We were lucky to catch up with Shay-Lynn West recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shay-Lynn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

I always try to make my clients feel appreciated because without them I wouldn’t be able to pursue this career. I do this by sending my clients any photos I edit for business on top of the 5 edited photos included in my prices or offering help when there is an issue with payment.

For example; one of my last clients hadn’t paid the balance after their photoshoot and expressed that they were having money troubles. I asked them what they needed and all they asked was to wait 2 weeks to pay me. I was absolutely fine with this and held their photos for two weeks and everything worked out fine in the end.

Shay-Lynn, 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?

I started photographing random objects and plants along the street with my IPhone in college! It started out as a hobby but I really enjoyed finding the beauty in the most basic of moments.

I had the desire to do more so I started asking classmates and friends if I could use them for shoots and it was actually really difficult. Shooting a flower is very different from shooting an actual person! I made it my mission to get better and learn more. I did start charging for my photoshoots but as I was still using my phone I was very upfront with people about my experience and what I use. I think I only charged $25 per session at the time.

Once I obtained an actual camera and gained more experience I did raise my prices but I always tried to be fair and upfront about it all. I understood that LA is expensive and more experienced photographers charge hundreds of dollars. I wanted my brand to be quality photos at affordable prices.

Soon I started booking with regular clients and doing collabs with other startup businesses!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In a way, this is my pivot moment. I did not grow up wanting to be a photographer. I mean I was interested and thought it was cool but that was it. I went to school for musical theater and I dreamed of being on the stage with the lights and everything! When I started my photography I never intended for it to be anything more than a hobby/ a way to make some extra cash, but then the pandemic hit. Everything shut down and my career plans were on hold indefinitely. I started leaning into my photography more because well it’s easy to social distance when your job is to be behind a camera. It all just kind of blossomed naturally.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Oh absolutely! Up to this point I am completely self taught. I did not take any classes or watch any youtube tutorials or anything.

There are so many facebook groups and youtube videos available for people who can’t afford to take classes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shay-lynn.com
• Instagram: @shay_lynn_photos
• Facebook: Shay-Lynn West