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

Shayla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Prior to launching my creative studio, my background was in multimedia journalism. I pursued a journalism major in college because of my passion for getting to know people, and sharing their stories through writing and media.

When I made the transition away from journalism a few years ago, I felt a twinge of sadness about potentially leaving behind the journalistic storytelling facet of my career.

This spring marked a significant chapter at Stabor Studios as I undertook rebranding my entire creative studio with the help of Anna Katherine Creative, a designer in Greenville, SC. The rebrand brought me back to my journalism origins, and I couldn’t be more excited about the place I ended up.

With an intense focus on capturing the authentic unraveling of life, I combined some of the things I love the most! As a part of my rebrand, I introduced a photography collection titled ‘Moments-In-Time.’

The Moments-In-Time Collection is an ‘experiential’ photography session that is based on a journalistic approach to lifestyle photography. Couples and families do the things the love together, and bring me along to document them.

Among the first couples to be part of the Moments-In-Time Collection were Rachel and Corey, and their session remains a standout favorite of mine to this day, primarily because it tells a story that is so genuine to who they are!

Rachel holds a special place as someone whose literary recommendations I wholeheartedly trust, while Corey’s unmatched wit is a delight.

It was only natural, then, that I’d join them at yet another literary adventure on a rainy Saturday morning.
We grabbed some coffee and checked out a new bookstore. We chatted about what we were all reading, and let the coffee sink in with some good conversation. I encouraged them to walk around and enjoy the bookstore. They picked up different titles and swapped recommendations, their shared love of literature seemingly effortless to capture.

After finding a few titles to purchase, we found ourselves at another bookstore brimming with pre-loved titles and character. We explored piles and piles of used books and even came across the bookstore’s cat.

By the end of the day many books were purchased and even more laughs were had.

The pictures from this collection are beautiful, but more than that, they are real and true. It is so precious to me that I’m able to capture photos of people in their element, just as they are.

While the pictures from this collection is stunning, it’s the authenticity that truly resonates. The ability to encapsulate individuals in their natural element, just as they are, is a gift I treasure immensely.

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

My name is Shayla, and I’m the owner of Stabor Studios, a creative studio that specializes in photography. We are based in Columbia, South Carolina, but travel everywhere! We offer all things wedding and lifestyle photography and videography, as well as specialize in small business content and marketing.

Stabor Studios emerged from a heartfelt aspiration—to chronicle life authentically and journalistically, with the aim of preserving life’s poignant moments exactly as they unfold. Our mission is to encapsulate life as it happens.

My professional journey embarked from the world of journalism, where I found joy from getting to know people and telling their stories! With Stabor Studios we’ve elevated that passion to new heights, combining it with photography, videography and small business marketing.

My personal story is intertwined with deep-rooted affection for people and profound conversations, often accompanied by a cup of coffee. In 2021, when I married my husband Ben, his encouragement prompted me to take a step away from journalism and launch Stabor Studios—a place where I could authentically love people and support them through the diverse phases of their lives, just as they are. I absolutely cherish getting to enter into some of the most special moments in my client’s lives, and I don’t take that for granted for a single second.

Having your picture taken can sometimes feel like a vulnerable experience, and I think it is! At Stabor Studios, photography sessions are anything but ordinary. Instead, we aim to create interactive and authentic moments.

Our goal is to create a space where you can be yourselves, unguarded and free, so that the photographs and videos reflect exactly you!

Our photojournalistic approach to wedding photography and videography is similar. It is all about preserving the big, small, and everything-in-between moments of your wedding day.

We know how important the grand, emotional moments are, but we also want to document the intimate glances, spontaneous laughter, and quiet interactions that are your wedding story- giving you beautiful photos to look back on for years to come.

We also have a passion for helping small businesses produce content and marketing that feels like them! Nowadays, keeping up with content, marketing, photos, videos and everything else can be overwhelming. But that’s where we come in, allowing small businesses to do what they are good at, while we help them create content and marketing that reflects their small business.

Stabor isn’t just a creative studio; it’s a haven where grand dreams are nurtured, creativity thrives, and everyone’s touch of whimsy is embraced.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by a multitude of factors, and while there isn’t a singular driving force, a common thread intricately weaves through all it: relationships.

At the core of my journey is a profound connection with the people I have the privilege to photograph. Photography, and all of the work that Stabor Studios does, for me, transcends just taking photos; it’s a place where I can really get to know each of my clients, telling their unique stories, and capturing pivotal moments that shape their lives. These moments encompass the spectrum of human experience—from engagements to weddings, the arrival of children, and beyond.

As much as I can, I want my client relationships to be more than just transactional, but relational. As countercultural as this may be, I would be more than happy to have each of my clients as friends.

Recognizing that my clients entrust me with their most cherished moments is a responsibility I don’t make light of. Each click of the shutter encapsulates more than an image; it tells a story of how worthy my clients are. With every frame, my mission unfurls: to mirror back to them the significance and beauty that radiates from within.

As I continue this journey, I remain focused on the people and the relationships- capturing the ineffable, and weaving visual stories that etch moments into eternity.

My work goes beyond the visual—it’s a testament to the authenticity of human connection and the radiant splendor that lies within us all. If I can chase that goal and make each of my client’s feel seen and loved, I will have done my job well.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think society often tells us that our value is in what we produce, and how much better we are than those around us. However, I personally believe that my true worth, my core identity, originates from my faith in the Lord! I’m committed to not allowing societal pressures to diminish my value or compel me to compete with others for the sake of success. Regardless of someone’s belief in where their worthiness comes from, I don’t think we can get to a ‘thriving creative ecosystem’ if we are pushing each other down to get to the top.

What’s important to me is recognizing that every person possesses inherent value and is uniquely creativity. I envision a shift away from a competitive mindset that seems to dictate our interactions. Instead of perpetuating a ‘gatekeeping’ mentality which has become so popular, why not embrace a culture that values collaboration and authenticity?

A world where we can celebrate our individual talents without the constant need to compare. It’s about acknowledging each person’s skills and contributions without viewing them as a measure against our own. By doing so, we can create an environment that fosters appreciation for our distinctiveness and encourages collaboration rather than relentless comparison.

Contact Info:

• Website: staborstudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stabor.studios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stabor.studios
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@stabor.studios [email protected]