We’re GROWING! | Hampton Roads Photographer

• March 21st, 2014 •

Copyright © Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

My “little” business is growing!! For those who know my story, I didn’t INTEND for my photography business to become such a large part of my life. I LOVED taking care of my family, where my job consisted of wiping butts, making crafts, teaching the alphabet and all the other things that come with being a stay-at-home mom! In fact, I went to college and earned a degree in education but knew that when I met my husband and got married, I would give it all up to stay home and raise my munchkins.

Fast forward almost 13 years and here we are. My babies are growing up and all in school and I have a full time job running my OWN business! I am about as surprised as you are! I love what I do and I am so thankful that God has bigger plans for me. I am so very thankful to have had so many years caring for my family and being there for the kids’ important young years of development and I would go back and do it again if I had a choice!

But now, I also have a career! And boy, is it WORK!!! I love what I do but the “taking your portrait and selling it to you” business is not as easy as it sounds! There is marketing and advertising, pricing lists and sample products, travel and location scouting, bookkeeping, education and classes, taxes and depreciation, buying and selling equipment, print labs, branding, scheduling, editing, ordering, etc, etc, etc! There is SO much to DO!

At the beginning of this year, I was sharing with my friend how I REALLY needed an assistant to help me. I am great at some of those things mentioned… but honestly, not so good at some of the others. I needed help growing my business and making it run more smoothly. But this business is like my fourth child… I am protective of it; I love it, even when it drives me crazy. I can’t just ask ANYONE to help me. So, I prayed and God sent me an answer. A beautiful, awesome, amazing answer to prayer!

Everyone, please meet Jennifer… my new Office Magician!

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She’s pretty awesome. She doesn’t know much about photography but has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and has worked in many offices throughout her life. She’s a wiz at whipping me into shape… even has me turning off Facebook now when I edit so I am more proficient with my time (I miss my little “Dings” when you message me; but yes, she is right… you can wait an hour while I edit a session!) Also, with her background in counseling, she’s adding new depths to my Renew Sessions. She’s helping me create an even more amazing experience for all my couples! I am SO excited to have her in the office (I can stop talking to the dog now when I am bored!) and I am so excited to introduce her to you! I’ve asked her to answer some of the following questions so you can get to know her a bit. Like I said, I think you’re going to love her!

~ Favorite Color: Green, of course!

~ Favorite Food: Mexican – any form of chips and salsa…with a top-shelf, Grand Marnier margarita!

~ Favorite Movie: Pride & Prejudice…the BBC 6-hour version. Romantics, you gotta see it!!

~ Tell us about yourself: I love helping people get unstuck…whether relationally, spiritually, emotionally, professionally, etc! I’m great at being a counselor; it’s truly fulfilling. My passion is to live life fully and intentionally; we only get one chance. I am the oldest of four and am blessed with a wonderful family, with whom I don’t get to spend enough time. I look forward to growing my own family someday but am thrilled with all the opportunities I’ve gotten. I love my life!

~ Where did you grow up: I grew up in Indiana. After too many years attempting to survive the long, never-melting-snow winters, graduate school was my escape. So I came southeast and LOVE living oceanside! I would sell all I had if it got me a house ON the sand where I could hear the crashing waves each and every morning and evening!

~ Why did you want to work with Devon? One of my other favorite things is creating order out of chaos and helping create systems that allow organizations to run efficiently and smoothly. So when Devon approached me, I was conveniently between career moves and loved the idea of helping her create a working professional system. It has turned into more than me helping her…Devon is helping me as I work to develop my own organization, blending all my business experience with my counseling heart and knowledge, while working in churches. She’s legit and has been so encouraging as I trudge through the process of business development. Her support of me has been very needed and so appreciated! This has been a great, timely experience thus far and I look forward to what Devon and I can further create, capture, and change in Hampton Roads!

So, as you can see, she’s a rock star! I am so blessed to have her join our team. With her in the office, I can make every one of my sessions more special and meaningful as I have more time to truly focus on what I LOVE- capturing and photographing you and all your amazing moments!

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