Meet Shana Oh: Professional Photographer & Amateur Baker

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

Hi Shana, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Is giving up an option? ha.. ha.. If I’m being honest, I have a hard time giving up things that are important to me. There may be points in my life where I question the validity of what I’m doing and comparing myself to others, but that eventually subsides. It’s always a great time to reinvent yourself though, especially through this strange year. It’s a great time to learn something new to add to or completely transform your work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been focusing more on my food photography since my junior year of college at Northern Arizona University. As I’ve landed in Prescott, AZ last year after graduation, there hasn’t been much traction in the work that I would like to do. However, bonding with my significant other over the food we create, has been wonderful and inspiring. Finding Danny Turner as a mentor and working on set has been exciting as well! This year with the pandemic, has been extremely difficult for many people, including myself. It has, however, made me realize what I would like to do in the near future and have been figuring out a way to get there. The biggest challenge has been with myself. I am my worst critic. It’s an overdone phrase, but it holds true. Finding the time to practice self-care and self-love has been such an arduous but rewarding journey. I encourage that for everyone reading this.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first place I would them to Wild Iris for some delicious lattes and a pastry. We would either sit and finish those or take a short walk to the town square. Some days the square has a fair of local eats and art booths. I would highly encourage some samosas at the Safari Samosas booth. We can then take a stroll around the square to check out some antique shops and I would most likely want to stop in the Spice Traveler to pick up some spices. For dinner, I would take them to BiGA. BiGA is an amazing restaurant that creates amazingly delicious dishes from locally sourced places and practicing sustainability. Their dishes aren’t just deliciously balance in flavor and texture, but they’re also well-plated and beautiful! We would finish the evening with some drinks The Point bar. The only reason for that is, that’s the only place that serves my favorite bourbon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people that have shown support, encouragement and mentorship that I would love to thank. But I’ll pick just a few. Shelby Sorensen is a wonderful friend and photography colleague. We actually went to the same school and completed the same photography program. She has been an amazing support through my rough patch as a photographer. As I built myself back up, she has shown support by reposting my posts and providing such lovely commentary of encouragement. Another person I would like to give a shoutout to Danny Turner, a commercial photographer currently located in Prescott, AZ. He was willing to meet with a freshly graduated college student and gave me a chance as his assistant on several projects. He keeps me in mind as he sends me various articles on programs, different artists and ideas to support some personal projects of mine. My brother, Jason Oh, graduated this year from University of Washington School of Law. His mind goes warp speed and tries to find solutions as efficiently as possible. He has been a force to keep up with. But he has shown support in reinventing myself in different way. It’s nice to have the push from certain people and I’m glad he’s on my side.

Website: www.shanaoh.photography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanaoh.photography/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shana-oh-photography/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanaoh.photography