Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelli Wright.
Shelli, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been shooting as long as I can remember. I got my degree in photojournalism and while on a summer program in Paris I fell in love with fashion photography. Back then, we shot film and there wasn’t an overpopulated talent pool as there is now. That era was conducive to proving yourself before rewarded. There were rules and procedures to get your work looked at and noticed. After following the rules I was able to shoot in NY for the larger agencies and then settled in LA about the time digital really hit full force. I don’t miss the hours in the darkroom, but I do think procedures have changed tremendously.
Has it been a smooth road?
When social media became a force in the photography industry and how you marketed yourself as an artist everything changed. The rules previously mentioned fell out the window as did many of the budgets we used to. It’s been an interesting decade.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I’m hoping clients will begin to favor experience over followers. It’s that old saying quality over quantity, I still believe that holds true and if everyone continues to focus on quantity pretty soon quantity will lose its appeal and things will revert back to the importance of quality. One can hope.
What has been the primary challenge you’ve faced?
Accepting change. It always seems like once you feel great about where you are the game changes. lol
Let’s change gears – is there any advice you’d like to give?
LA is a rough location to start out in. I would recommend developing your skills in a smaller market before jumping into ours especially if you are considering shooting fashion. You’ll find that most of the modeling agencies expect new coming photographers to shoot for free, so be prepared for that.
Pricing:
- Fashion Client day rates begin at 1200.00, not including usage, rentals
Contact Info:
- Website: http://shelliwrightphotoworks.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/shelliwrightphoto
- Facebook: shelli wright photoworks
Image Credit:
All images property of Shelli Wright Photoworks
