Photographing Couples
TO LEAD PEOPLE, WALK BESIDE THEM…
I have been asked “How do you achieve a successful couples session? How do you get them to feel comfortable and look comfortable in front of the camera?”
My answer is simple … I walk beside them. Whether it is them leading me or me leading them … I walk beside them. We walk beside each other and create this art together.
I believe that as I am leading a session, it is best for them to not notice my existence. I walk beside them and begin to follow their lead.
How do I do that you might ask? I am in their faces after all LOL 😉
I remain quiet for the most part. I do not want to disturb their connection. I do not want to tell them to feel a certain way or to do something that might not feel natural to them. They might be feeling silly or giggly to start… I roll with with. They might be feeling a little nervous to start … so I roll with it. I walk beside them. Annnnnd sometimes we might stop at the liquor store to pick up some whiskey to get them to loosen up 😉
Standing still and staring at the camera is out. Walking through a forest or enjoying a drink together in an intimate room while laughing at his dumb (yet adorable) jokes is in 😉
I want to document the way your hands fit together, the expression he gets when he looks at you, and the one piece of hair he’s always putting back behind your ear … This is the real stuff that makes you, you.
I had the AMAZING opportunity this past March to meet some fellow photographers in real life that I have known and bonded with over the last 2+ years in one of the most vibrant cities of all … New Orleans.
One of the ladies hired me to do an intimate couples session for her and her husband. When she asked me I was blown away with flattery and was completely thrilled to do it!!
We started by visiting a liquor store and purchased a bottle of whiskey on our way back to the hotel to start the session. Once we got to the hotel … the magic began.
Below is the result of this session. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. The love between these two was palpable. Britney and Chase have been together since they were teenagers and have lived through so much together. My own personal goal is to find and have a love like theirs 🙂
Thank you SO much Britney and Chase for allowing me a glimpse of the love you two have for each other.
Enjoy! Here are a few of my favorites!
“I told him that I would love him with everything I had in me until the very end of everything, and I meant it. ”
— Sarah Ockler
“The very first moment I beheld him, my heart was irrevocably gone.”
— Jane Austin, Love and Friendship
Hi — I’m Shannon O’Malley.
I’m a Minneapolis-based (soon-to-be Dallas, TX) photographer specializing in online dating profile photography, personal branding portraits, business headshots, and senior sessions. I work with people who want photos that feel natural, confident, and genuinely reflective of who they are — not stiff, overproduced, or performative.
My approach is rooted in natural light, ease, and emotional intelligence. I believe the best photos happen when people feel comfortable enough to be themselves — and seen enough to trust the process. Whether someone is stepping back into dating, refining their professional presence, or marking a meaningful season of life, my goal is always the same: to create images that feel honest and quietly powerful.
With over 15 years of experience behind the camera — and a journey that includes single motherhood, entrepreneurship, and a national CBS feature — I’ve seen firsthand how much impact the right photos can have. A strong image isn’t about vanity. It’s about clarity. It’s often the first impression that shapes how others perceive you — before you ever get the chance to explain yourself.
This blog is where I share insights on photography, visibility, confidence, and showing up with intention — both on and off camera.
When I’m not photographing clients, you’ll usually find me with my husband, my son, and our beautifully blended family — soaking up everyday life here in the Twin Cities (for now). We’ll be relocating to Dallas, Texas in 2026, where I’ll continue offering my signature photography experience for daters, creatives, and business owners throughout the DFW area.
If you’re here because you want photos that actually feel like you, you’re in the right place. I’m glad you found your way here.
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