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

Shoshawnna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned photography in a variety of ways. It started with a 110 camera and simply taking tons of pictures. Once I was able to, I took a few classes in black and white photography. These classes were 5 hours long, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to spend as much time in the dark room as I could. I would show up to classes that weren’t my own and ask for a spot in the dark room if there was one available.

In this class I also learned the reality that art is relative. I remember being extremely proud of photos only to have the critiques come back less than satisfying. It was a tough experience leaving me feeling very exposed. However, it forced me to look beyond my initial glimpse and focus on details which ultimately made me a better photographer.

I’m not sure that I would go back in time and tell myself to do anything differently. I think I had to experience everything the way I did in order to be the photographer I am today. One of my favorite quotes was said by photographer Ansel Adams and he expresses this sentiment beautifully…”You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”

There are many things that I have learned along the way that are essential to photography. But I think the most important thing is how to see and find light. Seems simple, right? Light is all around us. We all can see it. However, we usually do not spend time to really see it’s power. Light affects every aspect of a photo. It affects shadows and highlights making things stand out. The way it plays off faces can drastically change the mood of a photo and how we view it’s subject. I have spent hours just sitting outside, watching the way light plays off of and through trees. If one wishes to become a photographer, one must study light.

I think the largest obstacle that stood in my way was me! I know I am not alone in this. My own insecurities probably held me back more than anything. Am I good enough? Who will hire me? Will they be happy with my photos? All of these were questions that I would ask myself. Honestly, I still feel them sometimes. It’s a strange thing. I have confidence in my work and love what I do, but there are times that I still get nervous when I am uploading photos to view for the first time. This is how I know I love photography. Even with my insecurities and mistakes made along the way, I kept picking up my camera and I always will.

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.

I am a photographer. I specialize in family, senior, and lifestyle photography. I also enjoy nature and street photography. Photography has been my passion for over 30 years. Photography is something that I do when I need time alone, when I need stillness but it is also a way that I can connect with people. I believe that is what sets me apart. I never want to be a photographer that does the super quick sessions providing everyone with the exact same poses and photos. It’s important to me that I to learn a little about who my clients are so that I can really capture their personalities and connections to each other. There needs to be a connection, a trust between a photographer and their subject. Many times, people are nervous at shoots. My job is to make them feel at ease and maybe even have a little fun. I want every aspect from the booking to the album to be a pleasant experience so they not only have the photos they want, but will think of me in the future when there are more to be taken.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

This may sound cliché, but I feel that if you are an artist, you really do not have a choice but to practice your art. It is intrinsically a part of who you are. For me, and I believe for all other artists, my craft is my form of expression, it’s what I want to do in my free time. It is also what I need when I need to escape, when I need stillness. The value to me personally is something I cannot measure. Then, to have the opportunity to share my passion with others and to see their reactions to what we have created together brings so much joy to my life. I can’t image doing anything else.

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

When I started, we did not have the internet. That, alone, has been an amazing resource. Of course, social media is super important in getting your name out their and your work seen. But they can be used in other ways that I consider just as valuable. There are sites where models and photographers can connect. An example that I have used is Model Mayhem. I find this extremely useful especially when pursuing special projects.

I believe something else that is important to anyone’s creative journey is to spend time with other people who share your passion. These people have an understanding of what you have been through and they can support you in ways others may not be able to. I have found that group apps, like MeetUp, have provided a great platform for like minded people to not only meet but even practice their craft together. I have taken advantage of these several times and have greatly enjoyed walking around the city with other photographers and listening to their stories.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shoshawnnaphotography.com
• Instagram: @photography.sho
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shos.photography

Image Credits
Shoshawnna Hamilton