Rising Stars: Meet Shelby Archuleta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Archuleta.

Hi Shelby, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up I loved watching the Travel Chanel, and Samantha Brown shows specifically. I was so inspired by her worldly adventures and the connections she made with everyone she met. After graduating high school, I spent a lot of time trying to pinpoint what it was I wanted to do when I grew up.

While in college I started gravitating towards Journalism, as I felt that was my opportunity to travel and make those same connections that I grew up admiring. One of the first Journalism classes that I took was a Photojournalism class and I fell in love. I was excited about every project. It was a new opportunity for me to capture amazing moments for people. When college didn’t pan out the way that I thought it would, I took it upon myself to create a business of my own.

Though Straight Arrow Photography is still growing, all the family and friend shoots that I have done have been so amazing. My greatest pride is capturing candid moments that show true emotions. In the aftermath of the pandemic, I have been focusing on new photography goals and immersing myself in the creative community.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have certainly had my share of struggles. I think the biggest thing that has rung out to me since starting Straight Arrow Photography is “how are you going to make this work long-term?” Life is so hard to juggle as it is but the main goal is to align your livelihood with something you’re actually passionate about. One of my favorite quotes from my grandpa was “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

While that has been in the back of my mind my entire adult life, it really is easier said than done. When I turned 26 I had the anxiety of “I need to get myself health insurance” and then further on down the road the need to climb the corporate ladder to make a decent income.

I’ve finally gotten to the point in my life where all of that societal noise cannot matter, merely for my own mental health. I am now in full pursuit of doing everything I can to love what I do so I don’t have to work a day in my life.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I take photos of things that inspire me with the intent of inspiring others. My tagline is “Explore, Create, Inspire” and I really strive to meet that for every shoot. I started Straight Arrow Photography in Tucson, AZ where I did family shoots, as well as nature photography.

When I moved to Flagstaff, AZ, that led me to my black and white western photography, along with more portrait photography. My photos from all over Arizona, I would say are something I am most proud of. It exemplifies everything that I strive for and allows me to explore my surroundings and share my perspective with the rest of the world. There is pure magic in that and that is what I believe sets me apart from others.

We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success simply as achieving my own goals. I think this world is so tainted with everyone else’s definition of “success” that it distracts from that true individual desire. My vision of success with Straight Arrow Photography is to have clients so happy with my work and their experience with me that they continue to come back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.straightarrowphotography.com/
• Instagram: @straightarrowphotography_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/straightarrowphotographyco