Shanna Chess Photography

Adorable Mr. Lane's newborn session was very last minute!  I got the email from his mama Friday morning and my family and I were going out of town for Memorial Day weekend so I had to tell her I wasn't able to do the session that weekend.  I had openings the next weekend.  As they thought about it, we started our visit to see some family and it was cut short unfortunately, so we came home a day early.  Once I knew we were coming home, I emailed Lane's mama and we set the session up for that Sunday!  Phew!  So glad I was able to spend a morning with him and his sweet parents--it was the only good thing about having to cut our visit short :) Enjoy!  Oh, and look at those lips!!!

I opened my studio at the end of March and am just now getting it to where I like it and pictures taken.  I've moved things around at least 3 times and change little things up after every shoot.  I'm getting to where I'm pretty happy with my setup and wanted to share. We didn't have a large budget for the studio and used our tax return this year to fund the construction and furnishings.  I already had almost all my current props, backdrops, blankets, lighting and equipment.  But my house was running out of space to hold it all!  And it wasn't my favorite thing to pack up my car for sessions and setup makeshift studios in clients homes.  It worked, but it wasn't easy and I was limited to the number of backdrops and props I could bring.  And with being in Oregon, chances of wet weather are pretty good 9 months out of the year, so it is not always an option to have outdoor sessions.  We felt this project would be a good investment and should get me...

Little Luka came into this world 4 weeks early at 36 weeks gestational age.  But he's absolutely perfect!  No NICU time and a healthy weight.  He's a little skinny, but he'll grow sooo quickly!  Mom and Dad better not blink!  And he has such looooong legs!  I couldn't get him into a couple of poses because of them!  But I think his session turned out beautifully.  Enjoy!

Another beautiful session at the flowering Hendricks Park.  This session was scheduled with late notice, but I'm so glad we were able to make it work.  Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie came all the way from Philadelphia for visit and this session was Grandpa's Birthday present :)  What a beautiful family and such a joy to work with!  Enjoy!

I can't believe Fiona is 4!  It doesn't seem that long ago that I did their first photo session as a family when she was only 2.5 :)  Her mom went all out for this adorable and fun party!  It was filled with crafts, princess dresses, a fashion show, yummy food and cupcakes! Happy Birthday to Fiona and Bijoux!

Here is sweet Areia's photographic debut!  She was such a treat to work with--slept pretty much the whole session and if she didn't like me touching her, she would let me know with a loud squeal!  It was kind of funny :)  She is also my 3rd cousin!  So it was great to meet her as well.  Can't wait to watch her grow!  Enjoy!

It was such a perfect day for photos at Hendricks Park.  Cindi wanted a floral outdoor setting for their engagement pictures, and I just knew Hendricks Park would be perfect with all the rhododendron flowers blooming.  They brought their adorable 2 year old chocolate lab, Wyatt, and Cindi's sister, Megan.  Wyatt was so excited to check out a new outdoor play area but did a great job for their pictures. I can't wait to be the photographer for their big day!!  Coming this October :)  Enjoy!