We were lucky to catch up with Shannel Gray recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shannel, thanks for joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?
My most favorite story that I like to share is how I got started. Many of us will always talk about how business is going or maybe a few months back but rarely do we ever hear or share so much of how the dream and vision became life for us.
My story goes a little bit like this…
It all started one day when I was reviewing the newspaper for a small second job. I saw an opening for an assistant at a photography studio with a prestigious photographer in the Russellville, AR area where I lived. I interviewed and got the job. Steve, the photographer and I became close. We talked and conversed every day. He taught me several things about photography. In return, I spoke to Steve a lot about my life, lifestyle and my walk with God. It was interesting to him to learn more about. I began to notice the clientele he had and gained a great relationship with some.
Steve saw my passion for the capturing of the moments of people’s lives. One day, he asked me why didn’t I pursue my “eye” in photography? I told him I never really thought about a business part of it but more like a hobby. Well one day, I closed up shop and headed downtown. It weighed heavily on my heart about my vision for others and how to bring what others see of themselves to life but in a different light. It was a rainy Thursday evening. I pulled up to Staples and sat in the parking lot. I asked God if He would help me bring to life my ministry and my vision, I would dedicate my business to him. I entered the store. I went to the camera section where I met nice sales guy. He helped me and asked what I was looking for. I told him my thoughts and he then walked me to a certain line of cameras. Then he walked me over to the programs I would need to edit. I priced everything in my head as we walked. I became discouraged. I knew I didn’t have enough in the bank. I told the man thank you with my head hung low and went to sit in my car. Again, I closed my eyes and asked God again for favor and that I would dedicate my photography to Him, I needed a miracle.
A lifting came to my spirit. I got out of my car again and entered the store. There the sales guy stood smiling and stated I knew you would come back. He placed in my hands, a Canon Powershot camera. I stated, oh my gosh!! Thank you but I need more. He looked and said, ma’am, you have all that you need. Congratulations! I went to the checkout counter and saw that the total amount came to $199.00. I had $200 even in my bank account. I paid for the camera and went to my car smiling. After sitting there, I began to wonder how would I edit. I looked at the camera box and turned it around. There on the back it stated, included for free Photoshop Elements full program. I cried myself happy; God truly answered my prayers! I went to work the following day and that was when Steve notified me that he was going to be slowing down in business and would not need me anymore. I smiled because I knew that all that happened was in God’s timing. He was yet preparing me for the greater reward on the other side.
Shannel, 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 Shannel Gray. I am a mother of 2 wonderful teens 18 and 14. I am married to my best friend for 18yrs. My educational background is the medical field. I have 2 degrees in Health information administration with a concentration in medical records and my second degree is Health information technology degree with coding. I have been active in the medical field for 23yrs. My other love and passion is photography. I am currently the owner of my own business, ShaeGray photography established 2010. What started out as an interest in a second job with a photographer turned on the light bulb in my spirit to start my own journey and ministry in photography for myself. I am very thankful for the open door and vision that God has truly blessed me with. I consider myself not your ordinary photographer, but a ministry of outreach to be an inspiration to many who are yet starting or may not have the drive or support needed for them to open up their own business. For others to see me passionate about what I love to do and to also serve them with a full heart is also needed in the world we live in today. I care. It’s not about taking clients’ money all the time but planting seeds in them and bringing untouched details of their session out to them or just making them feel exceptional letting them know that they matter!
I mainly photograph portraits (families and individual) seniors, maternity, bridals, and small weddings. I am very proud of my growth and how much I have grown over the years. I can proudly say that I have been published at least 5 times by Dallas Voyage, Queens movement, Munaluchi Bride, Brides and Weddings, and more! I am thankful for also being voted as Best of the Best in the photography category as second place winner in the Tyler, TX area. I am so humbled by this experience and opportunity to serve my community. I also have a personal program in my photography where each year I take photos of foster teen seniors who are eligible to graduate but are never totally given the opportunity to have their photos taken and to feel special. I launched this partnership back in 2018 and I am proud to say that I have covered at least 25+ graduated foster seniors who graduated and went on to be successful. I am just a willing soul here to spread God’s love through my business and to allow his light to shine through me and reach others.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for me has been social media and word of mouth! I do believe in presenting excellence at all times when it comes to your work. Sometimes we may agree to do projects for no pay or just to advertise I am very careful to make sure it’s the best product or make sure it looks the best. In all business we never know who may be watching us or looking at our work when we least expect it. A lot of my clients share their photos on social media proudly after reviewing them and being so excited. Sometimes they tag me in their posts, and sometimes they do not. But I always understand that people are asking them who took their photos! That’s a great example of work of mouth and a social media post that is seen and shared by happy customers. I love when my clients share my work. I feel its better representation of your work a lot of times because instead of me posting my own stuff, they are posting their thoughts and feelings about the photos that I took for them. Facebook is a great source due to ability to tag and post and also pay for ads to advertise certain sessions that you love and did a great job with. Instagram is another favorite for me as well. Twitter is one that I have started to use more, and I really like the feedback of it as well as the new clients that I have gained too.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I can truly say in all my 12yrs of photography, the one thing that we always have to be ready to face and that is adversity in all shapes, sizes and levels. When I first started photography, I faced a lot of criticism mainly from the fact that I was new to the industry and was trying to find my way and learn the business and also figure out what type of photographer I wanted to be. A lot of critique came from the fact that I was young and also in the community being an up-and-coming African American photographer who was not common type in the industry. I was talked about and low-balled because of the way I took photos was different and I wasn’t following the way of others and how they did their photos. Yes, I was popular among the black community, but I had other Caucasian friends who knew the business and sought to help me through my process of growth. Many did not hire me which was fine, but I was thankful for those who trusted my vision and allowed me to just deliver the vision I had for their session. For those who weren’t comfortable with me, I showed love. Love wins every time! I faced a lot as well during the Covid season. A lot of photographers were afraid to take chances and faced a lot of cancellations and other things financially. I am blessed to say I prayed and trusted the process and used my medical wisdom as a great tool to help me pull through sessions with seniors who deserved to celebrate their graduation time during a hard season in their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaegrayphotography.com
- Instagram: shae4photography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShaegrayPhotography
- Twitter: @shae4gray
Image Credits
ShaeGray Photography
Decor of bridal shoot by: Enchanted Embellish Decor.