Meet TaShanna E Newland | X (10) Photography Studio Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with TaShanna E Newland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TaShanna E, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Well I’m crazy organized and I never give up. Like ever! The people that know me well would say that I tend to over-plan, over-think, over-analyze all the time! But, I am also the person tasked with organizing all of our family functions, get togethers, celebrations, everything because they know when it comes down to it I am thinking about every-single-detail. And they know, I will change an entire concept or plan before I just give up. I don’t really like to admit defeat so I can be in a “no way out situation” and I WILL figure out how to make it work. I feel these habits as well as others allow me to continue to push forward towards success. I wouldn’t say that I at this point in my career have succeeded but I am on definitely on the right path.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I first started X(10) Photography Studio, I had just become a new mom a few months prior and knew that I wanted to be home with my daughter, Charlea, for at least the first year. It wasn’t until about March of 2020, you know when the Covid quarantine started, that I decided I would start my own business. I had already been taking so many pictures of my daughter with my phone but it wasn’t until I came across my DSLR camera and picked it up that I knew what I wanted to do. With Covid keeping us inside it gave me plenty of time to practice with my camera, take some classes online, and you know just study my craft. I started by taking picture for friends and family at first, then began photographing for social media lifestyle accounts and soon after grew it to portrait work. As great of practice as this all was I just wasn’t inspired. I had to learn that the pictures I took not only needed to be pretty for the client but they needed to more so be something I was proud of and that I wanted out there in the world representing me. The more I thought about this the more I felt I needed to do something different. That is what brought me to conceptual photography and visual arts. It’s still something I’m building and producing for myself and my brand but I’m very proud of the direction I’m headed in.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t get out much but when I do I have some spots I just have to visit. We’re real foodie people in my home so whenever we have guests we are going to hit up some good eats. Some of my favorites are: Blue Jam Cafe or if you are up for a little drive to Camarillo, Braxton’s; Wokcano for sushi; Fishbone Seafood or King of Crabs for seafood; The Stand, Dog Haus, or Crave Café for quick but delicious eats; Joey’s for dinner; Robeks for a healthy smoothie; and The Funnel House, Brian’s Shaved Ice, or Afters for some sweet dessert. Now that the quarantine has ended you can visit Warner Park and The Village for some live shows and entertainment. If the weather is really nice and our guests are up for it we always take a nice drive through Topanga Canyon to Topanga State Park for a scenic hike, continue down to Santa Monica and Venice Beach to catch a breeze from the ocean and enjoy the views. We love the easy access to the city but only go when we really need to otherwise we are looking to escape and enjoy food and nature. There are endless places to go and explore.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is just no way I could credit any one person for the current success of my photography business but the village that has supported me throughout all of my endeavors is massive. My mother, Florence Arline, who has been understanding of her artsy fartsy daughter who once wanted to be a lawyer, went to college for dance, and now is a photographer. She gets it and somehow I know she knows I’m going to kill it at whatever I do! It’s her unconditional love and support that brings me joy! My siblings, Darrell and Gina, they let me be me and have never made me feel like even though I can be extra, that it wasn’t appreciated. They have been my muses and inspiration for so much! And the support they have given both financial and emotionally has really been the confidence booster I need. I mean if the hardest critics in my life can accept me, no one else even matters! A number of friends who all know the reason, season, or lifetime their friendships have played in my life to encourage, inspire, mentor, refocus, renew, etc. They are who I do this for. Usually free, because their contributions are priceless to me. And last but not lease my husband, Jeremy, and daughter, Charlea. He provides for our family and allows me to pursue whatever it is I want. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life! And Charlea for being my reason and for allowing me, to hopefully, be an amazing example! I love you. I love all of my village and thank you all.

Website: Xphotographystudio.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/xphotographystudio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/10photographystudio

Image Credits
X Photography Studio