Meet Shalyn Mccullough | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shalyn Mccullough and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shalyn, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
Ideally I would love to make my small business my full time job. It will take time, and it will take some patience but I truly believe that one day I will get there!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One thing that I think sets me apart from other people in my line of work is how versatile I am. I truly enjoy making YOUR vision come to life. I want to hear what you’re looking for and give you exactly that. You’re not only paying for a service, but an experience when booking with me. I help you from start to finish. Whether that’s walking you through the steps of how to book, answering any questions you may have, helping select the best location for your shoot, and going over all the details to produce your perfect photos. I even add a guide with every booking. It is emailed to you, and session type specific to help answer questions and prepare you for the day of your shoot.

Everything that I have learned was self-taught. My fiancé gifted me my first DSLR in 2019 for Christmas. I spent nights upon nights researching, reading, and doing some trial and error editing. With my new Nikon 3500 I was able to start shooting RAW and teaching myself more than I had ever imagined. I invested my free time into learning new ways to portray my creative visions. I started out photographing abandon structures, and landscapes. Once I had taught myself the basics and really dove into my editing style, I then began to put together creative sessions with my daughter. I’ve always been into spooky things and it just so happened so was she. It was a fun way for us to spend time together and she soon began asking me for more and more photo shoots.
Fast forward to 2023, present day, and I have achieved so much more than I ever thought I would. My hobby and passion has turned into a business. I’ve worked with multiple clients and companies doing paid shoots.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many good spots in downtown Detroit. Campus Martius Park is a must! There’s a bar in Hamtramck I’ve been dying to go visit called black salt. It looks like so much fun. Rusty Bucket in Bloomfield hills has great food and a fabulous drink selection. There’s just so much around. In the fall a trip to the west side of the state around the Petoskey area is so pretty with the tunnel of trees, beaches, and lighthouses. The UP has great spots for hiking and camping. We live in a very beautiful, versatile state.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would absolutely love to shout out my entire support system but I’m sure I will miss a name or two. I have a dedicated group of friends, and past clients who always go above and beyond sharing my content, telling people about my work, and cheering me on. To name a few I would love to thank Kaylee, Courtney, Bree, Paige, Caitlin, Liz, Brandon, Amiee, and Shantel for always hyping me up and helping my business through word of mouth. I want to thank my fiancée, Terry, for believing in me, and buying me my first DSLR camera almost 4 years ago now. That camera helped me learn and grow throughout my photography journey. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his help and support.
lastly, I would love to shoutout my parents for always supporting my dreams, and cheering me on. I have a great group of cheerleaders and I really believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Website: Www.shalynphotographs.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/simplyshalyn__?r=nametag

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyshalyn/

Other: Boudoir Instagram – https://instagram.com/boudoirby_shay?r=nametag TikTok- http://www.tiktok.com/@simplyshalyn__

Image Credits
Shalyn McCullough