From Behind the Chair to Behind the Camera: How Shannon Demont is Empowering Stylists Through Photography

Shannon Demont is a hairstylist-turned-photographer and educator on a mission to help beauty professionals attract dream clients through high-impact imagery. In a recent episode of Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations, Shannon shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to creating the Hair Photography Academy, a transformative online education program for stylists.

Here are the biggest takeaways from our conversation:

A Resilient Start

Shannon’s path into the beauty industry began in high school, where she graduated with her cosmetology license. Amid personal challenges, including a period of homelessness her senior year, she relied on her skills to secure work and stability. She credits cosmetology as the tool that gave her a way forward during a difficult time.

Wearing Many Hats (and Loving It)

In 2014, Shannon added massage therapy to her skillset, attending school at night while working during the day. Later, she discovered a love for photography, sparked by the desire to capture her own children. This curiosity evolved into a passion and new career direction.

Bringing the Camera into the Salon

What started as a personal interest quickly turned into a professional game-changer. Shannon began bringing her camera into the salon to document her work—despite skepticism from peers at the time. As she shared her photos online, her clientele and visibility grew rapidly.

Finding Her Niche in Education

Shannon’s love of teaching led her to create photography classes for stylists, starting with in-person workshops. Over time, the photography portion of her classes became the most requested and loved, prompting her to focus solely on that niche.

The Birth of Hair Photography Academy

Shannon launched the Hair Photography Academy as a full-scale online course in Fall 2024. The course is designed to help stylists confidently document their work—whether they’re using a phone or a camera. It covers everything from lighting and posing to editing and social media strategy.

Leaving the Chair

In early 2023, Shannon made the courageous decision to step away from working behind the chair to focus on digital education full time. While the shift was both exciting and terrifying, she felt ready to follow a new vision and support stylists in a different way.

The Power of Healing and Intentional Living

Stepping back from salon work gave Shannon space to reflect, heal, and grow. She addressed unprocessed trauma, leaned into quiet time, and embraced tools like therapy, prayer, massage, and meditation. This season of self-discovery became the foundation for her next chapter.

Small Daily Actions with Big Impact

Shannon now lives by the philosophy of doing one small thing each day to move her business forward. Whether it’s answering emails, working on course modules, or prepping content, these daily efforts compound over time into meaningful progress.

A Thriving Facebook Community

Shannon’s Hair Photography Facebook group has grown to over 35,000 members. The group provides a supportive space for stylists to learn, share their work, and get constructive feedback. It’s a hub for education, encouragement, and connection for those interested in upping their photography game.

What's Inside Hair Photography Academy

The course is a comprehensive step-by-step program that teaches stylists how to take stunning, professional-quality hair photos—no matter their experience level. With coaching calls, lighting techniques, posing guidance, editing tips, and more, it's a true transformation from “awkward and unsure” to confident and creative.

Ready to Learn More?

If you're a stylist who wants to level up your photo skills, increase visibility, and attract aligned clients, Shannon’s Hair Photography Academy may be the perfect fit. Start by joining her free Hair Photography Facebook group or explore the course at your own pace. The doors are open year-round.