About Shauna

Who is this photographer anyway?!

Basics

Hey there, I’m Shauna (she/her) – an LGBTQ+ wedding and portrait photographer and inclusive marketing educator making a lot of noise in the wedding industry.

I Love

dogs with squished faces
mermaids
black and white striped everything
board games (but not the cooperative ones)
finding treasures at Winners
hairless cats in sweaters
all things Disney and musical

I Believe

equal rights are human rights
everyone deserves a second chance
all bodies are good bodies
there’s room for everyone on the nice list
you are more than your star sign
popcorn is an acceptable dinner option

Random Facts

Board games are definitely my love language, but I have been obsessed with Animal Crossing New Horizons since it released in March.

I straightened my hair from the time I was 13 until I saw Russian Doll on Netflix and totally fell in love with Natasha Lyonne’s curly hair.

Broadway musicals are my happy place. Some of my favourites are Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q, and Fun Home.

I pride myself on being a minimalist in most areas of my life. But my lipstick collection is a little out of control. Never ask me to pick a favourite!

I have kept a Bullet Journal for the last 4 years and I really enjoy designing my pages every week. (And buying lots of fancy markers.)

After 10 years working in elementary schools, I am also seasoned at making paper snowflakes, pop-up cards, and strategically avoiding glitter.

Photo credit: Tara Lilly Photography

My Love Story

We met on Tinder when Manue was sitting in Heathrow airport on her way to France for a month. We spent the next month texting and video chatting every day.

I attempted to surprise her at the airport when she returned from France. I managed to keep it a secret until the day before her flight, so I surprised her with flowers instead.

Our first date was a clay mug workshop at 4Cats on Main Street. We are both terrible at pottery and ended up with bowls instead because we ran out of time to make handles.

Manue enjoys the outdoors. A lot. She introduced me to geocaching, inspired me to finally get a bike, and I voluntarily went camping multiple times this year.

The classic lesbian stereotype fits… The UHAUL came 9 months into our relationship, but COVID already had us isolating together for 6 months at that point.

We got a kitten together in September and named him Malo, inspired by the French word for marshmallow. Only he is much more sharp and scratchy than soft and squishy.

About My Business

2011

I started a portrait photography business, got engaged, and planned my wedding. I had my heart broken when my first choice wedding photographer told me she couldn’t shoot my wedding because she didn’t shoot same-sex weddings.

2012

Ultimately, I found an incredible wedding photographer who inspired me to move from shooting portraits to shooting weddings. I second shot for her for the season and started shooting as many weddings as I could.

2016

After several seasons of attempting to be everyone’s photographer, I decided I was no longer okay with not feeling represented in my work. The Union LGBT+ Wedding Show was born and I connected with so many amazing couples.

2017

I had my first season with 50% LGBTQ+ weddings and felt much more personally connected to my work. I decided to get more involved with the community and shot my first pink carpet at QMUNITY’s Stack the Rack annual fundraiser.

2018

The year of speaking gigs! I spoke on an industry panel about LGBTQ+ inclusive language, on The ARC Creative Podcast, and at the ARC Experience conference on heteronormativity in the wedding industry.

2020

COVID-19 happened and attempted to destroy the entire wedding industry. I stayed home, ate too many peanut M&M’s, and looked forward to 2021 weddings.

Reviews

She made the experience fun and inviting.

Shauna was a true artist and captured our wedding wonderfully! We could not have been happier with the quality of service and the photos. She made the experience fun and inviting and made everyone incredibly comfortable! A+!

Kyle & Gunter

SHE CAPTURED SUCH BEAUTIFUL AND AUTHENTIC MOMENTS.

Shauna was able to truly capture our loved ones’ characteristic expressions and gestures in such a gorgeous way. Several guests also commented on how unobtrusive her presence was at the wedding itself; although she captured many intimate, candid moments, we never felt awkward or overly observed.

Vanessa & Katrina

SHE MANAGED TO CAPTURE ALL THE LOVE AND JOY IN EVERY SHOT.

Shauna was incredible from start to finish. We haven’t stopped getting compliments on our photography – both her and her second shooter managed to capture hundreds of incredible moments that we (the brides) didn’t get to see in all the busyness of the day. We love our photos so much!

Carly & Simone

ALL OF OUR GUESTS WERE REALLY IMPRESSED BY HOW PRESENT SHE WAS AT THE WEDDING.

She arrived a bit early to the venue so we got started right away! She made us feel comfortable the entire time and gave us a bit of direction. All of our guests were really impressed by how present she was at the wedding and how much she moved around to get cool shots.

Emmalee & Kiko

SHE HELPED OUR PERSONALITIES COME THROUGH IN THE PHOTOS.

We were so thankful for Shauna’s calm and fun energy. We were both nervous about having photos done and she made us feel at ease. She totally helped our personalities come through in the photos and we look like ourselves! And she captured us in some of our favourite places.

Lisa & Sandy

SHE MADE US FEEL COMFORTABLE ALL THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING AND SHOOTING.

When our previous photographer had a family emergency and had to bow out, Shauna was ready, willing, and able to take us on last minute. Shauna was flexible, fun, and made us feel comfortable all throughout the planning and shooting of the photos. We appreciated Shauna’s laughter and ideas!

Amara & Ginny