Today we’d like to introduce you to Shauna Schneeman.
Hi Shauna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I really fell into photography. I purchased a basic point and shoot camera on a black Friday deal and was just using it to document things in my life while my husband was stationed in Virginia. A coworker asked me to do formal photos of her and I agreed and was immediately thrilled with it! I spent the following 18 months going to photography school and learning everything I could. My husbands time in the Army finished out and once we were back home to New Jersey I opened up Milestone Photography.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I actually had no intentions of making photography my full time career when I first opened up Milestone. To me it was something I loved doing and was happy to just have a small side business. The juggle of having a full time job and the side business was a challenge. There are many things to be thought through as well as failing and pivoting in certain aspects of business. However, I just absolutely loved doing it and kept at it. After 5 years of juggling the business on the side it became impossible to keep up with both and so I took the leap of faith to go full time and it has been incredible doing what I love full time!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I currently offer wedding and portrait photography. I am known for my vibrant true color bright and airy work, but what keeps clients coming back to me is just simply how I take care of them. I take pride in making clients feel comfortable in front of a camera. If you have ever had photos taken you know it can feel unnatural and awkward.. I have felt this myself even after years of being a photographer myself. So that is where I feel the most pride in how I serve my clients. I give lots of feedback while I shoot ensuring my clients everything is going great and they look beautiful. Comfort gives the best authenticity in the moment which makes for the best photos!
Also, I go into each event or session with the goal of preserving the moment. I like authentic images that can hold my clients memories not only for home decor and albums, but for their legacy. Photos are a documentation of our lives. 50 years from now as well as generations from now I want the photos I want the viewer will to be able to see and hopefully even feel the moment that was being captured. To travel back to that time to enjoy it or learn from it. That’s why I feel what I do is so meaningful. It really isn’t just delivering photos, it is about documenting legacy and preserving memories.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons in everything you do. Yes, we all want to make a profit and hope for success, but if you set out to serve others well and take pride in your work your monetary compensation will follow.
Stay consistent, set up a work flow and an editing style/process that can make your clients trust you and your work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.milestonephotography.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestone.sj/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MilestonePhoto
- Yelp: http://yelp.com/biz/milestone-photography-collings-lakes
