Kind words

I've been on both a mental and physical health journey of some sort for the better part of the last decade or so. Far too often, I've forgotten my progress or worth. I get wrapped up in the day-to-day of my high-pressure corporate job and the imposter syndrome that comes with it. I often lose sight of my power and worth and feel like I have to present a different "accepted" persona in the corporate world.

I wanted to capture my journey and my professional, personal, and party personas – all of the versions of me that represent the beauty of who I’ve been, who I am today, and who I've yet to become.

I was a bit apprehensive before my Portrait Playdate, but Shannon made me feel at ease and this photoshoot was one of the best days of my life. The entire experience was filled with love and laughter. Shannon captured my essence, creativity, and style with her lens and it was one of the most empowering feelings.

I walked away falling in love with myself all over again. Whenever I need a visual reminder of my power, I have these photos to reflect and reset.

— Sapphire R.

Throughout my career as a muralist, I wanted attention on my art, not what I look like. I thought my image wasn't important. After discussion with Shannon I moved beyond that and saw the advantages, especially with my aspirations to do more public speaking. Working with Shannon felt in alignment because I felt like we had a common creative spirit.

I've done photoshoots for publications before and it always felt like a chore I had to get done. This time was different because I was entering Shannon's creative arena and space and her world of play and fun. I was nervous because of my insecurities and my ingrained modesty, but she made me feel at ease and comfortable through the whole process.

She captured me in a way that really makes me feel handsome and shows my strength of personality and character.

— Henry W.

I booked a Portrait Playdate because I was in the middle of a self-discovery journey and feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time.

I was recently separated from my husband of 8 years, headed for divorce, with two young children and four years of undiagnosed PPD. As a successful and ambitious marketing executive in tech, I had completely lost sight of myself outside the roles of wife, mother, and business leader. My value began and ended in what I gave to others, and now those roles were changing. I was regaining my confidence and sense of self and I wanted to capture that...but also I wanted a photo session to actually help me on that journey.

My photos captured who I am outside of every role I play – the parts of myself that hadn’t been nurtured in so long: my sense of humor, my joy, my sexuality, my openness to adventure. The things that are lovable about me not for what I do, but for who I am. Learning to love myself for those things is a big part of the healing I’m doing.

My Portrait Playdate experience was everything. The best part of the photos is the reminder of how it felt to be the center of attention and to enjoy it — not shrinking or apologizing, but saying, “Yes, let’s try that!” Shannon made me feel comfortable every step of the way. She kept things light and fun, while making space for me to feel and share. I now have the most authentic photos of myself I’ve ever had, and I’m so grateful.

— Katherine K.

I initially wanted branding photos for the new businesses I've started. But, that grew to include photos capturing me in this pivotal moment of time so that I can look back on them when I'm much older.

I had never done a photoshoot before, so I was worried I wouldn't do it right or create brand-worthy photos. I've never been the center of attention before, so I was feeling self-conscious because these photos were literally about what I look like, vs. what I know, or some other credential I have. I’ve always been the person behind the scenes making things happen while others took the limelight, so it was overwhelming to know this experience was focused solely on me and making me feel good in my own skin right now at this moment in my life. 

Shannon created a warm and comfortable space to allow me to unfold in a way that felt right to me so that I owned this moment. The photoshoot ended up being an emotional experience in a good way, and I quickly became comfortable in front of the camera. I really appreciated how I could just be myself and true to the vision of how I wanted to be represented, rather than what I think is expected of me in photos. 

I am in love with my photos because they look like ME, in my body now, at my age now, and not excessively retouched. They capture the power and fire I always knew I had on the inside. And now the world gets to enjoy that glow. 

Shannon has made my world better and I can't wait for our next session.

— Julie A.

I needed a new headshot, but also wanted to explore the different facets of myself that I’ve been doubling down on over the past year.

I've never been camera shy in informal settings, but somehow the idea of being posed felt intimidating. This feeling swiftly evaporated as the shoot progressed, helped by the lively, cozy environment Shannon had meticulously created. She was so empathetic and thoughtful in guiding me to express myself without inhibitions. I felt myself shedding my insecurities about my body and empowered to be unapologetically me!

I also really appreciated the preparation that went into exploring and visualizing what I want the end result to be and helped me mentally prepare for the big day!

My photos have given me a strong sense of confidence in myself, and I feel very grateful to have been captured with such genuineness, grace, and vibrance. Big kudos to Shannon for her gentle care and diligence at each step of this wonderful experience.

— Smita M.

I needed some fresh photos to represent my DJ alias. I had a lot of photos of me DJing at clubs, but I wanted to create a different aesthetic & message about what she represents.

I love photoshoots, and this one was spectacular. Working with Shannon on the concept & Pinterest board was a clarifying part of the process. Not only did we have such a blast experimenting with looks, lighting, etc. — I ended up with photos that I used for music releases and event promotions over the next 18 months. It absolutely elevated my promo game and helped me feel more confident presenting my art in a way that honored my highest creative expression.

Overall the shoot was a total success — a truly rejuvenating, powerfully creative day that I will always remember. So grateful!

— Emily G.

I booked a Portrait Playdate because I wanted to reclaim more of a sense of self and feel proud and confident in how I was taking up space. As a multicultural and multi-passionate creative entrepreneur and mum, there are many threads to my identity. I wanted to integrate them into a unified energy to channel it into various aspects of my life.

Unlike other shoots I’ve done, this one didn't feel rushed – it felt like a deep dive into creative self-expression that resulted in photos I absolutely love, showcasing the strongest versions of who I am. They changed how I saw myself and the quiet but significant power I hold. I was amazed that I could look that good - haha!

I recommend a Portrait Playdate to anyone on a transformational journey who wants to better connect to who they are.

— Jyoti J.

Shannon truly exceeded our expectations when we brought her on to refresh headshots for the Design & Research team here at Microsoft. From the moment we hired her, we knew we were in good hands having been captivated by her incredible portfolio.

It was no small feat to refresh 100 headshots, but working with Shannon was an absolute delight—professional, yet fun, making the session an unforgettable experience. The feedback from my colleagues has been nothing short of glowing, and seeing their own transformations in their new profile pictures speaks volumes about Shannon’s talent.

Personally, my results were simply stunning. Not only did Shannon capture me in my best light, but she also managed to convey my authentic self in every shot. Truly my favorite photos of me to date!

If you’re looking for a photographer who not only delivers exceptional results but also boosts your confidence along the way, look no further than Shannon. Highly recommend!!

— Lucy B., Microsoft

I got Shannon on the line when I needed new images to launch my real estate career. I am very camera-shy, and hate being the center of attention, so the idea of a photoshoot was causing some anxiety, to say the least. The entire experience turned out to be so meaningful for me, resulting in a major confidence boost and photos that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.

On the day of the shoot, I felt completely taken care of with Shannon’s schedule, guidance on outfits, and posing. The shoot was tailored in a way that felt very comforting, supportive, and collaborative. The whole day was fun, empowering, creative, and so special – a far cry from other shoots where I felt like a puppet rushed through a series of preset poses while struggling to produce a natural expression on my face.

I now have a collection of beautiful images to help me launch my website and social media presence with confidence, and in a way that’s polished yet real. For me, that is a priceless gift. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Shannon.

— David A.

I had such a wonderful experience in my photoshoot with Shannon. She was extremely professional and direct to work with, and really took the time to understand what my expectations were and what I was looking to get out of our shoot.

Her presence was extremely calming, and I felt very comfortable and at ease throughout. She offered up helpful feedback and suggestions for poses, and her communication was just right to keep our creative energy flowing.

Her thoughtfulness throughout the whole process resulted in stunning images that beautifully captured this special time in my life. I am thrilled with the images she produced, and I will treasure these photographs forever.

— Kerry R.

I am about to start a new job at a big tech company here in Seattle and needed a great headshot for the company’s internal employee directory and my LinkedIn profile.

I was a bit unsure about the whole thing as I had never done a professional headshot session before, but my wife sent me to Shannon because she loved the corporate headshots Shannon did for her and her team.

Shannon was awesome. She made me feel totally comfortable right from the start. The experience was amazing and exceeded my expectations. It really couldn't have gone any better, and my headshots turned out amazing. They give me a sense of confidence and make me feel like I'm ready to take on my new executive role.

I can’t recommend Shannon enough. I’ll be back for more photos and will be recommending her to anyone in my network looking for new headshots.

— Michael B.

I wanted my photos taken to start presenting myself more professionally online and create a consistent aesthetic that would begin building trust with my potential customers.

My experience was different than other photoshoots I've done simply because its main purpose was to highlight different aspects of my personality and business, whereas other shoots were all about what the photographer was trying to create visually. It was abundantly clear that these photos were all about me, FOR me and with the goal of making me feel truly empowered.

And my photos are totally badass! I feel like they capture my energy, confidence and welcoming nature, while also making me look super powerful and commanding. It helps me realize that those qualities are already within me, it's just a matter of bringing them to the surface. I can market my business with more confidence now, and I have some fun ones to keep just for myself.

— Dani L.

I needed new professional headshots for 2 careers – I just became a real estate agent and I also DJ and produce music.

I didn't give the shoot much thought at first, but Shannon had a super thought-out process and tons of marketing and personal branding experience to go along with her artistic eye and technical talent behind the lens. I ended up with photos I love, and I was impressed with the overall quality and attention to detail. I definitely feel more comfortable seeing myself as a real estate agent now.

My expectations were beyond exceeded, and this was by far the best and most thought-out shoot I've ever done. I really can’t recommend her enough for headshots, press photos or portraits.

— Ben M.

I wanted to do a photoshoot to play with a lot of fun clothes I have that I don’t get to wear often, some of which I’ve made myself. More importantly, though, I wanted to document and celebrate a large amount of positive change in my life, both physical and personal. Over the past seven years, I drastically changed my lifestyle and my body for the better, and I’ve grown in other ways to become the happiest, healthiest, strongest, and most confident version of myself I have ever known. I wanted photos that captured that.

Other than my wedding over a decade ago and maybe one headshot at work, I’ve never been professionally photographed before, so I was nervous about coming off cheesy or cringe and not being able to capture the version of myself I wanted to shine through. Shannon reassured me she wouldn't let that happen and helped me feel more comfortable and confident about what we were generating during the shoot.

I'm really happy with how my photos turned out and I was blown away by the positive response they received on social media. They’ve given me a major confidence boost beyond the photoshoot itself, helped me appreciate parts of my body I’ve struggled to accept, and I find them incredibly valuable to refer to when my own self-perceptions can get twisted. They will forever remind me of the change I’m capable of and a level of joy I didn’t know was possible to experience.

Thank you, Shannon, for documenting this moment.

— Ben W.

I recently launched my business and I wanted to rebrand and make my services look as professional as possible. I don't love having my photo taken, but Shannon made me excited about the process and confident that I would love the result.

She made the photoshoot fun and the process seamless with her excellent attention to detail and by offering great suggestions to ensure I photographed well. I was able to relax and enjoy the afternoon while she made sure my hair and posing were taken care of so I didn't have to worry about anything.

I ended up with new headshots I absolutely love! They're really versatile and useful for my website, professional services, marketing material, social media, presentations, and more. Having an updated and professional headshot (that I actually like!) helps me feel more confident in marketing my services and excited to launch a rebrand!

— Mollie D.

Shannon recently did my LinkedIn profile photo, and I had a great experience! After a long day at work, I wasn't feeling my best, but Shannon instantly made me feel at ease. She even offered me a beer, and we listened to some of her DJ sets, which really helped lift my mood.

I'm really happy with the final photos—they look great on both my LinkedIn profile and my company website. I'd definitely recommend Shannon! 😊

— Paul S.

I was motivated to do a Headshot Playdate because Shannon’s approach was geared toward “people who don't like having their picture taken." 

I felt a bit of anticipation anxiety beforehand because I did not like prior photos of myself. I felt over-smiled in prior headshots and the experience felt very yearbook-like and factory-esque: sitting on a stool in front of a background while a photographer takes a few photos and then you’re done in 15 minutes.

Shannon made me feel very comfortable in her studio. We connected first on a human level, then got to the photo taking. Shannon worked with me to find the best poses without making me feel rushed.

I ended up with headshots I love that convey a sense of energy and capture my spirit.

— Michelle L.

“Shannon did such a fantastic job before, during and after our photoshoot together. We were able to set up a meeting before hand where every part of the process was clearly explained to me which was awesome, from the photo process to payment to even the day of, I had all the info! I also had an amazing time at her studio, it was easy to find and just a lot of fun to be in! She made it comfortable to change outfits and her set up was very professional. Afterwards, selecting images was super quick and easy and the final presentation and delivery was seamless.

And of course...the photos are INCREDIBLE! I am beyond happy with them and cannot wait to work with Shannon in the future!!!”

— Harmony S.

I was looking for some updated professional headshots with someone I could trust.

I don’t love getting my photos taken but Shannon made the process really enjoyable, fun, and effortless.

I couldn’t believe how well my headshots turned out, all due to Shannon’s experience and expertise! I so appreciate the care, attention and love she put into the whole process, including the retouching. The entire experience was stress-free and so worth the investment!

— Rachel H.

I was in search of a photographer to help me update my 10 year-old headshot and discovered Shannon through one of my LinkedIn contacts whose headshots she had done recently. I knew she could capture something professional but with some personality.

I'm not someone who relishes being in any sort of spotlight, but Shannon created a fun environment and helped me get used to the camera. 

My headshots turned out fantastic. Shannon captured photos of me that were both slick and really approachable. Exactly what I wanted for LinkedIn / professional use. I'm delighted with the outcome. Highly recommend.

— Paul P.

I came to Shannon to get some headshots to help me get into acting.

I was nervous before my photo shoot because it was my first time being professionally photographed, but once we got going I quickly loosened up! I ended up having a lot of fun and enjoyed the overall experience. 

I love the photos that were taken. They portray my confidence and professionalism. I feel that I can now put my best foot forward in sending them out and know that agencies can get a sense of who they will be working with.

— Cameron C.

Had an exceptional half-day photoshoot with Shannon! Prior to the shoot Shannon helped me find clarity on my own artistic vision, and together we aligned on a plan so we could make the most of our photoshoot time. The photos are beyond amazing. And maybe most importantly - Shannon helped me feel comfortable every step of the way. It was my first ever photoshoot for my musician persona, so I really valued the extra care. Amazing experience start to finish.

— Mike D.

I booked a shoot with Shannon because I really wanted a headshot to use for my therapy business. I didn’t have any photos of me that conveyed my professional, confident, and authentic self and felt self-conscious about being taken seriously. 

I’m not a trained model who is in front of the camera often, so I was a little nervous going in. Those feelings dispelled very quickly as Shannon set the scene and guided me through posing. 

My photo shoot felt more relaxed and fun than ones I’ve done in the past, resulting in photos that make me feel confident and beautiful. I absolutely love them. I feel like I can present a professional and approachable image and make a strong first impression. 

Shannon did an amazing job and I’ll be recommending Portrait Playdate to everyone going forward!!

— Claire F.

I was motivated to have a photoshoot because I’m working on putting a creative portfolio together.

I was a little nervous at first since this was my first experience with a professional photographer, but Shannon helped me feel very prepared to alleviate the anxiety and I felt comfortable and confident during the photoshoot. 

The experience was a lot of fun. I feel great about my photos. They make me feel like I can take the next step with my portfolio which is encouraging. I would highly recommend Portrait Playdate to anyone looking to get their photos taken.

— Chris W.

I cannot recommend Shannon enough. I originally booked a session because I felt a disconnect between my career goals and my professional image. I wanted a set of photos that could authentically capture my energy and help me project a more confident image. 

I was nervous going in, but Shannon has a true gift for making you feel comfortable, seen, and respected. She provided the perfect balance of clear direction and creative freedom, making the entire experience feel like a fun collaboration.

The results were phenomenal. The photos are not only beautiful, but they've genuinely changed the way I see myself. I now see the mature, confident professional I've been striving to become, and it's been a massive boost to my self-assurance. I already feel more confident when approaching people.

If you're looking for a photographer who delivers stunning images AND an empowering experience, look no further. The experience was wonderful and I would love to do it periodically to capture my growth.

— Michael P.

I needed an updated professional headshot that reflects who I really am...authentic, approachable, and confident in my field. I knew Shannon would bring a caring, creative, and genuine lens, which gave me confidence that the photos wouldn’t just look professional, but would actually feel like me.

I felt anxious and a bit apprehensive beforehand because I don’t love being in the spotlight, and I was nervous about whether I’d look natural. Once we got started, Shannon immediately put me at ease. She created a space that felt safe, supportive, and fun. The shoot felt collaborative, relaxed, and more about capturing who I am rather than just taking a picture.

Working with Shannon was an incredible experience from start to finish. Her ability to combine professionalism with creativity and care shines through in the final photos.

My headshots capture both confidence and compassion, which are qualities I really value in my professional life. It feels like a small but meaningful step toward owning my presence and voice in my field.

My photoshoot exceeded my expectations in every way, and I’m so grateful for the way Shannon’s work helped me see and celebrate myself.