Cosplay Photoshoots: Bringing Characters to Life

• May 13th, 2025 •

Cosplayers, it’s your time to shine. You’ve spent hours (let’s be real—maybe months!) perfecting that costume, from every thread to every prop. So why settle for blurry hallway con pics or phone snaps in the driveway?

Step into a full-blown portrait experience where your character gets the cinematic treatment they deserve!

Recent Highlight: At the Mid-Atlantic Regional School of Photography, I had the absolute joy of capturing some wildly talented cosplayers. We had an epic Spider-Verse shoot (acrobatics included) the insanely creepy wife of Dracula and a Frankenstein that could charm any graveyard!

Makeup washes off, costumes fade, characters change… but pictures… They last forever. Your cosplay deserves more than a con backdrop or rushed photo-op in the hallway. Here, it’s all about you stepping into the spotlight.

Come see me and we will create a session with cinematic lighting and dynamic posing that makes your costume POP in an atmosphere that’s fun, laid-back, and creative. These sessions are ideal for:

Cosplayers building a pro portfolio

Costume creatives looking for something epic

People who just love dressing up and want cool keepsakes

So whether it’s gritty Spider-Verse lighting in a garage setting or high-end, editorial-style close-ups of your Frankenstein glow-up, lets work together to create something amazing! I offer free consultations via zoom or in the studio- so just click here to book yours!

“Empty Nest, Full Schedule & Blogging Again!”

• May 12th, 2025 •

Hey friends!!!!

Okay, let’s spill some tea—I know on HERE Ive been quiet but in real life I’ve been BUSY. Like, camera-in-hand, editing-into-the-night, running-a-full-time-photography-studio kind of busy. But you know what’s been missing? Talking about it. Sharing it. Blogging it. (And okay, marketing it too. )

This past year has been one of the most beautiful and full seasons of my life. I officially became an empty nester when my youngest headed off to VCU in Richmond with his brother (cue the bittersweet feels.) Since then, I’ve poured my heart into photographing everything from squishy newborns to confident seniors to frosting-covered one-year-olds. (Gosh, i love my job!)

I just got back from The Mid-Atlantic Regional School of Photography, and let me tell you—my brain is bursting with inspiration and fresh ideas! 🎉 After finally catching my breath, I had a major realization: I’ve totally been neglecting my website and blog. 😬 But hey, that’s about to change! I’m making space to breathe life back into this little corner of the internet, and I promise to get better at sharing my portrait work—from maternity and newborn sessions to seniors, couples, and more. (Okay, maybe I’m not 100% confident yet… but I’m speaking it into existence! 😉)

Here’s what you can expect as I start hitting “publish” more often:

Newborn Portraits – There’s nothing sweeter than those squishy cheeks and sleepy snuggles.
Maternity Sessions – Glowing mamas, soft light, and all the anticipation. YES, please!
High School Senior Portraits – Bold, fun, and full of personality—these are always a blast.
One-Year Cake Smashes – Because what’s cuter than a frosting-covered baby smashing their first cake?!
Couples Portraits – Gosh, do I love capturing all your amazing “Love Stories” all around Hampton roads!
Family Portraits – Don’t forget to let me “freeze time” with family pictures before the kids grow even more.

For those new here: I’m a Virginia Beach based photographer (serving all areas of Hampton Roads) who’s all about capturing real connection and authentic joy—and whether you’re holding your baby or getting ready to send your baby off to college, I’d be honored to tell your story.

So yes, I’ve been here all along—camera clicking, clients smiling, memories being made. Now it’s time to start sharing the magic with you, too.

If you’ve been waiting to book your session—this is your sign. Let’s make something beautiful, together. Book a free consultation now! Click Here

Whats new in 2024 with Devon Shanor Photography

• April 29th, 2024 •

WOW. We are already into the 5th month of the year! It has been a whirlwind of a year so far! And if you’ve noticed- blogging has definitely taken a back seat to everything and we haven’t been good at keeping this blog updated. I apologize for how long everything has taken but we are finally settling in.

So what is new? We have renovated the studio and have a glamorous new black wall set, a beautiful white light wall, a boho neutral bedroom set, and LOTS of new newborn props and baskets. It has been so much fun purging things, building things and putting together a studio that has something for everyone. Take a look at some of the recent pictures we have done in the sets!

We also have welcomed a new photographer to our studio. (If you’ve been with us for the past few years with Santa or our events, you have likely already met her.) Her name is Kelley and she’s been working with us for a few years and we are so happy to finally announce that she is officially joining the studio! She has a bit of a more moody, dark and warm style that I, so she is a great addition to offer a different look! Here are a few images she has recently taken. And be on the lookout for more blogs from her in the future.

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You don’t need “Just one Picture” from your photoshoot | Hampton Roads Photographer

• March 16th, 2023 •

I often get emails asking about a photoshoot saying they only need “one picture” and if I can accommodate that. The short answer is of course yes, you can purchase just one or two pictures but why do all that work for just one?! If you are going to take the time to get everyone dressed, do your hair and makeup, rearrange everyone schedules and come out for a photoshoot- Im going to make the most of the time we have! No way am I letting you do all that work for 5 minutes in front of my camera! Ive got all my gear and equipment ready and set, lets take some time and really capture ALL the moment and relationships!

I don’t charge per person (within reason- you can’t bring the whole neighborhood) but when you book your session. I encourage the whole family to come prepared. Foe example if you book a senior portrait session- lets get a few family or mother/daughter shots. If you need a headshot- bring along your spouse and lets also capture some romantic portraits as well! A 6 month old milestone session? Lets capture some amazing sibling shots too!

You have no pressure to buy any of these “extra” portraits or poses but my families often thanks me for using the time they had set aside for one type of portrait- and helping them create beautiful portraits they hadn’t been expecting. Often some of these become the “star” or “favorite” from their session.

Take a look at this incredible family i photographed during a Senior Portrait session. We focused on the Brandon, my senior, but we also captured the siblings together, some family portraits and some romantic portraits on mom and dad! We maybe spend 20 minutes on these shots, but what wonderful portraits we created! We used the session for what it was intended- Senior Portraits- but my family also walked away with some incredible memories and portraits celebrating their family, their kids and their marriage!

Party of Five | Newborn Hampton Roads

• March 16th, 2023 •

Welcome little angel to the phenomenal female family of FIVE!! I have been photographing this amazing family for so many years and I loved getting to welcome little A to the world for her newborn portraits.

Big sisters did SO good during the session and the family portraits are some of my favorites ever- just check out these beautiful princesses!

Welcome Baby A | Newborn Portraits Virginia Beach

• October 19th, 2022 •

Little Miss A was such a joy to have in the studio! She gave me so many adorable little faces and slept like a rock star. I loved getting to meet her, I have photographed her mom in the past and I love getting to capture her new family!

Star Wars Baby | Newborn Portraits Hampton Roads

• October 18th, 2022 •

Welcome little Wren! We had such a fun time celebrating the birth of little Wren and incorporating some Star Wars theme into her newborn session! Her furry big brother joined in on the fun and was so protective and cooperative.

Family in the City | Norfolk Family Portraits

• October 8th, 2022 •

I have know this family since before the kids were even born! They are some of my oldest friends and I was so happy to photograph them in the city. We literally STOPPED TRAFFIC! I love all the personality and uniqueness of each of them. We had such a great time.

Mom and Dad needed some updated headshots too. When you book with Devon Shanor Photography there is no need to book a separate session for that, we can just incorporate that right into our family session!

Santa on the Beach | Virginia Beach VA

• October 7th, 2022 •

Santa is back at the beach. So excited to have Santa Todd and Santa Randy back in Virginia Beach for our Santa on the beach portraits! Time slots will sell out quickly so don’t wait to book. And keep checking back if you can’t make it, we are doing cookies with Santa in December!

Bring the whole family as there is enough time in the session for a few family portraits and portraits with Santa. Check out some of these amazing portraits from last year!

https://devonshanorphotography.studio-booking.com/booking/santaonthebeach2022/

18 Months Old | Virginia Beach Portraits

• October 7th, 2022 •

I had such a fun time exploring First Landing State Park with this adorable family as we celebrated 18 months with little M! We got some fabulous portraits with mommy and daddy, some great family portraits and then we had a blast playing in the water! We even took time to photograph mom and dad together, something I feel is some important to do. Don’t forget to capture the ones who started it all!

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