hey y’all, i’m shay —
from my family to yours, i’m so glad you’re here!
i’m a wife to this handsome man who is legit my very best friend and a mama to these amazing kids right here who i simply adore and can never get enough of! i homeschool, so hanging out and spending life adventuring with them fills my days. we are as close as close gets and usually always cuddled on top of one another. i live for their laughter, watching them learn and grow, eating ice cream at night with my hub while we laugh til it hurts over literally nothing. family is everything to me and that is where my passion stems from for capturing other families. i love the lord deeply and live by the quote, “if you want to change the world, go home and love your family.“
where it all began — my passion for photography started from the moment i was handed my first camera when i was just a young middle school girl. however, becoming a mama brought out the true photographer in me. to capture every moment and minuscule detail ignited such a fire within me. it was then that i truly fell in love with not only the art of photography, but the meaning of it all. the real and the raw. the depth. the emotional impact. how one picture can depict an entire event. how a photo is worth more than a thousand words. that photos ultimately are all we have to relive moments -moments that have molded every person into who they are today. they are so powerful.
my style — i prioritize
connection over perfection.
my heart is to serve your family. i know i am not the photographer for everyone and that is okay :) perfect smiling photos where everyone feels intense and forced is not my jam. i long to create an environment for you at your session where you already feel like you’re walking up to a long time friend + feel the freedom to laugh, play, and love on your family. my hope is for you to genuinely enjoy your time together. to make a memory. to take a deep breath. to kiss all over your littles. to look into your husband’s eyes. to be silly and playful. the soft touches. the belly laughs. the tantrum that into cuddles. the holding of hands. — that’s what i’m here. all the moments in between and more. I want to authentically capture your family for who you truly are. it won’t be perfect and it’s not supposed to be. the real and the raw you. where you think hot mess + i show you that it is ART. the way you live and love is a true art form and i can’t wait to show that every single time. the goal is for you to feel something from your photos. —i want to bring the heart of your family to life for you to have forever!
i’ll let you in on a little secret —
perfect moments happen in the most imperfect moments. and yes, i really mean that. your session will not go perfect. your child may have a melt down, the sunset may not be picturesque, your house may not be pinterest worthy — you get where i’m going with this…
the melt down your little one is having will settle and those tender moments where you hold them and everything in their world makes sense again— that sigh of relief, the tight clench on your arm, how they bring their head to your shoulder. that is real, that is perfectly imperfect, and that’s the m a g i c.
my advice? lean into those moments. come without any expectations other than to make a memory with your family. for your session to be an experience and opportunity to unplug and connect together.
my goals is never to take perfect images and send you on your way. it is to be intentional in every step leading up to your session, connecting and really getting to know you and your family before and during our time together, and being a support after. to provide a safe haven for you to relax and be able to be present in the moment.
know that you and your family are being prayed for before every session. that when we walk up to meet for the very first time, i hope you feel a sense of peace and joy for your session rather than stress that tends to surround the idea of portraits.
if you connect with this, i would love to chat and begin to come along side you to plan and dream up your session. lets turn your moments as a family into art for you to hold onto for generations to come!
okay — but how?
you can hear my heart for days on how passionate i am buuuut can still be wondering… “okay… so HOW will i look so natural and in the moment?”
before—reading through your questionnaire will give me a feel for the dynamic of your family by the specific questions I ask + most times i will connect over the phone or through texting with you beforehand so you feel connected before even meeting! we can plan outfits, talk about your vision, or whatever you desire. when you arrive for your session, we will spend some time talking or picking a playlist of music beforehand to set any nerves. :)
during—I will spend the time connecting with you, talking you through, seeing what makes your family tick, your kids giggle + will feed off of all of that. giving ya’ll subtle direction yet will ALWAYS be drawing you close to one another and in guided moments together. the best part? ALL you have to do is love on your family. yes, it’s that simple! i do the rest! my goal is for you to feel like you have friend there with you + also to forget i’m even there at times. being present with your family is a gift.
capturing art for the heart of the family