Daily Inspiration: Meet Shaylin Cota

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaylin Cota

Hi Shaylin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan which I admire for its art and connections. I grew up in a small town (Tawas) on Lake Huron. I am the oldest of 6 and have a growing family of international exchange students. I have brothers and sisters across the globe, which I feel forever fortunate for. They have inspired me to travel and connect with others- to hear new stories and try traditions you would otherwise not. I just came back from a 7 week Europe trip (which I bought a 1 way ticket for). I am always looking for ways to continue traveling and meeting new people.

I have had a camera strapped to me for about 10 years. I like to stay busy and romanticize life, so naturally I carry my camera everywhere to document life around me. I also enjoy working with talented artists around me (other photographers, entrepreneurs, makeup artists, models, everyone!). I have a background in Advertising & Public Relations, which I practice in my business that I started in January of 2023, called Cota Creative Media. At the core, CC Media aims to celebrate, create, and collaborate. I work in a variety of events, with various clients ranging from the food industry to the cannabis industry.

With plans to continue traveling- whether it be international, in the states, or just state of Michigan- I hope to continue connecting with brands and individuals that have stories, products, or feelings that are trying to capture and share!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have struggled trying to narrow my field of work aka niching down. After reflection, I feel much better about not putting myself in a box. There was a period where I did not create much art, in an effort to dive deep into what I should brand as or niche down to. I have found my creativity flows more effortlessly without those constraints. This is why I like to call myself a documentarian photographer!

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?
I love to document and share behind-the-scenes clips of life. A fun (time-consuming and detailed) project that has been a regular post of mine includes my collages. It is a scrapbook/look into my journal (literally). If you dig into my collages you might read a journal entry or two or see a shot of Wiz Khalifa backstage telling me to not take photos or see a screenshot of the 3mile route I took when I took my dog for a walk. I love to stay busy, romanticize life, and manifest. Last summer I manifested musical gigs and ended up with opportunities to shoot at Electric Forest, North Coast, and hang out with Berner and Wiz Khalifa.

I am currently working on a huge collage for Art Prize, which has been a dream of mine to enter!

I truly go where the gigs take me. I love collabing with entrepreneurs, businesses, models, makeup artists, and all. I love event photography, portrait sessions, and doing content curation for brands!

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The Westside of Michigan has so much untapped talent. Grand Rapids has so many amazing artists. I love the inspiration and art that Grand Rapids celebrates and invites in. I love that there is a calendar of events – it’s a busy 4 season city, which is necessary for MI.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/shaylintessphotography/