Shay Mckay Photography

11/01/2026

A few of the Velvet Room visitors this weekend Spooky Empire 🎃
We'll be in Celebration 3 until 5PM today!

11/01/2026

Looking for something to do on the final day of Spooky Empire? Come visit Studio Shay's The Velvet Room Edition in Celebration 3!👻 Sessions start at $25.

Thank you to all of these lovely guests who've stopped by this weekend!

Book here:

VIP-only pre-booking for The Velvet Room Edition. Reserve your session and skip the line for our two sets: The Parlor Room and The Grove. Standby queue available for all non-VIP guests.

10/20/2026

Something is stirring in The Grove...
A few relics have been discovered. The Monster compendium and a collection of tarot cards are awaiting to reveal their secrets. The Grove is still growing, but I couldn't resist sharing this first glimpse of magic taking shape.

Come see what awaits you in The Velvet Room , we'll be in Celebration 3!

10/17/2026

Ahhh, it's happening! Thank you to Spooky Empire for the feature. I've been pouring so much love into The Velvet Room Edition, and I can't wait for everyone to experience it in just under two weeks!

Learn more at: https://www.shaymckay.com/the-velvet-room-edition/

🕯️ Step into the shadows and capture a little dark magic! ✨

Whether you’re looking to immortalize your Halloween costume, capture a hauntingly good photo with your besties, or create a gothic family portrait straight out of a dark fairytale, Studio Shay’s Velvet Room Edition is calling your name.

🦇 Strike a pose, embrace the eerie, and leave with a portrait worth haunting over! 📸

10/14/2026

The pieces are finally coming together.
The Parlor Room will be waiting for your arrival Spooky Empire this Halloween weekend. Step inside Studio Shay's Velvet Room Edition, where two paths lay ahead: The Parlor Room and The Grove (coming soon). Don't forget to pick up your Monster Compendium to chronicle your journey.



Learn more at: https://www.shaymckay.com/the-velvet-room-edition/

10/06/2026

Paprika crashed my mini branding shoot by plopping herself right on the backdrop fabric.. so naturally, I took her portrait. Here's to my firstborn, she turns 15 this year! 🐾

07/21/2026

I couldn't resist sneaking in a family session while we were on vacation! The hazy skies from the Canadian wildfire smoke created the most incredible natural filter, turning golden hour into a soft, amber glow.

It's not always easy stepping out from behind the camera to actually get in front of it, but moments like these are worth every second of chaos and memories. 🌻

Thank you to VonThun Farms for offering photography reservations! We had a great time 💕

06/22/2026

The rumors are true. Studio Shay is coming to Spooky Empire this October, and it's going to be our biggest undertaking yet. Just in case you missed the Holiday Matsuri post, this year Studio Shay is entering the convention vending scene. Don't expect your average photo booth though; we're going to be offering so much more. We'll be in a 1,000sqft space with two fully immersive sets and photo prints available onsite. Plus, ever single session gives back, with a dollar from your session fee going directly to support LGBTQ+ youth through The Trevor Project. More details to come! 👻

06/14/2026

Studio Shay's application for Holiday Matsuri 2026 is in the works! This is the second major project I am building for the upcoming season, with even more on the way.

I am excited for the possibility of bringing a brand new holiday portrait experience to HolMat this year! The Naughty and Nice Edition is something I have been dreaming up for months, and I cannot wait to share more as we get closer to the season. Let's hope this application gets approved! 😈😇🎄

06/04/2026

I shifted to IPS because families deserve support and artwork that actually gets printed. A calmer, more guided experience starts here.