12/06/2025
It’s wild to think about it, but I’ve been behind a camera for nearly 20 years 📸✨️
I picked up my first one in middle school - just a kid who didn’t know much, except that framing a moment made the world feel a little more understandable and helped me process some heavy emotions I was holding inside me as a young woman trying to find her place in the world.
Photography classes in middle and high school became my safe place, my creative outlet, and eventually the start of what would become a lifelong love ❤️
A huge part of that came from my mentor - Greg - the man who taught me how to truly see the world rather than just look at it, and how to tell a story without saying a word.
He was one of the most incredible humans I’ve ever crossed paths with… we unfortunately lost him to brain cancer a little over a decade ago.
But even now, I hear his voice when I get behind the lens - his reminders, his encouragement, the way he pushed me to trust my eye and follow what I felt. I hope he’d be proud of the photographer I’ve become and the niche I’ve carved out ❤️
Photography eventually became a career, and then - like many passions do - it took a backseat while I explored other creative avenues, other versions of myself. Even when it wasn’t front and center, it was always there… quietly shaping the way I see people, places, and life itself.
My Nikon has been my constant for over 15 years - my travel partner, my emotional support camera, my way of grounding myself when the world feels loud.
Together, we’ve covered a lot of ground: the cliffs of California, the mountains of Washington, the deserts of Arizona, the music-filled streets of Nashville, the heat of Atlanta, the hidden corners of Columbus, the neon glow of Miami… and even beyond the U.S. - Canada, Europe, and a month wandering North Africa. Each place changed me a little. Each photograph felt like a breadcrumb on the trail back to myself ✨️📸
After stepping away from my official photography pages since 2022, I’m finally ready to return - with fresh eyes, fresh stories, and a collection of images I can’t wait to share.
I’ve grown. My art has grown. And now it feels like the right moment to invite you into this part of my world.
Photography isn’t just what I do - it’s how I connect with the world around me. And now, I get to share that connection with you.
If you’re new here… hey, welcome ❤️ I’m Shonna, a travel photographer based in Seattle, WA, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest 👋.
This is my photography page - a place to explore, wander, and see the world through my eyes 📸✨