***All images in this post are copyright Dawn Shields.***

NEXT WEEK: Tara Whitney

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as i do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...



You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!
 

Dawn,  You've accomplished a lot in the past year...your business has grown, you invested yourself into an emotional personal project, and won the biggest award at WPPI this year. You are a mom and wife and you're managing to run a thriving business, make time to create personally, and have a family life.  Even after such a big year it seems that you're keeping everything centered around your family.  Thanks so much for being here on Women and Business!

How long have you been in business?
I started out with no clue what I was doing in Aug of 2002.

How did you get started?  What drew you to photography?
Being a photographer was something I knew I wanted to be when I was about 8-10 yrs old. I got started by buying an SRL to photograph my own children. I never planned on making it a business.

How are you married with children?

I am married to a wonderful man, Sean, and I have 2 children who make me happy every day, Sierra 13 and Sutton 7.

What are some ways you keep family and business life feeling like they are both getting the attention that they need?
When I go home at 5pm I am home. That is my family time, photography time does not start until 8:30am in the next morning. There has to be a careful balance, in the end if I work every waking hour and end up with a hugely successful business but all my children remember is me working, then I have failed. During those moments when I want to have a set up in my home so I can work more I just try to remember one thing: when I'm in my last days of life it's my family I want to spend time with my not camera or computer. In the end it’s the way my children think of me that means the most. Photography always comes second to family!

 

Are you in a retail space or a home based studio?  

I own two homes on the same street, one we live in and one is my studio.

What made you decide on the space you have? It gave my business its own space but still kept it close to home. I also liked the idea of investing into something rather than paying rent.

 

What does your workflow look like?  Do you outsource or keep everything in house? 

Everything is kept in house.

 

What do you do to help your clients be comfortable with you during a photo shoot?

Make a connection and have fun. Everybody loves being around an upbeat happy person who they can connect with on some level.

 

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

Learn from the best! Take workshops and learn your craft and advance yourself by taking 5 years off of your learning curve!

 

At WPPI this year you won the highest award for your album design.  Will you share a link to it here?

WPPI Award Winning Album

I suggest turning the HD to the on position or http://www.rangefindermag.com/storage/articles/dawnShields.html

What brought you to a place that made you decide to do a project like this?

When my sister googled my grandfather’s name and the search brought up the Alcatraz inmate roster. I knew without a doubt I had to know more, then the whole process began to unfold and I just moved forward knowing I was supposed to do this. Great friends stood by me and helped guide me when I needed them. When you are doing this type of an emotionally charged project you need those who love you to stand by you, it’s not easy.

 

Your album has brought emotions and reactions that range the gamut from loving the idea to having strong feelings against the project, how have you handled those reactions?
I have tried to convey to others this is a personal project it is meant to reflect my feels and my view of my grandfather’s life. I have not gotten upset with others over their feelings; it is a very different story than most have ever seen before in this type of competition therefore it is emotionally provoking. Some feel the need to applaud the album and others feel the need to let their feelings of dislike be known. In the end it is an art piece and no artist's work appeals to all people. Really I keep it in perspective; it’s about my life with my grandfather.

 

How did this personal project affect your personal life? How did it affect your business life?
In my personal life I saw my friends and family surround me with love as I worked within a very emotional place. On a business level I think it has made others see there is so much more to me than pictures with smiles. I'm a very deep person who has a lot to offer, I think those in business who thought they knew me just took a step back and said "wow, I want to know more about her, I never knew".

 

What are the three most important things you learned while photographing this project? 

I have an amazing family.

Who my friends are.

That love trumps all things.

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

That I have had the ability to hire great people, those you surround yourself with can help or hurt your business. My team is awesome!

What do you do to keep your marriage fun? 

Travel as much as possible so we are focused on each other, no phone vacations are the best!

 

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in business to bring in clients?

Wedding shows were key! Along side that would be bridal magazines. Friends and family were a huge help in getting the word out.

 

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business? 

Safe is a strong word, we have stresses on our marriage because we own four companies. To be honest love and a real respect is the only thing that can keep a marriage safe. There are days when you are not feeling the love, which is when true respect is so important.

 

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful? 

Getting an education through workshops. I think it took at least 5 years off of the learning curve.


 

When you are overwhelmed, what do you do to stop feeling overwhelmed?

Get in my car and drive to Starbucks, the combination of driving and coffee calms me.

 

What three products or things help you stay organized?

My PAPER booking book, old school I know :) My Boda bag, I know where everything is in it without looking. My team! Two have been with me for four years, without them I would be a mess!

 

What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?

Be blind to their own talent. We tend to always see the best in others and only see our faults.

What is something that you think women in the industry should do?

Stay true to who YOU are, not who some big name photographer is. Be inspired by others but realize your art is beautiful!

To see more of Dawn's work:

Website

Blog

***All images in this post are copyright Dawn Shields.***