Meet Shelly
Welcome to my world where we treat everyday people like celebrities and we treat celebrities like family.
I've had a camera in my hand ever since I was about four years old, and it was always a part of who I was. My Kodak instamatic was the first thing in my bag, along with a generous supply of film, every time I prepared for a trip, a party, or a special outing. When my boys were little, I put aside the 35mm Pentax ME Super that my parents had given me as a college graduation gift, and traded it for a little instamatic that would always fit into my purse. That's why my children and their formative years live on to this day in a copious, still uncurated collection of scrapbooks and shoeboxes.
After working in the nonprofit and medical public relations field for over 20 years, I burned out so badly that I left charcoal marks instead of footprints. The only part of my job that still made my heart go pitty pat was photographing events and staging photographs for magazines and publications. Then one day in 2007 I heard that a professional photographer named Dave Newman was coming to Houston to lecture about lighting for portraits. That night I started learning how to see light in a whole new way. It changed my life.
Over the past 10 or so years I've had the opportunity to study photography with some of the most brilliant photographers in the world. They've helped me hone my style and choose my best genres. Now I focus my work on what I do best. High School Seniors, Powerful Women, and Executive Branding.
I believe in taking the time with each client to learn their story so we can capture the very essence of their spirit.
When you hire me to create your portraits, I provide personal wardrobe and styling consultations ahead of time. We walk through your home together to determine where and how to best display our artwork. On portrait day, our top notch professional hair and makeup artists add that little je ne sai quois of sparkle and polish. I coach you through your entire portrait creation experience, and it doesn't stop there either. I personally guide you through the preview and selection of your images, and I'll even make sure your artwork is properly hung on your walls if you like.
On a personal note and just for grins --
- My favorite color is leopard-print.
- I tend to remove my shoes and leave them under tables and my desk -- ALL.THE. TIME.
- Regardless of how hard I try to keep my shoes on, I usually finish a studio session barefoot
- I adore my husband.
- We are Christ followers and take Him seriously when He said, "Love your neighbor." not just the folks who look and act like you.
- My dog and two cats have me very well-trained to spoil them rotten.
- Our combined family includes five sons, two daughters in love, and the most adorable grandson EVER. (just sayin')
- Avocados and shrimp are the two things that mean that God really does love me. Oh ... and coffee... and local rum... and...
- And it’s a good thing that I understand that I cannot carry a tune, or I WOULD spontaneously burst into tune in public places at any opportune moment.
NOW -- let's talk about YOU so that we can paint your story with light and shadows.
Just call me. Let's do it!
