Documenting the journey of life in all its phases is a core belief of mine. From the laughter of youth to the wisdom of age, I cherish documenting people in their most authentic settings. My aspiration is to create lasting ‘found portraits’ for families, providing a window into cherished moments as children grow and parents age. Photographing the elderly and the experience of parenthood are favourites of mine; their stories, often overlooked, deserve to be told with dignity and love. In familiar surroundings, every image becomes a poignant reminder of our existence.
These moments are fleeting. When you’re old enough to reflect on the life you made for yourself - you’re going to want to remember the marked up doorway, the fridge art, and the lived-in messiness of your young years.
THE LIFE STAGES / PEOPLE / RELATIONSHIPS I LOVE TO DOCUMENT WITH PORTRAITURE
Couples & Engagements
Babies & Young Families
Seniors & Extended Family
When documenting romance, I immerse myself in the chemistry and connection that defines your love. My focus is on creating images that echo the depth of your bond, capturing candid moments of joy, tenderness, and the unspoken glances that speak volumes. Each session is a visual celebration of the story you've written together.
Seniors & Extended Family
Parenthood is a sacred journey of nurturing little ones. My goal is to document this path in all its forms – messiness, joy, challenges, and love. These sessions focus on capturing your family authentically, amidst familiar surroundings, with a genuine documentary style that reflects the real essence of childhood and family life.
Couples & Engagements
Babies & Young Families
When working with senior couples and extended families, I aim to honour the richness of long-standing relationships and shared histories. By documenting these deep bonds and legacies of love with grace and respect, each image helps to tell your stories of enduring affection and the collective memory that binds families together.
Couples & Engagements
Babies & Young Families
Seniors & Extended Family
My portrait sessions start at 90 minutes - and we go from there. My approach to longer sessions is about forming genuine connections and capturing the essence of each family. Mini-sessions, with their inherent rush, leave no room for the natural unfolding of personalities, especially in children. I cherish the time to observe, build trust, and allow everyone to relax, leading to authentic, unstaged moments. It’s about giving space for true expression, whether it’s a toddler’s vibrant energy or a couple’s growing comfort. In these unhurried hours, real, intimate portraits emerge, reflecting the beauty of your unique story.
It’s the unassuming moments, the micro-expressions, the knowing glances, and the quiet and fleeting beauty that takes time to notice.
THE TIME IT TAKES / MY PERSPECTIVE ON PORTRAIT SESSIONS
02. Indoor studio sessions
THOUGHTFUL WORDS
from
At-home sessions are dedicated to the everyday moments. With minimal direction, I immerse myself in your world, seeking ‘found portraits’ as we explore your space. Our time together is filled with movement and a planned activity, like a walk, to naturally bring everyone together for genuine, heartfelt interactions.
My studio, designed for timeless portraits, offers classic black or white backdrops for individuals, couples, and young families. These sessions focus on a few enduring images. For moms with kids, I create documentary-inspired portraits, keeping sessions child-friendly and directed in a serene setting.
01. At home / outdoor sessions
"We love the photos! Our children especially love the one of their dad playing the guitar and the one at Niger Reef where I am giggling into Ross' neck - the one you sent as a teaser. So glad we have the pictures and you got a ton of smiles out of Ross! Great job and we are so happy with them."
Chris & Ross,
St. Andrews portraits senior couple
"I can’t put into words how special these beautiful photos are to me. You perfectly captured my family and what a typical day looks like for us—the swing, playing lawnmowers in the basement, a lot of nursing haha, FaceTime nanny, Charlie always up on his kitchen stool, and more, but also captured some truly perfect family shots. And how can I not mention the stunning photos of my nanny’s ring—these photos will make it even more special to pass the ring on to Addison some day. I couldn’t be more grateful to have you capture so many life milestones for us. I know my kids will be grateful too as these photos will be so loved for a lifetime to come."
The Leblanc's
Quispamsis family session
"Shannon-May photographed our engagement session, our wedding, and most recently family photos with our 3-month-old son and our puppy :) Her sessions always feel so natural and comfortable, and we love that she captures those aspects in the photos she creates. She truly captures the genuine feelings and emotions that come with big life events. We can’t recommend her enough and we will definitely continue to have her photograph our family in the future!"
The Clarke 's,
Fredericton family session at home
"Thank you so much for capturing our family so beautifully. It was impossible to pick only a few to print. I smile every time I walk up the stairs. Thank you so much for the wonderful images that capture so much joy and history and for making it a fun experience. We hope to connect again."
The Krenn's
Oak Bay family portraits at the cottage
I once prioritized capturing connections between people over the traditional ‘looking at the camera’ portraits. However, my own wedding experience and the profound loss of my father in 2019 reshaped my perspective on the significance of a classic, unposed portrait. They offer more than a direct gaze; they create a timeless link to those who will cherish these images in the future, encapsulating the essence and character in a way candid photos may not capture.
I now make sure to include these enduring portraits in every session. My approach is to ‘find’ these portraits, waiting with patience and occasionally whispering a name to invite that meaningful glance my way.
THE HEART-HEALING MAGIC OF DOCUMENTARY PORTRAITURE
Protect your family’s photos from a lost phone / cloud malfunction / obscurity
FINE ART PHOTO ALBUMS & PRINTS
BECOME FAMILY HEIRLOOMS
Professional printing transforms your portrait sessions into cherished time capsules, ensuring longevity and quality. Unlike digital copies, these prints are crafted to endure, documenting your precious moments in a tangible form to be relished for generations. As part of my commitment to print, all portraiture clients receive a print credit, encouraging the creation of physical memory collections that stand the test of time.
