We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shawn Riddle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shawn below.

Shawn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

How did you learn to do what you do?

I learned 93% from TRIAL & ERROR. If I seen something that I wanted to learn how to do, I just got in the field and figured it out. Alot of my early inspiration came from looking at the work of GaronFilms & Derek Blanks.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?

I think that I would have done more reading and learning beyond the camera/computer. I feel like I wasted a lot of time in ignorance, as far as the business side of things goes. I’m still learning every day.

What skills do you think were most essential?

It’s always the fundamentals, and trusting your eye. Yes, the newest equipment is nice and shiny, but if you know the basics like composition, you can create a great image with any device.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

What stood in the way of my learning has always been my crazy work load. I felt like I was too busy to sit back and learn new things because I became a machine just spitting projects out. I def always encourage people learning to take their time before going full throttle.

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 am a photographer, videographer and graphic designer. I got into this life from being just a doodler in my early years. From high school I got straight into making money designing flyers and things at random until I was funneled through the mixtape era of music to a full time graphic designer. As I evolved my skillset I added photography to my design services, and then eventually out of curiosity I picked up videography.

My ability to be a “one stop shop” has helped me grow and retain clients over the years.

In 2024, my main focus has been branding for entrepreneurs and that is where I feel most comfortable. I am proud that I have the experience in most areas, so that I am able to assist in any genre whether is be weddings, headshots, album artwork etc.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Haha, I started out with the family computer my mom bought with her tax return. I would hog it most of the time, fighting with my little sister over “computer time”. My first camera was one given to me by a friend Shawniece Wilmore; rest her soul.

Beyond that, I used the little bits of money from client projects and saved up to buy my own equipment. Not the best stuff, but it worked for me at the time and I even had a studio setup in my mom’s basement.

I eventually got approved for a credit card with a $5000 limit and maxed it out purchasing an iMac, Macbook Pro & Canon camera. Looking back on it now, I would never do that again haha.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

No odds were stacked against me, but I think my favorite marketing story would be my promo for the Kansas CIty People’s Choice Awards. It was a 3 part process and cost me less than $1,000.

1. I purchased a promo package from the main hip hop radio station in the city that included on air radio spots that ran for 2 weeks, at prime times. The second part of that included ad space on their mobile billboard truck. On the day of the event they parked right in front of the ceremony venue for 3 hours.

2. I designed and printed 5 different promo flyers that included business cards and coupons. I then packaged these and had a team place them on every car parked at the venue on day of.

This was the talk of the town and bunch of people gave me props for the great marketing efforts.

Contact Info:

• Website: shawnriddle@me.com
• Instagram: @shawnriddlephoto
• Youtube: shawnriddledotcom

Image Credits
1. Kam McMullen for JT Beauty Studios 2. @ErickaRosie for VianneyRose 3. Ryin Brown 4. Pulchritude Spa 5. @sincerely_sky for Hello Ditto 6. @MollyBrazy for FarynStylz 7. Maddox Crawford 8. Darius Witherspoon Jr.