The Life of Iconic Commercial Fashion Photographer Will Shively

With over 40 years of portrait work under his belt, American Photographer Will Shively has become one of the most successful commercial fashion shooters in Columbus. Will found himself at a crossroads when he first decided to pursue his passion for photography. He got his BFA in painting from Ohio State University and was working for a design firm before being let go with a newborn on the way. But despite the risks involved, Will worked nights as a janitor at a local manufacturing plant while teaching himself the art of photography. 

His business eventually grew to represent clients such as Abercrombie, Victoria’s Secret, Express, DSW, and Ballet Met. This short documentary by Oakhouse Films gives you a pretty candid look into the life and time of Will Shively, as it touches on Will's struggles with alcoholism, divorce, child custody battles, and financial ruin. It's the tale of an arduous journey that so many creative professionals face in order to live a life in pursuit of one's passion. But the ups and downs of the creative can often be very extreme, as Will has gone from nothing, to ten years of making more than $400,000 annually, and back down to nothing. So, where does that leave him today? I'm predicting his next big up. As he says:

If you don’t know there are limitations, you are free to do what you want. ​

Be sure to follow Master Photographer Will Shively ​on Facebook.

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