We recently connected with Shayla Greene and have shared our conversation below.

Shayla, 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?

I learned photography through a combination of passion, practice, and self-education. My journey began in middle school when I started taking pictures of everything around me. Once I received my first professional camera, I took it everywhere, capturing moments with friends and family. It was an upgrade from the small digital cameras that were popular during my party and club days, and I quickly realized I wanted to do more than just take casual snapshots.

Since formal photography education wasn’t as widely available online at the time, I turned to YouTube to learn how to use my camera properly. I also attended workshops led by other photographers and studied wedding magazines and blogs for inspiration. To build my portfolio, I asked friends and family to let me photograph them. My best friend’s maternity session was my first official shoot, and shortly after, I had my first wedding gig.

Looking back, I could have sped up my learning process by taking a more structured approach, such as enrolling in photography courses or studying it in college. However, the hands-on experience I gained through constant practice was invaluable.

The most essential skills in my journey were technical camera knowledge, composition, lighting, and the ability to direct and connect with people. Business and marketing skills also became crucial as I grew my photography business.

One of the biggest obstacles was the lack of accessible photography education when I was starting out. Unlike today, there weren’t as many online courses or photographers openly sharing their knowledge. I had to piece together my learning from various sources, which took time. However, that challenge also pushed me to be resourceful and develop my own creative style.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Shayla Greene, a wedding, family, and portrait photographer based on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, starting back in middle school when my grandmother bought me my very first film camera. I would take pictures of everything around me. As I got older, I upgraded from a small digital camera to my first professional one and began capturing moments everywhere I went. That passion turned into a career over 10 years ago when I officially launched Shayla Nicole Photography.

I specialize in capturing authentic, joy-filled moments for laid back couples, loving families, and individuals who may not even realize how beautiful they are. My goal is to create a fun, relaxed environment that allows real emotions to shine through! Whether it’s on a wedding day, during a family session, or in a personal portrait shoot.

One thing that sets me apart is my ability to make people feel comfortable in front of the camera. I love when I can get the response from a teenager saying “This was fun” ! I know that not everyone feels natural posing, so I guide my clients in a way that brings out their genuine expressions. I also take a storytelling approach to my work, focusing on capturing not just posed portraits but the little in between moments, the laughter, the quiet glances, the pure joy, that make the memories even more special.

I’m most proud of the relationships I build with my clients. Many of them come back year after year, allowing me to document their growing families and evolving stories. It means so much to me to be trusted with capturing such important milestones in their lives.

For anyone considering working with me, I want you to know that my sessions are all about making you feel seen, celebrated, and confident. Photography isn’t just about taking pictures, it’s about preserving the moments that matter most. Whether it’s a wedding, a family session, or a personal portrait, my goal is to give you images that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

I’d love the opportunity to work with you and tell your story in a way that feels true to you!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the toughest moments in my photography career, and one that truly tested my resilience, was when I lost nearly all the photos from a beautiful wedding due to a damaged memory card. It was devastating. I had poured my heart into capturing that day, only to realize that so many of those once-in-a-lifetime moments were gone. I was completely gutted. The weight of that loss hit me hard, and for a moment, I seriously considered quitting photography altogether.

But instead of walking away, I chose to learn and grow from it. I took responsibility, had honest conversations with the couple, and focused on finding solutions rather than dwelling on what I couldn’t change. That experience reshaped how I approach wedding photography today. I invested in a camera with dual memory card slots to ensure that every image is backed up the moment I take it. I also put a triple-backup system in place, which starts with backing up all photos during the reception and continues with multiple layers of storage afterward.

Looking back, that moment, though one of the lowest in my career, was also one of the most defining. It taught me the importance of preparation, adaptability, and always having a backup plan. Now, I go into every wedding with the confidence that I’m doing everything possible to protect my clients’ memories. What could have been the end of my journey instead became the fuel that made me a stronger, more prepared, and more resilient photographer.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life and career came when I became a mother to twins. Life changed drastically, not just personally, but in my photography business as well. As a single mom, my priorities shifted overnight. My business was never my full-time career, I also work 40+ hour weeks, so I had to make some tough choices about how much work I could realistically take on while still being present for my children. My weekends were no longer just “My weekends”.

The number of weddings I take per year has decreased, and my workflow has completely changed. Gone are the days of spontaneous coffee shop editing sessions in the middle of the afternoon. Now, editing happens after bedtime, long after the house has finally quieted down. And just when I thought I was settling into a routine, another shift happened, my twins got older, and sports took over our weekends.

Balancing motherhood and business hasn’t always been easy, but it has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of setting boundaries. I’ve learned to be more intentional with my time, to focus on quality over quantity in my work, and to embrace the seasons of life as they come. While my business looks different than it did before motherhood, it’s still thriving in a way that aligns with my life now. And I know that as my twins continue to grow, things will keep shifting, but I’m ready to pivot again when the time comes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shaylanicole.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/shaylanicolephoto
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/shaylanicolephoto

Image Credits

Alicia Wiley Photography (my headshot)