Today we’d like to introduce you to Shea James.
Hi Shea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always had a natural interest in creating art ever since I was young – drawing, collage, painting, ceramics…etc. I discovered my true passion for photography in high school when I was given my first DSLR Nikon camera. Ever since I brought my camera everywhere and took as many photo classes as I could. It wasn’t until college that I combined my natural eye for fine art with my new love for commercial photography. I graduated college in 2021 with my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in photography and a minor in printmaking. After college, I immediately started my own freelance business as a photographer and social media marketer. Through my business, I can express my love for both; commercial and fine art photography while networking with other small business owners in ATX. I truly enjoy helping locals promote their businesses on social media with my photos.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Each photoshoot I have with a business owner creates new opportunities, learning curves, and growth for me and my small business. Through meeting new people and networking with locals, I have learned that every person I meet can lead to bigger and better opportunities. Networking is definitely a full-time job within itself. I have learned to balance the two and make sure to promote my client’s businesses and my services at the same time.
As you know, social media platforms are constantly changing and as a social media expert, I have to stay up-to-date with the latest download updates and trends. My college education has definitely given me the tools and resources I need in order to maintain in-the-know with forever growing social media platforms.
As a photographer, there are also new cameras being launched every year it seems – but I stay open-minded to new ideas/processes so that my photography style grows with the newest technology available.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
As a freelancer, I offer a variety of services. I divide my business into two main categories: photography and social media marketing.
Photography: I do photoshoots for new and existing business owners (commercial products/venues), families, and anyone that needs headshots/portraits/stylized shoots. My photography sessions include indoor/outdoor portraits, commercial products, food, interior/exterior design, and architecture. I’m always interested in adding new/unique projects to my portfolio.
Social Media Marketing: I help promote small, mainly female-owned businesses in the Austin, TX area by offering marketing services such as logo design, content creation, professional product photos, and social media page management. I cater to each of my client’s marketing goals so that they can feel confident in their online presence and provide quality products and services to their clientele.
I am best known for offering unique and personalized marketing services to my clients. I like to collaborate with my clients in order to create the best content possible for their brand. I strive to create fun and exciting content on all my client’s social media platforms, whether it’s on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Personally, as a photographer/graphic designer, I have been loyal to Adobe Creative suite for all my photo/video editing – Photoshop, Bridge, InDesign, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro.
I use Microsoft Word for all of my billing invoices, contracts, and paperwork that I create when starting services with new potential clients.
I use the Canva app for posting quick coupons, specials, highlights, or event posters on my client’s Facebook and Instagram pages. It saves a lot of time and helps keep a cohesive aesthetic, style and color theme on my client’s pages.
Zoom has also been a lifesaver since covid. I mainly use zoom for new client consultations and for weekly marketing meetings to communicate with my clients. It’s really convenient and I can share my screen to show my clients their business page stats, photos, and weekly content ideas.
The platform I most rely on for storage is Google Drive, that’s where I store all of my client’s photoshoots and edited images. I also use this platform to send and share content back and forth to my clients, it’s easy to use and creates links that you can email or text.
Pricing:
- $20 an hour for marketing services (set how many hours a week you need me to work on your pages)
- Mini photoshoots start at $75 (1-1.5 hours total)
- Basic marketing “package” starts at $400 a month
Contact Info:
- Email: skjames09@gmail.com
- Website: www.sheakjames.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photography_shea/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shea-K-James-Photography-Marketing-101223239193749
Image Credits
Photography by Shea James
