Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheila Stephens
Hi Sheila, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Since discovering I was going to be a mom and was pregnant with my first child, I’ve always had a camera in my hand. Back then, I used disposable film cameras, eagerly taking tons of photos and anxiously waiting a week to see what I had captured. My journey into a full-time photography career began in 2016, shortly after I decided to homeschool my children. While seeking extracurricular activities for them, my son got the opportunity to assist the media team at church. He was given a camera on Sunday mornings and mentored by the lead photographer on using it in manual mode. The media team’s guidance ignited his passion for photography. Every time he came home, he excitedly shared what he had learned: exposure, light, shadows, settings. “Mama, I really want to save my money and get a DSLR soon,” he would say almost daily. His enthusiasm was infectious. As he shared his new photos and editing techniques, I began to wonder if I would enjoy photography too. Eventually, I bought him his first Canon Rebel T5, and five months later, I got one for myself. What began as a hobby soon turned into a potential business opportunity. However, already working full-time as a salon owner and hairstylist, I couldn’t consider it then. So, I kept photography as a hobby.
Fast forward to 2022, when I visited the beautiful state of Montana. Hiking through the mountains gave me a new perspective on what was truly important. I felt the urge to purge anything from my life that didn’t bring happiness or benefit our future. We decided to downsize, sell everything, and move closer to my family, whom I had been away from since 2008. This decision meant letting go of the salon and returning to “Corporate America.” During my job search, a friend desperately needed a wedding photographer for her Austin wedding in two months. Knowing how hard it would be for her to find someone, I took the gig. This turned out to be a pivotal moment in my photography journey. During the portrait session, the bride walked alongside me, questioning why I wasn’t doing photography professionally. She praised my work and how comfortable I made everyone feel. She encouraged me to reconsider photography as a career. Her words stuck with me, and after discussing it with my supportive husband, I decided to pursue it seriously. I officially created my LLC in June 2023, and my photography business began to take shape.
I am grateful to my son for teaching me the basics, Coles Classroom for filling in the technical gaps, my husband for his unwavering support, my mentor Johnny Guerrero and my wonderful clients who trust me with their memories. As a recovered meth addict who has come close to losing my life, I understand the importance of living in the now and capturing and documenting as many memories as possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Obstacles and challenges? What are those? Haha. I’ve definitely faced a few struggles. One major obstacle has been learning the business side of things—bookkeeping, marketing, networking, all of it. That stuff scares me. But I’m learning to face my fears, and I’m actually starting to enjoy it. “Do it scared,” they say, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
I also deal with Imposter Syndrome. Look it up, the struggle is real. Everyday I have to look in the mirror and say to myself “I’m a photographer” out loud, so that it doesn’t sound so weird when I say it out in public.
Another current challenge is relocating to a different city while building my business. Marketing to two different cities, traveling back and forth to build new client relationships while maintaining returning clients—it’s exhausting sometimes. But I know it will be worth it in the end.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What do I do? Mostly, I take the shots! I’m primarily a portrait photographer and I love one-on-one sessions, whether it’s boudoir, senior graduates, or maternity. I cherish the connection with my clients—it starts off like having coffee with a new friend and by the end, it feels like catching up with an old one. Getting to know my clients on a personal level really shows in the photos.
I’m trying hard not to be a wedding photographer, but it seems like people keep throwing deposits at me for weddings. While I do enjoy them, they are physically demanding. At nearly 50, my body feels the strain. My dream is to specialize in boudoir photography, but sometimes, like choosing a dog to adopt, the specialty picks you. For me, that specialty is senior portraits—specifically, creative senior portraits. Many students come to me saying they want something different and fun, not the typical senior photos. I’ve had students lay in the ocean and even request photo shoots in a cemetery.
This is why I prioritize getting to know my clients before the session. Even a five-minute Zoom call or FaceTime helps us connect. It allows my clients to feel comfortable with me as a real person, ensuring their session will go well because we’ve done the groundwork during the “get to know you” call.
Another thing that sets me apart is my calling to encourage youth and young adults. My husband and I have always felt led to volunteer and work with this age group, mostly through church but also by providing one-on-one guidance to a few, whom we call our adopted children. This history has helped me connect better with this age group, naturally making senior portraits my specialty.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Integrity is most important to me. Making decisions in my business and life in general with integrity is first priority. Consistency is also important. Consistency in how I treat my clients, how I manage their product and how I make them feel even after the job is complete. If I can portray these two things in my business, sky’s the limit.
Pricing:
- Portrait Sessions: $250-$450
- Wedding Photography: $1750 – $3750
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sheilastephensphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheilastephensphotography?igsh=c3Zud2IxZHVqdTJn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheilastephensphotography?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Portraits: Sheila Stephens
Headshot Image: Eric Larkin
