About the artist, Shanna Chess
I'm a proud mom of two beautiful daughters and wife to an amazing husband, and photography has been part of my story for as long as I can remember. It became a real passion in high school when I enrolled in photography classes, shooting on 35mm manual cameras, working with black-and-white film, and spending hours in the darkroom. During that time, I photographed a family friend's daughter, and something clicked. I knew portrait photography, especially of children, was where I belonged.
When I was expecting our first daughter, I invested in a digital DSLR because I knew I'd want to capture everything. My friends had been calling me paparazzi since college, and they weren't wrong. I wanted to preserve every milestone, every fleeting moment, the kind you look back on years later and feel all at once. I was determined to do it right.
After she was born, my husband and I made a big decision: I wouldn't return to my retail management career. I loved that job, the people, and the growth, but retail and family don't mix well. By the time my daughter was nine months old, in July 2012, I launched my photography business. I haven't looked back since.
About a year in, I found my true calling: newborn photography. There is nothing quite like capturing a baby in those first fleeting days, the curl of tiny fingers, the peaceful weight of a sleeping newborn. It's challenging, detail-intensive work, and I love every second of it. In March 2016, I opened my own 1,600-square-foot studio on our property, which made a real difference in the experience I can offer families.
But newborns are just the beginning. One of the greatest gifts of this work is watching those same babies grow, first smiles, wobbly first steps, birthday cakes, and beyond. I love being the photographer families return to year after year, building a collection of memories that tells their whole story. From maternity sessions and newborns to toddlers, family portraits, and high school seniors, I'm here for all of it.
In 2022, I expanded into education, teaching a middle school photography elective at a local private school and launching an online coaching program for portrait photographers who want to grow the business side of their work. Giving back to this industry means a lot to me.
Thanks for being here. I'd love to capture your family's most treasured memories, so reach out anytime to get started.
All set. Let me know if anything else needs tweaking.
Shanna
Licensed (LLC 92119891) and insured
