Today we’d like to introduce you to Shari Mooney.
Shari, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My passion for photography began with the gift of my first camera. My grandfather “the photography buff” who has traveled the world, had a camera collection like none other, it was jaw droppingly amazing! I’m not kidding, picture an entire room floor to ceiling with cameras, lenses, memorabilia, you name it and that was his collection! He was the one to give me my first camera and I’m convinced that it was in this moment that my pursuit and love of photography was instilled over fifteen years ago. From there, I’ve pursued my career endlessly, from being the yearbook editor when I was in high school to having a collaborative business with my best friend during my college days, to pursuing my own professional photography brand a few years ago. It’s honestly the love of the art and having the opportunity to serve others that has brought me to where I am today. I’ve built my brand around the love and passion I have for what I do and the people that I get to serve, which ultimately translates into the experience that my clients have with me and the imagery I capture. In turn this has continued to build my business, as my clients have entrusted me in telling their story through my lens.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think it goes without saying that owning a business is like riding a rollercoaster, you have your highs and you have your lows. It’s even more so with being a creative entrepreneur, pursuing a business in an artistic industry, as art is subjective. But I believe there’s beauty in the struggle, because that means there’s growth. Being in a highly saturated industry, my start wasn’t easy, I would put myself out there, sending out emails offering to work for free, to carry bags and hold reflectors, just so I could learn. Most days, I wouldn’t even receive an answer back, which felt worse than a “no”, but in hindsight I realized that those opportunities weren’t meant for me at that time and determination and passion for my trade has kept me going. I’ve struggled with comparison at the different levels and stages in business that others were in, wishing, praying to one day be where they are and feeling alone in my business. But I’ve learned that growth, both personally and in business takes time and building relationships with others, through gained trust and being a part of a something bigger than yourself, it takes being part of a community. Community based groups like the Rising Tide Society and their local Tuesdays Together chapters have definitely helped me in many of these struggles I’ve experienced, as they promote “Community over Competition”. It’s through groups like this, that I’ve connected with other amazing creatives and business owners who have not only been wonderful to collaborate and work with, but have been amazing mentors and where I have found some of my closest friends, both personally and in business.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Shari Anne Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
Shari Anne Photography is a photography brand for the romantic at heart. Based in San Diego and serving clients worldwide, specializing in wedding and portrait photography through a fine art and photojournalistic approach. You’ve asked me what the brand is known for and what I’m most proud of as a company, and I would have to say my brand is well known for the heart behind it and the passion and emotion that is translated through the imagery, as well as the love of serving couples and their families. I’m proud to tell you, that my client’s experience is one of a kind, because of the significance behind the images and the story each has to tell. For photography allows us to freeze a moment, that would otherwise be lost with time and it allows us to share these moments with the generations yet to come. My photojournalistic approach as a photographer is not only to authentically tell stories through my lens, but to capture the genuine essence of who my clients are, as I believe in conserving the memories that our lives are built upon.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think we are definitely bound to see many significant changes in the wedding photography industry over the next 5-10 years, from shooting and editing styles to top brands and more. Brides five years from now are going to favor different things than today’s Bride, just like you and I favor different things than our mothers did when they were our age. I mean just take a look at the shift over the past year or two on your Pinterest boards and what brands you follow on social media today compared to 5 years ago. Trends tend to translate heavily over to what our clientele is ultimately searching for, so the industry from my viewpoint is rapidly changing, and I think this allows for a variety of styles to fit every couple’s vision for their wedding. With that said, I also believe that the “Classic” wedding style will always be a timeless focal point and pillar in the industry as the trends change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shariannephotography.com/
- Email: info@shariannephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shariannephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shariannephotography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shariannephotog
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shari-anne-photography-san-diego
Image Credit:
Head shot: Jenna Joseph Photography
Shari Anne Photography
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