Meet Araya Shepherd | Portrait photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Araya Shepherd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Araya, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I decided on photography as a career because it brings me the most joy. I’ve tried being a business and a psychology major and while I found both fields interesting I couldn’t commit. Being able to create something that can be timeless or fun, something that will resonate with people in some way makes me happy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I consider myself a portrait photographer. People are fascinating! The emotions and glances exchanged between friends or partners. The smaller movements that occur as they shift poses. I live to capture those moments. This view has been shaped by my first professional job. I was fortunate to work for a wedding photography firm after graduation as an assistant and editor. It was through that job that I got a chance to see first hand the numerous ways that people interact and how the most vulnerable and authentic moments happen when they don’t think you’re paying attention. It’s taken me a while to become comfortable with what I offer the photo world. But the most important lesson I’ve learned is to be clear about who you are and what your vision is. Be authentically yourself and the people will come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m from Philly and so is my best friend, but she’s been away so long that I may have found some new places to take her to. If you come on the first week of the month, there is First Friday. The art scene is really vibrant. Art galleries stay open later and offer refreshments to the general public. You can check out a variety of art and roam parts of the city for hours. I highly recommend Thinker Makers Society. I would also spend time in Fish town making sure to check out Harriet’s bookshop and Rocky’s Crystals and Minerals. Jeni’s is also a great place in that area for ice cream. I would of course hit Chinatown making sure to stop at Yamitsuki and Kung Fu Tea. Lastly,I would recommend is Uncle Bobbie’s and Ubuntu in Germantown, Franny Lou’s Porch and Plant and People.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout my dad, Joseph. I didn’t know what I would do with photography or how I could make a career from it. That made it hard to convince my parents to trust my decision to switch majors. He saw that I was passionate about it and was quick to support me. I don’t think I would have ever confidently pursued it without him.

Website: www.ashareephoto.com

Instagram: @ashareephoto

Facebook: Araya Shared Photography