Portrait photographer serving the greater Boise / Treasure Valley, ID area
Session Guide
Where moments become memories
Welcome!
I’m so excited to create timeless portraits with you! Whether it’s a joyful family session, a romantic couples shoot, or celebrating a senior’s milestone, my goal is to capture authentic moments and meaningful connections you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
This guide will help you prepare for your session so we can create beautiful, stress-free portraits together.
Preparing for the portrait session
Session preparation guide
Plan ahead
During our pre-session consultation, please share your vision, preferences, and any special requests you have for your portraits. This is also the perfect time to let me know about any concerns or unique needs (such as shy kids, camera nerves, or accessibility requirements) so I can ensure we select the perfect location and create a comfortable experience for everyone involved.
What to wear
Choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident—comfort is key! Aim to coordinate, not match, by sticking to complementary colors and tones for a polished look. When in doubt, opt for timeless over trendy to ensure your photos remain classic and beautiful for years to come.
Location
The Treasure Valley offers endless stunning backdrops—golden fields, lush parks, urban charm, or cozy home settings. Once your session is booked, I’ll share my Location Guide to help you choose the perfect spot to tell your story.
Time of day
Sessions are typically scheduled during the “golden hour”—early morning or just before sunset—when the light is soft and flattering. We’ll finalize timing during our pre-session consultation.
Meeting up for our portrait session
When we meet for your portrait session, my priority is to create a relaxed, enjoyable experience where everyone feels comfortable and confident. We’ll start with a quick chat to break the ice, go over any final details, and ensure everyone feels at ease before we begin.
Throughout the session, I’ll guide you through natural poses while also encouraging candid moments to unfold organically. Expect plenty of gentle direction, fun prompts, and lighthearted conversation to keep the energy upbeat and stress-free.
For families, we’ll mix classic posed portraits with playful interactions to capture the love and connection you share. For couples, I’ll focus on moments of intimacy, laughter, and connection. Seniors will have the freedom to express their personality through poses, outfit changes, and any props they’ve brought along.
If someone feels nervous or camera-shy, don’t worry—that’s totally normal! I’m here to help everyone feel relaxed and natural in front of the camera.
Above all, this time is about celebrating you—your story, your relationships, and your personality. By the end of the session, you’ll not only have beautiful photos but also wonderful memories of a fun and meaningful experience.
The big day
What to expect at our portrait session
The best photos come from you just being yourself and letting your personalities shine! Here are some tips to help you prepare for our session and ensure a successful photo shoot:
During the session
Relax, have fun, and trust the process! I’ll guide you through natural poses while leaving space for candid moments to unfold organically.
Whether it’s a playful family moment, a shared laugh between partners, or a senior striking a confident pose, we’ll create magic together.
After the session
I'll schedule a zoom call for your portrait reveal and ordering session. After the call you will have 24 hours to select your favorite images. This is also your opportunity to order professional prints, albums, or wall art to preserve your portraits beautifully.
By following these tips, we’ll ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and successful portrait session that beautifully captures your unique story and genuine connections!
Shannon, you are amazing at what you do!! This was a first for me and you made everything so easy and comfortable – it was so much fun!! I am beyond thrilled at what you captured with your camera and just love all the beautiful photos of our family! Thank you again for spending so much time with me AND US, through the whole process! YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!!
Stacey
Shannon was so incredible to work with. She clearly communicated each step of the process, was very proactive about reaching out and getting things set up, and was in general exceptionally easy and wonderful to work with. The pictures she took of Lucy were so beautiful that I've already booked her for taking pictures of my horse, and will be booking her to take pictures of my other dog when she's fully grown. Her photos and the photo book I got aren't just fun and cool things to have around, they are keepsakes I will have for the rest of my life and have so much meaning to me. Someday, decades from now, I'll be able to take out the albums from each of my animals and have so many fond and beautiful memories of my pets. I highly recommend working with her if you have the opportunity, you will not regret it.
Margaret
Shannon was amazing, very professional. She had us relaxed and smiling with her quick wit. She took such beautiful photos! We enjoyed every minute of our session with her and would gladly do it again. We highly recommend her to anyone wanting quality professional photographs. Thank you again Shannon!
Judy + Jeff
After the portrait session
What to expect after the session
Custom editing
Here's what editing involves:
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Softening skin for a natural, polished look
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Eliminating distracting background elements
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Adjusting lighting and tones for a warm, balanced feel
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Enhancing natural colors and vibrancy
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Bringing focus to the eyes for a captivating finish
Wrapping up the portrait session
At the end of our session, I’ll take a moment to go over what happens next and let you know when to expect your professionally edited proofs. Then, you can sit back, relax, and let me work my magic—editing your photos to ensure every detail shines and every moment is brought to life.
Then, you can sit back, relax, and let me work my magic—editing your photos to ensure every detail shines and every moment is brought to life.
The exciting reveal!
It usually takes me about 2-3 weeks to edit your photos and get them ready for your portrait reveal. But don't worry, if I finish them sooner, I'll reach out right away because I know you'll be excited to see your images!
Once your photos are ready, I'll contact you to set up a Zoom call for your portrait reveal and ordering session. During the Zoom call, I'll share an online gallery with the edited images from our session. We’ll talk through the different artwork, albums, and portrait product options, and I’ll answer any questions you might have.
After the call I will send you an email with a link to the portrait reveal gallery so you can review the images and select your favorites, as well as pick out which images you would like to order as custom wall art or have included in an album.
The link to your portrait reveal gallery will only be live for 24 hours, so I recommend setting some time aside to select your favorite portraits.
Once you've selected your favorites from the portrait reveal gallery, I'll send you a link to your final portrait gallery that contains the final, purchased images. You can download the high-resolution and web-resolution files directly from this gallery. At this time I will also prepare any wall art, album or keepsake orders. Please allow 3-6 weeks for delivery.
After our fun-filled photoshoot, I'll take some time to go through all the photos and pick out the absolute best ones. Then comes the magic of editing to turn these moments into stunning memories and beautiful artwork for your home!
Why you should consider heirloom quality printed art
Because photos sitting on a hard drive or phone just won’t bring that daily smile to your face!
Imagine smiling every day as you see your portraits displayed on your wall or desk. Or flipping through a beautifully crafted album, reminiscing about the laughter, connection, and special moments from your photo session. This is why printed artwork offers something digital images simply cannot—it turns your memories into tangible treasures.
Don’t get me wrong—digital images are great too. I love having photos on my phone and sharing them on social media. That's why every Collection includes some digital images.
But let's bring those photos to life with beautiful printed products!
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Wall Art Collections: Perfect for enhancing any space on your wall.
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A Beautiful Album: A wonderful keepsake that’s also gorgeous enough to display.
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Single Statement Pieces: Enjoy your favorite photos every day.
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Desk Displays: Great for your home, office, or as thoughtful gifts.
Every print is a piece of artwork that will remind you of the moments, connections, and people who hold a special place in your heart. Let’s get your photos off your devices and into your life with stunning printed art you’ll treasure for years to come!