Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon May Brown.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a wedding and portrait photographer based in California with a big heart for travel. When I’m not behind the camera, I’m writing cool technical documentation, at home in my pajamas volunteering for Crisis Text Line, traveling with my boyfriend Dani or exploring the outdoors. I also bake (and eat!) a lot of desserts — it’s my favorite food group!
I started photographing portraits when I was 15. Like many starting photographers, I saved up every penny I could to purchase a point-and-shoot Nikon camera. That summer, I photographed everything and anything I could. After starting (and then deleting) a Facebook photography page and then deciding that I wasn’t ‘good enough’ to charge people, I decided to let go of my photography dreams.
It wasn’t until I was a freshman in college, eager to get in touch with my passions, that I re-discovered my love for photography. I saved up my money to buy my first DSLR camera and began photographing senior portraits to help cover the cost of college expenses. Since starting my business at age nineteen, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph and meet amazing couples and seniors. I couldn’t be more grateful for this job!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I mentioned earlier that I let go of my dreams to be a photographer for a few years when I felt as if I wasn’t “good enough” compared to other photographers in my area. This was a huge mistake! I wish I could go back then and tell myself that I AM ENOUGH and my worth isn’t valued on how many likes I get or how many clients I book in a year! It is easy to play the comparison game and get sidetracked by what other people are doing in the industry. However, remember that you have a unique voice and there is no-one out there like you — use that to your advantage.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with (my business name is my name!) – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in weddings and portraits with a special place in my heart for high school and college seniors — those sessions are my jam! My business runs on two principles, kindness & creativity, and I am passionate about making my business inclusive to all genders, bodies, races, socio-economic classes and abilities. A few examples as to how I am living out those principles include image description text in my Instagram posts so that people who use screen readers can still enjoy my content and offering free senior sessions to students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford portraits. I believe small things like this can make a huge difference for our community and I am passionate about making this world a more inclusive place for everyone!
I aim to help my clients see their beauty. With constant influence from advertisements and social media, people are told they need to look a certain way or be a certain size. Well, not in my business! I believe all bodies are beautiful and body inclusivity is important to me and my work. I hope that every client leaves our session together feeling inspired, empowered and beautiful.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Remember that a career is a marathon, not a sprint! It is so easy to get carried away in thinking about all the things you want to do NOW. However, I challenge you to set smaller goals that help you work towards your bigger goals rather than getting overwhelmed by all the things. Realize success doesn’t happen overnight –you have to work for it (but also make sure you are having fun and taking care of yourself along the way!)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shannonmaybrown.com
- Email: shannonmaybrownphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonmaybrown/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonmaybrown/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shannonmaybrown
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/shannonmayb/
Image Credit:
Photo of me: Shannon Zurawski
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