Meet Shanelle Infante of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanelle Infante.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Shanelle Infante. I grew up in a small town in New Jersey, where my creativity first took root in painting and drawing. After earning my BFA in Design from the School of Visual Arts, I began art directing my own photoshoots, wearing all the hats. From styling and hair to makeup and location scouting, I went on to work in editorial photography as a lead art director for a range of print and digital magazines. That experience laid the foundation for me: collaborating with other creatives, dreaming up visuals, and learning what makes an image truly resonate. That journey sparked something bigger in me, and I knew I wanted to tell my own stories behind the lens. Taking the leap to become a full-time photographer was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I’m so excited to keep pushing my vision and creating work that connects with people.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I’ve come to see those bumps as part of what shapes me and keeps me growing. Like many of us, I’ve faced my fair share of moments of self-doubt and uncertainty, but I always find my way back to the core of why I create in the first place. I believe in the beauty of the world around me and my joy is in magnifying that to the best of my ability. Wearing so many hats early on taught me resilience, patience, and how to find possibility even in challenges. Some of the ways I’ve learned to push through difficult times are by giving myself permission to slow down and do things with real intention, whether that’s through slow research, writing out my thoughts by hand, or simply working at my own pace without judgment or pressure from the outside world. It could feel overwhelming at times, but each setback reminded me to trust my vision, honor my own timing, and stay open to where the journey wants to take me next.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is inspired by feelings of nostalgia, cinema, and female figures in my life. I love to create a world through my photos that celebrates femininity, freedom, and self exploration. I’m inspired by vibrancy, romance, and music centered around women who push boundaries. Any chance that I’m able to capture a moment with a loved one on film makes me feel proud.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memories are all centered around movement. As a child I was a dancer from age 4 to about 16 years old. I loved ballet and latin jazz. My proudest moments were dancing on stage with my friends during our recitals in front of our family. Other memories that I love to relive in my head star my mother and my grandparents in my childhood home. Music was always playing in my house, whether it was salsa classics or 80s Freestyle music. The joy that came from moving our bodies to music has had the most profound effect on me and how I see the world. I want the photos that I capture to feel alive and vibrant like music makes me feel.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shanelleinfante.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanelleinfante/