Shannon Smiles Photography

Shannon Smiles Photography Shannon is a candid Lifestyle Photographer. Weddings, families, Maternity, Newborn & Events.

This post is regarding the laws passed in America, AI concerns and child protection. Which i take very seriously.I want ...
04/09/2026

This post is regarding the laws passed in America, AI concerns and child protection. Which i take very seriously.
I want to address it, even though im in Australia - there is alot of fear going on and misinformation and honestly im still trying to understand it all.

From where i stand as a Mum, and a creative and a Photographer.... i hate AI, but mate its built into everything, every single online passage even beyond Social media. Ai even has access to what is on our phones, unless your using an old flip phone from the 00s haha.
IM FURIOUS that kids faces can be taken and used in yukky ways, i find it hard to even fathom or imagine
Like What the hell!!
AND AI in general is a problem - water, taking over creative jobs, all the ugly AI advertising, misinformation and more.
Im not a fan, the only thing ive enjoyed is the AI remove tool in lightroom. Which i use, but if it helps im considering not using even that anymore.

Anyway! To address child protection in my buisness i want to let you know that i will not be going faceless - however i will be honouring EVERYONE of my clients who do not give permission to share their child on this platform.
Im not using AI to write this - im not copy and pasting anything from any other photographers.

I have decided that im going to try and only share photos that faces more hidden and though ive always only shared with permissions in the past, i will continue to do this, but ive added an extra step in my questionnaire that asks exactly what each family is comfortable with.

I also regularly check my followers to ensure no bots or "creepy" followers are present, and i have meta protection which i pay for and while my biz profile is public - i do not share any details about anyone like names and places because i have always wanted to keep families safe.

I have photographed MANY people that have chosen not to allow me to share photos, i have made instagram posts with things over kids faces with permission.

Now, going forward. When you book with me, you can tell me what your comfortable with, and i will HONOR it - and if a post has been made in the past and you want it removed i will do so.
Running out of space to write.

If

If theres anything i love, its dress-ups, and books, and fantasy and my kids... and The first day of SPRING!Oooof hey th...
01/09/2026

If theres anything i love, its dress-ups, and books, and fantasy and my kids... and The first day of SPRING!

Oooof hey there! These are some photos of my adorable daughter and kiddos - book week was last week and we turned my daughter into a whimsical forest fairy.
I did some photos on the side of the road, 5 minutes before school drop off and her book week parade.
I spent hours making a giant dandelion for her too which had the wow factor and is pretty crafty of me if i do say so much.
Im not a very crafty person usually believe it or not, but ive always wanted to make one.

I was SO excited when Melissa agreed on the forest fairy book inspo idea - nostalgic, whimsy, magical goodness.
And we can re use all the items for our love of Medieval faires and cosplay.

Plus, im sooooo keen to offer some Mum and Daughter Forest fairy shoots - yep, i have adult wings too.
😄😄😄

These photos here represent life, life lived and all the memories attached to it.When i was asked to photograph this gra...
28/08/2026

These photos here represent life, life lived and all the memories attached to it.

When i was asked to photograph this grandmother in her home with her grandkids and great grandkids...
I was honored.
To come and listen in and talk stories, to view photo albums and hear about all the love and memories made at this home.

Bitter sweet, heart string puller. So much loss, memories fading with dementia.
Grandkids that truely honor their grandmother and the home she lived in for 65+ years.

Truely the heart of the home.
A home that may soon be knocked away.

So grateful to get to know you June.
A truely wonderful lady.

Reminded me of my own grandparents in ways
Feeding the dog bikkies under the table haha
Always giving more then she could take
Offering things to the grandkids in the garage.
Checking on her lemon tree, showing the grandkids how to pull up some weeds.
Cup of tea and chit chat.

So much love.
These kinds of sessions truely are what got me into this biz in the first place.

Get ready to SMILEThis family, these photosThe colour- everything.Full of happiness, smiles and so much fun 😁 You can ha...
22/08/2026

Get ready to SMILE
This family, these photos

The colour- everything.
Full of happiness, smiles and so much fun 😁

You can have a session like this too

Comment
"ACTIVITY" and we can chit chat about a fun activity your family can do, while we take some photos, colourful, creative - something that feels right to you!

A family session can be centred around activities you do together, a special location, or simply it can be a spot that p...
21/08/2026

A family session can be centred around activities you do together, a special location, or simply it can be a spot that photographs well. Whatever floats your boat, im on board.

But id be lying if i didn't say, my favourite sessions are activity focused, fun, creative, include some props like your skate boards, cars, balls, surfboards, skates.
Whatever you might have.
I lovee it because i get to document you guys doing things you enjoy together, connected and fun.

More black and white for the grid
Ill be honest i deliver way more in colour
But some photos deserve to be in both and some are simply meant for black and white.

Creatively i love the edit process and feeling the photos - getting the vibe right.

Thats not to say that if you have a fav photo but want it in black and white too i wont do it for you, i sure will if you like

Honestly i live for colour but some stories are better told in black and white.I still can't get over this last wedding ...
21/08/2026

Honestly i live for colour but some stories are better told in black and white.

I still can't get over this last wedding - these two, soo utterly in love, with the most amazing bridal party and loveliest guests.
It was a dreamy wedding, even though it was cold!

I loved the venue, the music, the vibes so i just have to share a few more :)
Also ive had a little over a Month off weddings but come September ill be back at them and im really looking forward to it.
I do love weddings!

And if you like my work get in touch for 2027! Dates are open and im already booking :)

Hey guys! Time to reintroduce myself! I've been hiding for a little while. I think with having my 3rd child, turning 36 ...
12/08/2026

Hey guys! Time to reintroduce myself! I've been hiding for a little while. I think with having my 3rd child, turning 36 next month and well, gaining weight and trying to get used to how my life is compared to how it has been now... has left me unsure of how to show up for you all and how to simply, be. Like who am i besides a Mum and photographer?!
I find myself asking myself this often these days.

You know what though, a lot of Mums and even Dads feel this way too. So instead of hiding and feeling insecure, im just going to show up!.
Yes i have a double chin and im abit chunky and i don't have time to present myself how i used to before i had 3 kids of different ages , im not 100% who i used to be, but im still me! Im still Shannon and i still take photos for people! With LOVE and intention.

My focus is fun! And making sure the session is a good memory in itself, distraction free time together with photo memories.
Cause even though i do make efforts to book shoots and am a photographer myself, i still find that i dont get enough photos and time is still so fleeting.
I have an amazing husband but he still forgets to take photos of me candidly with my kids!.
You never regret having these memories... so i know what people want, i take those photos for you, and man i deliver.... big large galleries... it takes all my free time to edit them and often im having to do this after ive put the kids to bed. But i love it and while im doing it for you, im watching a sweet tv series or my comfort show - drag race. Lol

I spend alot of time at home, because i love home,
We love soccer so i help coach our kids teams, saturdays are often spent at soccer, or parks or hosting playdates.
I love to decorate on a budget, and love to op shop.
I appreciate creatives, and art. I adore music -all music but particularly rock and metal.
Elder emo here, im abit of a geek that wont go away, i love pop culture and a good tv series or movie, star wars for eg is a way of life.
i used to be a gamer, and my husband and i used to do 50s rock and roll dancing together. These hobbies are still in me, i just dont have time for them these days. Now its slower life, my kids come first ....
.

Absolutely adore family sessions like this.Free flow play with some portraits Lots of laughs, cuddles and adventure.Part...
09/08/2026

Absolutely adore family sessions like this.
Free flow play with some portraits
Lots of laughs, cuddles and adventure.

Particularly special when its a school Mum with kids who play with your own kids.

Im so grateful to have the opportunity to capture a stage of your life.

Please do get in touch, i have playment plans available, im always offering discounts for repeat sessions and will always over deliver! Because i cant help myself and you deserve it all!

Im kinda a fan of these two.When they reached out about their totally chill, fun relaxed wedding vibes - without reveali...
06/08/2026

Im kinda a fan of these two.
When they reached out about their totally chill, fun relaxed wedding vibes - without revealing too much else about their plans , you can say i was IN and so excited :)
Both a little uncomfortable in front of the camera but hey, thats the best thing about an engagement session is that you can warm up to it all and basically practice. Plus we get to know each other and in turn its pretty much a guarantee that your wedding photos will be even better because it wont be some rando rocking up to photograph your wedding! It will be me and i say, we are friends after a session :)
Easy like a walk in the park literally :)

Ohhh this shoot was so fun!I finally got to do photos for my dear friend Mia and it was soo much fun and so special Thes...
03/08/2026

Ohhh this shoot was so fun!
I finally got to do photos for my dear friend Mia and it was soo much fun and so special

These legends are rockstars!
They rocked their colourful getups and we had a play at the skatepark, lil game of basketball, followed by the servo for icecream and a walk looking for creative and colourful spots along the way.
Love the colourful graffiti art you can come across during urban style sessions :)

Such a fun and different way to document your family!

Would you do a session like this with your family?

Address

Dapto
Wollongong, NSW
2530

Telephone

+61423494838

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