Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon D. Wyatt.
Shannon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Ever since I was younger, I was always fascinated with looking at photos, either our own photos, visiting friends or in magazines and history books. My Mother, my maternal aunt and grandfather all enjoyed photography as a hobby and I remembered them always having a camera in their hand. When I was in 6th grade, I received my first point and shoot camera and I was sold! When I was a junior in high school, I took my first flight to England and many people complimented my photos from the trip. They told me I should consider photography. I never took them seriously and as I got older, more and more people informed me I should consider it. My senior year in college, I traveled to Kisumu, Kenya (East Africa) and it was there when I fell in love with taking photos. I finally started to take it seriously. I purchased an SLR camera and started some photo sessions for fun. I later purchased a DSLR camera and learned photography by trial and error. It wasn’t until 5 years later, when I purchased a newer DSLR, I went to my friend’s house to photograph her kids, and at that moment I knew I wanted to specialize as a child portraiture. I eventually branched into the newborn world where I continued to learn photography on my own. I created S.D. Wyatt Photography in 2011.
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?
Not a smooth road at all! Many newborn photos look so easy and it is not easy at all. The first newborn session I attempted, I cried the whole car ride home because it wasn’t “as easy as it looked.” I took a newborn workshop about a year later with a friend where I continued studying and learning more about babies, technique and practice. Somehow everything worked out. It also wasn’t easy because this was meant as a side business for me. I was a full time athletic trainer at a local high school with crazy hours and long weekends. It made booking clients a little difficult at times. But, by the grace of God, everything worked out. I now have a different full-time job that allows for more flexibility for booking sessions.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about S.D. Wyatt Photography – what should we know?
S.D. Wyatt Photography completely started out simply because I took a step of faith. Just one day is when I decided that I needed to try it as everyone else encouraged me to do. But again, I didn’t even know what my specialty was until 6 months in. I specialize in child and newborn portraiture and LOVE photographing kids!
I’m most proud of the families I have photographed and connect with. Many families end up becoming friends. What I think makes me most successful is that I get to be around to watch these families grow. One family, I have photographed all three of their children since they were newborns and the oldest is now five years old. I love that I have been a part of that family for so long and for more years to come. I work with another family and we have a tradition after every photoshoot, we get ice cream at Brown Cow which is a local ice cream parlor in Forest Park, IL. We just went for our 5th ice cream date!
I feel what sets me apart from others is my compassion for my work and my connection with my clients. I’m not just their photographer, but their friend and part of their family. I’m sent holiday cards, invited to birthday parties and cook outs. Two years ago, I had to put my business on hold for 5 months due to surgery on my hand. I needed a lot of help with everyday tasks the first few weeks. Who were the people that showed up to help me? My photography clients! That meant so much to me.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Because I have developed such a personal connection with my families, I think that is what makes each session so great. And most importantly, we have fun! I know Moms can get stressed out that photos won’t turn out or they are concerned their children won’t behave. Somehow, it always works out. I don’t stress about it. At times, photographing children is easier for me than adults. If you have fun, the kids see that, They’ll laugh at you and have fun too, Those are the moments you’ll capture with the best memories!
Pricing:
- Newborn Mini Sessions $400.00
- Child Sessions $300.00
- Family Mini Sessions $450.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sdwyattphotography.com
- Email: sdwyattphotos@gmail.com
Image Credit:
T. Siler
Shannon D. Wyatt
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
