 By Sarah Heath Shariffah Mason is a woman of many talents. Whether she’s getting the dance floor going through her DJ skills or capturing moments in time through her creative photography, one thing is for sure—any event Shariffah is a part of will be unforgettable. Mason—known as DJ Reefa—started to officially DJ events in 2017. She credits Hot Ras Trini for mentoring her and opening up the world of DJing events. Prior to taking the that step, DJ Reefa played for parties and friends to practice. But, music has always been a huge part of her life. “Growing up, I absolutely loved music of almost all genres. My family is Trinidadian, so music definitely runs through my veins day and night! If you knew me, you knew I was either always listening to music, downloading the hottest tracks as soon as possible, or just simply watching my dad spin his music on his turntables at his parties,” shared Mason. She always had a special knack for mixing songs in her mind and then discovered apps that allowed her to mix songs on her phone. “Before I knew it, I started taking DJing seriously, investing in myself and here I am years later still going strong,” she said. DJ Reefa’s signature specialty is that she puts 100% into everything she does to ensure her clients have a unique and tailored experience. Her DJ sets are never the same because she freestyles every event!
But her creativity and talent aren’t limited to DJing. Once her DJ business was off the ground and running, Mason tapped into another passion—photography. Her business, Reef’s Views, has expanded her offerings to provide event and portrait photography since 2020. She credits KG Imaging for teaching her and introducing her to the world of event photography. “I’ve always loved taking photos whether it’s nature shots or capturing moments with loved ones. My camera roll always had a ridiculous amount of photos, especially when I went on vacations or hung out with family and friends,” said Mason. She recalled that when she was very young, she had a black vintage Polaroid camera that sparked her interest in photography. And after that, she had many disposable cameras. “I know my parents were annoyed with me taking that thing everywhere,” she laughed. “A lot of my pictures never got saved but I didn’t care, I kept taking photos even when the film ran out!” Whether a client books Mason to DJ or for photography (or both!) they are sure to get a personalized experience. “I can play any genre requested. I try to reach different cultures through music, to make people feel seen and of course have a good time. And with photos, I enjoy capturing genuine moments at events and even in studio sessions—whether business headshots, personal portraits or family photos that can be shared and enjoyed for years to come.”  While Mason’s passion is evident and her enthusiasm contagious, her journey as a business owner hasn’t always been easy. She shared that being a young, Black, female who is a part of the LGBTQ community has posed challenges when trying to promote her business. “These factors can play a role in whether I get booked or taken seriously when it comes to my crafts,” she shared. “Thankfully, it’s becoming more common for women to be a DJ or photographer. I began to DJ rightbefore the waters were changing years ago, so I experienced being treated different, overlooked, or even get offered less than others. With a background in business and knowledge of how people like me are treated in that field, I already had an idea of what to expect and how to demand my worth, but it still was challenging because I had to work twice as hard just to be given a chance.” Mason believes in herself and her gifts, rightly so. So, quitting is never an option for her. She thinks outside the box to progress, and it’s paid off—she’s built a phenomenal reputation! “While I’m working, I know I am inspiring those around me to chase their dreams too. Once you identify your gift from God, your opportunities are endless,” she shared. “My ultimate goal is to share my skills with children and help them open their minds to more possibilities, confidence, and change. I feel like I have so much more to offer and now with my platform, I can continue to chase my dreams and make memories for those that get to experience me in action! Also, support is something that is very important to me and keeps me going. Without it, I have no idea where I’d be today. It’s truly appreciated!” As perhaps a cherry on top of Mason’s incredible work is her contributions to ShopBlackCT as a long-standing volunteer photographer. Her work has helped amplify countless businesses, adding value to their brands through quality images. “I love seeing Black-owned businesses network with each other, support each other, and overall thrive,” she shared. “If there is any way I can help people, I’ll do it! So the idea that I get to offer free photoshoots for Black business owners feels like this gift God has given me is very clear. It’s already harder for us to get ahead in the business world, so let’s make it easier on each other by being seen and supported, genuinely.” DJ Reefa and Reef’s Views Photography are available for hire across Connecticut and the Tri-State area. She’s also open to traveling for events. Visit www.reefsviews.mypixieset.com to book or for more information.
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