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

Hi Shakira, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I started my entrepreneurial journey early 2019, just after I fired myself from my full time interior design job in 2018. As creative entrepreneur my focus and primary practice is photography, but rooted in my traditional training through design, which is what has influenced the expansion of my artistry into creative/ experiential production.
I have worked full-time for myself since 2019, and like many I experienced the world wide pandemic 1 year into entrepreneurship, which positively impacted my practice and financial circumstances – ironically.

During my first year of entrepreneurship I wanted to focus and prioritize investing in masterminds that felt valuable to me on how to operate a creative practice. Through business coaching workshops, and developing a business plan I was able to build out the initial structure and foundation to confidently ease my way in. Prior to being full time, while side-hustling photography, I gave myself space to explore various genres and subject matters to see what resonated most for me, what felt most exciting, and to be able to have a focused niche.

It wasn’t until I was energetically detaching from my full time design job, that I realized I wanted to focus on branding + culture. As a full-time entrepreneur now, the majority of my work is niched within the branding and storytelling realm for business and creatives within the wellness, beauty, travel, interior, and coaching spaces.

Circling back to the pandemic, specifically around the uproar of BLM + George Floyd I felt a shift happening within, and creatively felt like I needed to respond in some creative capacity through storytelling. This time period was a huge shift in my creative career, as it birthed a deeper exploration into photography more artistically through a series that I started and developed titled “Give me my flowers”, a photography and experiential body of work that explores themes of identity, gender, trauma, joy, and culture, seeking to evoke emotions, ignite conversations, and create space for healing. Photography, paired with interactive and immersive installation design curation, serves as my medium of choice, allowing me to craft visual narratives that resonate deeply with my audience.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

From an artistic perspective:

My interest in this practice is deeply rooted in my childhood dreams of becoming a living, working artist. As a child, I found solace in drawing and depicting images of family and the concept of home. Little did I know, these symbols held the key to understanding the imbalance in my root chakra and the idea of stability that eluded me during my transient upbringing. Creativity became my sanctuary, offering a safe space where I could voice my emotions when words failed me. Through drawing, photography, and journaling, I challenged my reality and found my voice.

My work resonates with my audience through authentic storytelling. I aim to create visual narratives that truthfully depict the complexities of the human experience, especially within the Black community. The rawness and honesty in my photography allow viewers to connect on a profound level, relating to shared emotions and experiences. As a visual storyteller, I create a platform for dialogue and healing, bridging the gap between subjects and viewers in a journey of mutual understanding and growth.

One of the most significant influences on my artistic journey is my family. Reflecting on my childhood experiences and the dynamics of my relationships with both my mother and father has led to challenging self-discoveries of how I show up in relationships with others. Art has become my means of healing, allowing me to navigate these complexities and express my journey of growth and self-awareness. Through photography, I have become an experiential curator and storyteller, using my art to honor the past, celebrate the present, and envision a more empowered future.

Ultimately, my artistic practice is driven by a deep desire to create meaningful connections and inspire healing. Through visual storytelling and immersive installations, I seek to foster empathy, spark conversations, and provide a platform for the voices that deserve to be heard. My work is an exploration of the human spirit, a celebration of resilience, and a testament to the power of art as a catalyst for change.

From a creative profession perspective:
My creative work is highly influenced by my experiences growing up and in life, and my true passion for understanding + how one can represent their most authentic self and voice in this digital world.

My creative and professional work has granted me so many beautiful opportunities to connect and storytelling with people all over the world, through travel and retreat documentation, to building and strengthening the work within my communities and networks, museum and gallery exhibitions/ activations all allow me to continue to spread the work in a meaningful and impactful way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The biggest act and form of resilience in business for me was absolutely surviving and navigating through a global pandemic. With so much unknown, and true surrenderance to what was, this was such a test of faith. Navigating such an unpredictable time, was both terrifying and full of curiosity. For several months, we all took a much needed pause, re-revaluating what matter most, prioritizing the things that we often let slip to the side. For me, showing up everyday, being able to still choose and have the space to be creative was an act of resilience. The pandemic taught me to lean into that everyday, to be curious and willing to show up – knowing that I will always be supported in the things I am called to do.

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

The most rewarding aspect of my creative journey is full rooted in my ability to heal through storytelling. As an artist the majority of my work is a true reflection of my lived and shared experiences – navigating my up bringing, is a declaration to my inner child, and a gift to who I am today and to those I share it with.
Being able to share my story in community through photography and storytelling allows me deepen my level of vulnerability for true connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shakirahunt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shakirahunt.creativestudio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shakirahunt/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddm1nnKZORn6bzG3IUEcTg