Jo Sheldon Photography

Jo Sheldon had a successful career as an interiors sales manager when she decided to re-train as a photographer. She spoke to Holly Willis about her new career

Jo prefers to take photographs outdoors in natural light, without a flash. Jo Sheldon Photography

Jo Sheldon has loved taking photographs of people since buying a camera as a 14-year-old girl, but it wasn’t until she was in her 30s that the hobby turned in to a career. Long hours commuting to work left Jo drained and hankering after a more creative, hands-on role. She now specialises in creating a variety of framed prints of families and children, taken in natural light.

‘Life was transformed when I went on a three-day residential photography course about four years ago,’ says Jo. ‘It was in the Lake District and it was inspiring. I thought, this is what I want to do - lifestyle photography outdoors.’

Jo’s prints tend to share a common thread: they make you smile. Every face you look in to seems to be lit from within, not posed or forced, and taken in unconventional places.

‘I’m drawn to photographing people, it’s about faces,’ says Jo. ‘When you look in to someone’s face you can see the soul of that person and what they are about.

‘When I visit people in their homes they’re often surprised where I take photographs. I’m round the back of their sheds or looking at their garage doors. I’m just looking for colour, texture or an interesting background to photograph people against.’

It’s good to talk

So what’s the key to a great photograph? ‘Talking is the most important thing,’ says Jo, who will spend time chatting with clients as they walk to a nearby park, or asking children about a favourite toy to help them relax and bring out their personality. Children are often considered difficult to work with but Jo maintains that they are often easier to draw out than adults.

‘As a child I hated having my photo taken. My mother would say “Right, Smile!” That’s just the worst thing in the world for most kids so I wouldn’t want to give them that memory. Hopefully they just remember having fun on the photo shoot.’

She typically spends half a day with her clients, then goes back about a week later to present the photos. ‘That’s always the nerve-racking bit for me,’ she admits. ‘I don’t like the hard sell so I leave a selection with the family and give them time to choose which images they like.’

Art meets business

Her time in the corporate sphere has also led to Jo taking photographs of businessmen and women for their company websites and brochures. But even with corporate experience, completely changing career was still a challenge for Jo. ‘It was a lot of work setting up my own business,’ she says. ‘Just the organisation, packaging, advertising, getting stock in, order forms – you forget all the little intricacies of running a business. The only thing I don’t do is the accountancy.’

The newest string to Jo’s bow is her artwork. She takes a photograph, alters it using computer software, then either paints or prints it. The result is a striking image that falls somewhere between a painting and a photo.

So whether you’d like a family photo to be proud of, pictures for your company brochure or a unique piece of art, Jo can help – just don’t be surprised if you find her checking out your shed.

josheldonphotography.co.uk

info@josheldonphotography.co.uk

01223 352236

07969 845 911