Being a mom to my three children is my important and fulfilling role. It has shaped how I prioritize my time, connect with others, and approach my career. My kids are at the heart of everything I do, and their influence has been a driving force in my journey from science to business to creative work. I began my career as an environmental scientist during a time when the dangers of chemical pollution were just coming to light. My work focused on assessing the risks to communities impacted by toxic waste, always driven by the human element. As the field shifted toward remediation, I co-founded a women-owned consulting firm that managed the funding and timelines of large-scale cleanup projects. It was an exciting, challenging time, but when I started my family, my priorities shifted, and I decided to step back to focus on raising my children. ​I sold my share of the business to embrace this new chapter of life. During this time, I was approached by a couple launching an online retail business—at the very start of the e-commerce boom. What began as a part-time role quickly turned into an all-in partnership, with the business growing faster than we ever imagined. I gained hands-on experience in digital branding, website design, product photography, marketing, and customer engagement, as well as all aspects of operational and financial management. Despite the demands of this career, I was able to stay the type of mom I wanted to be, fully present for my kids while pursuing an exciting and fulfilling professional venture. ​Fast forward to the economic crash of 2008 where I learned yet another side of business: preparing a company for sale. It was like earning a real-world MBA, and I’ll always value the lessons from that chapter. After selling the business, I returned to full-time parenting and immersed myself in community volunteering. From managing large-scale fundraising events to supporting our high school’s State Championship football team, I loved contributing to meaningful projects that allowed me to stay closely involved with my children.  During this time, my creative skills in photography and graphic design took center stage, helping elevate the websites and communications of the organizations I worked with. What started as a hobby grew into a professional pursuit as I began photographing sports, events, and portraits. Through my volunteer work, I connected with a company that provides leadership and team-building training. They invited me to join as their field photographer, becoming my first corporate client. When some of the team branched out to form their own company, my role expanded to include web design, marketing, and small business consulting. This partnership became the cornerstone of Shanette Kay Creative, and I’m proud to still work with them today. Over the past several years, I’ve been fortunate to build my business through personal and professional referrals. For me, a strong personal connection and the right "fit" are essential to delivering services and products that truly resonate with my clients. Whether it’s family portraits, fundraising events, corporate headshots, or graphic design, I believe my clients deserve results that authentically reflect their unique personality or brand. My creative philosophy is all about staying true to tone—prioritizing authenticity and striving for timeless over trendy. With a blend of business experience, technical skills, creative passion, and a deep love for storytelling, I’ve built my career around helping people communicate their stories and bring their visions to life—whether personal, professional, or both. Alongside photography, I offer graphic design services for print and web, as well as small business consulting, providing a full suite of creative solutions for corporate and individual clients. I believe photography and design go hand in hand as powerful tools to capture the essence of a person, brand, or moment, delivering work that is authentic, impactful, and tailored to each client’s unique vision. My mission is to provide work that reflects who my clients are and the stories they want to tell.