Enjoy the interview.

Hi Chanell,

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m just the geeky kid from Mississippi. *giggles* And I love being nerdy. I like being called by my last

name—Shorter. It somehow became cool in college. Not to mention I’m only 5’2” tall, which is an

added bonus. I love being short, well most of the time. I ...more]]> Recently I was given the pleasure of doing an interview for 901life.com ! I was so thrilled.  Hope you guys enjoy!
 
This week I welcome my good friend Chanell Shorter. Chanell is an outstanding wedding photographer based in Memphis, TN. You can see her work at www.cshorter.com
 

Enjoy the interview.

Hi Chanell,

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m just the geeky kid from Mississippi. *giggles* And I love being nerdy. I like being called by my last

name—Shorter. It somehow became cool in college. Not to mention I’m only 5’2” tall, which is an

added bonus. I love being short, well most of the time. I like being outside. I really don’t care for the

summer–it just gets too hot. Fall is my favorite season. I like playing tennis. I’m also a graphic designer.

I love reading books—Harry Potter in particular. I like flying kites and I’m working on learning Spanish

and Piano.

What part of town do you live in?

I live in south Memphis.

Three favorite wedding photos you have taken recently?

An engagement photo you have taken recently?

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as photojournalistic. I believe everyone has a story to tell. My job is to

capture it.

How long have you been a professional photographer?

I shot throughout college but I’d say I began my professional career a few days after graduation.

A friend of mine asked me to shoot her wedding just to see what I’d get and it just snowballed!

How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?

I’m constantly looking at pictures. I explore other photographers and current trends and style and

personalize it to my own style. I also strive to create some type of emotional connection to my work.

I want my audience to feel the story.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

Everything! I read a lot, I sketch random ideas in my moleskine, movies, and sounds. I also have a

great group of friends and creatives that I keep in contact with and they are a great inspiration.

We may all have different mediums to express ourselves but that “expression” is what inspires me

most–the thought process behind the work and the passion to finish the project.

What’s the best part of being a photographer?

I see beauty in places most people do not. Growing up I took a lot of art classes and I remember my

teacher in junior high told me I’m not teaching you how to draw I’m teaching you how to “see.”

I’ve carried that with me thoughout my creative career.

How long have you been a photographer?

Since college so roughly 5 or 6 years. I played around with cameras in high school but once I got to

college I really got into it. It’s my passion.

What type of cameras do you shoot with?

I have a Nikon. Its my baby! Its the first professional camera I’ve purchased. I don’t think I’m ever

getting rid of it even when I upgrade.

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

A tripod! It can really save the day.

What is your favourite computer/editing accessory, other than your computer?

Photoshop! The wonders it can achieve. My camera allows me to capture the moment photoshops

helps me to create the masterpiece.

What is your most used Photoshop tool, plug-in, action set etc…?

I have a set of wedding enhancers that I love and vintage actions. Also the healing brush.

Are you a Mac or PC lover?

TEAM MAC!!! I am a devout Mac supporter lol! If Steve Jobs made bottled water I’d probably buy it.

A website or blog you visit often?

Does twitter and facebook count? Besides those I usually visit “Price of Popularity” at

http://priceofpopularity.com pretty often. A great friend of mine is the mastermind behind it and she

always have great stuff to read. I also like “The Photo Argus” at http://www.thephotoargus.com.

They always have tons of inspiration and tips.

The hardest part of your job?

My job never seems hard mainly because it doesn’t seem like work. I’d say its more of a challenge.

I love a challenge.

What advice do you have for photographers just starting out?

Practice! A lot! Invest time in your craft. See what others are doing and how you can apply that to

your own style. Explore all venues of photography. I love weddings but its so great to see work from

photographers who specialize in fashion, or documentaries, or nature.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

Even though I’m a Nikon supporter I’d love to have the new Canon 7D. The video abilities on it

are amazing! Not to mention a new iMac. Team MAC!

Do you make time for personal photographic work? If so, what do you enjoy

photographing and do you have an image you can share with us?

I’m making more of an effort to fit in time for personal work. I think its important so that I don’t ever

lose my passion. I never want photography to feel like a job. I want to do this forever!

The first photographer that comes to your mind and why?

Annie Leibovitz!!!! She is simply amazing! A professor of mine said that my work resembled hers when I

was in college. I was intrigued to see what kind of work she does and I’ve been hooked every since.

She always tells a story. I love how she can get her subjects so comfortable that they hardly notice

she has a camera.

The last workshop or seminar you attended and why?

I haven’t attended any besides college. I’m looking forward to going to one later but wedding

season approaches.

One way you market your business?

Honestly social networking helps a ton. Other than that just getting out and talking to people. I also

hand out business cards, flyers, and get ad space online. Word of mouth helps a ton.

If not a photographer you would have been?

Some type of artist. I’m also a graphic designer. I just love art!

Where would be your favorite place to shoot a wedding?

First thought–DISNEYWORLD!!!

Something you’re still learning?

Lighting. You can never learn enough of that. Also making my subjects comfortable so they don’t

notice I have a camera in my hands. Basically getting them to relax. I think that’s very important.

What do you love to indulge in?

Pastries! Cakes. Cookies. Pies. Any baked goods with frosting etc. Pastries are my weakness. I can’t

keep them in my house.

Something that is overrated?

Sleep. I’m like a kid I hate sleeping. I wish I didn’t have to sleep. You’re just wasting hours lying in one

spot lol.

Something you’re saving up for?

I’m saving up for an iMAC.

If you could have lunch with anyone who is famous who would it be?

Hmmm The cast of Grey’s Anatomy!

Where you’ll find me on a Friday night at 9 p.m.?

At the movies or somewhere with my friends. I’m a huge movies person.

Your favorite film of all time?

The best movie ever is Forrest Gump. It’s me and my dad’s favorite movie. Reminds me that no

matter what misfortunes you have in life should never be a crutch for why you aren’t successful in life.

First thing you would do if you won the lottery?

Pay off my student loans.

Three words that describe you.

Caring. Driven. Adventurous.

What would you like to be doing in 5 years from now?

Travelling the world doing photography.

What did you do before professional photography?

I was a college student.

And the last question, if you had one wish, what would it be?

To see the world.

I’m such a sucker for black and white photography. Its just something about that nice rich black that is just so visually pleasing to me.  The simplicity and purity of it lures people from far an wide to marvel at it. Most people can’t help but to stop and stare. I think that’s what keeps it around considering it has to compete with its opposite–color photography.

I don’t have much experience photographing animals. They never can seem to sit still for me!  Once I wanted to get this amazingly awesome shot of an ape but he insisted on keeping his back ...more]]>

I’m such a sucker for black and white photography. Its just something about that nice rich black that is just so visually pleasing to me.  The simplicity and purity of it lures people from far an wide to marvel at it. Most people can’t help but to stop and stare. I think that’s what keeps it around considering it has to compete with its opposite–color photography.

I don’t have much experience photographing animals. They never can seem to sit still for me!  Once I wanted to get this amazingly awesome shot of an ape but he insisted on keeping his back turned to me just to laugh at my vague attempts. Today I have compromised some of my favorite examples of black and white animal photography from the web. Hope you enjoy!

 
 
Tiger black and white III | chriskaula

White Majesty |  spike83

Owl in Mono | left-handed

Polar Bear in Tierpark | kanoagr

Sleep mode | Richard H. Hüttemann

Chimpanzee | andreas lem

not well behaved … | andreas lem

Elephant | Catherine Ashley in a Tangerine Sky

baby Mei Lan | A Pandographer (Cassie)

Ok so I know this one isn’t technically black and white but I just had to include an image by this photographer. When I ran across his work I was absolutely blown away by the magnitude of how great his photos were. I’m generally fascinated by size I guess its because I’m relatively short but the image below made me feel like i was 2 feet tall. This image did such an amazing job showing scale! If you would like to see more work from this amazing artist be sure to check out some more of his work by clicking here.

As a African American growing up, I really didn’t have a lot influences when it came to the arts. My parents weren’t really  into art or knew a lot about it. I didn’t have more many people telling me that art was cool or something to go into. Even when I decided to take it seriously and make it a career there was still a lack of African Americans in the field. In college there were maybe 10 of us in the whole department and I can’t say ...more]]>

“Learn your craft, shoot what you really care about, and don’t give up.”

As a African American growing up, I really didn’t have a lot influences when it came to the arts. My parents weren’t really  into art or knew a lot about it. I didn’t have more many people telling me that art was cool or something to go into. Even when I decided to take it seriously and make it a career there was still a lack of African Americans in the field. In college there were maybe 10 of us in the whole department and I can’t say that I even remember us covering African American artists when we studied art history in any of my design an photography classes. We sort of had to find our on influences.
 
Since I’ve been working professionally, I’m always looking for more African American artists for inspiration. Its always great to see more of your people in your field. And there is even less female African American photographers around.
 

I was thrilled when I found out about Lauri Lyons. She’s a great inspiration. She grew up in the Bronx and earned her BFA in Media Arts from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1993. She has worked for BET, The Source, and Essence Magazine. In 2003 she was the first black woman to shoot a cover for Fortune Magazine and in 2006 shhe was the first African American female to be represented by a major stock photography agency, Getty Images.

Click here for her full biography.