Today we’d like to introduce you to Nakeshia Shannon.
Hi Nakeshia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve spent the past 13 years as a photographer focused on families and creating memories with them. In 2017, I started focusing more on editorial photography with two local magazines and the local newspaper. I’m still active behind the camera editorially, but photographically, less often! In 2020, I started sharing my marketing skills with others and ended up doing marketing for several Real Estate Agents and a local brokerage. I was inspired and encouraged to become an agent myself. I was nervous, but I took a leap of faith, and man, I’m thankful for that! I’ve always wanted to help others, share my knowledge, and support and encourage them. Photography was the primary way I could do that, but I’ve found lately that I can do that and more in real estate! I’ve joked with some clients, “Hey, once we get in the house, I know this cool photographer who can help you with the photos to go inside.” It’s been fun watching both worlds collide.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. I’ve dealt with bridezillas, drunken groomsmen, toddlers and tantrums, plum crazy people, and having to chase people to meet deadlines, but in each of those moments, I’ve got a funny story, a moment of joy and laughter amongst the chaos. I battled medical issues like heart conditions, cancer threats, migraine disorders, and more, but I pushed through with the encouragement and support of my friends, family, and my clients. There were times I was in a ‘medical crisis’ during my sessions and apologizing profusely to my clients, and they were like, “Girl, no, Let’s take care of you.” Those people still call me today and say, “Nakeshia, I know you’re not doing too much photography-wise, but we were wondering if you could still do our photos.”
For every obstacle I’ve faced, there’s a more extended moment of joy, like my client’s children calling me “My-Keshia” or running to me from across stores or restaurants for a hug. They get excited when I take their photos to tell me everything they’ve done since I saw them last and explain how they got “So big” from the previous time I saw them. These kids are like my adoptive nieces and nephews. I love them just as much as my own.
I’ve got some clients I first met when I photographed their high school senior portraits, their engagement, their wedding, their pregnancy announcement, and some of the first photos with their newborns. It truly means the world to me that despite many other people, they still want me. I’m eternally grateful. I thought photography was a weird field, but Real Estate is just as weird! There’s never a ‘normal’ day. I write a column for our local parenting magazine, ‘ Always An Adventure.’ When I thought about that title, I never realized that it would be my motto for life in general. I may not have all the answers – I may not have it all together, but that’s just part of the adventure.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an Editorial Photographer and Realtor.
What’s next?
As a photographer, I’ll still be photographing the editorial staff. I would love to get back into more artistic photography for the creative outlet – I’ve written and illustrated a few children’s books. I’d love to use my weird set of skills somehow to combine them all! As a Realtor, My fantastic team and I have developed plans and partnerships with lenders, vendors, and lawyers to make housing affordable for all in our area – we’re working day (and often night) together to be the best we can be not only for ourselves but also for our clients. We’re all so passionate about our people. A recent situation required us to rally behind a family that experienced a sudden loss. It was poetic and beautiful how we all came together within minutes to formulate a plan for what was needed and beyond it. I’m thankful for the shared vision and goals when caring for our people. Our people take care of us in return. We’re total believers in giving more than we often get; some of my teammates have had to ‘check’ me because they didn’t want me to give too much. “We love you, girl, but make sure something is in it for you too.” Haha
Contact Info:
- Website: NakeshiaShannon.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/
NakeshiaShannon.creates - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ NakeshiareneeCreates - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/ nakeshiashannon/ - Other: HomesWithNakeshia.com
Image Credits
Nakeshia Shannon (Self Portraits + My favorite photos of my children)
