We recently connected with Shanavia Bates and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shanavia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

When I first started my business during the pandemic, I believed that the pandemic was my vacation and that I didn’t have any more time to waste once the world open back up. I got burned out quickly towards the end of the first year. I took a small vacation, came back refreshed, and burned out again. I realize then that multiple breaks throughout the year was necessary, and I needed more than just a weekend off from working. I always tell people that the work will be there when you get back, so make sure you take care of yourself first.

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

I’m Shanavia Bates, of SB Photography and I’m currently residing in Columbia, SC where I was born and raised as well.

I originally got into photography when in 2018 I was taking details pictures for my sister on my phone and doing videos for her social media. At first, I didn’t think this would be something that I love or desired but December 2019, my first camera was purchase from my now fiancé and here we are today. During the pandemic, I took the time to study the craft and see what I would love doing the most. I had actually told myself I would only do detail and event photography. My goal was never lifestyle photography but after the pandemic ended, I took a chance on it, charge very little, and work to perfect my craft. I’m still working each day to perfect my craft in some way but my main focus as of right is detailed photography.

I think one of my favorite things about doing lifestyle when I get clients to book is when I’m able to have creative range and think outside the box. I didn’t just want to be a lifestyle photographer, I wanted to be seen differently, my work to be seen differently. I most shoot my sessions at ugly locations such as a run down warehouse, an old house, and so much more. I realized that I didn’t see too many photographers aiming for those locations, but I loved them.

One thing I’m for sure proud of is my ability not to give up when things got tough. I have had a rocky road with photography in under two years, and it has been moments where I have wanted to put the camera down and not look back. But I had to go back to my why, my reasoning of wanting to be a photographer in the first place and how it brought me the most joy. I want each client that comes my way to have an experience with me that is unforgettable. I want each client to feel comfortable, and really have fun during their photoshoot versus analyzing how they are looking or feeling in that moment.

I want each person to know, I’m much more than a photographer. I am a person who cares sometimes alittle too much, who push too hard to make sure I’m getting things done, who loves God entirely and always looking to build my relationship with him, and someone who will make sure that people around me always feel comfortable.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

One of the ways I make sure to stay in contact with each client, rather we worked together or you just reach out for pricing is by creating a newsletter (email list). Each person that inquire to work with me, goes on that list and here’s why:

I’m showing each client that they matter to me rather they use my services or not

They may not always see your social media where you are posting specials, and discounts.

And you build a relationship with them by connecting through newsletter. You let them know how your month is going personally versus how your business is going. Of course you don’t have to give them all the details but you allow them to feel like they know you as a person before working with you in the future or again.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media can be so exhausting sometimes especially when you are putting your work out there and struggling to get audience to respond to it. One thing I’ve learn with social media and how I’ve built my presence is posting consistently and using hashtags (but that was social media in 2020, and some part 2021). Now, you have to adjust to the things of social media but without losing the way you wanted your work to be portrayed.

I haven’t posted on my @sbatesphotos page on Instagram since August, but to grow the audience, I started to make reels consistently, but posting on the feed in between. I was known to have a reel for every session and create it into a story. I just recently had a series on my page where I was doing a photo series of ugly locations/uncommon locations of doing photoshoots. I started at the beginning of the year and was planning to do it the whole year but because I was funding this myself with no pay from the clients, I had to cut it short in July. But this help build up my followers, engagement, and it felt relatable to people to see different ways you can use a location.
My detailed photography page @sbweddingsnevents is where my audience grew super fast. By this time when I started the second page, reels and videos on Instagram was rising to becoming a thing so I took advantage of it. I post literally reels on that page with some in-feed post here and there, but my audience there love the content. I change it up, and I make sure the music is super relatable to the event I’m showing off. This is also an easy way to show off designers, and other small business owners.

Here’s some advice when building your social media presence: don’t lose yourself and what your end goal is with social media to stay on top of trends. If you do trends, make sure it connects to who you are and what your brand represents. Also, don’t overthink social media, just enjoy it by making it fun for yourself. The more you show who you are on your platform, the more relatable you are to your potential audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shanaviabatesphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sbweddingsnevents
• Facebook: Shanavia Bates Photography
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCF1vD1NFR7FlAQCosxYDAEA
• Other: Instagram: @iamshanaviabates & @sbatesphotos

Image Credits
SB Photography for all photos