Today we’re excited to introduce you to Shannel Gray. Shannel is a Photographer and is also a content partner. Content partners help Voyage in so many ways from spreading the word about the work that we do, sponsoring our mission and collaborating with us on content like this. Check out our conversation with Shannel below.
Hi Shannel, so great to have you join us again. For folks who might have missed our earlier conversations, can you please take a minute to briefly introduce yourself?
Hello! My name is Shannel Gray. I am a sassy and outgoing mother of 2 kids, wife of 17 years to a wonderful man and my best friend. I am a Arkansas native and currently residing in the East Texas area. I am a 2014 graduate of University of Phoenix and a 2020 graduate of Devry University. I have always loved the medical field at heart and continue to work in administration as well as dipping into the patient side. My absolute love and passion is photography. I was introduced to photography in 2009 where I gained an inside look at the details of the life by working alongside a phenomenal photographer who became my mentor, Steve Newby. After months of sharing with him, I decided to step out on faith and start my own business in photography. I have been successfully growing in this business for 11yrs. I love the chance to create for people and be able to capture such memories that will last a lifetime for them. I have been nationally featured in magazines 5 times. God is the center of my business and I move in His vision and purpose for people. I love to bring what others may say is nothing to something! I specialize in family portraits, senior photography, bridals, and weddings.
Over the years, the harsh reality of life has hit us hard with Covid 19, racism, and other issues. How have you dealt with these issues in your business? How has it affected you and how have you dealt with these challenges?
Covid-19, May 2020 was a hard hitter for me, for a lot of people. The reality of graduations, school, vacations and just the norm seemed to come to a halt with no sense of return. Sadness seemed to have filled the air and all my clients had a sense of lost hope for their up and coming celebrations of whatever it may have been they were excited for. I had to find comfort for myself first in knowing that regardless of the current status, I had to keep the mindset that I would not be defeated in no form. I then kept reaching out to my current clients asking their plans and what exactly they wanted to do. I in turn had to have a plan to offer them that was within the governmental guidelines that would not break the law. I just kept shooting. I wore my mask, knew my boundaries and whoever trusted the process, I went forward with the plan at hand. It seemed crazy at the time, but I was determined to show that it could be done. I still had senior photography, we just got creative with our sessions, I was able to even take care of a couple of weddings that chose to move forward with smaller crowds and relocated to locations that made everyone feel most comfortable. I can say it was a challenge but I still pulled out ok financially and all. I was proud of myself and many complimented my perseverance.
How do you operate your business and maintain a normal life as a woman? Mom? Wife?
My life is crazy!! Many do not understand how I function, sleep or even have time for myself! As a woman, I feel we are built to take on more than just the normal tasks of life. We know what to do and how to do more than what we are expected to do. As a mom, I explained my vision of photography and my purpose to my children long time ago. They know my reason and why I push hard to make everything I have in life work. My children know this is an empire I am building for them to be proud of and to also have a hand in taking it to the next level long after I am gone or not able to carry the load. They help me, they cheer me on and in some ways they do their own editing and taking photos themselves. They ask me valid questions on how to do things which I do love. As a wife, my husband sees my vision and supports me in every way he can. He sees the fire in my heart and the desires I have for people. He hears my complaints, he hears my disappointments all the while still there holding my hand in the midst of it all. He gives me sound advice when needed. He sits up late with me as I edit to the wee hours of the mornings and encourage me to slow down and sometimes just say a simple no, not today. I am thankful to be able to show the strength and willingness to be able to do all of this plus maintain a full-time job and also complete 2 degrees during this season of my life in running my business. I am forever grateful for my family. I am grateful for God giving me constant strength to do what I need to do to stay successful in my craft.
What area of photography is your favorite? What is your least favorite?
The area I believe I love the most is senior photography. I love seeing these kids get excited about finishing their journey of high school and then too anticipating the journey ahead of their life and what is to come. I am also elated to just be an example in front of them while taking their photos that just as I was once there where they are and how its going now. I share my struggles, bad decisions, and also tell them how I was able to overcome them all and still stand to this day. My least favorite which I have not listed is babies and toddler photography. I always have said that there has to be a special love for children and baby photography. Patience is top key. I do have patience but also learning the angles and how to hold and prop babies is just a lot of work and takes a good bit of research. I like it when the kids have grown up a bit and is just moving around more and are able to listen too when spoken to. I do photograph kids time to time but not often.
Alright, so before we go, how can our readers connect with you to learn more and show support?
www.shaegrayphotography.com
www.facebook.com/ShaeGrayphotography
Instagram: shae4photography
Twitter: Shae4gray
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaegrayphotography.com
- Facebook: @ShaeGray Photography
- Twitter: @shaegrayphoto
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Tara Smith Photography
