We were lucky to catch up with Shayne Coles recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shayne , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I honestly don’t remember, but I believe my first payed modeling gig was with my friend Niki Thediva (@blond.bomber) with Moonlit Academy! It was such a fun shoot and one of favorites that I’ve done so far. They are truly a talented individual and I’m so happy they found me.

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.

My name is Shayne Coles and I’m a Multimedia Artist based in Pittsburgh, PA. It’s really interesting how I became an artist really, I started off as a dancer when I was three years old and I danced at Abby Lee Dance Company (shocking I know) and I continued my practice through high school and I was a dance major at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. I went to college as a Theater Major because that’s what I wanted to do and still do! But somehow COVID happened, and I decided to try modeling since people were telling me that I should give it a shot and then I got signed to my first agency!

I started to take modeling more seriously since I didn’t have any experience, they wanted me to build my portfolio before I was able to get professional jobs and so I did. I found out that I really enjoy abnormal editorial shoots something that you don’t really see often? And at that time all I saw was runway and commercial modeling which is amazing as well but that didn’t really catch my eye. And so a few years past, and I realized that I really want to start working behind the scenes of a shoot. I was somehow good at digital creating so I wanted to try to play around with that and make my own shoots! And now I’m a photographer too? It’s crazy I really want to do everything!

I started directing my own work, styling, modeling, and editing and I really enjoy doing all of it! I don’t really know what my end goal is for my career, right now I’m working towards learning about PR for fashion cause I’m also very interested in that and maybe make a steady career with that. I think right now my goal is to work on educating myself more about all concepts of the fashion community and working towards an internship for a fashion company. I really don’t know what the future holds, but I’m very excited to see what I become!

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

I believe the most rewarding is knowing that there’s no rules to being an artist. Whatever you feel just make it come alive and believe in it! I realize when I do something that I’m passionate about somehow other people also feel that and understand my work a little bit better. And I can’t forget about the people that I meet in my life; I have met creatives from all aspects and that’s truly the best rewarding part for me!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social Media is a unique platform. I started off on Instagram just like anyone else, posting daily life pictures, posting with my friends, there was a time that I literally posted my crush for everyone to see! Back then there wasn’t really rules to social media. But now I feel like social media is used for work and not so laid-back anymore. But, I think that social media is a great place to showcase your work and market yourself! I use my Instagram as my portfolio and as my personal page. I’m still deciding if I want to have two accounts? But I feel like I’m doing a great job with showing who I am plus showing my professional side as well!

I think my audience grew during Covid when I started taking modeling seriously and I would just post often and follow people that were inspirations for me. If I would give any advice to those who want to start building their social media presence, I would say think about what you wanna showcase on your page, but also present a certain part of yourself as well so they know who you are and show what you bring to the table if that makes any sense? Be intentional, it also depends on if you’re trying to sell something, teach something etc. It can really be anything, but the most important is to be consistent with how you’re marketing yourself! It’s OK to feel awkward at first but I promise you it’s gonna get better and hopefully you start enjoying it, and people will see that follow you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beacons.ai/shayneeecolesss?fbclid=PAAaaARqlRi7McJzYrAssUxa3-qIyh16Kofs6B8k1pNz2WjgBmn1_MdhGJ1bA_aem_AZomMPf06f2XsqeyE3s05lWYpdQ6lnyTpOgG5-rhxhpncpmxPYA2GVuTAiHCQG0-MbU
• Instagram: @ina_skc

Image Credits
@jjjeremiah.raw @bentli.bp @neen_no @ina_skc