Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Rae.
Hi Shannon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My start in photography was completely by surprise – a friend from high school sent me a message out of the blue asking if I could photograph her wedding. I’d always been “artistic” (I love drawing), but I’d never really attempted photography before and didn’t even own a real camera, so of course, I told her I couldn’t do it. Somehow, she convinced me to try anyway, so I saved up all summer working at Longhorn Steakhouse to buy myself my first camera and lens. About two weeks after it came in the mail, I shot my first wedding.
It was a disaster. I felt terrible about the pictures, and even though she said she loved them; I was already posting my camera up for sale on eBay. But… soon after she shared her pictures online, I started getting more messages asking if I could do photoshoots. I told them I really didn’t know anything about photography, but if they still wanted me to try, I’d give it my best shot!
Over the past 15 years, photography has slowly grown from a hobby to a side-hustle, to part of my day job shooting products for advertising, and as of this year, officially my own full-time business!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Oh, it definitely has not been easy. I honestly never thought I’d be able to get to the point where I am today, and I absolutely couldn’t have done it without my family and the many amazing friends and mentors who have helped me and taught me so much along the way.
I am forever grateful for the job I had for 10 years and everything I’ve learned there, but early on I found myself with much more than I should have had to handle on my own. It’s a common story in the corporate world: high-pressure, impossible deadlines, unfair politics, late nights, and unpaid overtime. I was often juggling the work of two or three people for an entry-level salary. That’s when this dream of going on my own with photography was born.
Weeknights and weekends, no matter how tired I was from work, I started picking up every photography-related side job I could find. I built up my portfolio, upgraded equipment, and eventually landed a position as a shooter with a large high-end wedding photography studio in Charleston. I started making connections, getting to work with and learn from some of the most talented and successful wedding photographers in the city – the idols I had been following on social media for years – and all the most beautiful venues Charleston has to offer. I was finally ready to quit the day job!
Then one day, my ex-husband came home and told me he’d been cheating since before we were married. Most recently, with two minors (and their mother). To make another long story short, he went to jail and all of a sudden, I was filing for divorce. I had to figure out how to pay bills and not lose my house with $100 in my bank account, so the day job had to stay. I made a long-term plan and it took me 4 more years to find stability. I sold everything of value that I owned to pay for a renovation in order to bring in roommates, embraced the stress and overtime at work and landed a promotion and a couple raises, and I switched to only second shooting so I could still take 1-3 weddings per week with no time for editing.
Needless to say – overwhelm, exhaustion, depression, and fear were my constant companions. Not to mention I was deconstructing from my religion at the same time. I grew up in strict IFB churches and an abusive home. I was figuring out how to exist on my own in the normal world: I went out to bars for the first time (any idea how awkward it is for a 28yr old to not have a clue which drinks she likes or how to order them?). I made new friends. I dated the second person of my life. I got rid of most of my old clothes and wore what I wanted. I didn’t know who I was now that I had a choice, and I was totally lost. There were a million regular things I had never experienced, social situations I didn’t understand, and everything I ever thought I knew about life was up for questioning. It was a weird time.
So, with a little savings and all my vacation days at once, I turned to travel. I rode horseback across northern Iceland, camped in rural South Africa, watched the sunset at the westernmost edge of Senegal, explored China and Hong Kong and saw the light show on Victoria Harbor, took a month-long road trip down the west coast while living in a rental car, plus last-minute hiking trips up to NC whenever I got the chance, and soon I’ll be heading to Ireland! Being outdoors, traveling, hiking, camping, and all the golden souls I’ve been blessed to have with me, back at home and out on adventures, are what keep my hopes and dreams alive.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My heart & soul is in telling a couple’s unique love story and letting their personalities shine through their photos. I specialize in weddings and elopements, but I believe any photo session – from newborns to seniors to families – is an opportunity to express yourself and create something beautiful that you can be proud of. My first goal is always to help you feel comfortable and have fun in front of the camera, to capture authentic emotions, meaningful details, and happy memories you’ll cherish forever.
I’ve had the honor of working hundreds of weddings throughout the past 15 years, and I’ve learned there’s so much more that goes into photographing a wedding than just photographing the wedding. There’s planning ahead, and being prepared for plans to go sideways. There’s finding beauty in everything, big laughs and little tears, big moments and in-between moments, and all the details that make the day yours. With me, you’ll always be getting 110% and a new friend by your side to help guide you if you need it.
For now, I have the monumental task of getting my portfolio back up to date between new shoots. I’ll also continue picking up freelance work in graphic design and advertising. I still draw for fun, and occasionally for commissions. I love the chance to be creative in any capacity, and I aim to do everything to the best of my ability!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Well, success is still to be decided – it’s only the beginning of this entrepreneurship journey! But I would say creativity, adaptability, and endurance are all skills that have been vital to getting where I am today. Most importantly though (a skill I’m definitely still working on as an introvert): the ability to connect with people. My experiences have given me a lot of perspective to life and also given me the opportunity to show joy and love through all of it. At the end of the day, a love of portraiture is a love of people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.runawayphotographer.com
- Instagram: @runawayphotographer
