Their Childhood Isn't Waiting...

So often we wait.

We tell ourselves we’ll book photos when life feels calmer, when our bodies feel more like “ours,” when our kids are more cooperative, when everything looks picture-perfect (or at least more put together).

But the truth is: their childhood isn’t waiting. And neither is your motherhood.

Recently, I had the honor of photographing a mama and her three boys during an at-home motherhood session here in Utah. What unfolded was pure, messy magic, a reminder that there is so much beauty in the ordinary moments happening right now.

Why At-Home Motherhood Sessions Are So Special

At-home sessions take the pressure off. Kids feel more relaxed in their own space, parents don’t have to stress about rushing to a location, and the result is a gallery full of images that reflect your authentic story.

A Boy Mom’s Story: Chaos, Connection, and Comfort

With three boys in the house, there was plenty of energy, laughter, and sibling chaos. We had wrestles on the couch, snack breaks in the kitchen, and quiet moments where mom wrapped her arms around her boys and pulled them close.

That’s the magic of documenting motherhood at home, you don’t have to force perfect smiles or outfits. You simply let life unfold.

Your Story Matters Now

When I look back at these images, I don’t just see a mom and her three sons. I see a bond that will carry them through life. I see presence. I see love in motion.

And I want every mama to know: you don’t have to wait until everything looks “perfect.” The messy, the loud, the tender, the everyday… this is the chapter your kids will want to remember most.

Ready to Capture Your Own Story?

If you’ve been waiting for the “right time,” this is your reminder: their childhood isn’t waiting. And neither is your motherhood.

📸 I’d be honored to help you preserve these fleeting chapters with an at-home motherhood session in Utah. Book your session here →

Step back in time and Press Play on your memories with a Family Film!

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's all too easy to let the precious moments slip through our fingers. Time flies, and before we know it, our little ones grow up, our homes change, and we're left with only memories of how things used to be. That's why I'm here to remind you of the importance of capturing the beauty of NOW through lifestyle family photography and videography. We all know that a picture says a thousand words. They are such a treasure, I love that they press pause on a moment now gone, Now imagine being able to press play again…and again. Be able to watch those memories again and again as if in real time, almost as if you’ve taken a trip back in time.

Take your favorite phots and watch the moments play out for you, witness their personalities beaming, as their eyes process the wonder of what’s happening. Yes it’s true a photo says a thousand words and a film tells the entire story! Life is so beautiful in all its imperfection.
Lately it seems like photos are stressful, and my goal isn’t to provide a frame full of forced smiles. I want you to feel the love that you share for each other, the beauty of your now to look back on. I want to bring that feeling! Often we feel that way when we look back and long to be there again because we didn’t slow down enough to really enjoy it. I want to help you to see it NOW! LOVE it now and when you look back on it later you won’t long for that time You’ll merely appreciate it and be able to watch with THAT feeling!

These are the bits and pieces that make our lives uniquely ours. The toothless grins, the messy kitchen tables, the laughter-filled family gatherings, the bedtime stories, and even the tantrums. They all contribute to the beautiful story of your family.

Make the time now. There is magic in your day to day things, it’s in the small stuff of your day that makes up the big stuff of your life! Lets CAPTURE THAT!!

Here's why it's crucial to capture these moments:

1. Cherish the Present: Life is a journey, and every stage is special. By documenting your family's "right now," you'll have a treasure trove of memories to revisit and cherish in the years to come.

2. Freeze Time: Photos and videos are like time machines. They freeze moments, allowing you to relive them whenever you want. Your children will love looking back and seeing how they've grown and changed.

3. Share Your Story: Your family's story is unique, and it deserves to be told. These images and videos become a legacy for future generations, a glimpse into the past, and a testament to the love and joy that fills your home.

Don't let these precious moments slip away. I invite you to book a family photography and videography session with us. Let us capture the beauty of your "now"… the smiles, the hugs, the messes, the love.

Imagine a professionally crafted collection of images and videos starring your beautiful "right now." It's an investment in memories, a gift to yourself and your family that will keep on giving for generations.

Book now and together and preserve the beauty of your family's story.

5 Reasons to Hire a Professional Photographer For Your Family Photos

If you were to ask me why to hire a professional photographer for your family photos? I would first let you know that I’m obviously a little bias about the subject, but for good reason! I would let you know that it ensures that you get gorgeous quality images that will last a lifetime. But my emphasis would be in the fact that they have heart in this exchange. We do this for a reason, as a passion and have invested time and money into mastering this craft, evoking an emotional response within the participants for years to come.
So if i were to make a list, it would go like this:

1. Passion and the desire to provide a quality experience and product.

2. Artistic ability and an eye for composition + posing

Most professional family photographers treasure connection and being able to portray that without words.
They have developed the expertise to help create and capture precious moments of you together, bringing out the unique personalities of each member of the family in an artful way. We make the most of any location and lighting situation, position you in the frame to create aesthetically pleasing images while simultaneously focusing on what is important.

3. Top of the line equipment, software and skill in using it.

A professional family photographer has invested not only in pro equipment, but has also built a relationship with their camera and has the ability to create a completely different feel depending on the use of angles, different lenses. We understand depth of field in the distance between the subject and the camera, which creates that beautiful background blur while keeping the subject in crystal clear focus. We enjoy the editing process to enrich the final product with software and skill to do so without effecting the quality or resolution of the files.

4. Dealing with little ones

This is actually a huge part of what we do. knowing how to work with small children (and husbands) who don’t necessarily want to pose for the camera, and we actually enjoy it! We love to get creative, making sure to get all the little details like the dimples in tiny hands, the way they fit perfectly into your arms, and all the other things that are certain to change over the years. We are fully aware of the gift that we have to share and the value that it holds. To be able to travel back in time, to see and feel these moments all over again. What a treasure

5. Vision & creative ideas

We love it when we’re able to bring your vision to life. Even if you don’t have anything specific in mind, we take pleasure in getting creative and giving you ideas. We know how to pose you, so that you all look your best. In conclusion, I wouldn’t want to leave my memories to just anyone, time passes so quickly and we too easily forget to slow down and soak up the moment. With the help of a professional photographer, you have the chance to look back and sit with the memories! Whether you hire a professional or not, if I could give any suggestion, it would simply be “Don’t wait to take the pictures!”
Much love, ShaiLynn

Ashley + Taylor {Utah Fall Engagement Photos}

I am so excited for Ashley and Taylor! They will be getting married this fall, (September 2023) and decided to have their engagement photos early on to match that gorgeous time of year. When everything slows down a bit, and the trees shine vibrantly in the crisp autumn air. This gorgeous season that makes you want to snuggle up and truly appreciate the abundance of good things the year has produced. Especially with each other!

Ashley is a literal model, and in being so knows many amazing photographers! I feel extra honored to have been chosen to capture their big day, I never take this assignment lightly and understand the magnitude of what these photos mean to my clients! Especially with her being one of my very best friends, it is going to be an extraordinary evening!

I love getting to see these two together, the way that they look at each other had me swooning. I could tell that they were completely smitten and content in each others arms, as though they had finally found home. it makes my heart so happy that they have found this kind of easy, enduring love!

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful evening to shoot these photos. The trees were were the brightest yellows and oranges, the sun was just barely peeking over the mountainside spotlighting the two of them among the tall aspens in this gorgeous location! The forest floor was covered in the sprinkling of leaves, like confetti in celebration of this very moment.

This session definitely had us feeling on top of the world in more ways than one. With 360 degree views of mountain peaks surrounding us, and the undeniable chemistry between these two had us all soaring with appreciation. Acknowledging how blessed we are to be living in this beautiful world and co-creating magical moments together

An enormous thanks to Ashley and Taylor for affording me the opportunity to be their friend and photographer. It means so much to me and I look forward to getting to compose even more beautiful photos of them at their wedding and beyond.

Add Video To Your Photography Business!

Thank you so much for being here, I am so excited to finally be sharing about this workshop!
We are going to have so much fun going over all the layers of value in adding video to your photography business. Gain the knowledge and abilities to take your trade to the next level! Leave with the confidence, skillset + footage to create a well crafted film!

Things We’ll Cover:

Session Prep:

• Clarifying Intensions + Expectation with your client.

• Ready yourself: Mindset & techniques for getting into flow.

• Prepping your gear
  
  Gear Essentials:

• Camera, cards, stabilization + audio equipment
  
  Settings:

• Video formats, frame rates, resolution sizing

• Picture profiles, color grading

• Audio settings
  
  Shooting a scene:

• Composing a storyline

• Lighting situations

• Creating emotion

• Transitions, camera movements, working with the scene.

• Navigating lighting situations + small spaces

• Switching between photo + video
  
  Styled session:

• Get hands on learning, practice your new skills

• Watch me work, directing clients for authentic moments
  
  Editing:

• All about music, finding the song, licensing

• Editing for emotional impact

• Constructing a scene + creating a narrative

• Using audio

• Color corrections + finishing touches
  
  Adding value:

• Opportunities for profit

• Incorporating video into your business

• Q+A
  

I can’t wait to get started! Sign up here
or email me with any questions!

shailynnphotoandfilm@gmail.com

A Destination Birth Story / Las Angeles CA

Births are unpredictable and even when you’ve scheduled an induction, nothing can really be planned. So when Ivy first contacted me about shooting hers out of town, I wasn’t certain how things would go. I had only done one other destination birth story, and things were cut close as he arrived just before I had to leave to catch my already re-scheduled flight home. But I had a really good feeling about it, and as always was very clear that there was a chance that I might not make it in time, and all the variables involved. I was so honored that she still wanted to go for it!

She got her induction date and I schedule my flight and hotel, only to have her call me early the next morning to tell me that she had gone into labor early. Luckily I was able to cancel those reservations, but had to hunt for the next available flight that would hopefully get me there on time! I threw some things into my bag and took off for the airport. Upon landing I took my phone off airplane mode and received a message from Ivy saying that she was already at 8 centimeters. I had no idea when she sent that , so I was extra nervous about missing it.

Luckily I made it just in time! Sweet little Sione made his appearance not too long after I got there. It was such a beautiful delivery, and I’m so thankful I was able to be there to capture it all. It was an eventful, exciting morning. There isn’t anything else quite like witnessing the beginning of a new life!

Getting to be in the presence of so much love and emotion, just can’t be described. I am so blessed to get to do this! I love that my being there frees up Dad to be completely present with mom throughout the whole experience. And eases Mom’s concerns about getting good photos of baby! Birthing situations can be challenging, with wonky lighting situations an crowded rooms. It’s reassuring to have someone there with the skills and equipment to ensure it’s all beautifully documented!

Don’t just hire someone to take photos or capture some video of this momentous day in your lives! Hire someone who has the experience to shoot in these types of situations and someone who knows how to perform in this vulnerable space. Thank yo so much to all my clients who trust in me to be that person!