We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shaleena VanCanneyt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shaleena, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I grew up always looking at photo albums. It never mattered how many times I flipped through them I always went back and did it again.

So when I finally figured out how to work a camera at around 3-4 years old, I was instantly in love with the idea of capturing someone or something.

Eventually I turned a childhood obsession/hobby into a business. Even now I love looking back through all the photos I have taken and seeing how my friends/family/clients have grown and how my skill has grown as well.

My main goal is to make any person no matter what size, shape, or color feels beautiful. Learning how to complement all body and skin types is a necessity when you are a photographer, and you need to be able to help someone shine and see how truly beautiful they are.

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?

Oof, well, I started taking pictures as a toddler, basically. My parents used to develop the film from our camera and find I had used it all taking pictures of things like the cat, my baby brother, my mom on a ladder, and things at the height a toddler sees. Eventually, they gave me my first digital camera, I believe I was 10, maybe? That was a Sony Mavica, you know with the floppy disc? I used that for a while, still have it, actually, then I started using another, used, passed down, camera, a Kodak EasyShare 4mp camera. With that camera, I shot my first wedding, actually. I was, I’m not sure, 13? Maybe? They still share those photos to this day, I’m actually planning to offer them an anniversary session. Liz, if you read this call me!

Around 14 I started shadowing other photographers and learning about shooting weddings and such, honestly, I don’t remember much it was so long ago!

When I got to be 18ish, maybe younger, I started using Sony Cybershot, which I thought was all the rage and so great. I took some engagement photos for some friends and some graduation photos, and self-portraits with my studio set up. I wanted to be a real professional photographer but didn’t have a clue where to start. So then, I finally got my very first DSLR camera, which was a Canon Rebel T5. Initially, I used the kit lens until I settled into my growing skills and upgraded.

Flash forward 10 years later and I legitimately have my DREAM camera, a thriving business, and clients that have been there through my entire creative journey.

Now after settling into myself, my style, and my brand, my goal is to make my clients comfortable, not just with me and my camera, but with themselves. Be your weird, your strange, yourself. I try my absolute best to make sure my clients are comfortable throughout the whole process. During the session I get to know them, I tell awkward jokes, and I make sure they embrace themselves. I want my clients/friends to know that they are beautiful and unique, and worthy of all the attention and praise in the world. Some photographers work for everyone, but only post those who fit the aesthetic, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s not encouraging or uplifting. I try to make sure that everyone is represented on my social media and website no matter the color, size, or style.

I want you, to embrace yourself. All of you. Every flaw, every curve, every imperfection. You are a work of art all on your own. You deserve to be front and center. Embrace your weird. Embrace YOU, because you are worth it.

Being able to show people the incredible human they are is why I continue to do what I do. Someone has to remind these lovely humans how incredible they are.

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

Brand Loyalty is sooooo important. Returning clients is a huge part of my income and I could not imagine my business without those loyal clients.

I actually become friends with quite a few clients. After sessions, I always make sure to check in and see how everyone is doing, not just for feedback on their session or prints, but a genuine inquiry about their wellbeing.

Brand loyalty is also easier if, as a photographer or similar service, we are kindred spirits, in a way. Before working with someone and signing the contract I like to talk to them, get to know them, and make sure that we will get along, not just because I want them to hire me again, but because it helps me determine their needs better. Getting to know your clients in the service industry helps you serve them better. In my case it helps with what to say, posing that is better, jokes or prompts I might say to help bring out genuine emotions, and other things like that. It also helps when you and your client get along well. Think about it, if you are annoyed by the person taking your photos, are your pictures going to turn out well? same with the person on the other side, are you going to bring your best skill and intention to the session if you don’t like the human you are photographing? Probably not.

After sessions, I check in on my clients, again, not just about our photos, but life in general. I really have a genuine interest in my clients’ lives. I love my clients, they are my friends, and in some cases, they become like family.

I enjoy offering no charge anniversary sessions, or discounts on prints. All of these things help with client loyalty. Being genuinely interested in their wellbeing or happiness.

I can proudly say I have some clients that have worked with me for 10 years. Those people I regard as close friends and family. I have been at their weddings, the birth of their children, and the growth of their families.

Being a part of my clients’ lives gives me more joy than I can say. Take an interest in your clients, keep in contact, offer rewards for loyalty, be a friend. Those are my tips for fostering brand loyalty.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth! Like I said above taking an interest and giving your all to your clients work wonders. Those clients tell everyone they know about you, and it just keeps going. Eventually, you have more clients than you can handle!

Instagram is also very helpful. Take pictures for a social media influencer, like the ones that get paid for each post. You may not get much in payment, or any payment at all, but it helps build your brand or following. Make sure, however, that you draw up a contract with your influencer, make sure they have to tag you and give you credit or it was all for naught.

Social media influencers do exactly that, the influence! Let them do the work for you.

Just like your loyal clients telling everyone how amazing you are, a social media influence does the same, just on a much larger scale!

I know it sounds a bit odd, or wasteful to give your work away, but if you give it to someone with over 10k followers, that is worth so much more than one session. So, find yourself an influencer and start shooting!

Build your brand through social media and word of mouth. There is no better review for you than for someone to tell their friends or coworkers about you,. And those influencers, if one of them had 50k followers, that session puts you in front of 50k people, those who may follow you or share your page. Some might even hire you.

But like I said, at least 10,000 followers y’all! Do not work for exposure for anyone less than that number. You make sure that you know your worth. You are worth every penny.. Why not have someone else do the work for you!?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shaleenadanielle.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shaleenadanielle
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shaleenadanielle
• Other: Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/shaleenadanielle

Image Credits

Shaleena Danielle Photography