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

Hi Shandra, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

One of the biggest, and most complex trends in photography right now is the rise of AI generated imagery and AI assisted editing. It’s transforming the creative landscape in real time, and honestly, it’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, AI tools are making it easier and faster for photographers to retouch, cull, and even enhance images. On the other it’s raising big questions about authenticity, originality, and what it even means to be a creative professional in this industry.

I see it most clearly in family photography when clients show me AI generated reference photos… Perfectly staged families on a beach at sunset, everyone glowing, not a hair out of place. But the catch? The photo never actually happened. It was generated from a prompt. And now they want me to recreate something that didn’t exist in the real world.

That creates a tension. There’s this expectation of perfection that AI can simulate instantly, but human photographers are working with real people, real kids, real light, and real emotions. And ironically what draws people to family photography in the first place is connection, not perfection.

I had one session recently where a mom sent me a handful of AI styled images as inspiration. Everyone was barefoot, laughing, no one blinking or crying or fussing. But when we showed up to the shoot, her toddler refused to leave the car. He was overwhelmed and tired, and the parents were stressed because they had this vision in their heads that wasn’t unfolding. I told them, “Let’s capture this. Let’s tell the story of today.” We stayed in the parking lot. We played with shadows on the car window. We picnicked in the trunk. Eventually, the toddler opened up, and I caught a quiet moment of him laying his head on his mom’s shoulder, totally unposed. That ended up being the photo she framed.

So while AI is creating a surge in curated, flawless imagery, I think the real opportunity for photographers lies in doubling down on humanity. We have something AI doesn’t. Intuition, empathy, timing, and the ability to create trust in real time. Yes AI can help speed up parts of our workflow, and I use it where it makes sense. But the core of what we do, like capturing authentic connection, is more valuable now than ever, precisely because it can’t be faked.

To me, the concern isn’t that AI is taking over creativity. It’s that we’ll start forgetting the beauty of imperfection in pursuit of artificially generated ‘perfection.’ But for those of us who stay rooted in story and connection, I think there’s a bright future ahead.

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 a family and lifestyle photographer with a documentary style approach, and I specialize in capturing real, emotional, and very often imperfect moments that tell a family’s story with honesty and warmth. I work mostly with young families, couples, and mothers who want more than just a pretty picture… They want truth in their images. The kind of truth you feel when your baby clutches your shirt, when your partner laughs unexpectedly, or when your toddler’s entire personality shows up in a split second of movement or expression.

My journey into photography wasn’t linear. I grew up with a camera in my hand, but it wasn’t until I became a parent myself that photography found me in a deeper way. I was trying to preserve moments that were slipping through my fingers. My child’s tiny fingers, my husband’s happy but tired eyes, the ordinary beauty of early parenthood. Eventually I realized! I didn’t just want to save those moments for myself, I wanted to do that for others.

So I trained, I practiced, I failed, I learned. And over time, I built a business that blends the emotional intuition of storytelling with the technical craft of photography. Today, I offer lifestyle family sessions, in-home newborn shoots, maternity, and motherhood portraits, all with a relaxed, organic feel. I also offer seasonal mini sessions where we spend a quick half hour doing something fun that ties into the holidays.

What sets my work apart, I think, is the intentionality. I’m not showing up with a shot list or a template. I’m coming in ready to read the room, to adapt to who your family really is. I’m not afraid of the chaos, the quiet, or the in-between moments. I’m there to see you in a way you might not even see yourself yet. And that’s really the heart of it. I want every client to walk away with images that reflect the truth and tenderness of their life, not some overly curated version of it.

I’m most proud of the trust people place in me. I’ve photographed families through births, graduations, elopements, a multitude of deeply personal milestones. When a client tells me, “This photo helped me remember how much I love being their parent, even when it’s hard,” or “You saw something in us that we didn’t realize we were showing,” that means everything to me. That’s the work I want to keep doing.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s this: I’m not here for perfection. I’m here for presence. I’m here for emotion, for memory, for connection. My sessions are safe spaces for you to be you, and my job is to show you how beautiful that really is.

So if you’re looking for someone to capture your family in all its honest, chaotic, hilarious, tender glory… I’d love to be that person.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that every session needs to go exactly as planned to be successful. Early in my career, I would map out sessions in my head aiming for certain light, poses, locations, even the moods I expected from the kids. But families aren’t predictable, and forcing a session to match a perfect vision often created stress rather than connection. I realized my job isn’t to direct a flawless performance, it’s to create space for real moments to unfold. Letting go of control allowed me to capture more authentic and meaningful images, and that’s ultimately what families value most.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been building genuine relationships, both with my existing clients and within my local community. Family photography is deeply personal, so trust and connection are everything. I focus on delivering an exceptional experience that goes beyond just taking pictures… From thoughtful communication before the session to creating a relaxed, fun environment during the shoot, and following up with personalized galleries and keepsakes.

Happy clients become my best ambassadors, they refer friends and family, and those referrals have been invaluable. I also invest time in community involvement, partnering with local businesses and participating in family-focused events. This grassroots approach helps me connect with families in a meaningful way, and that authenticity resonates far more than any broad advertising campaign. Ultimately, growing a family photography business is about nurturing relationships and creating memories people genuinely cherish, and that’s what keeps clients coming back and spreading the word.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shandraflemingphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byshandrafleming/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shandra-fleming-photography-simi-valley-2?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)