Studio Engagement Session | Ashley + Shanon
Ashley & Shanon’s Studio Engagement Session
There are engagement sessions, and then there are engagement sessions where you spend half the time laughing, talking about Nightmare Before Christmas, and playing makeshift “tackle” football because, hey, customization is key! Ashley and Shanon’s March studio engagement session was the perfect mix of cozy, classy, and a little chaotic (the best kind, really). And since we already have strong ties to their wedding—knowing several of their family members, including their Best Man and Maid of Honor—it felt less like work and more like hanging out with friends.
Why a Studio? Because March in the PNW is Basically a Rain Lottery
March in the Pacific Northwest is that unpredictable ex who sometimes shows up with sunshine but usually brings the rain just to remind you who’s boss. So, instead of gambling with the weather, we opted for Riandi Creative Production Studio, our favorite creative space, where we could control the lighting, change up the backdrops, and keep everyone warm and dry.
One of the best parts of a studio engagement session is the variety it allows. We went from casual, cozy shots to elegant and romantic portraits in the same session—something that would have been trickier in an outdoor setting. Plus, as much as I love natural light, working in a studio pushes me outside my comfort zone in the best ways. We even joked about those classic department store portraits (you know, the ones with stiff poses and forced smiles?), but of course, we had to knock out a couple for fun before diving into our more natural, movement-based shots. Ashley and Shanon were total troopers, laughing through my mid-pose brain-freeze moments when I had to improvise.
Outfits & Footballs: The Perfect Personal Touch
One of my top engagement session tips? Bring at least two outfits or a quick jacket swap! Ashley and Shanon took this to heart with a perfect mix of casual and fancy. Their first look was relaxed and natural—think classic couple-goals energy—before switching to something more polished for that elegant, timeless vibe. This not only added variety to their gallery but also gave them multiple options when it comes time to print and frame their favorites (because you already know I’m a huge advocate for printed heirlooms!).
And then there was the football.
Shanon is a hardcore Chiefs fan, and while I may not be a die-hard football aficionado, I do appreciate a good theme. So, naturally, I went out and bought a football specifically for their studio engagement session. (Sure, I can use it for future shoots, but let’s be honest—it was totally bought with them in mind.) It added such a fun, personal touch to their session and gave us some truly unique shots that felt so them.
Laughs, Love, and a Wedding We Can’t Wait For
What truly made this session special was how effortlessly Ashley and Shanon’s personalities shined through. From the little in-jokes to their shared love of all things dark and spooky (though Shanon might be a tiny bit less committed to the theme than Ashley), everything about their studio engagement session felt uniquely theirs. And knowing their wedding is going to be at the same location we got married at? Well, that just makes it even more special.
By the end of the session, we walked away with not only a stunning engagement gallery but also an even deeper excitement for their wedding day. If their engagement session was this much fun, their wedding is going to be nothing short of magical—filled with love, laughter, and probably just a little bit of football.
Ashley and Shanon, we adore you both and cannot wait to celebrate with you!
📸 Ready to book your own engagement session? Whether you want a cozy studio vibe, an epic mountain backdrop, or a session customized just for you (football not required, but highly encouraged), let’s make it happen! Head to www.markiejonesweddings.com to book your session.
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