We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shannon P. Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shannon P., so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I’m a middle-aged black woman from the mid-west. I grew up watching my father take risks, and I believe he is a big part of why I take chances in life.
My dad bought property a few hours north of our home in Detroit, Michigan. I grew up spending my summers “up at the Lake” in a small town called Shay Lake. Though he was not an architect or a carpenter, he, along with the help of family and friends built a cottage on that land. He started small businesses. He was the type of guy who loved riding motorcycles, trying exotic foods and he never met a stranger. He was a risk taker and he always encouraged me to do the same.
In high school, I was captivated by photography. when Mr. Willard, my graphic arts teacher, introduced me to The Darkroom. In college, there weren’t many opportunities to pursue photography. But I developed great interest in the entertainment industry, so I switched my focus and took a chance. I majored in telecommunications with an emphasis in TV/film production.
During my freshman year I heard about an opportunity for students to work in TV production at the upcoming summer Olympics. I remember being told by a counselor not to waste my time applying because I was too young, and likely would not get accepted. I applied anyway and it really paid off! I was chosen to be part of the Host Broadcast Training Program. I studied, I trained, learning everything I could. In the end, I was selected for one of the coveted positions working at the Olympics. This amazing experience introduced me to the world of Live Television!
A few months after graduating from college, I packed up my car and drove from Detroit to Los Angeles to see if I could make it on my own. Once there, I pursued a career in television production. I also took photography workshops during my downtime from work. Photography was my passion – my hobby, and TV production was my career.
In the beginning, I took all sorts of jobs in TV and film. Eventually, I settled into working as a freelance script supervisor in variety television. I focused mainly on projects like award shows, game shows, talk shows, music specials and corporate events. I built a very successful career. I’ve had the opportunity to work on some of the most prestigious shows in the industry, like the Academy Awards, the Tonys, and the Emmys.
The life of a freelancer is all about risk. Most jobs last anywhere from two weeks to two months. On average I work around 10 to 15 jobs a year. After a job ended, I rarely knew when my next one would start. It was always a gamble. For me, the wonderful experiences I had and the amazing people I met and worked with far outweighed the risks I was taking. I love my job!
But a few years ago, things began to change. The jobs became harder and harder to find. Plus, they became more stressful. My list of cons for continuing to do the job were beginning to overshadow the pros.
A few years ago, I decided I wanted to go back to school. I was finally ready to pursue my passion! I wanted to study Photography full-time and get an MFA. I spent over a year researching and I eventually applied and was accepted into the MFA Program at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. This latest risk has really paid off. I have access to faculty, state of the art facilities, and a wonderful community of fellow students. I continue to study and explore photography, but I recently discovered a love of woodworking! I am enjoying living in a small town for the first time (I do not miss the traffic in Los Angeles). I can’t wait discover my next risk-taking opportunity will be!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a black, female, middle-aged photographer from the mid-west, currently pursuing an MFA in Studio Art at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. I am focused on making photographs of quiet reflection, inviting viewers on a journey through time as well as the physical space I occupy. In this work, I explore the theme of memory, as well as grief as I attempt to settle into feeling grateful to have had my father in my life at all, instead of the anger I usually experience because he is gone.
As a black artist, I feel a responsibility to use my presence to push against under-representation by incorporating re-photographs of old family photos and making self-portraits. By sharing how I exist in my own personal space, I intend to elicit an emotional response. I hope viewers relate and are reminded of small moments from their own lives.
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?
3 QUALITIES: 1 – LEARNING
I love learning. Education has always been a big part of my life. I grew up in a middle-class family full of hardworking, proud people. My mom and her mother (or my grandma) both got their high school diplomas around the same time. My mom was the baby of the family. I’m not sure how Grandma raised 7 children and went to high school at night, but she did. She instilled in her children the importance of education and perseverance. She accomplished this by setting a good example. I always try to live up to the example she set for us. Grad school is how I am currently accomplishing this goal.
2 – ADVENTURE
Life is an adventure, so I try to remember to treat it like one. I believe in staying open to new experiences. I don’t want to be so afraid of change that I stop growing and progressing. Whether it’s experimenting with a new process in my art practice, traveling someplace new and exploring around town or pushing against my tendency towards shyness and embracing and meeting new people, every step helps.
3 – PERMISSION TO BE CREATIVE
Many of my teachers have had a profound effect on me. Recently I took a workshop, and my teacher told us “It is your obligation to pursue your creative outlet, share it, and hope it motivates someone else.” In these words, I found permission to pursue my dream of studying photography and am inspired to give back. I am currently pursuing teaching as a part of my art practice. I am drawn to the idea of sharing as I learn and I plan to give back in the same ways I’ve been taught.
ADVICE:
Just don’t give up! Life is hard. But perseverance rewarded.
Life is also too short. I would rather try something that I’ve been dreaming about and fail at it instead of never trying and then regretting it.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
The past 12 months have been all about education. I have spent this past year immersing myself in the world of art. My life has revolved around reading art-related books, visiting museums and galleries, talking to fellow students, faculty, and friends about art, experimenting with new art disciplines like bookmaking and woodworking, and lastly, writing about art. Writing is not my strong suit. I have confidence in my ability to share what I am thinking visually – through photographs. But when it comes to the written word, I struggle. I think I always have.
In my previous career as a script supervisor, I was tasked with reading and proofing other writer’s work, but I did not have to do the writing myself. Most of my life I’ve felt like I am in a continuous state of experiencing writer’s block. But this year, with a little determination, a lot of hard work, and some persistence I have begun to find more and more moments of clarity. I’ve begun to develop a bit of confidence about expressing myself not just visually, but also through the written word.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shannonphotos.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: @spspix
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-smith-b5abb523b
- Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2141963/
