Ep. 201 - In this episode of In Studio, Kimberly Lovi sits down with her "creative secret weapon," Shannon Laurine. Shannon is the lead photographer at Iconic Nation Media, but her journey started far from the lens. From growing up on the sets of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to battling Lupus and returning to finish her degree 15 years later, Shannon's story is one of resilience and raw talent. They dive deep into what it actually takes to build an iconic brand, the "dirty" secret of high-end photo retouching, and why volume is king in the world of social media content. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established creator, Shannon's insights on "holding space" for clients and curating a consistent visual vibe are a masterclass in modern branding.

Chapters:

1:31 – Meeting the Visionary: Introducing Shannon Laurine

2:41 – Building the Studio: From Auto Body Shop to Iconic Space

4:58 – The "Tight-Lipped" Creative: Working under NDAs and Instagram "Collab" Drama

7:04 – More Than a Photographer: The Role of a Creative Director

8:32 – Roots in the Industry: Growing up on TV sets (Fresh Prince, Saved by the Bell)

10:41 – The Path to Creative Genius: From Makeup Artistry to the Camera

12:35 – Self-Taught Success: Failing Photography 101 and Mastering the Craft

14:40 – The Reality of Post-Production: Why High-End Editing Takes Time

16:14 – The Creative Process: How Shannon Curates a Brand's Identity

20:57 – The Second Act: Returning to School and Balancing 4.0 GPA with Motherhood

23:53 – Health, Lupus, and Resilience: Managing Autoimmune Challenges

26:49 – Protecting Your Peace: Journaling, Burning Rituals, and Energy Gates

29:15 – The "Underdog" Motivation: Helping Women See Their Own Beauty

32:14 – Photography Strategy: Why Volume Beats Perfection for Social Media

34:38 – Branding 101: Visual Consistency and Using Content Pillars

Follow Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonlaurine/

Shannon's portfolio: https://www.shannonlaurine.com/

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCmujZrnOwlh5_rcFdxZZT3w

Ep. 200 - Kimberly dives deep into the rise of video podcasting, why YouTube is no longer optional for growth, and how to balance professional production with raw authenticity. Whether you're a seasoned host or finally ready to hit record for the first time, this episode is your roadmap for strategy, mindset, and impact.

A note from Kimberly: In Studio is celebrating a massive milestone! It's the 200th episode, and I'm pulling back the curtain on my entire journey since 2020. From launching as a side project to becoming a full-time creator and studio owner, the podcasting landscape has shifted—and today, I'm sharing the "State of the Union" for creators.

Chapters:

01:03 – Episode 200: Reflections on a 6-Year Creator Journey

02:17 – The Rise of Video in Podcasting (And Why It Matters)

03:50 – How to Overcome the Fear of Being on Camera

06:32 – Building Trust, Authority, and Reach Through Video

07:48 – DIY vs. Professional Production: What's Right for You?

11:11 – Podcast Workflow Hacks & New AI Tools

12:19 – Why YouTube is Critical for Podcast Growth

13:09 – Introducing VIP Creators Day

15:17 – The Power of Niche Podcasting in a Crowded Market

20:04 – Using Your Podcast as a Networking & Authority Tool

Sign up for your VIP Creators Day here: https://www.iconicstudioshq.com/vip

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCmujZrnOwlh5_rcFdxZZT3w

In this episode, Kimberly sits down with longtime friend and media-tech powerhouse Melody Yazdanyar for a conversation that spans decades—from childhood soccer teammates to navigating the evolving worlds of advertising, gaming, and sports media. Melody shares her journey from early days in digital advertising to working across major acquisitions (AppNexus, Comcast, TransUnion), and now helping build PHȲND—a next-gen gaming platform designed for accessibility and scale. The two also reflect on their Super Bowl experience, the convergence of sports, media, and tech, and why the future of audience engagement is being rewritten in real time. It's equal parts nostalgia, insight, and forward-looking innovation.

Chapters:

2:00 – Super Bowl invite & media-side experience

4:00 – NYC story: Chanel internship & early career days

7:30 – Inside early digital advertising (AppNexus era)

9:30 – Evolution of media, mobile, and audience targeting

11:30 – Career journey through acquisitions & startups

15:00 – Transition into data & connected TV

16:30 – Gaming industry trends & current challenges

18:30 – Explaining gaming from a consumer perspective

19:30 – Introducing PHȲND: gaming via smart TVs

22:00 – Game types, accessibility & platform vision

24:30 – Marshawn Lynch partnership + brand storytelling

27:30 – Super Bowl celebrity moments (Bella Twins, etc.)

31:30 – Melody's story as a trailblazer (female football kicker)

36:00 – PHȲND launch details + how to join beta

Follow Kimberly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylovi/

Subscribe on YouTube Here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCmujZrnOwlh5_rcFdxZZT3w