Meet Shi Howell | Content Creator

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

Hi Shi, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
What inspires me is myself! I know it might sound a little conceited but it is true. Over the years I use to say “Gordon Parks Jr” is who inspired me because he was an amazing Screenwriter and Photographer for the Black community. That is one of my dreams being known as Black Women in Film shooting Photography, Filming, and Screenwriting. In the year 2020, I had to make a lot of changes as well as many others. I didn’t how I was going to continue the new small business that just lost all of its clients, take care of myself and my daughter. I knew at that time I had to make a change, not for myself but for my daughter. I took full advantage of 2020, I worked on my craft, went back to school, and started shooting Photography. I worked with up-and-coming models, actors, artists, and business owners. My love for photography grew and grew, and with that grew my confidence.
I was becoming more confident in myself, and the art of photography. Looking back at the past 3years in business, year 1 was amazing, year 2 I almost put my hand up and in year 3 I broke through all the ceils and is about to take flight. After doing a little reflection, I came to the realization that if it wasn’t for me putting in all that work, I would not be at this point in my life. I remain myself I am my biggest inspiration.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Everyone has a different definition of what art is. My art is Photography! I’m not a painter with a super cool story on how art saved my life. My art discovery came to me while I was working as a camera operator for a Pro Softball team while being a black woman in a male-driven industry, I didn’t see any problems at first but then it happened. I found it hard being able to be heard, my voice or my opinion didn’t matter, my job was to shoot the game and that is it. At first, no problems but then people wanted to know why I chose this job other than something “girly” they would say. Me being the cocky person I am I just let my work speak for itself. I was doing great, 1 of my clips got picked up by ESPN’s top 10. I was letting people see why I chose this job. Everything was great until the owner noticed me speaking with the GM of the team, he approached me and wanted to know why I was speaking with him, I told him the GM and I was having a basic conversation and he told me he saw the ESPN clip and wanted to congratulate me. The very next day the owner of the company wanted me to sign a contract stating that all images I took even the ones on my cell phone is his property. Of course, I refused to sign it but it made me wonder why was he trying so hard to take ownership of something on the last day of shooting.
I had conversations with friends after and they all made me come to the conclusion that I took some amazing pictures. They also told me that you don’t see women in the field of sports photography.

That’s when I know, but how do I get started in the world of sports photography, or let along photography when you come from a video background. I went out and bought myself a camera and I want after it.

I started getting requests from people asking me if I can shoot their wedding photos or their kid’s senior pictures, the list goes on, and that was when I grew into a business. Fly High Productions Ltd.

Fly High Productions Ltd has been in business since December 2018.

Thru all the success I am having with my business, I was starting to lose the will to continue to take pictures, II was becoming bored, I realize that I was doing it for others and I had lost my love of art behind it.

I began to push people away because I was done with working for everyone, Yes the money is good, but money is not everything.

And at that moment the Artist was born. Taking that step back gave me time to see how much I do love photography.

Who knew all of this would happen just because of someone trying to take ownership of my art!

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?
I currently live in Akron, OH. Not too much goes on here. 1 great thing about the city of Akron is that Cleveland is 45 mins away! I love the City of Cleveland, OH. there is so much to do, see, and great food. My favorite place in the city is the East Bank of the Flats. Great restaurants and plenty of water.

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 will like to shout out my friend, and mentor, Kelvin “Deuce” Rice. He is an actor, a screenwriter, and my former instructor.

Website: https://flyhighproductions.myportfolio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tha_1_an_only_sexxyshy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashila-howell-27567691/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fly_high_365

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNu8OSlnv-7zV46zTWJGO3g