Meet the Photographer

Part artist, part hype woman, part mirror-holder. Because helping people feel powerful in front of the camera is more than my job — it’s my joy.

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Hi! I’m Shannon Johnson.

Portrait Playdate photographer Shannon with long dark hair against a gray background

I’m not just here to take your photo — I’m here to help you see yourself with More compassion, confidence, and clarity.

I use my camera as a tool for self-discovery and self-expression — for my clients, and for myself. I believe that being photographed with intention is an act of self-love. In a world that encourages us to stay small, modest, and invisible, the very act of booking a photo shoot for yourself is both brave and deliciously rebellious.

To me, portraits aren’t about vanity — they’re about visibility. Because the most selfless thing we can do is own who we are and share that with the world. And showing up fully often starts with seeing ourselves through a loving lens.

That’s why I create photo experiences that go way beyond rigid poses and a few camera clicks. I strive to build a space where you feel safe to be yourself, to experiment, to play — and to explore your body language and presence until something real breaks through.

My sessions are collaborative, relaxed, and deeply intentional — a chance to tap into your inner artist and express all the parts of you that get buried in the grind of daily life.

I specialize in working one-on-one, because something powerful happens when there’s no one else in the frame to compare yourself to or hide behind. In that space, I get to hold the mirror while you reawaken parts of yourself you may have forgotten, and carry that feeling with you long after the shoot ends.

I work out of my light-filled Belltown studio in Seattle, where most Portrait and Headshot Playdates blend the professional and the personal. Portrait Playdates go even deeper, allowing you to explore your multidimensionality through multiple genres. You can quite literally start with a headshot and end with boudoir and no one’s gonna bat an eye.

I also bring a taste of the Playdate vibe to company offices for team headshots, swapping out the rushed, assembly-line school picture day experience for one that feels refreshingly real.

Why do I do this work? Because I don’t want to reach the end of my life and wish I’d lived more boldly, more freely, or more in alignment with who I really am, and I don’t want you to, either.

Every client walks into my studio with a different objective, but everyone walks out with louder and prouder posture, and I’d love to do the same for you.

Wanna Shoot With Me?

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Self Portraits

A woman with short, dark, messy hair posing against a red backdrop, looking directly at the camera with her hand touching her neck.
Woman with short dark hair and pink lipstick in a black turtleneck and pants, standing against a black backdrop while holding black curtains.
A woman with dark curly hair wearing a yellow dress, sitting at a colorful table with a multicolored abstract background.
A woman with black hair wearing a pink and white striped tied shirt, teal shiny leggings, and silver fringe boots, sitting on a stool against a dark blue background, looking at her smartphone.
A woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a white turtleneck and gold earrings, posing against a dark teal background.
A woman with dark, wavy hair and tattoos on her arms poses against a plain reddish-brown background. She is wearing a light-colored, cropped t-shirt and high-waisted blue jeans, with one hand resting in her pocket.
Black and white portrait of a woman with dark, tousled hair, eyes closed, and a nose piercing, facing left. The background is cloudy.
A woman stands with hands on hips against a colorful, abstract background with pink, green, and blue hues.
Portrait of a woman with long wavy dark hair and a nose piercing, wearing a white zip-up jacket, standing against a plain wall.
Woman sitting on the floor wearing dark sunglasses, metallic boots, and fashionable clothing with a colorful background.
Black and white portrait of a woman with long dark hair, makeup, a nose piercing, and a metallic earring showing her in profile with her eyes closed.
A woman with dark hair, red lipstick, and tattoos on her arm, sitting on a stool against a purple background, holding and kissing a gray French Bulldog wearing a pink sweater, while wearing bright pink shiny pants and matching pink high heels.
Black and white portrait of a woman with dark, tousled hair, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and high-waisted jeans, looking at the camera with a slight smile.
A woman with curly dark hair and colorful makeup, wearing a yellow sleeveless dress, sitting at a painted table with a multicolored abstract background.

LET’S CAPTURE YOU

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