Sharon Holy Photography

Inspiring Teens Magazine Photographer: Sharon Holy
Sharon Holy Photography
sharonholyphotography.com
Ohio

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

Tell us about your model program.
I started my model team program in 2016, the year my daughter graduated from high school. Why? I wanted to try something new. I feel like my model team shoots are the ones I can really get creative in, I can try new things, new equipment, etc. I always start with a group shoot with the entire team. I love watching them bond and come together as a team! I always give them an exclusive SHP Model Team t-shirt that I design and we always end the year with a College T-shirt/Cap & Gown session together.
I’m not really changing anything as far as the program goes. I try to come up with new ideas for shoots each year. I go through their applications looking for inspiration based on things they do, like, etc. Going off of testimonies I’ve recently received, I know the girls love meeting people from several different schools. They love to be creative and do extra shoots beyond their senior session. 

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

How did you get your first model?
When I first started, most of the people came to me through some association from my daughter and many I asked to participate...I chose them, with a few exceptions. What I love more about my teams now is that most of the girls choose me. Most I don’t know, or have had little interaction with beforehand, but end up being incredibly close with.
​
What goals do you have for your model team?
I don’t really set goals for my model team other than to capture really fun, creative images. When I started it, it was almost a chore making sure people were posing, tagging, etc. Now, other than having fun, I would say the goal would be to reach more people through the images captured. I learned a long time ago that I wanted members to come to me, to want to participate; otherwise it would be more work than it was worth. I post on social media when applications will be opening and want it to be the senior (or juniors actually) responsibility to complete the application...not the parent! I want to know this is something they want and are excited about. That said, I always include parents in all correspondence. 

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

Tell us about project beauty.
I had my first Project Beauty shoot this year. Project Beauty is a no makeup, no retouching campaign. High school and college students participate in a make-up free photoshoot celebrating each individual’s natural beauty. Its mission is to free participants from the idea of perfection leaving them empowered to not only feel confident about themselves, but to embrace the flaws that make them so uniquely beautiful.Our PB20 campaign got interrupted by Covid-19 and we had to finish everything virtually, but the impact was amazing! So rewarding to see these young ladies take a minute to stop and realize their true beauty! 

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

 What was your background before photography?
I was an Office Manager and Business Consultant. 

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

How/why did you get started in photography?
I’ve always loved taking pictures and being creative. For many years, I sold scrapbooking supplies. Making my own albums inspired me to learn how to take better pictures. When my son was a senior, I took his pictures, his friends, and eventually it spread further and further. 

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

What would you say is your favorite part/s about being a photographer in general?
I love working with high school seniors, learning their personality, their quirks, what makes them uniquely special and capturing that in their images. 

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

Do you work alone or with a team? What are the pros about this choice?
My daughter is my assistant and goes to most shoots with me. I will work alone but prefer to have her there. I call her my Master of Light. She can find light with the reflector in the worst circumstances...much better than I can! Pros: two eyes are better than one. I can focus on the senior while she focuses on making sure I have what I need and also helps chat with the moms and answer their questions. 

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

Do you have a studio or primarily shoot on location? (Or both?) What have been some pros and cons for this?
I do have a small, home studio that I use mainly for headshots or model team shoots but primarily work on location. Pros: I love being on location because the backdrop opportunities are endless. Cons: northeast Ohio weather is extremely unpredictable, and you can only work about six months out of the year...seven if you’re lucky. 

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

Did you go to school for photography or where would you say you got most of your photography education?
I went to business school but have taken many classes on photography, but I would say I’ve learned more from other photographers at workshops than any class I’ve ever taken. I do take advantage of as much training as I can find time for. But all the classes and workshops don’t help if you don’t practice so I always try new things and continue to try to improve every time I shoot. 

Photography by Sharon Holy Photography

---

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

professional photographers, click here to join our photographer's team