Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sharda Jolayemi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sharda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Photography was not on my radar at all. I was just okay taking photos with my iPhone and posting to Instagram. It wasn’t until a friend and I met for coffee to go over our goals for the new year. She knew that one of mine was to get my first digital camera so I could really start exploring photography as a hobby (so I thought). In the next moment, she told me she had a gift for me and gave me her camera. She said God told me to bless me with it.*insert immediate ugly cry* In that moment, I had know idea how my life was about to change, but God did. I started photographing moments of my sister and my nephew at the park and then I did my first styled wedding shoot with friends at from my church, Little did I know that styled shoot would land my very first professional photography booking. Not long after that I started to receive referrals for couple sessions and some milestone session. I launched my photography brand and business, Write Dream Do in 2017 and as I grew my niche became more specific to lifestyle, branding, and intimate weddings. Today I’ve helped document over 5 years of beautiful moments in photography! My heart is full, I’m honored & there’s still so much more yet unfolding we are set to capture. My heart is to help my clients mark moments and document glory, story tell visuals that showcase how God seals moments of time to remind us of who we are.

Sharda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I feel like photography was more of a “calling” than anything. It was God literally placing this gift into my hands. I’m also thankful for creatives and photographers around me taking the time to mentor me and encourage me early on. They literally helped me get to where I am today. I also spent time researching and studying Pinterest boards & YouTube Tutorials. Don’t yall sleep on Youtube/Google University!

As a photographer, I capture the glorious milestone moments of joy for individuals, family, couples for generations to come. along with capturing the heart & story behind creative entrepreneurs, brands and businesses. It’s so much more than just a photo being captured, it’s God who seals these moments in time to remind us of who we are. How He sees us. The beautiful unfolding of your story and plans of a hope & future. A story from the bible that encourages me is the story of Abraham being announced the Father of all nations. I can only imagine what it had to be like for Abraham when God brought him outside of his tent and said “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” (gen 15:5) I’m sure that he never looked at stars the same again. A moment forever sealed in his heart, a moment held throughout generations to come.

That’s how I feel about photography. It’s my heart to help my clients do/feel the same. It’s documenting glory. Through every photo captured, I help remind them that these moments/memories are their legacies and they are so worthy of holding/keeping.

Recently I’m proud of hearing how their images are beautifully displayed in their homes and shared with family & friends. Or how entrepreneurs convert followers to clients while also gaining confidence in who they are and how they show up online. It’s all a blessing to hear and see.

Also, in 2021, I launched an online faith-based community called Creative Hearts. I wanted to host a space for creatives where they could receive because we are always the one who pour. Creative Hearts makes room for creatives to be affirmed, encouraged, refreshed + reminded of why and who we are apart from what they make. The heart is to leave creative entrepreneurs feeling inspired + renewed perspective on creating from a place of joy & delight while also providing strategy to help thrive in business wholly, with fire, while secured in the truth of being fully known and loved by God by hosting online & in person bible studies, business strategy classes, community prayer, devotionals and more. Creatives need to be filled and I’m here to help be a fount!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

This may sound basic or cliché but my most effective strategy has been less selling but more telling. Let me explain. I found out a long time ago that most people are interested in your mission and the heart behind what you do before buy-in. Showing up as yourself online, sharing value, and building community created more leads than me simply saying “book now or link in bio” Serve before sell every time.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I would encourage someone who may consider themselves as a “non-creative” not to. Outside of having a creative gift, you are also creative by the ability to think, create solutions, create strategy, or even create experiences for those around you. So the next time you try to say you are not creative, consider that it’s more about who you are and not what you can necessarily produce with your hands alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shardalbyrd.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writedreamdo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writedreamdophotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxpM4q_j_Pt27uzPpF8lJtw