Meet Shawna “Free” Thomas of Shots By Sian in Smyrna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna “Free” Thomas.

Thanks for sharing your story with us. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My father used to photograph my brother and me as kids and that is how I got introduced to photography. As I grew into my teens and early 20’s, I was introduced to the modeling industry. And now as a woman, I’ve changed the side of the camera that I’m on to capture life’s beautiful moments. We all see the world differently and I enjoy sharing my view. I get to kind of give someone a perspective on something that they may not have seen otherwise. It’s also become therapeutical for me, much like music. It’s a zone that feels comfortable, nonjudgmental and safe to me. I can be myself here. As a Gemini, I’m naturally gifted with various creative outlets. I used to write a lot and as I got older, I became more experienced in fluid acrylic painting and writing. I never do it for the money. These are all things that I’ve always been passionate about so it’s second nature to give it my all when I occupy my time creating.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Man, where do I start? I’ve always had to struggle with people thinking that I had it like that because of the way I looked and carried myself. I’ve always been a strong woman but I worked so so hard to get here. (Mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, & financially.) I didn’t meet my real mother until my senior year in high school and I’ve never met my biological father. My real father raped my mother and this is how I was conceived. This caused a feeling of displacement the majority of my childhood and young adult life. I was fortunate to have an amazing father who raised me as his own and has contributed greatly to the woman I’ve become. I love him so much. He’s my hero.

I was raped my freshman year in college and that was a major turning point in my life. I hated the way I felt and attempted suicide. I know how that feels. I know what it’s like. And I vowed to never feel that low again. I’m so very thankful that I survived. Here I am years later such a solid and confident woman. I’m proud of my survival.

Just like any other young adult, you learn by making the mistakes of life. You befriend the wrong people. You stay in relationships that aren’t conducive to your growth. You make bad decisions and mismanage money. I’ve always said that my 20’s is where I made all of my mistakes and my 30’s is where I applied all the lessons that I learned from making those mistakes. It’s ok to make mistakes. That’s how we learn. Just be sure that your learning from those mistakes so that the pain you experienced will not be in vain.

I’ve been homeless. I stuck it out and work my tail off and overcame that situation. This was an experience where I learned who my true friends were. And soon came to realize that I had very very few.

I’ve escaped an extremely abusive relationship. I literally left everything I owned to get away from here. I knew that if I didn’t leave she was going to kill me. I’m glad I did. That road to recovery was a really hard one but one thing I can say is I’m so much stronger from it.

I’m thankful for all of my struggles. They made me the woman I am today.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I shoot photography. I don’t have a specific type of photography that I cater to, but to give you an idea I’ve shot weddings, events, headshots for portfolios, candids (which are my favorites ) and landscapes. It started out as a hobby. People started noticing and asked me to shoot them and so I took the opportunity. It’s important to me that the subject be as comfortable as humanly possible. You can capture discomfort in pictures and I’ve been there before. It’s such an awkward feeling. If possible, I have music playing to kind of take the edge off and set the tone.

I would say I’m most known for my loyalty and genuine heart. When I work with someone it’s important to me that I capture not only the visual but the actual FEELINGS that the viewers may not experience. My prices are very fair and reasonable and I’m easy to get along with. Most of my business has been from word of mouth.

I don’t see many female photographers and I think that this is one thing that sets me apart from the photography industry. I’ve been told that I have influenced other female photographers to tap into their gifts and that makes me feel good. I think we, as women, have a completely different set of eyes then the male photography population. No offense fellas but we all know you tend to focus on women’s physical attributes more than anything else. Many female models feel like they have to show skin to make it in the modeling industry. I was one of those women. Ladies, you’re beautiful. Never sell yourselves short of a Queen.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My inspiration has always come from my experience of life…..things that I have witnessed & survived and the lessons I’ve learned from them.

Most recently, we lost an amazing man that was such a huge blessing to his community and culture; Rest in Peace Nipsey Hussle. My current inspiration and motivation comes from him and him alone. He is the only person, outside, of my father who I have been inspired by. I, along with countless others, have been affected by his life and his tragic death in a huge way…..in a way that I cannot really put into words. Nipsey has made me feel like I can accomplish anything, and to keep trying, no matter how many times I might fail. I study him and I’ve learned so much from him. I have a high level of respect everything that he’s done, the legacy that he’s left and the manner in which he did it. How much respect he had in his community across the board just amazes me. The inspiration that I get from him, it doesn’t come from like being in the same artistic realm, but more so of the drive that he had as the path that he created. The example that he left has been extremely inspiring to me and a lot of times when I’m dealing with my craft, I’m thinking about my future as far as business and product and success. I studied him and how he did things and I almost, you know, almost feel like I don’t want to let him down like I can push just as he did I did it.

My dad would have been the part of my younger inspiration. He’s the one who introduced photography to me … he was shooting my brother and I had a very young age.

My crafts are a healing method for me. A place where I can dump all of my emotions, both good and bad, and make something out of them. My crafts are therapeutical for me and always have been.

I’m inspired by people being their genuine selves. I love to take candid pictures and am drawn to real raw feelings, whether that be happy, sad, excitement, you know, betrayal, whatever it is. I like to capture emotion so I love to take pictures of things that happen naturally. If I’m able to convey that to my viewers then I’ve done my job.

If someone asked me today what inspires me in my crafts, I’d say “The experience is life”.

“The highest human act is to inspire” – Nipsey Hussle.

This one’s for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.instagram.com/Shawna_So_Foreign

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