Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Thomas.
Hi Shelby, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Growing up, I wasn’t the most artistic person when it came to drawing or painting (I’m 26 years old and my stick figures still aren’t as good as a 5-year old’s). I really wanted to find a way to express my creative side and ended up loving the musical side of art. I played the flute from the age of 10 to 18 and picked up a little bit of the guitar when I was 16. When I started my freshman year of college, I really wanted to find a new creative outlet.
In 2014, I was back home in New York for summer break after my first year of undergrad and I decided to pick up my family’s DSLR (Canon Rebel T3i to be exact) and started to play around with it. I was very intrigued and fell in love with it so I picked up photography solely as a hobby. Both of my best friends “modeled” for me that summer and I was able to get some experience with taking photos of people and started to learn about the editing process. I picked up the camera here and there over the next couple of years and took photos of my friends and their families for fun.
At the end of 2018, two of my friends convinced me to make an Instagram page for my photos. I only followed a few of my close friends and would post random photos that I took when I had the chance. Fast forward to the Summer of 2020, more people came across my page and wanted to hire me for their grad photos, party photos, family photos, and so on. I never intended on creating a business, but with the support and encouragement of the community around me, Shelby Thomas Photography was officially launched.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With any path we take in life, there are always going to be obstacles that stand in the way of our success. During the time I was starting to build my business, I was also a full-time doctoral student trying to complete my requirements for graduation which was a whole separate struggle and stressor of its own. I was mentally and emotionally burnt out from school and it was really difficult to balance school and photography at the same time. At the start of 2021, I decided to stop putting all of my energy and effort into the business so I could 1) take care of my mental health 2) focus on school and graduate 3) avoid complete burnout/resenting photography, and quitting for good. Although things slowed down, I don’t regret making that decision at all because it helped me accomplish all of my goals, and now, I am able to focus on building up my business again. An added bonus, I was able to prioritize my mental and emotional health.
There were internal struggles as well such as imposter syndrome, learning the technical side of the business world, minimizing burnout, and having a healthy work-life balance. Do I still struggle with these factors? Of course, but with the support of my family, friends, clients, and community, I am able to move forward and have more confidence in myself and in my work.
This journey has been rocky to say the least but in the best way possible because I have been able to learn and grow every single day. I’ve also encountered and worked with the most wonderful people and I am very excited to pursue new opportunities in the future.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Shelby Thomas Photography has granted me the opportunity to express my creative side and to bring my client’s vision to life. I love that photos can showcase each client’s beauty not just externally, but also internally through their unique personalities, the love they share with their significant other, and the strong and fun bond between family members.
I mainly specialize in graduate, couple, and family portraits because it is where I am the most comfortable in and I am trying to perfect all the elements that go into these sessions as best as I can. I am hoping to expand my horizons to more events and eventually weddings in the near future.
I’m most proud of taking risks and opportunities that I thought I would never take. I’ve struggled with anxiety ever since I was a little girl and I continue to struggle to the point where I am too anxious to say “yes”. to certain inquiries, which ultimately stunts my personal growth and my business. Recently, I have been trying to take on whatever I can and not allow the anxiety and fear to hold me back.
I’ve learned that the only person holding you back is you. You are your only limit. Whatever you have your mindset on, go for it. It only takes one “yes” or a small step forward to make progress and eventually get to where you want to be. It’s going to take hard work, patience, and time but trust me, you WILL get there. I can guarantee it. So, keep pushing, keep hustling, and keep grinding. Don’t forget to cheer yourself on and to surround yourself with people who will support you and speak life into what you are doing.
What matters most to you? Why?
At the end of the day, I have a heart for people and I just want to make them happy. Seeing my clients happy, excited, and laughing makes me all warm and giddy inside and it makes me realize how much I really love taking photos.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@shelbythomasphotos.com
- Website: www.shelbythomasphotos.com
- Instagram: shelbythomasphotography
Image Credits:
Shelby Thomas Photography
