We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shauna Cooney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shauna below.
Hi Shauna, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Ever since I was a child, I have always had an ability to fantasize about potential outcomes and see the possibilities in my success. A sort of romanticization of my possible success. Those visualizations and potential successes always translated to setting goals for myself. To know exactly where I want to go and what I hope to accomplish. When my drive is low, it is those goals and visualizations that fuel my work ethic and help me to continue to push forward.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Together, my husband and I form a dynamic destination wedding photography team, and we’re genuinely passionate about every aspect of our work. Capturing and narrating the unique story that each couple shares is a profound honor for us. The nature of our job is fast-paced, and the stakes are undeniably high, given the absence of do-overs in the wedding moments we document.
Beyond the responsibility of delivering for our clients, we also bear the weight of meeting the expectations of the collaborative vendor team—comprising various small businesses—all relying on us to adeptly capture the artistry and craftsmanship of the day. It’s a high-stakes environment, but it’s precisely where we thrive.
As a husband and wife duo, we strive to cultivate an atmosphere that allows our couples to feel at ease both in front of our cameras and with each other. This comfort is crucial for us to authentically portray and preserve their love, connection, and unique narrative. Before delving into the world of photography, we were educators, bringing a unique perspective to our craft.
Drawing on our formal training in education, we possess an exceptional ability to communicate with our couples, fostering genuine, authentic, and emotive art. Through our guidance, we establish an environment where couples not only feel comfortable but can also freely express and preserve their profound love story.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Communication: It is imperative that we can guide our clients through an experience and foster environments where we can document their story. Communication is pivotal in this.
2. Emotional Intelligence: Being able to read a room and anticipating needs and moments. To know when our couple needs a break, or to see that mom is about to have a heartfelt moment with their child.
3. Grit: This industry isn’t an easy one. It takes constant effort and perseverance to keep pushing forward towards our goals. Almost to the point of delusion. But it’s thanks to that delusion that we have success. Don’t put limits on yourself. If there’s a ceiling, it’s there for you to break it.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We actually are actively seeking collaborative opportunities and are open to partnering with a variety of individuals and brands. Specifically, we are interested in collaborating with luxury brands, fashion-forward partners, and travel entities seeking visually captivating imagery to enhance their storytelling and brand representation. Whether it’s working with high-end brands to promote their offerings, collaborating with those in the fashion industry, or partnering with travel entities to document their guest experience, we are always excited about the potential opportunities for creative collaborations.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaunaandjordon.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shaunaandjordon
- Other: Email (if needed): info@shaunaandjordon.com
Image Credits
Shauna and Jordon
