Her Story
About Shanel
Shanel Smith is a creative professional and entrepreneur with nearly 25 years of experience in photography and visual content production. She founded her own photography business and produces commercial, e-commerce, and editorial shoots for clothing brands, specializing in fashion, lifestyle, portraits, and product photography. Her educational background includes an associate degree in commercial photography and a B.A. in psychology, which she pursued after initially focusing on photography in high school at LaGuardia High School. She balances her entrepreneurial work with family life and contributes her photography skills to her church and Vision to Empower as a form of community service. Shanel emphasizes values of honesty and integrity in her work, drawing from lessons taught by a middle school teacher, and advises aspiring photographers to persist through challenges and learn product photography for greater creative flexibility.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shanel
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up even when times get hard with invoicing and such. Learn how to shoot products so you can be creative without dealing with people all the time, as there are more opportunities in product photography.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and integrity are key. A teacher Mr. O'Neill taught that your talents and skills build character but character can tear it down, so always move with integrity and don't run off on clients with their pictures. Listen to people's wants.
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