Today we’d like to introduce you to Kylie Shaw.
Hi Kylie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It’s kind of funny, when I was younger, I was so into acting and singing. I was in theatre and choir, I absolutely loved being on stage and in front of the camera. Around high school, I started taking some digital media and writing classes, I then fell in love with process of being behind the scenes and behind the camera. There is something so magical about bringing stories to life visually. I still have a long ways to go and so many projects to put together, but I really want to make a difference with my art, change people’s perspectives, educate people on many topics.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The creative industry is never a smooth road. It is full of bumps, twists, and turns. Because art is so subjective, not everyone will see your vision and image the same way you do or might relate it to themselves differently. Learning to accept that is vital and freeing. And quite beautiful, if you think about it. After feeling pressure from myself and some peers, I decided to leave college after about 2 months. I knew I wanted to try it out but wasn’t sure how long it was gonna stick. I have always had a hard time in school and struggle a lot with anxiety. After leaving, the adjustment between doing photography as a hobby and turning it into a business was a wild one. I have learned a lot about setting boundaries and standards for myself. Working for yourself is a humbling experience and it is so easy to constantly feel the need to give and create, but rest is just as important for the creative mind.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a visual artist based in Missouri, although my goal is to be a traveling one. I love to experiment with blending opposites. When creating, I always ask myself how I can combine dramatic lighting and shadows, masculine and feminine energies, sad and happy emotions to create stories that move people. The way these things are able to balance each other out and create something beautiful has always mesmerized me and I really enjoy playing with that in my work.
What were you like growing up?
Similar to my work, I feel like I have always tried to balance things in my personality. Some would describe me then and now as shy, while others know me as the center of attention and can’t get enough of being in front of the camera or on stage. I have always been into the arts. I loved to sing and perform, still do, but somewhere along the line I developed a comfort zone but have fallen in love with breaking out of it. Even when I was younger, I always felt most at peace in nature and in the sun. I was easily fascinated by the outdoors and loved to make friends with the animals. I always was trying new things like skateboarding and karate, but art always stuck with me and was my therapy in a lot of situations.
Contact Info:
- Email: kyliewshaw@gmail.com
- Website: kyliewshaw.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kyliewshaw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyliewshawphotovideo
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/kyliewshaw
Image Credits
Kenny Marshall
Brooke Christensen
Kylie Shaw
