10 QUESTIONS: Shawn Lee

ONE OF THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC FORCES FOR POSITIVITY, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT SAT DOWN WITH US TO SHARE THE MOTIVATION BEHIND PUSHING HIMSELF IN THE PHOTO INDUSTRY.

INTERVIEW BY LIBBY PETERSON

1 Where do you think the punchy edge in your photography comes from? It certainly comes directly from my view of and approach to life, both of which are extremely bold. I have a positive outlook and tend to attack life head on with a great sense of excitement! I think that reflects in my interactions with clients.

PHOTO © SHAWN LEE

2 What’s behind your “Rock That” 1 catchphrase? It comes from two areas of my life. One is from watching rock bands on TV as a child. They would break guitars on stage and jump in the mosh pit after a set. It taught me that if you’re going to do something, throw your entire self into it. The second is from my life before photography, when I drove a forklift truck in a warehouse. During the busy season, we would have 16-hour days and couldn’t leave until every single 53-foot trailer was unloaded. The drivers would encourage each other by yelling, “run that!” as we unloaded. It kept us motivated and present in the moment. “Run that,” for me, became “rock that.” It taught me that failure was not an option and you don’t stop until the job is done, no matter how difficult it is. 1 His catchphrase has extended to ROCK THAT Photography Conference & Tradeshow in Detroit, founded by Lee and aimed at promoting diversity.

3 What do you think is the most misunderstood thing about photographing seniors? Paying attention to the individual. As artists, we get so engaged in our own vision that sometimes we forget to ask the client who they are. Making sure we use our artistry to serve the high school senior’s experience 2 is extremely important. 2 At WPPI 2020 this month, Lee is teaching a class called “Delivering a High-Energy Senior Photography Experience with Innovative Strategies—Expand Your Business!”

4 What do you love most about living in Detroit? I love that we don’t stop. Detroit is a lot of things, but no one can accuse us of quitting. My life can be aligned with the narrative of Detroit 3 . I may be a lot of things to a lot of different people, both positive and negative, but I’m not going to stop! Don’t sleep on Detroit. We don’t quit! 3 Lee is also the director of photography for TEDxDetroit and works with Rebrand Cities as a lead visual storyteller, giving Detroit’s small businesses exposure.

5 What’s the last thing that made you laugh? Someone complimented my shoes and socks, but what they didn’t know was that my big toe was sticking out of a hole in my sock inside the shoe. [Laughs] So uncomfortable!

6 You’ve shared quite a bit of your photo knowledge over the years. How did you know when it was time to move into the educational realm of your career? When I had reached a point of sustainability, I knew it was time to reinvest in photographers who were coming down the same path as I came.

7 What do you know now that you wish you had known as an emerging photographer? I wish I knew that I had to have a business mind and that being a photographer means you have to be a small-business owner.

PHOTO © SHAWN LEE

8 You don’t mind getting in front of the camera and sharing your personality on your site and social. What advice would you impart on a photographer who’s shy or nervous to do that? I would say practice and start small. No one says you have to have a huge personality. What you do in practice is what you do in performance. Do practice recordings of yourself, write a short script and do it over and over again. Call your friends who are good at writing and performance and ask for their opinions. Practice in front of them. When you start to feel a little courage, step out and do a short livestream. Once you start, keep going. It will get easier.

PHOTO © SHAWN LEE

9 What do you hope to achieve in 2020? I have many goals for 2020, some of which include expanding our studio in Southfield, Michigan, growing our professional clientele, strengthening existing brand partnerships 4 and exploring new ones that help us better serve our clients for 2020. What I am currently engaged in and hope to make great strides toward for the new year is diversity in the profession 5 and a move toward professional standards for the amateur and young photographer. 4 Lee is a featured speaker for Miller’s Professional Imaging and a co-chair of the speaker selection committee for Imaging USA. 5 He’s also the CEO and president of the Multicultural Association of Professional Photographers, a PPA national affiliate organization.

10 What’s your greatest fear? Not having courage. I’ve learned that there is always the opportunity to be scared. Heck, life can be scary sometimes. A prerequisite of courage is that fear has to be present. It says, “I’m scared, but I’m going to do it anyway. Because what I have to accomplish is greater than the fear I feel.” It’s important to be courageous.

Shawn Lee is a portrait photographer and educator based in Southfield, Michigan. His much-anticipated WPPI class, “Delivering a High-Energy Senior Photography Experience with Innovative Strategies,” takes place at Mandalay Bay on February 25 from 8:30-10:00 a.m.