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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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.

Beach portraits | Maternity Virginia Beach

• September 5th, 2022 •

Lenae is so beautiful and glowing! We had so much fun at First Landing State Park for Marcus and Lenae’s maternity portraits.

Zoe Maternity | Maternity Hampton Roads

• August 30th, 2022 •

Zoe is such a beautiful momma-to-be! And this little one is a rainbow baby and a blessing that has been prayed for for years! Ive known Zoe for years and got to meet her husband Chris for this shoot. They were SO much fun to have in the studio and we laughed a lot! I love the way their portraits turned out and especially loved the addition of a snake! My first snake maternity portraits!!!

Glow Momma Glow! | Maternity Portraits Virginia Beach

• September 3rd, 2021 •

I was so excited to photograph Malorie and Xavior. I have known Malorie for years and was SO EXCITED to find out she was pregnant. But she had recently moved across the country so I didn’t think I’d be able to photograph her maternity portraits. But… on a trip home for her baby shower we were able to fit in her session.

She was GLOWING for her session at First Landing State Park. It was HOT but the love between them and the gorgeous Virginia Beach weather helped me to create these amazing portraits. It was almost impossible to narrow down to our favorites from heir session!

I cannot wait to meet her little one in November when she comes back to visit. Stay tuned for more portraits then!

Family Ties | Maternity

• August 27th, 2019 •

I don’t have a biological brother but I do have a brother. His name is Jesse and he has been a part of my life since I was 14 years old. He is one of my oldest friends and I truly don’t know that I would be the woman I am if it hadn’t been for his love, affirmation and friendship during some really difficult teenage years. We lost touch for quite a few years and about 5 years ago we reconnected and caught up on so many lost years of our friendship. I love him like a brother and I have prayed for over 20 years for him to find a woman that would love and support him like he deserves.

Enter the beautiful Pamela! In a whirlwind relationship, Jesse found the love of his life. I couldn’t be happier with his choice as she is kind, caring, supportive and, did I mention, beautiful? She is a perfect match for him and I am so honored to now consider her family as well!

They just welcomed their little girl but a few months ago I was so honored to photograph their maternity portraits. They came to Virginia Beach on a spur of the moment “baby moon” and we were able to squeeze in a quick session before the rain rolled in!

The best part of my job is getting to celebrate the milestones of life and capture them forever. When I get to do that for the people I love, it is icing on an already sweet cake!!

Women are Incredible

• March 7th, 2019 •

Woman are the backbone of this country! We are homemakers, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, business owners, role models, caregivers, and so much more. We juggle roles without even realize we are doing it. We can kiss a boo boo and put on our high heels in the same breathe. We bring forth life into world as mothers while also running empires. We are statistically more kind, loving, grateful and better at handling stress. We are super-powerful women!

This week we celebrate International Women’s Day. A day to celebrate women all over the world and how far we have come as women. I personally want to celebrate woman empowering women! I see a trend of women uniting together and empowering each other. We need to do more of this. When I first started out in business I had three AMAZING women who mentored me. Women who guided me, gave me advice and encouraged me. (Thank you Andi, Dee and Dana.) Their guidance gave me the ability to believe in myself and push forward on a dream I knew very little (at the time) on how to accomplish. Now, I mentor women doing the same thing. They aren’t my competition, it’s my way to give back and cheer on another superwoman!

We need to empower each other. Cheer each other on, give each other feedback! We need to stop judging each other and our life’s choices. I am successful business owner who chose to stay home and raise her babies for over 10 years. Your choices aren’t going to be my choices. Whatever you are doing with your life, you are a an empowered woman. Do you stay home and raise your little ones? Are you a single mom doing everything by yourself? Are you a military member who has to say goodbye to your babies for months at a time? Are you a military wife caught between being a single parent and a married one- juggling the two at a moments notice? Are you a career woman pushing to achieve your dreams and “soccer moming” it as well? Wherever you are you are a superwoman! You need to celebrate that.

I want to help you celebrate. Come see me in the month of March. Let’s celebrate your womanhood! Let’s celebrate your superpowers.

– For some that might mean professional headshots celebrating your success in your field.

– For some that might mean a boudoir session showcasing your sensuality, beauty and uniqueness.

– For some that might be a “Model for a day” session where you get to just celebrate YOU with different outfits and ideas.

– For some that might be a Cultural Heritage shoot as we celebrate all of your unique cultures that make up who you are.

Contact me for your own personalized session. 50% off all individual session fees if you mention “Empowered Women” at your consultation!

Newborn Photography and Safety for your baby | Hampton Roads Photographer

• June 20th, 2018 •

I adore photographing newborns! My youngest is 12 so, my littlest clients give me my baby fix! They are so tiny, new, squishy, and adorable!! I love molding them into little naked balls, swaddling them into little beans with my wraps, and perfectly inserting them into baskets and bowls. That said, a newborn shoot is not easy – with much of the work happening before I even book a client!

When I take your little one out of your hands to photograph them, I am accepting the greatest gift you have ever been given. I am taking the baby that just days ago you had only ever held in your womb. I have a HUGE responsibility to care for that baby and make sure he/she is safe and sound. I take that responsibility seriously and I have put in the work to make sure I am educated on how to photograph your baby safely. I have attended newborn workshops and classes to make sure I know how to mold, swaddle, and insert your perfect little bundles into the beautiful poses you often see in newborn portraits.

Often the pictures you see are not single images- but two or three images composited together where I am photoshopping out my assistants hands and fingers that are helping hold that perfect little baby in that pose. The beautiful pictures of babies hanging from tree limbs- often that baby is just two inches off the ground- not hanging freely as the photograph would like you believe. Expert and trained newborn photographers know these tricks and tools to keep your baby safe while still creating amazing art of your precious baby.

You are probably aware that newborn babies can’t support their own heads- so the famous pose with the little one holding their head on their tiny hands, is IMPOSSIBLE to do without doing a composite. I always tell a client I can’t promise that shot because unless the baby is relaxed and completely asleep- that shot isn’t going to happen. If your 6 day old baby doesn’t want to be in a certain position, I will not force them just for a picture. I still capture amazing images for my clients that express who their baby is and what they like even at such a young age.

The point of my post is to encourage people to research your photographers ESPECIALLY for newborn portraits. You only get one chance to do newborn portraits (they change immensely after the first 2 weeks) and you don’t want your first portraits of your little one and your first portraits as a family being done by someone without the experience your child deserves. While I understand cost becomes a big deciding factor for many people, for the safety of your newborn I beg you not to hire someone with price in mind. An amazing deal doesn’t equal proper training and education to provide you with a safe environment and portrait session for your newborn.

I continue to take classes and attend workshops on newborn photography. I want to stay up to date on all the information out there so that I can enhance my client’s portrait sessions. You and your little precious munchkin deserve experience, education and passion.

Look at examples of a photographer’s work and try to find the photographer with the style you are looking for. When looking into a photographer, make sure you ask many questions such as:

How many newborns have you photographed?
Do you have an assistant with you during newborn shoots?
Are you educated in newborn safety during shoots?
Are you a licensed photographer with business insurance?
How long have you been in business?
What tools do you use to help my newborn calm down when they start to cry?

Get the information you need to make the very best choice for your little munchkin. You want your session to be something you remember with fondness and love, not fear and unease. Choose the photographer who will make your session easy for both you and baby, and will create amazing portraits you’ll cherish forever!

Here are a few composite images I have complete for my clients. Enjoy!

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