January 20, 2017

Meet Calabasas Photographer and Makeup Artist: Shannon Laurine

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Laurine.

Shannon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started in makeup right after I graduated high school and graduated from the Makeup Designory (MUD) in Burbank, I went from doing freelance beauty and special fx makeup on feature films, fashion shows and in print and complained that I would never get images of my makeup work from photographers- to having my mom hand me a camera and telling me to do my own photography of my makeup artistry. I still have a love for makeup just as much as photography, but photography has become my main focus. I fell in love with it, and enjoy it, even more, when I get to be creative and do both. Overall, one photoshoot led to more and the more shoots I did, the more people would see my work and request my services. Word spread and provided me with opportunities to photograph several celebrities and industry related shoots, top agency’s such Ford and Wilhelmina and models such as “America’s Next Top Model” winners and top 10, to over 200 magazine publications. I love my work and have longstanding creative relationships with the many wonderful people I have met along the way.

Has it been a smooth road?
This journey with photography has been an uphill climb, especially while doing my own marketing and promotion. It’s most definitely a “feast or famine” business and is challenging in many ways. While continuously refining my skills and craftsmanship, being self-taught there are always new challenges as far as getting the right lighting and the right angles and the right content. Fortunately, I have been blessed with the “eye” when it comes to anticipating the right timing and mood, but this can be marred with inaccurate editing or touching up. So this has been an equally challenging learning curve that I have spent years on. In recent shoots I am noticing that I am appreciating my photos much more before editing and have more options, than I ever used to have and depending less and less on the editing. The obstacles and challenges have been many – they are all part of a natural process, but all have been well worth it, as they have all been stepping stones to where I am now.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think what is coming will be smaller cameras – with app downloads to be able to access whatever is needed for the type of photography you do and continuous advancements in image processing software.

I think photographers will also be merging in video and stills combos more and it will be expected, more so – having to be able to do both, in order to stay on the cutting edge. Though there will be more of a distinct discernment between amateur and hobby photographers- established professionals with a distinct style, creative vision, and sound mastery of lighting, posing and other photography fundamentals will still be able to charge a premium for their services. There will be a rise in studios that offer both photography and cinematography. In post production, the improvements in Lightroom, photoshop, and other image editing software will give photographers more creative tools and significantly speed up their workflows.

What would you say has been the biggest challenge for you over the course of your career?
My biggest challenge over the years has been doing the different kinds of photography that bring in a consistent income and not having the time to promote and shoot the kind of photography that is my passion.

I LOVE shooting original, edgy, high fashion shooting, and unique portraiture, however, many of my clientele come to me for headshots, glamour, boudoir, product shots for designers and commercial. Because I am also a professional makeup artist, I sometimes do both make-up and photography for shoots- this can also be challenging when we are doing many looks- it can sometimes be very demanding for a one day shoot.

What advice do you wish to give to those thinking about pursuing a path similar to yours?
I would advise others to simply start shooting – photograph friends, family, try different creative ideas for shoots and as you start building a portfolio and begin eliminating the old shots when newer more improved shots start happening. Take photography workshops which will put you in a studio environment with a model and you will learn even more. Santa Monica City College also has one of the top Photography departments in the Country. I went and took a film camera class there and black and white darkroom printing. I actually won the Portrait Presidents Award there, out of 300 submissions, with the photo that is on the Home page of my website. It was a very encouraging and supportive environment to add more.

Contact Info:

Website: www.shannonlaurine.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: www.instagram.com/shannonlaurine
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShannonLaurinePhotography/
Other: www.facebook.com/makeupartistrybyshannon – www.instagram.com/makeupartistrybyshannon

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Image Credit:
blue hoodie image —
Model: Don Benjamin
Styling: Hollywood Larry
Grooming: Natalie Malchev