Angelika Krug Shannon shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Angelika, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My two-year-old daughter! She’s at such a fun age…curious, silly, and constantly learning new things. She’s definitely my favorite and best distraction from work! I love my job and she reminds me why I do what I do; it’s to preserve moments like that one’s I’m savoring with her.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Angelika, a Florida wedding photographer, videographer, and lover of all things celebratory. I’ve spent over a decade documenting life’s best moments; the ones that bring out the best in people. I started my business in 2014 while I was working as a professional dancer and that has shaped the way I capture moments and carry myself in business. What makes my work special is my focus on helping couples slow down and enjoy the day while I capture all the big and little things unfolding naturally. It’s a privilege to preserve those once-in-a-lifetime moments in an honest, artful way.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In the industry I’ve been grateful to have amazing colleagues and friends that have helped build me up. I’ve also experienced so not-so-fun things that have shown me the importance of integrity and character in business. To sum it up, I believe bonds are broken when trust is broken; I believe gossip is a huge culprit of this. It becomes worse when we stop listening to each other and hide behind our screens. It is restored when we lead with empathy and choose to focus on our shared human experience. I love my job because it puts a spotlight on just that: people having real human emotions..ones that we all experience.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering is a part of life and it taught me to have more gratitude for what I have rather than focusing on what I want to achieve or don’t have. It’s given me a deeper sense of accomplishment because the things that didn’t come easily ended up meaning the most. Pursing my dreams in my business while hurting in other areas of my life taught me perseverance like none other. It also reminded me that being a good person matters far more than being a “successful” one. I’ve learned that in the end, it’s better to take the long road, one built on integrity and purpose than rush to success with no foundation.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
100%! Though I do choose to showcase certain character traits more than others, my business is absolutely a reflection of who I am as a human being. One side you won’t see too often online is how silly and sarcastic I can be. My husband sees that side often!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I truly believe I am exactly where I am meant to be. Photography, videography and the wedding industry brings out the best sides of me; my creativity, love for people and heart for love stories and uses them to bring joy to others. It feels so fulfilling to share that with the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://angelikakrugphotofilm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelikakrugphotofilm/?hl=en
- Facebook: Photography by Angelika Krug
- Youtube: Angelika Krug Creative @AngelikaKrugPhotoFilm
Image Credits
All photos were captured by myself. The photos of me were captured by: Tiffany Wayne
