Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Falls.
Hi Shawn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a child, I always had an eye for spotting precious moments. In school as a senior, I bought several disposable Kodak Cameras and spent the year capturing all of my friends and teachers before graduation. I still have those photos and reflect on them at times. Fast forward to my 21st birthday. I stood in line for Black Friday for my first Digital Camera. This camera was special because the bulk of the pictures I have of my mother came from that camera. Along with my brother, they both passed in 2015. My cousin was graduating college in 2016 and asked me if I knew a professional photographer. I contacted my friend to shoot her and the first thing he asked was why won’t I do it. He even let me hold his camera to do it. It was successful. My thoughts after that shoot was that I don’t have enough pictures of my mama and brother, but I’m capturing beautiful memories of my family that I have left. It feels good and rewarding. Then I wanted to do it for other families. I hadn’t put the camera down yet. Today I have Visions By Shawn Photography LLC and I’m building memories for folks everywhere I go.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. When I started I didn’t have an entrepreneur bone in my body. Finding my customer was tough. Learning how to market was hard. Learning how to protect myself and my business with policies and procedures was tough. More because I had to get burned to learn those lessons. But I’m glad I did. When there was a dry season, learning how to sustain and bring business to myself was a challenge. Not giving up when things get hard. I had a natural talent but I wanted to have the knowledge of a photographer. I taught myself everything with lighting, terminology, and equipment. That was hard. This last year has been the most successful because I’ve used these obstacles to my advantage and stayed true to myself.
As you know, we’re big fans of Visions By Shawn Photography Pro LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I remember when I used to do full-blown photography shoots for $40. People thought I was crazy. It was then I knew what would set me apart from others. Not an ounce of what I do is money-driven or money motivated. I do it all for the love of photography. I absolutely love being able to capture a precious piece of time and deliver that heart-felt moment to another person or family. I understood that if focused on those things, money will come. And My business has been blessed. I specialize and I’m known for always capturing the perfect moment. The kiss at the wedding, the bride’s face as the groom recites his vows, a grandmother kissing her grand-baby at a party, a couple celebrating their 1st or 20th anniversary, and families who hadn’t had photos taken in years. I’m there to catch all of the sweet moments. All the reviews and testimonies I get on my site and social media all have one thing in common. And it’s one thing that I’m truly Proud of. They speak on my customer service. I spent years doing customer service in call centers, front desks, doctor’s offices and stores. What I loved about it was the customer interaction. I wanted folks to always feel valued. No company book taught me that. It’s me in every aspect of my life. I take pride in. The customers always let me or my manager know. So to see and hear these reviews about my customer service for my own business makes me beyond proud.
When and if you ever use Visions By Shawn, just know that I am just as in love with the moment you want to be captured as you are. And when you look back at your pictures you will definitely feel it.
Visions By Shawn Photography Pro offers photography for Weddings, Family portraits, Events, Business or brand shoots, couples, and children’s photography.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’m often told I have an old Soul. It’s because growing up I was always around older people. My mother had me at 40 years old. My brother was 20 years older than me and my sister was ten years older… I spent a lot of time with family and playing outside with cousins and friends from the neighborhood. Basketball and football were the go to’s. I spent all too of my time alone as well. In my room playing with toys. wrestling men and dragon ball z were my favorites. I loved art. I spent a lot of time drawing and writing and making music. I still do all of the things today by the way. That was the sunny side of things. My stepfather was abusive to my mother and on drugs. I have seen it all and heard it all. At school and at church I was to myself or with a few select friends. I never told folks about what went on a home. I spoke the good things. I often made up stories or talked about someone else’s life to seem exciting or special. I didn’t see the light in myself as a child. But I always treated people nice because of the way my moms was treated. I was always looking to make someone laugh or smile. I see people now who used to get bullied in school or often had a hard time, and they tell me how they appreciate me because I was always nice to them. I was a nice kid.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.visionsbyshawn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visionsbyshawn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visionsbyshawn/
Image Credits
All credit to Visions By Shawn Photography Pro LLC
