Meet Shelby Monnette | Wedding, Branding, and Boudoir Photographer

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

Hi Shelby, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work life balance has changed drastically over the years! I used to say yes to everything and everyone. If it was a photography opportunity, I would take it. It was great at the beginning of my career, it helped me gain experience. However, as I grew I just kept saying yes and it turned into the majority of my life being work. I hardly noticed because I truly love what I do and love the people I work with. The word of mouth referrals that I receive lead me to more amazing people that I adore. I was working 20+ weddings a year and was working a full time job. In 2019 I left my full time job to give my all to photography. Then in 2020 things shifted. I was stressed for a slow season and then would do anything I could to book clients, filling my schedule yet again. I was over worked and experienced burnout for the first time. I realized that even though I am passionate about my job, I can still have a life and am allowed to rest and also work. Now I think about how work can fit into my life. I do my best to space out jobs and opportunities. I have true off days where I dont look at my email, I go to family dinners, and I schedule out personal days off a year in advance to ensure I have time to rest and recover so I am able to give my clients my best. Rest is essential. We are allowed to have a life and also enjoy what we do without it consuming us. I went from constantly working and my friends being super concerned about my wellness, and now they know I am passionate about rest and taking care of myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There are so many amazing photographers out there, but what sets me apart is me. I think that a majority of a photography experience is based on the photographer themselves. I offer my perspective, my direction, my expertise. I do my best to match my clients energy and encourage them to be themselves. This comes out during a session by asking intentional questions to get to know them, by offering prompts for posing that is complimentary to their personality and energy. I don’t want my clients to feel like they are going through a cookie cutter experience where they do the same 5 things that my last client did. While I will get, what I call, my safety shots – that are more traditional, I will also lean into my client and what is happening in the moment. I offer words of encouragement so they know they look great and Im not just silently clicking the shutter. It is an experience of giving energy and creating a safe environment where someone can be themselves and I am there to document that true nature. When I first started I was consumed with being cool on instagram or wanting my clients to think that I know what the latest trend was. I invested in workshops where I got to learn how to do posing with clients just like another photographer. But what I have learned along the way is that photography is way more than just a cute pose, its about the story and the documentation of this moment in time. I want people to feel seen and loved. They don’t need to remember me at the end of the day, but have a photo that is a legacy piece where it holds value of their friends/family/loved ones.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting for the weekend we would for sure start our morning before sunrise so we could grab coffee and watch the sunrise somewhere cool over the water. I love coffee and some of my favorites are Sabbath Coffee, Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters, and Red Hook. So depending on where we start our journey would lead us to whatever coffee shop of those is close by, or getting cold brew the day before so its just ready for us. I love heading up to Lexington to walk the pier at sunrise. We would get brunch at the Dime Store or Olin in downtown Detroit. Then we would walk around the city seeing where it takes us. Walking around Belle Isle or the River Walk. Going to John K King Used Books, or walking around Eastern Market if its a Saturday morning. If its a long weekend, it means we have more than just a day! I would do a self care day! I love doing photo sessions for my friends and having them hangout with me at my studio. I would invite Meghan and Dayna from Gals and Ghouls to do her hair and makeup so we could hangout and chat before taking photos at my studio! Then we would get lunch at LA Hot Chicken (literally the best chicken and they are on Hayes in Clinton Twp!) and then we would totally get facials by Pru (@skinbypru ) or Jenn ( @estheticsbyjenn_).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A book that comes to mind that is a repeat book for me is Atomic Habits by James Clear and Boundaries by John Townsend and Henry Cloud! Learning about basics and getting an understanding of how to apply these necessities into my daily life in a realistic way has helped form who I am today. My family inspires me to be present in the moment and also cherish this life and moments we have together and encourages me to be intentional with my time and photography.

Website: https://monnette.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monnetteco/

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

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/monnettephoto/