Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaina Walker.
Shaina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started dabbling in Photography in 2014. At the time, I was attending college at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. One day, my favorite professor was telling the class how he purchased a video camera in order to gain media access to sporting events. It dawned on me that I wanted to do the same but instead with music. I later went out and purchased a cheap DSLR camera. I self-taught myself and also got some basic training from YouTube tutorials. I started off just shooting events that were going on at my college campus. It didn’t take long for me to get tired of that. A friend of mine was a club promoter and DJ. I saw that he posted a flyer that rapper Wale was coming to town. I quickly text my friend and asked if he’d be okay with me bringing my camera and shooting the event. My friend agreed and it was that night that I realized I had a passion for concert photography. I really wasn’t good at all when I first started but I was willing to put in the work to get better. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to shoot for some of today’s biggest artist and publications. I’ve gotten a lot of “no’s” along the way. I still get “no’s” but the only difference now is I’ve learned how to form meaningful relationships. Instead of just trying to reach an artist, I’ve learned the foundation is about forming a relationship with their management teams. Since doing so, I have met all types of people within the entertainment industry.
In 2016, I moved back to California. I’m originally from the Bay Area, Berkeley to be exact. While there I was able to reconnect with an old high school classmate. My friend was working within the television and film industry at the time. She invited me to come to Los Angeles for the summer to explore the city and learn about the film industry. I had the opportunity to work with Nickelodeon and other major networks during that time. Since then I’ve continued working within film and have worked on over 4 major feature films and television shows. Some of which have yet to be released. I’m not exactly where I want to be but I’ve found my happy medium between Photography and Film.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been far from a smooth road. I’ve been through a lot more than I could fit in this interview. One of the most challenging struggles has been proving myself worthy in a male-dominated industry. It is not easy being a woman working in a male-dominated industry, especially for a woman of color. There have been countless times when I have been overlooked or simply ignored because of my gender. I’ve had male artists tell me that they would not be willing to work with me because I would not be able to handle the lifestyle. It was extremely hard for me to learn how to use my voice. I’m super laid back and over time I noticed how that can sometimes be a negative trait. Now, when I enter a room, I never feel like I’m not supposed to be there. I never feel like people won’t notice me or overlook me for the other male creatives in the room. I found the boss within myself and anyone who’s come in contact with me professionally can see that. I make sure to command respect but also make sure those around me know I’m there with a purpose.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about HyerPriority – what should we know?
I am a creative. I try not to box myself in as just a Photographer anymore because I do so many different things now. One day I might be shooting a music festival and the next I might be on a set of a commercial, TV show or movie. I’m very versatile and I adapt quickly. My confidence and work ethic are what sets me apart from others. Anyone who has worked on set with me knows how serious I am about getting things done the right way. From the Director to the cast, I make sure everyone has a pleasant and memorable experience working with me. I believe that is why I’ve been able to do so much in the last few years. Making solid connections is always my number one priority.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My reputation is what is most important to my success. I take my reputation very serious. I never want to work with somebody and they walk away with a negative experience. I take pride in knowing I made an artist feel comfortable. I never want to be that photographer that is just shoving a camera in somebody’s face. Even when I’m working closely with an A-list actor on set, I never want to treat them as such. I treat everyone like a normal person and I think that is what sets me apart from a lot of people. I don’t kiss up to people, I just treat everyone with respect and always keep it cool.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shainawalker.com
- Email: shotbyshaina@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hyerpriority
Image Credit:
Shaina Walker
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