An Interview with Shoney Photography
"I started because my husband bought me a Nikon d90 while I was pregnant because I didn't want to keep going to someone to get nice quality pictures of my daughter taken. I thought, 'Well, I'm a pretty creative person. I can learn how to use a SLR and I knew some basics of photoshop,'" says Shoney.
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/379008_212517342162637_181152728632432_483757_1899725542_n.jpg)
"When my daughter was born, I could not stop taking pictures of her! I probably took 100 a day, at least. It was when we moved to California when I really wanted to stop shooting in auto, it was like What's the point of having this camera if I don't know how to shoot in manual?! So I found a Living Social coupon for a workshop at Local Focus Photography taught by awesome professionals and I think they had just started doing workshops at that time but they started Photo Creatures, it's like a photography community for the people who attended their workshops, you should check it out at www.photocreatures.com. They also have a Facebook."
Shoney's Daughter, Esley
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391831_219803308100707_181152728632432_506843_882681368_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393442_219803431434028_973930087_n.jpg)
Shoney's Daughter, Esley
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391831_219803308100707_181152728632432_506843_882681368_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393442_219803431434028_973930087_n.jpg)
"Anyway, they were SO helpful! I learned a lot about photography and about my camera, I wasn't overwhelmed anymore. Besides, it's easier learning everything in person instead of reading the manual. So yeah, that's pretty much how I started. I wanted to be able to capture my daughter's personality in my photos because she has such a big personality and that's what I wanted people to see! I don't suggest people to go out and purchase a DSLR if you don't plan on taking a workshop or some kind of class because you can do a lot with a point and shoot now as well. I think every photographer has their own style and something that separates them from other photographers and if you are looking for a photographer, you should really look for someone with the style that fits you." :)
TSJ: Awwwww! That's amazing! What kind of advice would you give to other beginner/amateur photographers? And what do you think is the most valuable thing you learned in that workshop?
Shoney: "I would say to go out find your own style and think out of the box. Don't always look to get a perfect picture because natural moments speak the loudest in pictures! The most valuable thing I learned in the workshop was how to use backlighting, it really makes photos pop and you don't have to have your subjects facing the light like most people do."
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/374581_206538386093866_181152728632432_471062_655875388_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/418705_245409632206741_181152728632432_571548_565448836_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/400478_231116356969402_181152728632432_538764_897469739_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/409130_231123146968723_181152728632432_538786_1737108014_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391154_231108476970190_181152728632432_538743_945745922_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/312587_181154451965593_181152728632432_397230_553187221_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/315631_181153741965664_181152728632432_397222_1178429677_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/308298_181479968599708_181152728632432_398330_1332487214_n.jpg)
Shoney Photography
Holland, MI
shoneyphotography@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shoney-Photography/181152728632432
TSJ: Awwwww! That's amazing! What kind of advice would you give to other beginner/amateur photographers? And what do you think is the most valuable thing you learned in that workshop?
Shoney: "I would say to go out find your own style and think out of the box. Don't always look to get a perfect picture because natural moments speak the loudest in pictures! The most valuable thing I learned in the workshop was how to use backlighting, it really makes photos pop and you don't have to have your subjects facing the light like most people do."
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/374581_206538386093866_181152728632432_471062_655875388_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/418705_245409632206741_181152728632432_571548_565448836_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/400478_231116356969402_181152728632432_538764_897469739_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/409130_231123146968723_181152728632432_538786_1737108014_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391154_231108476970190_181152728632432_538743_945745922_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/312587_181154451965593_181152728632432_397230_553187221_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/315631_181153741965664_181152728632432_397222_1178429677_n.jpg)
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/308298_181479968599708_181152728632432_398330_1332487214_n.jpg)
Shoney Photography
Holland, MI
shoneyphotography@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shoney-Photography/181152728632432
0 Comments
Comment here!