Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Lee.
Hi Shawn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey really took a transformative turn in 2018 when I made a deep, personal commitment to my core values—a decision that continues to ground everything I do. When COVID hit, like it did for so many, it forced a pivotal reset. As a natural extravert and entrepreneur, that pause gave me the space to recharge, realign my purpose, and sharpen my vision.
Fast forward to today: I proudly completed my B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Kansas—20 years in the making, but proof that I finish strong! On top of that, I’ve jumped into the media space with Anointed Radio, launched my podcast The Kingdom Lens Report, and created my own digital workshop, Picture Perfect Headshots on the Go. This current season is all about vision, execution, and bringing bold, purpose-driven energy into my next professional chapter.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth roads never created strong souls; ease has a way of hiding our true power. Every twist, bump, and steep incline along my journey was meticulously designed
to forge character, build endurance, and anchor my faith. But reaching that realization required walking through the storm first. For a long time, I attempted the ultimate tightrope walk—balancing motherhood, a career, higher education, an evolving business, and a vibrant social life. While motherhood was always my unshakeable North Star, the constant pressure left me running on fumes. In the frantic rush to keep every plate spinning, I had overlooked the ultimate power source: intentional, dedicated time with God. Exhausted, irritable, and disconnected from my creative spark, I made a bold decision. I paused my degree to pour fully into motherhood and reclaim my spiritual foundation.
Stepping back revealed a vital lesson: a heart of service without healthy boundaries is a recipe for depletion. I had always been the perpetual peacemaker, the tireless problem solver, and the safe harbor for everyone else—often at the total expense of my own spirit. Unlearning the deep-seated guilt of saying “no” was a fierce internal battle. I had to realize that access to your spirit is a privilege, not an open door. Protecting my peace wasn’t selfish; it was essential. Once I stopped over-explaining my boundaries and began guarding my capacity, transformation rippled through both my personal and professional life.
The hardest valley to cross, however, was learning to truly believe in myself. Rewriting over thirty years of deep-seated habits, conditioning, and quiet doubt felt daunting. I questioned whether I could peel back the layers to discover who I authentically was, what I loved, and what I truly believed. But in the depth of that stillness, I discovered that true confidence isn’t self-manufactured—it is born from faith. Unlocking my authentic self gave me the courage to return to school, pivot my business, and launch bold new endeavors. By stepping fully into the woman God created me to be, I finally gained the freedom to show up in every room, relationship, and dream with unwavering security, purpose, and peace.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
If you know me, you probably know me as the person who will abruptly stop on a busy sidewalk because the light hit a brick wall just right. I’m a photographer, podcaster, and full-time visual visionary—which is a fancy way of saying I turn life’s ordinary side-quests into gallery-worthy art. Give me a casual stroll downtown, a cloud formation from a 30,000-foot airplane window seat, or a stray alleyway in a city I’ve never visited, and I’ll turn it into a visual mindscape. My goal? To make you pause, dream, explore, and maybe start booking a flight you definitely didn’t plan for.
Now, full disclosure: when I first started out, I was capturing literally everything. If it held still—or even if it didn’t—I took a picture of it. But in the quiet moments of quiet stillness, I realized chasing every dollar wasn’t my purpose. Sure, bank accounts are great, but purpose fulfills what money can’t buy. Sticking to that belief in an industry obsessed with trends is my secret sauce. I don’t take on projects just to stay booked and busy; I take on work that aligns with my soul. I’m not chasing internet popularity or trying to win a personality contest—I want my life’s work to leave people genuinely inspired, transformed, and blessed.
So, what’s next on this wild entrepreneurial ride? Teaching! I’m stepping into my educator era, helping people unlock the visual storyteller hiding inside them without needing a $10,000 camera setup. Truth is, you already have the best gear available: your vision, your imagination, your smartphone, and a willingness to learn. At the end of the day, the legacy I leave behind is what drives me. I want to be remembered as a woman of God, a master visual storyteller, and an educator with a heart of service—showing the world that true art isn’t about the equipment in your hands, but the spirit behind the lens.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Purposeful Living and Authenticity is what matters most to me. True fulfillment begins the moment you stop trying to blend into the background and step boldly into the blueprint designed specifically for you. Living authentically isn’t just a personal choice—it is a sacred alignment with God’s intention for my life. Understanding that my true self was purposefully created, quirks and all, has brought a profound, unshakeable peace to my spirit. I no longer just go through the motions or wander aimlessly; I view the world through a completely restored lens. It is a lens sharpened by vision, guided by faith, and anchored in the deep assurance that every step I take has a higher purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justshawnlee.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justshawnlee
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnleehouse/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/justshawnlee
