Devon Shanor | Blog

Tag: Hampton Roads Engagement portraits

“Empty Nest, Full Schedule & Blogging Again!”

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

May 12, 2025
Santa on the Beach | Virginia Beach VA

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/

October 7, 2022
Don’t forget the Love | Couple Portraits 757

During every family session you book with me, I will make sure to capture some romantic and couple portraits of mom and dad. Too often, once we become parents we forget to focus on each other. We’re too busy focusing on the kids and the house and the budget, etc! So no need to book a separate session for you and your spouse- I’ll make sure to get it during your family portraits. Take a look at G and L in Town Center Virginia Beach. I LOVE them together and had such a blast with them and getting to photograph them again. I love being their Lifeographer!

October 5, 2022
What a Treasure | Newborn Portraits Virginia Beach

Welcome Little Treasure! I loved getting to photograph this little beauty who has the most true name ever- what a little treasure she was! She did so good during her session. And I am SO GLAD mom brought her big brothers to the session. She almost didn’t as the thought of wrangling two ACTIVE 3 years old when her newborn is less than 2 weeks old was too overwhelming for her. But I convinced her to let me try. My studio is equipped with a big play area for kids and even has an area for watching movies. So she brought the while family and we were able to create some amazing family and sibling portraits too!

October 1, 2022
Guess who’s getting Married???

Town Center in Virginia Beach is a beautiful spot in Hampton Roads. It’s the perfect place to relax, grab a bite, take a walk, listen to music and more. It’s also a place where a fairy tales come true.

Dwayne and Dariane had their first date there and on Tuesday, a new chapter in their love story began! He led her there with her eyes closed while their family and friends snuck up on them. He then told her to open her eyes for the best surprise of her life.

It was such a beautiful experience and I am so very honored to have been asked to photograph it. Join me in wishing them years and years of joy, happiness and blessings!

Check out the bling!

She said yes!!

Family and friends celebrating the love!

March 6, 2020
Love began with a Slurpee | Virginia Beach Engagement

I was SO excited when Conner messaged to tell me he was getting MARRIED! It is so hard to believe since I have been photographing him since middle school and I still see him as little boy! But he has found a phenomenal woman and turned into a handsome and responsible young man. I am OVERJOYED to celebrate their engagement with them!

I met to talk with Abigail and Connor and I LOVED their story of their first date. They went to 7-11, grabbed some smoothies and went for a walk at the oceanfront. The sat and talked on the long walkway near 5th street for hours. We talked about doing their engagement pictures in the same location and decided we HAD to incorporate 7-11 into their session!

But we didn’t stop there! We weren’t going to have a “typical” engagement session so when we saw the Bird scooters, we knew they had to be a part of the session as well!

Photographing people in love is always a favorite of mine but getting to photograph young people in love, being silly, laughing and enjoying each other and the quirks of their first dates- well, lets just say this will be a session to remember!!

August 16, 2019
Mermaids wash ashore in Virginia Beach | Mermaid Portrait Photographer

Gabby came to me with the idea of doing mermaid portraits. She had been thinking of doing them for years but hadn’t found a photographer she felt could capture her vision of what she wanted. So we discussed what ideas she had in mind and searched for tails, accessories and props. We decided to go for it and create her dream portraits.

This session was AMAZING. Even the sunset seemed to work with us in creating perfect portraits and gave us amazing colors and beauty. Gabby was a magical mermaid!! We even has a little girl come up wanting to see the “real life mermaid” on the beach.

These sessions are available to book now! We have openings in late July, August and September. I can turn your children into beautiful little mermaids or even make your own mermaid dreams come true. Book a mommy/ daughter session or a session with your best friend.

Contact me today if you are interested in making your mermaid fantasy come true!

July 3, 2017
A Year in Review | Hampton Roads Photographer

Another amazing year has passed. Last year at this exact time, I was just so thankful 2015 was almost OVER. It was a year filled with so much sadness and loss. I prayed for 2016 to be a BORING year at least! I just wanted to get past all the pain of 2015. God answers prayers and more. Like he states “There is a time and a season for everything.” The BORING year I was praying for didn’t happen, instead He gave me so much more.

Personal highlights of 2016… I started the year off on a cruise with my family. The first cruise we have done together and it was a beautiful welcome to the new year! In the spring, I visited NYC with my son and godson and got to see my childhood crush, Will Smith (aaaaahhhhhhh) film the movie Collateral Beauty. (Seriously, I was like a giddy child- and the coolest thing was it was an unexpected surprise to see him on set!! Thanks to an amazing friend who set it up!) In the summer, I visited Ethiopia again, with Habesha Momma, and got to start the process of opening a home for homeless and trafficked children. I also FINALLY got to take my husband to NYC. I love NYC and Brett has said for years “NEVER” when I ask if he’d like to go with me. However, he finally agreed and we had a fabulous time together enjoying the big city!

One of the biggest personal and business highlights was I moved my business out of my house and into a true commercial space!! It was a HUGE leap of faith but I am so very thankful I took the risk. I LOVE having my own space. I’ve been a successful photographer for years BUT having my own name on the outside of a building makes me feel “I’ve made it!” It has been an amazing whirlwind of a year! I had a phenomenal Open House in my new space and felt so much love poured out. I have been blessed by the opportunity to photograph so many amazing people, families and projects. I truly love my job and don’t take for granted the fact that I am given the gift of creating moments in time for each of you.

This blog every year is one of my hardest… to go through the year and pick my favorite images to share. Each one of you are so special to me, all of our shoots hold special moments and laughs. In every single session- I am creating memories that I pray will be cherished for generations to come. Narrowing that down to 15-20 images to show my year in review… it is SO HARD! But here are some of the highlights I was able to narrow it down too… and once again thank you. Thank you for trusting me, thank you for supporting me, thank you for allowing me into your family.

I pray blessings, love and lots of laughter in 2017!

December 31, 2016
Saying I DO all over again | Hampton Roads Photographer

If you follow my blog you will know this family. I have been photographing them for years, ever since they were pregnant with their beautiful little Elliegh. So when Steven called me and asked me to photograph a surprise wedding renewal for them, how could I say no? I LOVE surprises and I love Jenna, so I was super excited to photograph them saying “I Do” again!

Family and friends from all over came to Virginia Beach to surprise them. Not sure it was a complete surprise (I guess someone said something about someone coming to town in front of her) but it was a night to remember none-the-less! I loved watching these two recommit themselves to each other and to their marriage. Jenna and Elliegh were stunningly beautiful and Steven cleans up well too! Blessings and love to you guys, thanks for always trusting me with your precious family memories!<3 <3

Cupcakes by the amazing Amy and Daniel with Apothecary Cupcakes. http://apothecarycupcakes.weebly.com/

July 27, 2016
When the Last leaves the Nest | Family Portrait Photographer Hampton Roads

I met Latrice when she attended my open house in May. Her youngest son was graduating from high school and she talked to me about senior portraits. Her son, Emmanuel was not super excited about Senior portraits, so I talked with her about combining a family session with his Senior portraits. That way the focus wouldn’t be on him the whole time and we’d get those family portraits she’d been putting off for way too long. It’s important to capture the family when the last graduates, especially if there haven’t been any marriages yet. Capture the family unit as it has been for so long… because before you know it it will be growing again!

Once I met her stunningly handsome sons, (Devonta, Marquis and Emmanuel) I realized my job was going to be very easy. They could easily model, each one of them! I had such a great time meeting them and getting to know as little about each one of them. Handsome, talented, kind and compassionate… Latrice- you’ve done a great job raising these young men!

We did our shoot in the neon district in Norfolk and it was the perfect background for this family! We got some great brothers shots, some senior portraits for Emmanuel and some beautiful family portraits for mom! I can’t wait to see this family grow in the future… I see a few future daughter- in- laws someday!

July 21, 2016