MOMENTS TURNED INTO MAGIC

Family Portraits

Heirloom family portrait of three generations — grandparents, parents, and children — seated on a bench in a park, wearing coordinating neutral tones. Photographed by St. Louis family photographer Shana Watkins.

Family portrait of four outdoors among plants and flowers, wearing white and blue tones. Captured in a fine art family photography session by St. Louis photographer Shana Watkins.

Family of five — mom, dad, two daughters, and son — walking hand-in-hand through a park in fall, smiling at each other during a family photo session in St. Louis with Shana Watkins.

Does this sound like your last family session?

It took several trips back and forth to the mall and an online order to get everyone's clothing coordinated, and you still weren't sure they were the right outfits.

Your kids were exhausted and annoyed, and you started to sound more like a drill sergeant than a parent wanting to create warm, loving memories.

Everyone was sweaty and overheating because you had to shoot at sunset...outside...in the summer.

Studio family portrait of four — mom, dad, daughter, and son — wearing coordinated blue and orange outfits, photographed by St. Louis family photographer Shana Watkins.

Studio family portrait of mom, dad, and two young boys, with parents seated and boys smiling in front, wearing coordinated navy, blue, white, and tan. Photographed by Shana Watkins.

You have probably even asked yourself if it's worth it.

BUT HERE’S THE THING…

You’re the only one who can document your child’s life.

Legacy family portrait of four with family dog, featuring a daughter seated in a tall chair holding the dog, parents standing on either side, and second daughter beside father, wearing formal attire. Photographed by Shana Watkins in studio.

The good news is you don't have to do it alone.

I can help you capture this time in your family's life without the tears (yours or theirs) and ensure everyone looks amazing and enjoys the experience.

My specialty is creating gorgeous, finished products that are ready to enjoy as soon as they're delivered.

INQUIRE NOW

Family of five — mom, dad, and three boys — seated on a stone wall, wearing shorts and button-down shirts in light pink and blue tones, smiling at each other. Captured by Shana Watkins during family photography in St. Louis.

Family of six standing outdoors under large tree limb, surrounded by greenery and smiling together. Photographed by Shana Watkins during a family portrait session in St. Louis, MO.

Portrait of three boys standing on a stone wall, smiling and talking with greenery behind them, wearing shorts and button-down shirts. Captured by Shana Watkins during a fine art family photography session.

Family of four with dog standing outdoors in St. Louis, MO, with greenery in the background. Photographed by Shana Watkins during a family portrait session.

Your portraits, perfected

This in-home appointment is the first step in creating beautiful, custom artwork of your family that fits your home perfectly. We will review ideas for each family member and often will sort through gathered items or pop into the closets to see what we can coordinate. For items that need purchasing, you will have a shopping list to work from before Shana leaves. This is an integral part of creating a cohesive look that flatters each family member.

This is an experience that will become a beautiful memory for your family. With Shana’s experience as a photographer for more than 20 years, she knows just how to keep everyone engaged and works quickly to ensure genuine expressions and the session ends on a high note. Sessions take place in the studio or at a location determined at the clothing consultation.

Shana meets with each client for these in-studio appointments that include a projected slideshow of all the heartwarming moments from the session. Shana works with the client to start with the end in mind before the session to determine where and how the portraits will be best enjoyed. With her virtual design software, you can see the portraits on your own wall with a variety of framing options based on photos of your own walls. Shana will share her pre-designed, custom album for clients who have planned for an album. Clients love this part of the process.

It’s time for the big reveal! Shana’s assistant will personally deliver orders to your home when they are ready. Wall portraits are ready to display, and albums are ready to be unboxed. For out of town clients, we will arrange for shipping.

Legacy family portrait with three generations — mom, dad, two daughters, one daughter’s husband and child — seated on a stone wall with greenery in the background. Wearing coordinated white and blue. Photographed by Shana Watkins in St. Louis, MO.

Family of four standing closely in front of a traditional brick home and decorative stone fence, wearing coordinating red, blue, and white tones. Photographed by St. Louis family photographer Shana Watkins.

WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING

Testimonials

Lucinda Santiago

Shana is simply the best. Initially, we asked her to take Senior photos of our younger son and we were so incredibly delighted with the portraits we circled back and asked her to take photos of our older son. She really captures the person rather than just another generic posed photo. Further, both our boys came away from the experience happy and more confident (THAT was a welcomed surprise and NO grousing). I cannot recommend Shana strongly enough.

Julie Greene

Shana has been our family photographer for over 16 years and we couldn't be more happy. From newborn pics, family pics, milestone year pics and even pet pics - she's simply the best! We've also had pics in her studios and at landmark STL locations. Her pictures are timeless pieces of art that fill our home and we couldn't be happier. On top of everything, she is a wonderful person who is great to work with and contributes back to the community. We look forward to future sessions and would highly recommend to all! Thanks Shana!!!

Jennifer Padrucco

I would recommend Shana as a photographer because you go in a little nervous, you think “did she get a great shot?” The kids have fun and it is over quickly and then when you go in for the reveal and you want every picture and wish to redo your home based on the pictures!!

Shana is lovely and is very easy to work with. The finished product is a showstopper. I treasure the “snapshots” in time that she has given my family.

Kristin Walters

I can’t say enough great things about our experiences with Shana! A few years ago she photographed our children and just last week my husband and I came to her for professional headshots. Shana asked all the right questions to make sure our time with her was efficient, relaxing and enjoyable. Her genuine ability to connect with and bring out the best in every member of our family was both skillful and effortless. Her warmth and professionalism are as classic and timeless as the beloved portraits she creates. We are so grateful to you Shana!

Juli Stumpf

We used Shana for our daughters’ senior pictures. She was awesome to work with! I love that she helped us pick the right outfits, made suggestions for hair and make up styling and found beautiful locations. The photos turned out so beautiful, very natural looking.

Shana even did a photo shoot with my daughter and her dog last holiday season! We really enjoyed working with Shana and would recommend her for any occasion.

Victoria Dysarz

Shana Watkins Photography first caught my attention when I was pregnant nine years ago with beautiful maternity images. Nine years and four children later she is our go to photographer for newborn and infant sessions. She captures exactly what I see when I look at my children and family. Even during sessions where my children run wild and crazy Shana captures their unique spirit and expressions perfectly. Her images are ones you will look at and remember wonderful moments with your loved ones. Every time we sit down to review our photographs from a session I tear up; each image is beautiful. The hardest part is choosing your favorites (or just take them all instead)! She is very talented. I am so glad to have met her and shared our family for the last nine years and more to come.

Karen Page

Shana does such an amazing job. We have used her several times and this year we faced some weather challenges, which you would NEVER know by the beauty of our family, which she captured in the VERY short time we had available! I've already set up our annual appointment for 11 months from now! She is part of our holiday tradition.

Danielle Hattrich

Everything about our session with Shana was perfect. We chose Shana for an in studio family portrait and one year old photo. Shana was so friendly, knowledgeable and talented. She helped with outfit choices and got all seven of us to smile and look good in the same photo. It was so hard to choose the final photos to print because they were all so good. Shana helped with that as well. I love, love , love our photos and would 100% go to Shana again.

Heather Lea

Moments turned into magic; Shana makes sure that our family’s moments in time turn into beautiful memories captured with her perfect eye, hanging on our wall. We are so grateful.