Any nicknames? What’s the story?

I LOVE nicknames.  When I was a little girl I always dreamed of having a nick name, but it wasn’t until high school that people started giving them to me.  Meech, Mitch, Munch, Shelly, etc.etc.  I think it’s cool that everyone has a different one for me.  My favorite is Munch – and unfortunately I have no clue how my friend came up with that!

What’s the oddest thing that’s happened to you on a shoot?

I have TONS of great stories of random passerbys stopping to chat with me while I’m shooting.  My favorite one recently, was a guy coming up to me at a senior shoot in Portland and asking me what I was doing.  When I said I was taking photos he came up to me and said “High Five for being a Photographer!” – and then walked away.  Keep Portland weird, I guess?

How would you describe your style?

Youthful, fashion-oriented, lifestyle photography.  I try to envision my work as tears from magazines such as Teen Vogue, and brands such as Forever 21 or H&M.

How do you decide what to photograph?

I love fashion and I love working with high school seniors.  Together I try to stick to a steady diet of lifestyle fashion photography that centers around my High School Senior Portrait market.  It’s taken me about 4 years to really hone in on exactly the types of photography I enjoy and specialize in.

What type of camera do you use?

A pair of Canon 1Ds MARK II’s.

What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?

Oh gawsh – I LOVE my epiphanie bag, and probably couldn’t function without my 5-in-1 Reflector!!

If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?

Canon 35mm 1.4L.  Hands down the most versatile and tack-sharp lens out there.  I love the freedom and how it flatters 99.9% of all subjects.

What’s the best decision you made when you first started out as a photographer?

Shoot every day.  I mean EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Your learning curve will be through the roof!

I’ve learned the most from…

Experience, reading non-photography books about business, and those closest to me.

What advice would you give to the photographers that may be starting out and new to the business?

Get out there and try it!  Network, market, learn and grow!  Shoot anything and everything!  Study what you enjoy, learn what you do and don’t like.  Take big risks, learn from your mistakes, and be prepared to work 80+ hours a week, and that it takes years to develop your style.