Today we’d like to introduce you to Shari Thompson.
Shari, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been bucking against being an artist for almost ten years now.
My original plan was to go straight to law school (this may still be in the cards!), and live peacefully as an entertainment lawyer. But after diving head-first into a BFA in Theatre Performance, I realized I wanted to be the artist I sought to represent. I wanted to be the one influencing the masses, I wanted to be a “sign of the times.”
It hasn’t been easy in the least, but I have finally accepted that I will be creating things for the rest of my life. I don’t think I have the capacity to stop: I act, take photos, write, dabble in calligraphy, etc. And I do it all: I act, I’m a photographer, I write, I dabbled in calligraphy, etc., etc. Try as I might, I will always find my way back to some artistic medium–it’s my way of life.
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not. The biggest struggle I’ve encountered is simply conducting business as a creative.
When it comes to business, people are used to paying for a product that they know will be quick, efficient, and consistent. That’s why fast food is so lucrative. But art is the antithesis of this business model: sometimes it takes a while, it can be very sporadic, and incredibly fickle. I have burned many a bridge trying to be a perfectionist, much to my chagrin…
As a creative businesswoman, I have found it helpful to understand that it is up to me to bridge this gap; it is up to me to produce a consistent product with a unique flair. This concept might seem a bit foolish to some, but as an artist your work is personal. Each piece of work carries a piece of you. But as a creative businesswoman, it’s imperative that you find a way to navigate both waters simultaneously; a way to ensure that you have a well-oiled machine that cares.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As an actor/personality, you can find me here: @sharithompsonnn.
As a photographer/writer/etc., you can find me here: @bysharialisha.
Most people know me for my photography. I have been following people around for as long as I can remember in an attempt to create memories as vivid as my father. He is responsible for some of my favorite photos ever, which are of me as a child. I just want to see the world the way he saw me when I was growing up.
I never in a million years thought I would be getting paid to take photos of other people. That began in college when some friends needed headshots for auditions, and I truly feel honored to keep being invited to document moments or curate headshots. It’s truly surreal.
I think the thing that sets me apart from other brands is the fact that I’m not afraid to say that I do it all. Snapping photos is what led me to act, and acting has strengthened my ability to snap photos. I can go on and on about these services. People ask me all the time why I don’t focus on one, and the answer is this: I can’t! The skills evolve as I evolve, why should I have to choose?
Anyway, I’m in the midst of launching a podcast, a web series, a makeup YouTube, a travel vlog, and challenging myself as a conceptual photographer to see how that improves my graphic design abilities. It’s daunting, but I’m ready!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I believe the biggest barrier in female leadership is the same barrier women have been facing since the beginning of time: NO ONE BELIEVES WE CAN DO THIS ON OUR OWN.
We can. We can build a whole human for nine months on our own, so we can certainly build a business from the ground up on. our. own. Especially with our acute attention to detail. It’s my personal belief that if you let women perform to their full capacity, nothing will slide. That’s the way it should be: Do it right or do it right. I can see how that could be a problem…
Pricing:
- Headshots for Actors (Standard Session): $400.00
- Headshots for Actors (Mini Session): $225.00
- Editorial/Lifestyle (Standard Session): $350.00
- Editorial/Lifestyle (Mini Session): $200.00
Contact Info:
- Website: sharialisha.com
- Email: info@sharialisha.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharithompsonnn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bysharialisha/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharithompsonnn
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/bysharialisha/
Image Credit:
Copyright © Shari A. Thompson Creative, LLC
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