Shanna Chess Photography

I can't believe Areia is one already!  It does not seem like that long ago that I was doing her newborn photos!  I had so much fun watching her grow this last year and I'm going to miss not seeing her every three months!  Her cake smash was so much fun and I love the color scheme her mama and I put together!  Enjoy :)

Mr. Porter was so good and squishy and cuddly during his session!  Even if he didn't want to sleep very much!  But eventually we made it happen and he decided to give in :)  He is so cute and has the best big brother!  Enjoy :)

Brandi and I decided to drive out a little over an hour away to the gorgeous Secret Garden near the Belknap Hot Springs.  I discovered this location a couple of months ago when the Register Guard posted an article about some hidden gems in and around Lane County.  When I saw the gorgeous water features, the mossy columns, the beautiful greenery....I squealed inside!  I HAD to go and I knew the perfect mama-to-be to take with me to also model my new maternity gown.  So we set a date and kept our fingers crossed for nice weather and a not early baby.  We lucked out big time! I got my newest maternity gown from Sew Trendy Accessories and absolutely love it.  I love the non-sheer fabric for the bottom and long sleeves to add a more modest option for my maternity clients.  The dress is split in the front but is easily pulled closed as well.  I decided on a blush color and am so so happy with this purchase for my studio!  And of course outdoors a...

Jayden wasn't very sleepy for us and we had to try a few different setups more than once, but we ended up getting everything we wanted and I absolutely loved cuddling with this little cutie!  He is so lucky to have his wonderful parents that love him so much!  And of course they are so lucky to have this little blessing :)  Enjoy!

I still can't believe my sweet nice is 3 months old already!  I've had the pleasure of watching her a few days a week for about a month now and she is such a joy to our lives.  My daughters love their little cousin so much and fight over who gets to help me give her a bottle :)  She needed a little 5 minute cat nap in the middle of her session but then rocked it after that.  Such a cutie!  Enjoy :)

This sweet little boy and girl were just absolutely adorable but gave myself and my assistant, Katherine, a run for our money!  One would want to eat and the other would be sleeping, then when I got the hungry one to sleep again, the other would wake up and want to eat!  It was actually kind of funny and of course that is mostly because I was still able to capture some beautiful images.  They are so so sweet and their family is so blessed :)  Enjoy!

I can't believe it has been a whole year since this little man graced my studio at 3 weeks old!  I was a little nervous with him being over my usual 2 week timeframe for newborns, but he did amazing!  I have loved watching him grow over the past year and he has become such a little ham!  The second I opened my studio door and he stepped in, he was giving me these adorable squishy nosed smiles :)  His mama really wanted to recreate the scale shot that we did with his newborn session--don't worry! He's not hanging in the air :)  It is a composite of four different photos!  Phew, a lot of work but so worth it when I saw the finished product.  His mama wanted a Sock Monkey theme for his cake smash because that was what she did for his birthday party.  She made the cake too!  And boy did he like it!  He really dug into it and made quite a mess.  Loved it!  Enjoy :)

I just love Apollo's cheeks!  He was such a chunky little guy and so so sweet :)  He posed perfectly for me on the airplane and in my new wool basket.  And of course we had to get some Oregon setups.  Mom and Dad are big Duck fans!  Big brother, Rocky, was so excited to show me his new baby brother and gave me some amazing smiles as well :)  Enjoy!

When Sarah and Drew booked their maternity session and said they wanted to add-on a Fresh 48 session instead of a newborn session, I was a little bummed at first.  I absolutely love doing newborn sessions in my studio.  They are my passion.  But then I actually got excited for Nolan's hospital visit!  I take a lifestyle approach, use natural lighting, and all edits are done in black and white.  There's no posing really--just new...raw...beautiful.  I loved doing it--different than what I'm so used to doing and sometimes switching it up a bit can be refreshing  :)  Thanks Sarah and Drew and congratulations on your new bundle!  

I had so much fun with Brandi and her fiancé, Zach.  And I can't wait to meet sweet little Macie!  Brandi is a dancer and just posed so beautifully!  Love all the setups we did.  Enjoy :)

I've always been envious of Salem and Portland photographers who can do beautiful sessions down by the water with the numerous cherry trees when they blossom.  Eugene doesn't have cherry trees like that and I really really wanted to do photo sessions with tree blossoms.  And then, an epiphany!  We have apple orchards!  And not just any apple orchards, but the beautiful Detering Orchards!  Last year I got a hold of the owner, Becky.  She is seriously just the sweetest woman!  She was so welcoming and I think as excited as I was for the photo sessions!  The only problem was I contacted her right after the trees blossomed.  So I had to wait almost an entire year.  But the time came, and with multiple days prior spent stressing about the weather, we got super duper lucky and had zero rain during all 10 sessions Saturday and Sunday!  It actually started down pouring as I was driving away after my last session on Sunday.  Yay!  ...