We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shane Marie Kim a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shane Marie, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from the many obstacles I’ve had to overcome throughout my life. I’ve always believed that some lessons can only be truly learned through personal experience, which sometimes meant being rebellious toward my parents when I felt I needed to go through situations on my own. That same mindset carried into my journey as an entrepreneur—I’ve faced countless rejections, struggled to gain traction in the early days of my business and events, and even now, the road isn’t always smooth.
On top of that, I’ve had to deal with harassment from past clients, including those who were verbally abusive, as well as working with people who took advantage of me and my resources. But through it all, I’ve stayed true to my values, reminding myself that my purpose, passion, and dreams are far greater than the negativity of those who try to bring me down. Every challenge I’ve faced has only strengthened my determination to keep moving forward.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a personal brand and event photographer, I do more than just take photos—I capture the essence of people, their stories, and the moments that matter most. What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to build meaningful connections with individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses, learning about who they are and how I can add value through my photography. It’s not just about great images; it’s about creating a visual narrative that elevates their brand and presence.
I take pride in making an impact, not only here in Arizona but across the country. Whether I’m photographing a personal brand session that helps someone step confidently into their next chapter or covering an event where energy and emotion are at their peak, my goal is always to highlight authenticity and create images that resonate. But beyond the images, I also add value by connecting the people I meet to others in my network—helping to foster relationships, collaborations, and opportunities that extend far beyond the photoshoot.
Recently, I’ve partnered with Dia’ani TV, a leading broadcasting and media company based in Miami Beach, Florida. This collaboration expands my reach, allowing me to work alongside top-tier brands and high-profile events while furthering my mission of providing compelling, story-driven photography that makes an impact.
At the heart of it all, my work is about connection—understanding people, seeing their vision, and delivering photography that not only meets their needs but amplifies their presence. Through my lens, I strive to capture moments that inspire, engage, and leave a lasting impression—all while building bridges between the incredible people I have the privilege to work with.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that had the most impact on my journey were having a growth mindset, persistence, and being vulnerable. A growth mindset allowed me to view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than roadblocks. Persistence kept me moving forward even when things got difficult or progress seemed slow. And perhaps most importantly, being vulnerable—open to feedback, willing to admit what I didn’t know, and ready to ask for help—allowed me to grow faster and build stronger connections with those who could support me.
For those early in their journey, my biggest piece of advice is to always keep in front of you the reason why you chose this path in the first place. When challenges arise, reminding yourself of your purpose can help you push through. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help—seek out those who have walked this path before you, learn from their experiences, and build relationships that will support your growth. Finding a mentor can be invaluable, providing guidance, encouragement, and perspective that can help you develop the skills and mindset needed to succeed.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
One of my biggest areas of growth over the past 12 months has been making sure I don’t compare myself to others. It’s something I’ve struggled with at times, but I’m constantly reminding myself that I’m in a different season than everyone else. While there are certain goals I wish I were hitting right now, I’ve learned to be patient and trust that with consistency and time, I will get there. I can’t compare my chapter 5 to someone else’s chapter 30—everyone’s journey is unique, and I’m focusing on embracing my own path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shanemariekim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanemariekim.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Shane-Marie-Kim-Photography-LLC/61573915452376/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=q7JBSUkb7VAoAysi&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1LJWAURqBG%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr
Image Credits
I’d like to credit Nik Rubio at The 1992 Archive for taking my headshot photo.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
