Meet Sharda Jolayemi | Lifestyle Portrait Photographer & Creative’s Prayer and Bible Study Host

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

Hi Sharda, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
I would say hearing that you have to “Hustle Hard to Win” is advice that just doesn’t resonate with me. The word Hustle immediately stresses me out and that’s just it, there’s an underlying pressure and false glory that comes with a lifestyle that’s only full of working hard. I believe that we are called to operate from a place of excellence, meet goals, and build from a place of rest not hustle. The fruit of working from rest is peace and grace. I want to stay in that flow and dodge the burnout struggle bus.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Photography was not on my radar at all. I was just okay taking photos with my iPhone and posting them to Instagram. It wasn’t until a friend and I met for coffee to go over our goals for the new year. She knew that one of mine was to get my first digital camera so I could really start exploring photography as a hobby (so I thought). In the next moment, she told me she had a gift for me and gave me her camera. She said God told me to bless me with it.*insert immediate ugly cry* At that moment, I had no idea how my life was about to change, but God did. I started photographing moments of my sister and my nephew at the park and then I did my first styled wedding shoot with friends at from my church, Little did I know that styled shoot would land my very first professional photography booking. Not long after that, I started to receive referrals for couple sessions and some milestone sessions. I launched my photography brand and business, Write Dream Do in 2017 and as I grew my niche became more specific to lifestyle, branding, and intimate weddings. Today I’ve helped document over 5 years of beautiful moments in photography! My heart is full, I’m honored & there’s still so much more yet unfolding we are set to capture. My heart is to help my clients mark moments and document glory, story tell visuals that showcase how God seals moments of time to remind us of who we are.

As a photographer, I capture the glorious milestone moments of joy for individuals, family, couples for generations to come. along with capturing the heart & story behind creative entrepreneurs, brands and businesses. It’s so much more than just a photo being captured, it’s God who seals these moments in time to remind us of who we are. How He sees us. The beautiful unfolding of your story and plans of a hope & future. A story from the bible that encourages me is the story of Abraham being announced the Father of all nations. I can only imagine what it had to be like for Abraham when God brought him outside of his tent and said “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” (gen 15:5) I’m sure that he never looked at stars the same again. A moment forever sealed in his heart, a moment held throughout generations to come.

That’s how I feel about photography. It’s my heart to help my clients do/feel the same. It’s documenting glory. Through every photo captured, I help remind them that these moments/memories are their legacies and they are so worthy of holding/keeping.

A lesson I learned along the way was that “you are worthy”. I remember a season when I struggled with my worth and would question “Am I good enough” almost ready to put down the camera. But I remember one day on my way to a photo session, I felt God tug on my heart and gave me this word: “I am using you to restore the joy of their hearts for what I’ve called them to do. You will be a conduit of My purpose to help them step into their next, don’t sway to the left or the right to “do you” but let it be uncommon what I do through you for such a time as this” Needless to say, after that moment, those insecurities rolled away and I begin to see the fruit of that word through my hands. I hold on to the word every time I feel myself wanting to slip into that imagination. God is so good & I feel so blessed to be His vessel in this way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I’d take them to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. It’s free admission and it’s full of beautiful pieces from around the world, plus a lovely outdoor garden for a those nice summer picnic days. If we’re headed to lunch, Frida’s Mexican restaurant and for dessert you can’t go wrong with ice cream at Gelati Celesti!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to give a shoutout to HUSH Sisterhood. This women’s ministry has been an incredible blessing to my life. The bible studies, revival fire conferences, and community has truly helped grow and push me into my purpose and calling in the earth.

Website: https://www.shardalbyrd.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writedreamdo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writedreamdophotography

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxpM4q_j_Pt27uzPpF8lJtw