why the Shawnee Special
My Mom's family grew up here in West Seattle. They were very poor, like so poor there were stories shared of how they managed to grow up thankful for a generous Uncle who would help make the Christmas magic of gifts happen. They knew if it wasn't for him, and his visits they'd have gone without a lot of things.
Years later, now I'm the memory keeper of that side of my family and have documents from that Great-Uncle, passed onto me from my Uncle (my Mom's brother), and I can see that my Grandparents were able to buy their home with assistance from that Great-Uncle. There were other stories too, like the time my Uncle dumpster dove for Pizza or won all the cookies at an event and walked them home from over a couple miles along the many West Seattle hills.
That Uncle, my my Mom's youngest brother, suddenly died last spring. My Mom died 8 years ago. Their sister before them at age 53. I've spent the last few months thinking about how I could honor them and give back in a sustainable way.
After bouncing around many ideas, I realized I could make it a traditional part of my business practice to offer Mini Portrait Sessions as a gift - free of charge - in an organized way!
I was inspired by this tradition common among indigenous people that has been called a "Gift Economy" - where they share resources and labor. This of course is before the influence of currency entering the trade of goods and services. It's more of a mindset to take care of each other in ways you are able to do so. My Mom and her brother did this in many ways during their lives among their relatives and friends. In honor of their family citizenship as members of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, I'm calling this the Shawnee Special Portraits!
While I do have rent, and other businesses expenses to pay for as well as a family to help support, I have decided I can still be responsible to pay those bills AND gift 5 Mini Portrait Sessions every year during a very special studio day dedicated to just this. This is going to be an annual tradition for me to host in my studio once per year. And, this year, I'm hosting on Feb. 1st between 10am-2pm.
Shawnee Special Details
You get the gift of a Mini Session experience: 30 min portrait session in the studio, then select your top 5 favorite photos to be retouched and delivered as digital files. We will have 30 min to review your photos directly after they are created.
One limitation for these sessions is a limit to groups of less than 8 people, because of space inside the studio is not wide enough for more than that number.
Here are a few examples below for a Senior Portrait, Branding Portrait and Personal Portrait. These are also the background options I have set up in my studio: Black, Gray and White.



Shawnee Special Details
You get the gift of a Mini Session experience: 30 min portrait session in the studio, then select your top 5 favorite photos to be retouched and delivered as digital files. We will have 30 min to review your photos directly after they are created.
One limitation for these sessions is a limit to groups of less than 8 people, because of space inside the studio is not wide enough for more than that number.
This type of session is perfect for: Headshot Portraits, Senior Portraits, Family Portrait, or Celebrating a personal Milestone with a portrait of you and/or a loved one.
In honor of this gift, my wish is for you to pass along a gift in the future in whatever form that is you can share: food donated to a food bank, volunteering at an animal shelter, donating gently used items to a shelter, are just a few examples.
The Shawnee Special Portrait date is Feb. 1st between 10am-2pm. That provides time to give 5 Mini Portrait Sessions. To book your Shawnee Special Portrait session, please reach out through my contact form: here.