Today we’d like to introduce you to Shae Gines.
Hi Shae, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
received my first camera in 5th grade from my grandfather. It was a little Polaroid, nothing fancy, but it was my heaven. I immediately started posing my siblings and cousins, thinking I was a rock star behind the lens.
Over time, I realized how much I loved giving others the gift of seeing themselves through my eyes instead of the mirror. In 1997, I began learning everything I could about photography, and by 2005, I finally felt confident calling myself a photographer.
After serving many clients on my own for years, I accepted a position as an assistant manager at a local portrait studio. I stayed for two years, but I quickly saw that it was all about volume, not connection. It wasn’t about the clients or their stories. It was about getting people through the door and hoping they liked their photos.
That wasn’t enough for me. I’ve always known I’m a storyteller. I understand how much these moments frozen in time mean. So, I left and opened my first studio in my home. It was small, but it was mine, and I was ready to change lives one click at a time.
Ten amazing years later, thousands of stories told, and here we are. I now have a brick-and-mortar studio with an incredible team, and I get to do what I love every day…. telling my clients’ stories without saying a single word through the power of portraits.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I am very fortunate. My road to becoming a professional photographer came with ease. Running a profitable business, now that took some trial by fire. But I would not change my journey for anything. I am so grateful for not only where I am today, but also for each and every client that has supported me through out the years.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My Job like I had mentioned before is to tell YOUR story without any words. I do that by learning about You, those you love most in this world and why right now, in this very moment in time is worth celebrating. Sometimes it could be that you are welcoming a new life into your home, and are looking for a maternity and newborn session. Other times it could be that you have been on a self love and growth journey and you are looking to celebrate all that you have overcome with a boudoir or embracing connections session. Or it could even be as lovely as you want to remember your beautiful family just as they are right now. And we would do that with either an embracing connections family experience or perhaps a more traditional family portrait session.
The most rewarding part of my job is not only knowing I helped a client connect with their story, but I get to see all their emotions when I place those final products in their hands. That moment, is what I live for.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Oh goodness, luck? I am not sure I have had good or bad luck in my business. I think my team and I are always searching for ways to improve. I think over the years I have been blessed with the ability to listen and to adapt to what my clients are needing. So I wouldn’t say anything has been luck. I feel like I have been blessed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.labellasolephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labellasolephotos
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/labellasolephotos
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@labellasolephoto
