Superhero Kent

• January 11th, 2019 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

Kent was 6 months in December and he was happy and ready to celebrate his new ability to sit up on his own! He was also pretty excited about Santa coming to visit later in the month! Nichole, Kent’s mom, had to take a conference call during the portrait session so she spent time in the office while Kent and I got some fantastic portraits of him in the studio. Kent was such a superhero for his portraits! Thank you again for letting me photograph your handsome little man!

I continue to be proud that I made the decision to expand my space last year because it gives my clients and I the much needed space during the sessions!

2019-01-08_0004 2019-01-08_0005 2019-01-08_0006 2019-01-08_0007 Kent Payne Sitting

Cultural Celebration with Cynthia

• August 27th, 2018 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

Cynthia was the first client to have a Cultural celebration portrait session. She chose to not only embrace her own African culture but also showcased her love for Hawaiian culture. Cynthia is a local actress and a wonderful friend that has helped me decorate my new studio and office space with wonderful plants and trees. I just hope I get a green thumb really soon! I had so much fun photographing Cynthia and I know the future holds great things ahead for her.

Thank you Cynthia for being a wonderful friend and a beautiful person inside and out.

Here are a few of the portraits from Cynthia’s unique session. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Jillian_0097 Jillian_0101 Jillian_0102 Jillian_0106 Jillian_0107 Jillian_0099

Oh Snap! What an Open House!

• August 16th, 2018 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

On August 10th, I held an Open House for everyone to stop by and come see the new space. Since June when we first decided to take on the space my office manager, Becca, and I have been working on getting everything perfect. I was so excited to share with everyone what the space looked like and I am so happy everyone that could show up, did. We found ourselves laughing with silly Photo Booth props, enjoying copious amounts of popcorn topped with candy from the popcorn bar, and drinking refreshing fruit punch with real fruit chunks.

Becca painted a wonderful canvas that was used as the guestbook and I took time at the end of the night to read what everyone had written. Thank you for all of the kind words! I am blown away by the feedback I received and so thankful to have such a strong supporting group of clients that have become friends and friends that have become clients.

Guests entered a raffle for a $75 credit and then enjoyed a quick tour of the new studio and office spaces. I now have a dressing room space, a make-up mirror, coffee machine, and more space for large families to enjoy viewing their photographs! I also had a slideshow of some of my most favorite photographs playing for everyone to see. I got to share some of our upcoming events: my back to school mini portrait session on August 25th at Tidewater Arboretum, my mermaid crown making party on September 8th, Senior Portraits for the class of 2019, exciting news about my Santa on the Beach session this fall, and new sessions that I am able to provide now that the studio has a separate space. I am very excited for what the fall will bring!

We had three raffle ticket winners that each won their own $75 credit toward an upcoming fall session. I can’t wait to photograph each of the winning families!Please enjoy some of the photographs of the studio and from the Open House.

We had such a wonderful turnout that we will be looking to host more events at the studio and at other locations. If you’d be interested in learning more about future events make sure to follow me on Facebook and watch for posts!

I hope that if you didn’t make it to the open house that I will see you soon to check out the space in person! I am very excited to share with everyone the new space and show off all of the hard work everyone has put in to make the space look so amazing!!

39023253_10155601935931516_1670293144823922688_o 38924249_10155601935991516_5570979032847089664_o 38864828_10155601936101516_4051888725620162560_n 38862557_10155601936171516_5767330321846501376_o 38828065_10155601936056516_4342846573508558848_o 38756576_2553430754674486_8137012316198666240_o 37859503_2523181737699388_7274102920566538240_n 37300400_2504378726246356_8635461644769558528_n 36233300_10155501593676516_599784675283566592_o

 

 

A Perfect Purvis Wedding

• July 20th, 2018 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

I don’t normally photograph weddings anymore but, I was overjoyed when Stephanie and Clay asked me to photograph theirs.  They had a beautiful mid-day woodland wedding and reception. Stephanie put everything together herself and the rain held off to allow us to enjoy everything she had constructed. She did an incredible job! It was a perfectly happy day for everyone and I was so excited to be a part of it.

Thank you Stephanie and Clay for giving me the opportunity to photograph your wedding.

Screen Shot 2018-06-20 at 2.10.39 PM Screen Shot 2018-06-20 at 2.10.25 PM Screen Shot 2018-06-20 at 2.10.12 PM Screen Shot 2018-06-20 at 2.09.56 PM Screen Shot 2018-06-20 at 2.09.24 PM Screen Shot 2018-06-20 at 2.08.53 PM

Newborn Photography and Safety for your baby | Hampton Roads Photographer

• June 20th, 2018 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

I adore photographing newborns! My youngest is 12 so, my littlest clients give me my baby fix!  They are so tiny, new, squishy, and adorable!!  I love molding them into little naked balls, swaddling them into little beans with my wraps, and perfectly inserting them into baskets and bowls.  That said, a newborn shoot is not easy – with much of the work happening before I even book a client!

When I take your little one out of your hands to photograph them, I am accepting the greatest gift you have ever been given.  I am taking the baby that just days ago you had only ever held in your womb.  I have a HUGE responsibility to care for that baby and make sure he/she is safe and sound.  I take that responsibility seriously and I have put in the work to make sure I am educated on how to photograph your baby safely.  I have attended newborn workshops and classes to make sure I know how to mold, swaddle, and insert your perfect little bundles into the beautiful poses you often see in newborn portraits.

Often the pictures you see are not single images- but two or three images composited together where I am photoshopping out my assistants hands and fingers that are helping hold that perfect little baby in that pose.  The beautiful pictures of babies hanging from tree limbs- often that baby is just two inches off the ground- not hanging freely as the photograph would like you believe.  Expert and trained newborn photographers know these tricks and tools to keep your baby safe while still creating amazing art of your precious baby.

You are probably aware that newborn babies can’t support their own heads- so the famous pose with the little one holding their head on their tiny hands, is IMPOSSIBLE to do without doing a composite.  I always tell a client I can’t promise that shot because unless the baby is relaxed and completely asleep- that shot isn’t going to happen.  If your 6 day old baby doesn’t want to be in a certain position, I will not force them just for a picture. I still capture amazing images for my clients that express who their baby is and what they like even at such a young age.

The point of my post is to encourage people to research your photographers ESPECIALLY for newborn portraits.  You only get one chance to do newborn portraits (they change immensely after the first 2 weeks) and you don’t want your first portraits of your little one and your first portraits as a family being done by someone without the experience your child deserves.  While I understand cost becomes a big deciding factor for many people, for the safety of your newborn I beg you not to hire someone with price in mind.  An amazing deal doesn’t equal proper training and education to provide you with a safe environment and portrait session for your newborn.

I continue to take classes and attend workshops on newborn photography. I want to stay up to date on all the information out there so that I can enhance my client’s portrait sessions. You and your little precious munchkin deserve experience, education and passion.

Look at examples of a photographer’s work and try to find the photographer with the style you are looking for. When looking into a photographer, make sure you ask many questions such as:

  • How many newborns have you photographed?
  • Do you have an assistant with you during newborn shoots?
  • Are you educated in newborn safety during shoots?
  • Are you a licensed photographer with business insurance?
  • How long have you been in business?
  • What tools do you use to help my newborn calm down when they start to cry?

Get the information you need to make the very best choice for your little munchkin.  You want your session to be something you remember with fondness and love, not fear and unease.  Choose the photographer who will make your session easy for both you and baby, and will create amazing portraits you’ll cherish forever!

Here are a few composite images I have complete for my clients.  Enjoy!

Jillian_0027 Jillian_0028

 

Senior Portrait Sessions

• June 5th, 2018 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

Before you know it, your precious baby has grown up right before your very own eyes. One day you’re chasing after them as they embark on their first run with those little feet and then the next you are receiving information about graduation caps and gowns. I’m currently trying to navigate my own feelings as my daughter, Olivia, is an upcoming Senior! While I am very excited for her, I find myself asking, “How did it all happen so fast?!”.

One of my favorite sessions to photograph are Senior Portraits because I get the opportunity to capture the cusp between childhood and adulthood that these talented young people experience. I am rewarded once more when I get the family together for their viewing and display the photographs – because the expressions of surprise, love and admiration are the greatest bonus I could receive.

I love seeing how each Senior chooses to express themselves during their session with their body language, the locations we go to, their clothing, and any props or important items they choose to add into their session. It gives me a glimpse into who they are and an idea of the kind of incredible future they will have. I have had students bring their baseball bats, footballs, guitars, skateboards, art supplies and surfboards to incorporate into their portraits and we always find fun and interesting ways to utilize their prized possessions to make their portrait unique. I am so thankful for the moment when they let their guard down and I capture the portrait where they are completely relaxed and comfortable because, that ends up being the one they love the most.

Senior Portraits are also a great opportunity to capture the family as it stands at that moment before they go off to college. There is so much that can happen in a year that it’s important to take photographs of everyone together before internships, relationships, and other life events pull people in different directions. I offer FREE family portrait sessions to every family that books a senior portrait session.

As the school year comes to a close, I am so proud of the Graduating Class of 2018. I know that you have an incredible future waiting for you and I am excited to see all that you will accomplish over the next four years. If you haven’t had your portraits done already, it isn’t too late to get some portraits done to commemorate this incredible moment in your life.

Looking ahead to the Graduating Class of 2019, I am excited to capture this year’s moments with Seniors and their families. I am currently offering a Senior Summer Session deal that is CRAZY and I know you won’t want to miss it.

senior flyer'18

Yes, you DO need a Professional Headshot | Photographer Hampton Roads

• March 14th, 2018 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

I am just like you.  I have a job, a husband, kids, grocery shopping, a home to clean, bills to pay and a life to live!  I budget and cut coupons and love groupon and discount sites!  I hate spending more for something that I can get cheaper somewhere else.  I only have so much money coming and and I really do need to make it stretch as far as possible.  I get it!  That said… you REALLY DO NEED A PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT done by a professional photographer!  A “picture of you” is not just a picture of you when you are trying to sell yourself.  And we all need to sell ourselves at times!

I was just searching online for a therapist for someone I love.  I found an incredibly helpful site that narrowed down therapists in my area to those that specialized in the the disorder I was looking for help in, where they were located, a short bio about them and their practice and a picture.  I was completely turned off by MOST of the pictures!  Only a handful had professional portraits and most were snapshots with distracting things in the background and were unflattering.  A few looked to have been taken 30 years ago with outdated clothing or hair.  They might be AMAZING therapists but I didn’t even click on their profile for more information.

We all love selfies but a selfie is NOT a professional portrait!!!!  Yes, I am a photographer and of course I have a professional headshot… but be honest, if you were coming to do business with me about ANYTHING and I had this as my profile picture or on my website, does it look like I invest in my business?  It’s a SELFIE with clutter all behind me!  12998176_10153456027631516_3870900673969742748_o

Or this one?  A nice picture of mebut there is an unmade bed behind me and an open door.  I’m sitting in a hotel bedroom!  13173532_10153499581491516_8247333593334832702_o

These are the kinds of things I saw when looking for a therapist this morning.  There was one where he was standing beside a horse and you could only see a portion of his face but ALL of the horse!  

We shouldn’t make judgments on people by the way they look…. but we do have first impressions that are hard to get past.  We often have a TON of options in front of us and we navigate ourselves to the ones that relate to us.  Often, unless we are buying something  and there will have NO interaction (like online), we want to feel connected to the people we will be working with, buying from, spending time with, etc.  Some of the pictures I saw today, the therapists were almost scowling… and you want me to come and lay on your couch and tell you my problems???  No thanks, Mr. Grumpy.  The outdated ones… um no thanks Mrs. Seventies show.  The selfies… is this a legitimate business Ms. Smartphone?

The take-away from this is you NEED to have a professional portrait.  It doesn’t need to be BORING but it does need to focus on you and how you are trying to sell yourself.  Do you want to be inviting and warm?  Powerful and important?  Confident and trustworthy?  Self controlled and competent?  Amusing and charming?  Selfless and calm?  Different jobs call for different portraits!!   

Here are a few of MY portraits.  I usually try to go for inviting, warm, and friendly.   Sometimes I include my camera, sometimes I don”t.  I love to be outdoors and since many of my sessions are on location- I usually choose outdoor locations too.

1268481_725788547438725_617959414_o 13340329_1406440432706863_6725184648957555028_o

In response to my frustration today in viewing terrible headshots of therapists, I am going to offer a special discount for the rest of this week only.

 

 Contact me for a professional portrait of

yourself for only $110.  

This will include the session plus one digital image.  

 

Please invest in yourself and in your business.  Put your best foot (er… face) forward and see the difference it makes! 

Why Hanging Portraits Help Children | Hampton Roads Photographer

• February 5th, 2018 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

Many parents, like mine, have hung every portrait ever taken whether it be just their children or family portraits. It has been proven to boost a child’s self esteem when they see themselves in portraits hanging around the house.

According to David Krauss, who is a psychologist from Cleveland Ohio it’s important to have those family/children portraits. It helps children see themselves as an important and valued part of the family unit. 

As a photographer, I am biased, they say that there is something powerful in touching your fingers to an actual print. There’s  stimulation of the brain when you have that sensory experience like touching a portrait. There isn’t really any of that in the digital world with all the social media that exists. You are touching a keyboard, mouse or a touchscreen but you are not touching the actual image that involves your child or family.

Children like to feel like they belong, especially in this world that we live in today. Photographers get to create an image where the child feels safe and protected. They can look back on this even when they’re older and remember that safe feeling.  

So yes, not hanging portraits doesn’t do any harm, but hanging them could help your child! 

Here are some photos from my clients of them hanging portraits I captured! 

BLOG_0194 BLOG_0195 BLOG_0196

 

 

 

Why You Should Get Maternity Portraits? | Hampton Roads Photographer

• December 13th, 2017 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

Many women debate wether they should invest in professional maternity portraits. Some women struggle with body issues, or not feeling beautiful but you are a glowing wonderful women who is creating a human!! How amazing is a woman’s body to grow a tiny human for 9 months?

With that being said, here are a few reasons why you should get maternity portraits!

1. You are growing a tiny little munchkin! It’s hard work but most women even say they feel their best when pregnant. Even if you don’t feel fabulous, you are beautiful and you are creating this little miracle. I may be biased but I can ensure that you’ll feel beautiful after allow me to create some amazing portraits for you.

2. Although it won’t be long before this little addition is added to your family, now is the perfect time to just breathe. Get some family photos of what your family is now before the little one is added. It’s a perfect time to update family portraits but it also reminds you of what this time of your life was like! Portraits trigger emotions and memories. Plus, your children will love to see what mama looked like while carrying them!
3. If this isn’t your first child its a perfect time to involve your munchkins in a maternity shoot! It’s so much fun to see the excitement of the older brother/sisters as they wait on their new sibling! I can capture this happy time in your life!
4. The obvious reason… celebrate EACH OTHER!!! What a perfect time it is to capture this moment with your significant other. You made that tiny human, enjoy the love and happiness that comes with it. You can create amazing portraits showing those emotions!
5. You can get so creative! So many funny, serious and beautiful portraits can be created for you! One family we did a black background and white and black angel wings. We even once had a dad that wanted in on dressing up and got into a maternity gown with his wife!! We also can do the typical gown on the beach or you and your significant other holding your belly etc. We can bring in rainbows if this is a rainbow baby! Theres so much you can do with these sessions!

6. Maternity is the start of your munchkins very fast first year. I actually offer a babies first year program where I capture all the milestones of your childs first year of life.
If you don’t think these are enough, just remember you are absolutely beautiful no matter what is happening to your body. I know that I can help you feel amazing and have fun while we do it!

If you’d like to book a maternity shoot, I would LOVE to help!  Contact me today to book!!

 

blog_0188 blog_0189

Tis the Season! |Hampton Roads Photographer

• December 13th, 2017 •

Copyright ©  Devon Shanor Photography | All rights reserved

 

 

 

 

 

It’s the Christmas season which means it’s time for Christmas portraits! Meet the Coopers! I have worked with this amazing family before and they’re just a blast to work with!

Mia wasn’t in the Christmas spirit but thanks to my awesome assistant Olivia who gave lots of tickles and bragged them with candy canes, a few smiles were able to break through. 

These little munchkins made mom get teary eyed because out of all their family photos they have never gotten everyone to look at the camera which made mom super excited!!!I think these portraits turned out AMAZING. It was such a fun shoot!

If you’d like to get some Christmas portraits there is still time! I’m having a Christmas mini session! It’s $50 for a 15 minute in studio session with a $25 print credit! These make wonderful gifts or amazing Christmas cards! Contact me today to book!

 

 

ZCOOPER_0179 ZCOOPER_0180 ZCOOPER_0181 ZCOOPER_0182 ZCOOPER_0183 ZCOOPER_0184 ZCOOPER_0185 ZCOOPER_0186 ZCOOPER_0187

Keep up with what's happening at DSP!
We respect your privacy.