07/25/2026
Before we even started, Emmaline and Caleb told me they were nervous about looking awkward in photos. (Almost every couple I meet says some version of this!)
By the time we finished their session, I barely had to direct them at all. They were already leaning into each other, already laughing, already so naturally themselves, that most of what I did was just get out of the way and keep shooting.
Emmaline and Caleb wrote something after their engagement session that I've reread more than once, not because it's flattering, but because of what it says about what they were actually looking for.
"Beyond her talent as a photographer, Shanle is an amazing person. She is kind, genuine, easy to talk to, and made us feel so comfortable throughout our engagement session. Those are exactly the qualities you want in a photographer!"
I think that's the part couples are often most nervous about before booking anyone: not whether the photos will turn out well, but whether the person behind the camera will actually feel safe to be around. Emmaline and Caleb trusted me with that before they ever trusted me with their wedding day, and I don't take that lightly.
Getting to be part of their story like this, to make them feel seen and themselves, is the whole reason I love this work.
Athens Georgia UGA Engagement Photographer | UGA Botanical Gardens | State Garden of Georgia Engagement Photos | Athens Georgia Wedding Photographer
