We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephanie Shanks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I Embracing risk has been my daily reality since making the leap from my 9-5 job to my path in the photography industry. And this journey is not at all what I thought it would be. I thought that I would just become a photographer. I have learned that its not just about showcasing my skills and passion to the world; it’s about navigating the complexities of self-promotion and brand building. My personal brand is now a representation to my ongoing challenge. Which is rooted deeply in the importance of self-care and the empowerment of women to recognize and harness their inherent strength. I believe it’s essential to acknowledge that risk is just part of life, and its not unique to entrepreneurship. My business doesn’t guarantee success or happiness. Happiness and success comes from self-belief and the courage to steer my own boat. My attitude and responses to the inevitable uncertainties life throws my way are what I get to be in control of. This mindset doesn’t lower risk, but it does transform it into empowerment.
My mission now extends beyond navigating my own risks. I aim to inspire other women who might be hesitating and uncertain about prioritizing their dreams or taking that significant leap. It’s more than okay to dream big and put yourself first. The journey to the top happens with small steps, rest, and water. It’s those small actions, like self care or belief in our selves that allows us to reach past the fear of risk and elevates to whatever course we want to sail.

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

Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, a passion I inherited from my mom. It was just something she did, so I did it. My journey into professional photography began almost by serendipity, around the time social media was just starting. It started with me just photos of my kids and pets, but soon friends and family started requesting their own shoots. What truly pushed me into full-time photography was a significant life change: becoming a single mom to my twins, one of whom has cerebral palsy, and a young son with developed severe anxiety after my divorce. Challenges like budget cuts at school, which impacted my child’s accessibility, and my youngest’s difficulty with babysitters, made traditional employment nearly impossible. So, I took a leap of faith into photography. I didn’t really feel like I had a choice, I just did what I had to do for my kids.
Now, 12 years later, I’m not just a photographer; I get to be a testament to resilience. Starting as a teen mom with every odd against me, to now empowering women through my portrait photography, is my journey of strength and beauty. I’m proud to have built a business that not only supports my family but also uplifts and celebrates the unique strength and beauty in each of us. This experience has taught me the power of embracing your passion and the beauty of turning challenges into opportunities

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

My mission is to empower women facing adversity, encouraging them not to shrink back in shame but to stand tall and reclaim their strength. Through my photography, I aim to provide a platform for these incredible women to see their own resilience and beauty, reminding them of their power and place in the world.

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

My advice for anyone promoting their business via social media is to prioritize authenticity and consistency. In today’s digital age, our attention is glued to our phones, making social media a crucial platform for visibility. To grow your business,you have to be where your audience spends their time. Be genuine in your posts; let your unique voice and brand identity shine through. This authenticity will resonate with your audience and help build trust. Additionally, post regularly to keep your audience engaged and your business top of mind. Remember, social media is not just about broadcasting but about creating, connecting and building a community. So, engage with your followers, respond to comments, and be part of the conversation.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stephshanks.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephshanksphotography
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephshanks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkxop_q2kKwS7-AknUxy0Yw

Image Credits
Matt Uptagraw