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

Shawntelle, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

I do sometimes wish I had started my photography business sooner; however, I also know I needed time to grow into the confidence it takes to put myself out there. That said, I’m proud of where I am now.

I launched my business while working full-time, carving out hours on evenings and weekends to build something meaningful. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. While it took me a little longer to take the leap, I believe I started at the time that was right for me.

Shawntelle, 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’ve always loved taking nature photos. It started as a hobby that I thoroughly enjoyed and did when I felt ‘inspired’. I even began to plan my travels around the sights I could see and what photos I could capture. But things shifted when a pair of close friends asked me to photograph their pregnancy announcement. That, in a sense, was the start of my portrait career. Being able to collaborate with them, capture what they envisioned, and then see their joy when they viewed the finished photos was the most rewarding feeling. It was then that I realized this was something I wanted to keep doing.

I specialize in natural light portrait photography and offer a wide range of sessions. This includes family photos, engagements, elopements, maternity, pregnancy announcements, anniversaries, senior portraits, birthdays, military homecomings, and intimate weddings. If there’s a special moment you want to capture, I’m always open to bringing that vision to life and love trying new styles or ideas.

I put a lot of focus on making sure my clients feel comfortable and heard during their session. I know not everyone feels at ease in front of the camera, but they still want to look and feel their best, and I want that confidence to come through in every photo. Throughout the shoot, I show clients previews as we go so I can get a sense of what they’re loving and what they’d prefer to change. It helps me tailor the experience to them, from poses to angles, and ensures they walk away with images that truly reflect how they want to be seen.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come. Starting a photography business felt daunting at first, especially while working a full-time job. I often felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to make time for it all. But eventually, I told myself to just go for it and see where it might lead. Taking that leap was the best decision I’ve made. Photography brings me so much genuine joy, and it’s something I’d love to pursue full time in the future.

When it comes to my clients, I want the experience to be all about them — their vision, their comfort, and their joy. I always encourage people to browse my gallery to make sure my editing style aligns with what they’re looking for. If they have inspiration photos, I welcome them! And most importantly, I want clients to feel comfortable enough to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

I know it’s not always easy to feel beautiful or relaxed in front of a camera, especially if it’s not something you’re used to. My goal is to create a space where nothing feels forced. I’ll gently guide clients into poses that feel natural to them, and I love using lighthearted prompts that may feel a little silly in the moment but often lead to the most genuine laughter and real connection.

I also pride myself on my attention to detail during the editing process and am constantly working to improve my skills. Distracting people in the background of your engagement photo? Gone. We didn’t get ‘the shot’ for your family photo because someone blinked or looked away? Head swap. I want your final gallery to feel polished, intentional, and reflective of the love and effort you put into showing up for the session.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is the idea that there’s ever going to be a perfect time to start something. I used to tell myself I’d launch my photography business once I had more free time, better gear, more experience — the list went on. But the truth be told, if you keep waiting for everything to line up just right, you might never actually start.

Eventually, I realized I was getting in my own way. So I stopped overthinking, took a deep breath, and just began, even if it wasn’t perfect. That shift in mindset changed everything. It reminded me that momentum matters more than perfection, and that progress often begins with just starting.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a photographer is getting to witness someone truly light up when they get their photos back. It could be a couple seeing their love reflected back at them, a mom feeling beautiful during a maternity shoot, or a family cherishing a moment in their phtoos. Their joy becomes my joy.

There’s something incredibly special about knowing the images I create can help someone feel confident, seen, or celebrated. That reaction, the smile, the happy tears, the quiet “I didn’t know I could look like that” is what fills me up and reminds me why I love what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shawntellemariephotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photosbyshawntelle/

Image Credits

Shawntelle Marie Photography