Studio Wardrobe

Hello friends,

One frequently asked question I get from clients is, “What do I do for wardrobe?! What do I wear?”

It definitely can feel super stressful to decide what to bring in for your photoshoot but that’s where I come in!

First, during your consultation, I go over all of the details on what I best to bring for your photoshoot. Plus, you don’t have to go spend a lot of money. We also have a second wardrobe consultation to go over more details on what you have to bring.

The best part is there is an extensive studio wardrobe for clients to use for their session. If you want to go glam, I have gowns, long dresses, full tulle robes, and many things with sequins to give that luxe touch to your session. There are also tons of lingerie, corsets, bodysuits to name a few options (I’m personally a fan of vintage lingerie so there is a lot of that in the wardrobe). There are also a few more daring pieces with leather and lace.

For this blog post, I wanted to share a few client favorites and a sneak peek of a few of the items in the studio wardrobe. I definitely plan on doing an extensive catalog of the pieces in the future!

Until next time,

Shannon

In the studio with our Boudoir Session Giveaway winner!

Hello everyone!

I’m so excited to share this session with you all. In December, we did a giveaway on Instagram for a glamorous photoshoot experience with full makeup and hair done, luxe wardrobe, and of course the photoshoot.

We were blown away by the amount of entries we received (We definitely will have to do more giveaways for 2022)!

Our beautiful winner was nothing short sweet when she walked into the studio and excited for her experience. She embraced the day of glamour wearing one of the long robes in the client closet (I’ll have a blog about the client closet soon), wrapped in satin sheets, and kept it classic in a black bodysuit.

One of the best feelings being a photographer is having a client who has had a great experience and is taken care of for the day. This is the day to step away and really focus on you. This lovely lady is a mother to a beautiful baby boy and an incredible wife. I’m so glad she won our giveaway and had a luxurious day for herself and also has images of herself feeling amazing for many years to come!

Here is her review of the day:

“My photoshoot with Shannon was such an empowering experience. I have never felt more beautiful or confident than during my shoot. Shannon coached me through every aspect (which I loved). Her professionalism and friendliness were on display throughout the whole process. Shannon’s photos are some of the most beautiful pieces of art I have ever seen and I’m still in disbelief I get to see myself in them. If you are hesitant at all to book a photoshoot, let this review make the decision for you- you will not regret booking with Shannon K. Dougherty Photography.”

Be back soon with more blogs!

Shannon

Personal Branding for The Art of Beauty Boutique

I’m super excited to kick off 2022 with more Personal Branding photoshoots!

For this session I got to work with the wonderful Katie and her team at The Art of Beauty Boutique. Incredible team of lash artists, skin experts, aesthetic injector, and so much more!

When Katie and myself were discussing what she wanted for her own images from the photoshoot, she wanted classic, modern, and definitely sophisticated.

The session day started with makeup and hair by the head studio artist, Noelle. Something that is very important in all sessions are the conversations with hair and makeup. Even with the full glam style we do for the clients, we want them to walk away feeling like themselves. This is super important for Personal Branding sessions because this is YOU and your business and should reflect that!

The same goes for wardrobe discussions and I help with that and styling along the way. Even when the team arrived we made sure their looks were cohesive together for the look of the brand.

Here are a few favorite images from The Art of Beauty Boutique Branding Photoshoot below!

-Shannon

New Year, New Personal Branding

Hello everyone!

With a new year on the horizon and so many amazing things coming up for Noelle, we decided to do some updated Personal Branding images for her business.

During our consultation, I asked her what 3 words would she use to describe how she wants to feel and come off in her images.

Badass

Boss

Powerful

I would definitely say we accomplished that! I’m so excited to help other businesses with their Personal Branding and watch their business grow and thrive!

Here are a few favorites and behind the scenes from Noelle’s Personal Branding photoshoot.

Here’s to an amazing 2022!!

Noelle's Boudoir Session

Hello friends!

Recently, I had the honor to photograph Noelle. She’s been my main makeup artist for a few months now and glammed up so many clients in the studio!

After many conversations, I told her she had to let me do a session with her. One thing I love to do is sessions with studio staff. I think it’s so important they get the full experience that clients do.

I’d say we had a blast during her session with makeup, wardrobe, and all around just a day of pampering.

Here is her experience in her words:

“Shooting with Shannon was such an easy decision. I had spoken with a few photographers about doing a shoot and after speaking with her, I knew she was the person I wanted to take my photos. After struggling for a long time with self love, she had the softest approach to helping me discover so many beautiful things about myself through the images she delivered. I had 100% confidence that I was in good hands. Especially after discussing things like my goal for the shoot, what I was comfortable with, and what, if anything, I was concerned about etc. If I had to do it again, I would choose Shannon a hundred times over.”

I can’t wait for many more sessions with Noelle with clients (and a few more sessions with Noelle in front of my camera)!

-Shannon 🖤

Wild Times

Hello everyone,

Yes….it’s been a long time since I’ve shared a blog post. Full disclosure, I’m bad at remembering to do it. It always ends up on a to-do list and always hits the bottom of daily/weekly/monthly tasks. I constantly tell myself to get better about it but just like everyone else life has been pretty wild the past year (well, really 1.5 years right?)

One of the goals I gave myself was to write more blogs and I’ve definitely failed at that but instead of kicking myself over it, I’m taking the time to write when it feels the most authentic and not just writing to write.

Over the past months, I’ve had tons I could blog about but I tend to throw it up on Instagram or Facebook and neglect my blog. I feel off from a goal but you know what?.. I’m not going to beat myself up over it. Learning grace and understanding with myself over the last year has been just what I needed. Many self portraits happened in this time to help build myself back up. I can’t even put into words the power of photography and having images of yourself as a reminder what a badass you are!

I’m excited that even though things have been wild out in the world, every client that has walked into the door has walked away with the confidence boost they needed. We need love and grace towards ourselves and I want to help my clients have that for their session.

-Shannon 🖤

Let's chat about boudoir

I call myself a boudoir photographer but I don’t really even like that word. By definition a boudoir is a bedroom or private dressing room. While that does translate to calling it Boudoir photography, I feel its so much more than that. I prefer to say I shoot intimate portraiture. Why don’t I just say that? I do! If we think about it though the word ‘boudoir’ is much more recognizable when we are searching for photographers.

When I speak to my clients, I want them to know that this experience goes beyond just “sexy” posing in lingerie. It’s so much more. I want my client to connect to themselves on an emotional level. It’s a brave thing to put yourself out there (especially in front of someones camera) and that should be celebrated.

Everyone has a different definition of what they think “sexy” is. I could have a client walk in and want to be completely nude the whole time or have one that wants to be mostly covered. There is no wrong answer here. The proper boudoir/intimate portrait experience can happen no matter what you aren’t or are wearing. There should be a bit of YOUR story in your images.

It’s incredibly important to me to always listen to my client and give them images they can walk away and be proud to have for many years to come. If you booked with me then you know thats why we have a phone chat long before your session date, I want to know you and what would make you excited with your images.

I would like to throw the idea out the window that boudoir photography has to be one way or look a certain way. This is another reason I will mix it up and focus on portraiture as well during a session.

The images in this post are a storytelling boudoir/intimate portrait session I did for a close friend.

Cheers!

Shannon

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone!

We did it! We made it through the most wild year…2020 ( I don’t even want to type that year any more).

I haven’t shared any client work in a while, so today I’m going to brag about Rachel!

Rachel came in for her session to gift her significant other with a portrait and boudoir session. When she left, I could definitely tell that the session was just as much for her. One of my favorite things to hear a client say is how much their photoshoot experience meant to them.

I picked out some favorites from her session. We did a lot of black & white images ( if you follow my work then you know I am OBSESSED with a b&w session).

I say time and time again that I have the best job in the world. I get to meet so many amazing clients, capture their beauty and really show them how stunning they truly are.

Cheers!

Shannon

Wardrobe Favorites - The Long Gown

Hello to Everyone,

I’ve been keeping busy with photoshoots and tons of exciting projects coming up that I can’t wait to share!

As I was going through images today, I noticed a common theme in the wardrobe on some recent shoots : the Long Gown has been a favorite. The top is little sequins beads and the bottom is long and whimsical. The funny thing is that I’ve had this gown in my client closet for years but I never did photoshoots with it a ton. I’ve been switching it up too by either photographing the gown as is or switching up the top to make it new.

It was important for me to think outside the box instead of just buying new wardrobe in the client closet. That way I can still keep what I love for clients but have a new spin!

Cheers!

Shannon

We moved!

Hello lovely humans!

Phew, a lot has been happening the past few months. I guess we can all mark off on our life checklist about living through a pandemic. During the quarantine and lockdown, I’ve been keeping busy with my head down and working on next steps for the business. Also, I moved! I’m still located in St. Louis but in a new space and LOVING it!

This year is the year of change, right? I didn’t really plan to move during a pandemic but it worked out that way. I slowly started to book limited sessions starting in June for all the parts of my business (portraits, fashion, and boudoir). I have to say all of these sessions are a breath of fresh air. I’ve been loving the new space!

I can’t wait to have more of you in front of my camera soon!

Cheers!

Shannon

Viva Las Vegas!

I’m so excited to share some images from my recent trip to Las Vegas!

I was honored to be asked to teach a shootout class for the amazing photographers group, Do More Photographers (boudoir photographers from all over the globe that seriously are some of the best). While spending my time in Vegas, I had to take the time to do some client shoots as well.

The city of so many lights and neons and I mostly shot black & white images. Whoops! I think I had a theme going :)

Cheers!

Shannon

It's been too long!

Hello everyone!

It’s been way too long since I’ve written to you ( I think even since this past summer, sorry)!

Things have been busy and so productive at the studio. I’ve been working on tons of shooting with clients and some creative collaborations. Also, I’ve been traveling and teaching in other cities. It’s always an honor to be asked to teach and share your knowledge with others in your field.

These images are from a recent collaboration photoshoot in St. Louis with local hair expert, Kristina Cheeseman ( www.kristinacheeseman.com to check her out)!

Add in one of my favorite people, model Lynda and opera singer, Kat and you’ve got yourself a stunning photoshoot. I’m so excited to work on more from this shoot.

Cheers!

Shannon

Behind the Scenes

Creative Collaboration Photoshoot

I couldn’t be more excited to share a few images from the collaboration photoshoot between myself, hair stylist/colorist Caitlin Tyczka, and makeup artist Sami Demas!

I’ve worked with both of these amazing women before on a collaboration photoshoot for Caitlin’s salon, Homegrown Hair Co. This shoot was a concept between Caitlin and myself. She wanted to play with wigs and color. I wanted to make the shoot light, ethereal, and almost like a fairytale. I work with Sami in the studio with our clients and with models, so I knew she would be the perfect person to join us with some makeup magic.

The models couldn’t of been more amazing. Maggie ( in the blue toned wig) has worked with us all in the past and is such a wonderful person, I was excited to work with her again. Bianca ( in the warm toned wig), is friends with Caitlin and in the local music scene in St. Louis. I knew her vibes and style would fit perfectly.

I can’t wait to edit more of these images! Big shoutout to Caitlin’s assistant of the day, Paige, for the behind the scenes shots :)

Scroll down for more images!

Cheers!

Shannon

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes!

Hello Everyone!

This is one of my favorite things to share and its been too long since I’ve shared… behind the scenes! I get to share the final product but often don’t get to share the process of the day.

When I shoot in a studio in St. Louis, I actually shoot out of my home! We have alot of fun during our shoots! Makeup, wardrobe, and resident studio cat make the photoshoot days glamorous and fun!

(Unfortunately, for this shoot I didn’t take any images of the studio cat. I’ll be sure to include her next time.)

Here are a few favorites from our video shoot this year!

Scroll for more :)

Cheers!

Shannon

Finishing touches on styling and makeup

Wide shot of the studio for the video shoot

A sneak peak of the back of the camera!

Photoshoot credits:

Makeup- Sami Demas

Video- Jessica Weidhaas

Model- Simon Liston

Let's Go to the Desert!

Hello Everyone,

I know, its been a long time since I shared a blog post. So many amazing things have been going on at the studio and I can’t wait to share what I’ve been up to ( Best way to keep up with weekly updates is on my instagram page at www.instagram.com/shannon_k_dougherty)!

Last year I went to the beach to shoot some of my favorite gowns but this year I headed to the desert. I definitely love to travel for photoshoots :)

I was lucky enough to meet the amazing Brianna and head over to Valley of Fire state park (right outside of Las Vegas) for a fashion shoot!

This girl seriously rocked her shoot and I couldn’t be more excited to work with her again!

Now, off to the next location for more fashion photoshoots!

( Team for the day: The wonderful Brianna Payne as the model and Maniele Banks on makeup)

Cheers!

Shannon

Self Portrait Challenge

This past weekend I spent shooting my own portraits in Washington hanging out in the woods and by the water. I had booked a few different models for photoshoots but unfortunately ALL of them had to cancel. What was I going to do?!? I had already picked a location and brought wardrobe with me.

I decided to take the opportunity to do self portraits in a new climate ( outdoors and not just the studio!)

It was difficult to say the least. I’m sooooo glad I had my photo assistant with me to make sure my camera didn’t wash away into the ocean while I worked.

This shoot was a test of how difficult self portraits can be (sometimes, they can be some of my hardest shoots to do) and to do them in a whole different way. It was windy, cold, and a bit of a hike to get to the location. All in all, soooo worth it and I love the results.

Again, major shoutout to my assistant making sure me and my camera didn’t wash away into the ocean <3

Cheers!

Shannon