Today we’d like to introduce you to Folashade Akande.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I graduated college in June 2014 and landed a corporate job immediately after. Since then, I’ve built my professional career in the corporate space, and in 2018, I stepped into people leadership. Leading teams sharpened my ability to communicate, stay organized, manage high pressure situations, and support people through growth and change. These are skills that later became surprisingly relevant in my creative work.
For the last year or so, I debated creating content around my life and experiences, but I’m a fairly private person, so I never fully took the leap. I admired creators and storytellers from afar, but stayed on the sidelines quietly paying attention, learning, and imagining what could be.
Everything shifted in July 2025 when my husband started a DJ business. I began attending his gigs with him to record content and help promote his brand. Very quickly, I realized how much I loved being at events, capturing moments, and turning real time experiences into engaging reels and visual stories.
Just like that, ShadeShotMedia was born in September 2025.
What started as something fun to do on the weekends organically evolved. I began receiving bookings, word started spreading, and before I knew it, this creative outlet became something much bigger and something I am genuinely passionate about. Today, ShadeShotMedia allows me to combine creativity, storytelling, and purpose while capturing some of the most meaningful moments in people’s lives.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, the journey has been fairly smooth when it comes to receiving bookings and delivering for clients. The biggest challenges have shown up in moments where things don’t go as planned. For example, a situation where a shoot that was expected to last 45 minutes suddenly got condensed into 10. Learning how to adapt quickly in those moments, while still delivering quality work, has required me to loosen my perfectionist tendencies and stay flexible under pressure.
Another adjustment has been learning how to soften my communication style. Having spent the last 12 years in the corporate space and in people leadership since 2018, I naturally carry a very structured and business forward way of communicating. In creative spaces and events, I’ve had to be more relaxed and personable, which has been an important and valuable shift.
On top of that, I am a mother to three toddlers under the age of four, while also working full time and building a business. Juggling motherhood, a corporate career, and entrepreneurship has been eye opening and demanding, but it has also strengthened me. Each time I rise to the occasion, it reinforces my confidence and reminds me that I am capable of handling more than I once imagined.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the founder of ShadeShotMedia, a creative brand specializing in event, brand, and vendor content creation. My focus is capturing candid, behind the scenes moments that feel real, emotional, and modern, creating content that clients can enjoy immediately and cherish long term.
I am known for helping clients feel comfortable and seen. My approach is calm, intentional, and detail oriented, which allows people to stay present while I document moments they may not even realize are happening. I specialize in storytelling that feels organic and natural, rather than overly staged or forced.
What I am most proud of is the trust my clients place in me during important moments and key milestones for their celebrations, brands, and businesses. Being invited into those spaces and trusted to capture their vision is something I do not take lightly.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend structure with creativity. I understand timelines, expectations, and the flow of live events, while still delivering content that feels spontaneous, personal, and aligned with each client’s unique voice.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is the day I arrived in the United States from Nigeria with my mom, sister, and brother. My dad had already been living in the U.S. for two years after leaving Nigeria when I was five. We were very close before he left, and I missed him every single day.
When we finally walked off the plane and saw my dad waiting for us, I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of joy. Seeing him again after so much time apart is a moment I will never forget, and it will always be one of the best days of my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/shadeshotmedia
