Today we’d like to introduce you to Shunta Etheridge.
Hi Shunta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always had a love for photography since I was little. I had a camera in my hand all the time just taking pictures of friends and family just to get them developed to have and look back on memories. As time passed and I started to have kids I took pictures to make scrapbooks and it became a big hobby of mine. Everyone was always talking about how I should do photography and showcase the talent, but I just let it bypass me and just continued to take pictures as a hobby. It really wasn’t until my kids were in high school that it really crossed my mind to do this as a part of my living, why not it was something that I loved and was passionate about, so I decided to give it a try. I took my kids’ high school pictures, and I loved it. I took my daughter’s sweet 16 pictures, and she got a lot of feedback about them and that was when my idea for it all came to life. O decided to get a team together, and I built a rep team of high schoolers who wanted to take part in a program where they could get pictures taken all year long, get a free birthday shoot catered to them, and their liking, group meet-ups, and at the end of the program, they would also have the option to buy a magazine filled with the memories. Not to mention get a chance to get featured in all shorts of public senior magazines and published worldwide. It turned into even more for me when I was always told how I helped build up so much confidence in them and helped them to see who they are and not who other people wanted to see them. That became my passion. I was getting reviews from parents thanking me for helping them build that confidence up and I loved it. Now my photography turned into more than just a passion for seniors and teens, but it also became a passion of building confidence. That meant a lot to me because growing up I didn’t have the confidence, so to build it up and teach it was big. That was when I also decided to add a small modeling part to it called confidence over doubt. My teens and seniors get to model in this and raise funds and even can have shirts and stuff added with their pictures for family and friends to help support them. My team became my family and till this day we still have contact even after they have graduated, and some started a family. It’s a beautiful thing, and I absolutely love it. Photography became something bigger to me than just taking pictures for them. It became a huge meaning of coming together and loving one another for who they are no matter what shape, size, or height. Everyone is beautiful and made in their own unique way and that’s what I wanted to showcase.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It really wasn’t a struggle at all except at the beginning to try and build a small team. The most part was talking to the parents, but that went really well once I started to explain what my vision was for them
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The thing that sets me apart from others is what I strive for, not normal senior pictures in a cap and gown but to showcase who they are and what they love to do. It’s all about them; it’s their day. Now don’t get me wrong, we try to get some of those things that the parents want to, but it’s mostly about the seniors and bringing out them!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Marking my clients feel comfortable and welcomed. When they are comfortable in front of the camera, they are their best selves, and it shows in the photos.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pinklillyphotography456754219.wordpress.com/?fbclid=PAAaZAOXgXsr1ufby0X0O-Nh-7h48rnmPCw0Gei1wCPKVnaNk4Z9-7odl1LAk_aem_AWrNuNd2UhMBMijGMpoomqIkRCeQk0AJZdOvOpcBzi3AdR0Eg0x482qqpj4rPAebwlQ
- Instagram: pink_Lilly_Photography
Image Credits
Lilly photography
