I am so very excited to introduce our next inspiring photographer to you guys! She is so sweet, beyond humble and obviously, incredibly talented! Her work is soothing, classic and totally pure. There is just something about her work that makes me feel at peace. I know you all will love her work as much as I do! I am honored to introduce to you my friend Shannon of SD Photography. Shannon is a newborn, baby and child photographer based out of Iowa.
Image by the amazing Mindy Harris of Pastel Photography.
1. If there was one thing you would want us to know about you, what would it be?
I love to laugh and I probably don’t do it often enough.
2. Share with us your favorite image and why.
“Oh boy. I’m my own worst critic.” This is the part where Shannon claimed not to have a favorite image bc she is overly critical of herself. So I took it upon myself to choose my favorite image! And I love it because it is simply divine. I love the tones, the amazing pop of yellow, the sweet baby girl and obviously the fuzzy softness makes me feel all cozy. Gorgeous image Shannon!
3. What inspired you to be a photographer?
Cliche but true- my boys! The instant my first son was born I truly understood what cameras were for.
4. How long was the transition from hobbyist to paid professional and how long have you officially been taking paid clients?
I was a hard core hobbyist with my own children for about a year, practiced with friends and relatives about 4 months until I was sure I could produce 20-30 images per session with correct exposure and technicals, and have been a paid professional for just over three years now.
5. What type of session do you look forward to the most (maternity, newborn, child, family, etc) and why?
A cooperative newborn! But I also enjoy photographing any willing and cooperative subject, :) but tend to get most excited by kids under about 4-5.
6. On average, how many sessions do you have a month?
8-12 is the goal!
7. What has been your most memorable session and why?
Every session has been memorable!
8. Are you formally taught or self taught? And what has been the best source of information along this journey (workshop, online forums, classroom, mentor, etc)?
Self taught. Hours and hours and hours shooting, reading, learning from mistakes, and then shooting some more! I have taken two workshops for newborn specific work and those were great, although I’d be VERY hesitant to take a workshop from any photographer unless you’re learning from the best in the business- there is a LOT of incorrect information being taught and shared.
9. What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?
I am most inspired by textures, tones and antiques!
10. Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
Nikon D3s and D700! Lens? Tough Question, but I think I’m actually going to say my 105 2.8 macro- a solid 40% of my newborn gallery is taken with that lens- and I love it outside for older kids as well. I’ve wanted the 85 1.4G for at least 18 months and can’t get my hands on one! I also use a 50 1.4G for almost all of my newborn sessions and a 35 1.4G for any wide angle newborn work.
11. RAW or jpg and why?
RAW- always. I love the added control I have over my images without damaging the file. I have my presets set up for each lens/ camera and it doesn’t add any additional time to my workflow, so it makes sense to me to have some fuddle room in post processing with raw images!
12. Do you use Lightroom, Photoshop, both or other?
Galleries are culled, edited, cropped and re-sized in Lightroom, then I run a batch for black and white conversions in Photoshop. Images for purchased for prints are fully edited and re-touched in Photoshop.
13. What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
Have a business PLAN, be technically sound before you accept money for your work, and find your own style and identity!
14. What is your favorite and least favorite part of owning your own photography business?
Favorite- Flexibility in scheduling and truly- I LOVE the “gift” I give clients- a memory captured forever and something to display that I HOPE will bring a smile to their face each and every day. The clients who truly understand the purpose of photos are just amazing to work with. Least Favorite- spending so much time at my computer with my back to my boys.
15. Who is the most inspirational photographer in your life?
No possible way to name just one- Baby as Art (Carrie Sandoval and Brittany Woodall,) Raye Law, Kristen Cook, Kerianne Brown, Mindy Harris. I also have been dabbling with film the last 6-9 months and love Becky Earl and Diana Palmer (Yan’s) work!
16. Do you see yourself as a photographer many years down the road?
Absolutely. Photography is my passion and is a journey with no ending!
17. And finally, please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
I try to be timeless. I LOVE images that are ‘forever’ images- ones where you will never know WHEN the image was taken- whether it was 30 years ago or now. I try to stay fairly organic, simple, and neutral and give my clients an image that they can display on any wall in their home and it will be gorgeous.
Now for a few fun questions:
1. what is your favorite food? Taco Dip
2. what is your favorite beverage? Cherry Coke
3. your favorite item of clothing? LOVE cardigans. Grey Cardigans are simply the best!
4. your go to pair of shoes? Flats!
5. what is one word you catch yourself saying too often? {{censored}} :)
Thank you Shannon for taking the time to share so many intimate details about your business and your imagery. I am excited to continue to watch you grow and produce more phenomenal work. We are honored to feature you on Learn Shoot Inspire today and we know that you will gain a huge following of fans after they read this. You truly are inspiring!