require. Like athletes who participate in grueling marathons and obstacle courses, I feel like this is my equivalent.
I don’t know, I guess I’ve developed the desire to be more, do more, and make more of an impact, and not settle for the norm or the status quo. Accomplishing this would shock people, those who never gave me a chance (understandably, at the time) and those who overlooked me. I wouldn’t stop there however. Once I accomplish my goal, I plan to give back heavily in the name of photography to those less fortunate until the day I die. I won’t disclose it yet, but just know it is a promise I’ve made to myself once I’ve been granted the fruits of success.
People gain success and wealth and forget to give back, they forget where they’ve come from. I pray to God that no matter how successful I get, that I NEVER forget where I’ve come from or look down on anybody because of my assumed status. I’ve seen photographers with tenure show their nasty sides, and I would rather dispose of all my gear, than waste 20+ years of my life to be miserable and selfish.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shotbyshaerose.com/
- Instagram: @shotbyshaerose
- Facebook: shot by shae rose
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shae-rose-0b0089188
Image Credits
Cynthia Booz Natalia Ortiz Jamal Thomas Asejah & Harmony Juawana Colbert Anthony Windsor Valeria Perez