Meet Jenna Shaw

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenna Shaw. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jenna, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome has been a constant companion throughout my journey, and surprisingly, I’ve come to see it as a good thing rather than a hurdle to overcome. It’s like that nagging inner voice that keeps me on my toes, pushing me to strive for excellence.

At first, imposter syndrome felt like an unwelcome guest, a constant reminder that I might not measure up to others’ expectations or my own lofty goals. However, over time, I’ve learned to appreciate its presence. It acts as a source of motivation and a catalyst for personal growth.

I’m not sure I have actually overcome imposter syndrome and to be honest, that’s okay. Imposter syndrome serves as a reminder that I am constantly evolving. It keeps me humble, preventing complacency from setting in. Instead of viewing it as a negative force, I now see it as a powerful driver that pushes me to improve, learn, and adapt. It keeps me humble and drives me forward.

It encourages me to seek feedback and embrace challenges, knowing that it’s okay not to have all the answers. This perspective has led me to forge meaningful connections with mentors, colleagues, and peers. Imposter syndrome has taught me the value of collaboration and the beauty of learning from others.

Moreover, it’s a testament to my ambition and drive. Imposter syndrome wouldn’t exist if I didn’t set ambitious goals or constantly push my boundaries. It’s a sign that I’m not settling for mediocrity but striving for excellence.

So, while imposter syndrome can be uncomfortable, I’ve come to see it as a necessary companion on my path to self-discovery and success. It’s a reminder that I’m constantly growing, evolving, and pushing myself to be the best version of myself. Rather than trying to overcome it, I’ve chosen to embrace it as a valuable part of my personal and professional journey.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Sure I consider myself incredibly fortunate. Many of my passions have serendipitously come into my life, and my journey into concert photography and running Top Shelf Music is no exception.

Photography has always been a source of joy for me. As a teenager and young adult, I used to wander the streets with my trusty point-and-shoot camera, capturing moments that resonated with me. However, after high school, my focus shifted towards building a career, and photography took a back seat. When 2020 arrived, I was hit with blow after blow – as many of us were – my relationship ended, I lost my job, and I found myself alone and feeling a little lost. I was searching for something to fill the void. I inadvertently let go of all my hobbies while pursuing my career as a Behavior Analyst. I knew I needed a change.

I experimented with various activities – hiking, exploring abandoned places, even jewelry-making – but none truly satisfied me. Then, as the world slowly began to reopen, I rekindled my love for photography. I picked up a used camera and started honing my skills once more.

Soon after, I received invitations to local events. Armed with my camera, I set out to conquer the challenge of capturing dive bar lighting. I accepted every invitation that came my way and sometimes just showed up at venues in hopes of being allowed to photograph the night.

A turning point came when I received a direct message from Top Shelf Music, asking if I’d like to contribute content. With their support, I could access larger venues and photograph renowned artists. There were no strict requirements, so I thought, “Why not?” I had my debut as a Top Shelf Music contributor in April 2022, and in October of the same year, I was honored to be appointed Editor-in-Chief.

In addition to my photography journey, writing has always been a strength of mine. I spot typos everywhere and once even edited a car dealership’s brochure while waiting for my paperwork to finish processing. Editing had never crossed my mind as a potential path; I simply knew I had an eye for detail and a penchant for annoyingly pointing out grammatical errors.

Top Shelf Music’s growth has been extraordinary, and I take a lot of pride in that. We use our platform to support photographers and aspiring media professionals. And, while we’re fortunate to photograph mainstream artists in massive stadiums, our true pride lies in spotlighting emerging musicians – artists tirelessly working to get their music heard. Using our platform to uplift such talent is incredibly fulfilling. We don’t charge for coverage or use ads on our site; our growth and the artists we cover flourish solely due to the unwavering support from the music and media communities. It’s a truly beautiful symbiosis.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Community — My knowledge and talent as a photographer bloomed because I found some mentors who eagerly shared their knowledge with me. I found a community within the music scene that was willing to take a chance on me. Opportunities came my way because of the support of those around me. I’m running a music publication because my predecessor took a chance on me. I’m not afraid to ask for help or admit I need something because of the trust and respect that is shared among us all. Community over competition.

  1. Stay open — Feeling like an imposter can be devastating but it can also serve us. Feeling like an imposter allows me to always ask questions, and to always learn. I never want to be the person who insists they know everything. I want to take chances and I want to always be humble. I no longer consider this syndrome to be a negative thing. I consider it fuel.
  2. Saying “yes” — I used to jokingly say, “Say, ‘yes’ and figure out how to do it later” but honestly, that’s not exactly a joke. My comfort zone in the music media world has expanded exponentially; all because I say yes to every opportunity that I can.

So, my advice to anyone on this journey or thinking about taking the journey is to find your community, use imposter syndrome feelings as a tool to learn and say yes to everything you can without burning out.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
In terms of photography, one of our contributors, Sean McCracken has been vital in helping me build my skills. His experience is invaluable and his passion for photography spews out of him endlessly. I remember being in a photo pit with him, I was photographing the performance and he was photographing the crowd. It’s like he read my mind because as soon as we had the opportunity to chat, he said to me “We know you can photograph musicians. You got the shot — I know you got the shot, you know you got the shot. Now focus on what else is happening around you.” My love of live music and my social anxiety kept me hyper-focused on the stage. There is so much more to concert photography than that. Sean McCracken was paramount in my learning that.

In terms of being an editor and running a magazine, Kristy Rose, my predecessor, has guided me and supported me in every way. I sometimes get so detail-focused that I lose sight of the bigger picture. Sometimes the little details are so overwhelming and I get so caught up in them that my turnover time because a problem. We are living in the time of NOW. If it takes me a week to get our coverage up, we lose so much steam, and our opportunities become impacted. Kristy helps me see passed some details and takes the time to teach me and guide me. When the imposter syndrome is too strong for me to flip positively, Kristy steps in and enlightens me.

Again, community over competition.

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