You cannot make candids under duress; people need time to just be human.
Shannon Grant
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It started with an abandoned building, a vintage dress, and a single mom who needed an escape. For Shannon, photography wasn’t part of a grand career plan-it was a way to find herself again, somewhere between college classes and caring for her young son. Her early shoots looked like something out of Vogue on a shoestring budget: local musicians, makeshift sets, and the dreamy pretense of an editorial world she wanted to belong to. And that sense of play? It never really left.
In this episode, we sit down with Shannon to explore how those beginnings led her to become an editorial wedding photographer with a style that’s equal parts art and heart. Her work walks a delicate line: emotionally rich yet visually refined, fashion-forward but deeply personal. She’s someone who notices the way light pours through grocery store windows and teaches her clients to breathe and just be-because you can’t fake a real moment, and you shouldn’t have to.
We talk about the magnetism that comes from doing what lights you up, how she incorporates film into her process (yes, including Holga toy cameras and disposable point-and-shoots), and why timelessness means more than slapping a buzzword on your website.
Here’s some of what we get into:
- How shooting pretend editorials in abandoned spaces led to real wedding gigs
- Why candid photography requires time, trust, and a little bit of mischief
- The balance between refinement and raw emotion in editorial wedding work
- Why Shannon still trains her eye with everyday light-watching exercises
- How film photography brings a sense of intention and magic back into the process
- Her unique ways of giving back-from planting trees to passing out disposable cameras on the dance floor
Whether you’re deep into your own photography practice or just love a good creative origin story, Shannon brings a warm, wise perspective to the table. Hope you enjoy the conversation!
Q: When you’re not shooting weddings, what’s something in your daily life that inspires you to see the world like a photographer?
Shannon: When I was starting out, my mentor gave me little assignments like observing light at the grocery store or the bank. I still use that exercise today. Even when I’m driving during golden hour, I catch myself watching how the light hits the trees. It’s a simple, free way to train your eye and stay present in your surroundings.
Q: Can you share with me the story of how you got into photography?
Shannon: I took an unconventional path-I didn’t go to school for photography. I was a single mom putting myself through college, and photography started as an escapist hobby. I began shooting musicians and models in vintage dresses at abandoned buildings. It felt like make-believe, pretending we were shooting for Vogue. That playful creativity is how I taught myself photography.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who’s interested in learning either editorial style photography, wedding photography, or even shooting film in their existing business?
Shannon: Practice is everything. Like Bob Ross says, talent is just a pursued interest. You have to do it over and over to improve. Also, show the work you want to be hired for. Create styled shoots, collaborate with vendors, and put your work out there. No one will find your best photos if they’re sitting on a hard drive collecting dust.
🔗 Connect with Shannon
🧭 What We Talked About
🎼 Early Journey / Origins
- Creative beginnings: Shannon discovered photography during a stressful time as a single mom in college, turning to it as a form of escapist play.
- She began by photographing musicians and styled shoots in abandoned locations, often pretending it was a Harper’s Bazaar editorial.
- Her initial plan was to attend photography school, but life redirected her. She instead studied business-a skillset that proved invaluable later.
- Her shift into weddings came unexpectedly: brides loved her fashion-inspired editorials and began requesting her for their big day.
📖 Philosophy / Vision / Storytelling
- Shannon blends art and heart, seeking a balance between editorial polish and authentic emotion.
- She emphasizes the importance of being magnetic-doing what lights you up to attract aligned clients and creative energy.
- Believes in intentional storytelling, where even posed moments evolve into real emotions before and after the shutter click.
- Views the role of photographer as part visual therapist-reading body language, easing tension, and creating trust to capture true moments.
📷 Tools, Gear, and Behind the Scenes
- Shoots with a mix of digital and film, including:
- 35mm
- Medium format
- A Holga toy camera for dreamy, lo-fi images
- Carries multiple cameras on her body during weddings using a dual harness setup-each camera has one lens to streamline decisions.
- Uses disposable cameras during receptions, giving them to guests to encourage playful, candid captures.
- Loves film for its timeless rendering, ability to preserve highlights, and nostalgic vibe.
🔁 Practice, Teaching, Platforms
- Offers insights via her website and Instagram, frequently sharing reels and behind-the-scenes content.
- Encourages photographers to practice relentlessly, citing Bob Ross: “Talent is a pursued interest.”
- Advocates for networking, creative play, and setting up editorial-style shoots to build a portfolio that reflects your true voice.
💬 Advice, Creative Strategy, or Challenges
- Recommends starting with digital to build technical fluency before transitioning to film.
- Believes candid moments can’t be forced-“plannedids” are not true candids. Time, comfort, and presence are essential.
- Suggests creating work that you want to be hired for-you must show what you want to sell.
- Encourages photographers to stay humble and curious-growth ends when curiosity ends.
🌍 Influences, People, Brands, or Places
- Lived in Okinawa and grew up in the American Southwest, which shaped her inclusive worldview.
- Travel continues to be her number one source of creative inspiration-she finds beauty in all people and cultures.
- Inspired by environmental causes: she plants 100 trees per couple via One Tree Planted and supports animal rescues.
🔮 What’s Next for Shannon
- Heading to Costa Rica for a wellness and surf retreat, where she’ll create branded content for a group of adventurous moms-offering a soulful break before wedding season.
- Exploring the idea of venturing into nature photography, drawn by the patience and stillness it requires.
- Feels called to amplify people doing good in the world, using her lens to spotlight changemakers and storytellers.
- Hopes to build a legacy of joyful, intentional living-making the most of her time, opportunities, and human connection.
Thank you so much for the feature and fabulous conversation. It’s an honor to share my perspective on such a great podcast resource for the photographic world. Cheers!