We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shannon Curtis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shannon below.
Hi Shannon, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Starting my own photography business was a pretty big risk for me. There were start-up costs – like professional camera bodies and lenses, website expenses, software, editing courses, gas for traveling to locations, props, advertising…it felt like I was pouring so much money into this uncertain endeavor with no guarantee that I would make any of it back, let alone make a profit. But there was just no way I couldn’t give it a try. I was absolutely determined to give it my best shot (pun intended). And I’m so grateful I did. I’ve just begun my fifth year as a professional photographer, and I get so many requests during the busy season that I have to turn people away! I still get chills that I get to call myself a photographer. My business has become more successful than I ever would have guessed when I started. It’s not just what I do – it’s who I am. I’ve always been an observer, and since I got my first camera on my 11th birthday, I’ve been documenting life. Even if you know something is a risk in every practical sense, when it feels like it is a calling, it’s as if you don’t have any other option but to give it your all.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a natural light photographer, which means I don’t use anything other than the sun to light my subjects. I have always been passionate about documenting our experiences (both the big and small moments), and I truly consider it an honor to be able to photograph the special moments in our lives. I received a bachelor’s in Video Production from Columbia College in Chicago, and from there, life took me in many different directions! I’ve done everything from filming events and presentations at suburban libraries, to editing photos for a real estate company, then shifting gears and working in property management, even doing a complete 180 and getting my master’s in Elementary Education. I was an elementary teacher for five years, and then a reading interventionist, before finally deciding to give professional photography a try. Every job I’ve had has lent itself in some small way to my work now as a professional photographer.
I consider portraits to be works of art. They are an investment, for sure – something that my clients will be able to treasure for a lifetime. I love capturing genuine moments, rather than forced smiles. My goal is never to make my subjects look perfect, rather it is to capture who they are at this moment. I see beauty in imperfection. I would take a natural smile with wild wind-blown hair any day over a stiff pose and not a hair out of place.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
It’s hard to stand out in a saturated photography market. Word of mouth really helps, and thankfully I’ve had some amazing clients who have been kind enough to bring me referrals. I’m a very reliable person and consistent in my work, and I think that creates a level of trust from people who are looking to hire a photographer. If I get an email from a client, I always respond within one day. If I promise a certain quality of work based on my portfolio, that is what you are going to get. When I finish a shoot, the gallery will be delivered by or before the date I promised. I hold myself and my work to a high standard, and my work ethic has always been strong. I think that appeals to people.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Although I am much more confident in my work than I was when I started, at times I have been a bit of a tortured artist. I can be totally satisfied with an edited gallery, come back to it a day later, and see things I didn’t see before and want to tweak here and there. Or worse, I’ll be happy with my work, and then compare it to other seasoned photographers. This can sometimes take me down a darker road: Should I be editing the way they are? Am I giving clients what they want? Logically, I know I’m on the right track because my work is getting stronger and I continue to gain clients. Yet despite all evidence to the contrary, my intense feelings of imposter syndrome can kick in. I have had to learn to silence that inner critic and keep carrying on. I no longer spend much time looking at other photographers’ work. My only goal is to continue trying to get better each year. That is enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shannonrosephotographer.com
- Instagram: @shannonrosephotographer
- Facebook: @shannonrosephotographer
Image Credits
Shannon Rose Photography