Capture Your Confidence

Custom Photoshoots in Seattle, WA

It’s not frivolous or vain to want to be witnessed — to feel safe, seen, and celebrated for who you truly are and who you’re becoming.

It is inherently human and it is brave, my friend.

And believe it or not, it can be boatloads of fun — even if you’re camera shy.

You don’t need to be a model to be photographed like a muse.

Peep the portfolio

How do you want to be photographed?

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Part Photo Shoot.

Part celebraton.

Part HYpe Session.

Portrait Playdate is a guided, collaborative, and empowering photo shoot experience for people ready to feel powerful in their own skin.

You bring your style, your story, and your favorite playlist. Your photographer brings the structure, safety, and support.

It’s co-creation at its finest, grounded in curiosity, trust, and play.

Not photogenic? Not a problem. You’re gently led every step of the way — from ideation to styling to posing — so that your shoot feels like a playdate with a close pal, not a chore to check a box.

The result is kinda like a love letter to yourself, but in pictures that’ll make you say, “Damn. That’s me.”

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Your vibe. Your brand. Your vision — captured with care.

A woman with blonde wavy hair, blue eyes, smiling, wearing a cream-colored blazer and white pants, sitting against a plain light grey background.
A woman with long, wavy blue and green hair, smiling, sitting on a white chair against a purple background. She is wearing a purple velvety blazer, a white top, and dark pants with a wide belt. She has a large pendant necklace and earrings.
Black and white portrait of a woman with curly hair, smiling and winking, wearing a fur coat over a shiny black top and layered necklaces.
A woman with long, wavy red hair, wearing a colorful scarf around her neck, is posing against a multicolored background with pink, yellow, and purple lighting.
Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with a beard and wavy hair, wearing a turtleneck sweater, sitting at a dark table against a black background.
A woman with curly hair in a striped turtleneck applying red lipstick, sitting at a table with a plate of chocolate chip cookies.
Black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair, smiling slightly, resting her chin on her hand, wearing a sleeveless black top, a bracelet, and earrings, against a plain white background.
A woman with short curly brown hair, blue eyes, wearing a black turtleneck and colorful earrings, posing against a plain maroon background.
A man with dark hair, wearing round black sunglasses, a beige floral-patterned shirt, and dark jeans, is sitting on a chair against a plain light-colored background.
A woman with red hair, wearing a blue patterned top, is sitting with her hands near her face, looking at the camera. Her hair appears to be moving or in motion, with colorful light effects creating a blurred background.
A smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a white button-up shirt and white pants against a light gray background.
A man with long dark curly hair, a beard, and a mustache, wearing a dark blue shirt with embroidery on the shoulders, standing against a gradient background with pink, green, and yellow lighting.
A confident woman with blonde hair styled in waves, wearing a dark blazer with rolled-up sleeves, gold jewelry, and sitting at a white table against a black background.
Black and white portrait of a woman smiling, wearing a sleeveless polka dot dress, earrings, and a nose piercing, with one hand resting on her neck.
A woman with long, wavy blonde hair wearing a dark blue dress with a waist tie, standing with her right hand on her hip, against a solid dark blue background.
A young man with glasses, wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, and white sneakers, poses with hands in his pockets against a gradient background.
A black and white portrait of a woman crouching with one knee on the floor, wearing a strapless black leather dress and metallic high heels, against a dark background.
Man with styled hair and beard posing against a dark background, partially unzipping a textured black jacket to reveal chest hair, wearing jewelry including large rings and earrings.
A woman with long wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile wearing a white blazer and white top, standing against a light beige background.
A woman with shoulder-length black hair wearing a black turtleneck sweater and gold earrings, sitting against a plain white background.
A woman with long brown hair wearing a floral crown made of white and yellow flowers.
A woman with long brown hair, smiling, wearing a blue shirt, sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees, against a plain background.
Black and white portrait of a woman with long, curly hair, wearing a denim jumpsuit, posing with her hands on her hips against a dark background.
A man with shoulder-length brown hair and a beard, wearing a denim jacket over a white shirt, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

You don’t need to be anything you’re not to come away with images you love.

Know what else? You don’t need to lose 10 pounds or know how to pose, either.

Whether you’re in a season of becoming, celebrating a milestone, elevating your personal brand, or finally giving yourself permission to be seen — you are worthy of being photographed just as you are.

Portrait Playdate invites you to swap perfection and performance for planning and presence.

We set clear intentions, then let curiosity, play, and creative flow take the lead. That’s when the magic happens: when you stop trying to be “photogenic” and start letting yourself just be.

The Playdate Approach

What Clients Are Saying

  • "I often lose sight of my power and worth and feel like I have to present a different 'accepted' persona in the corporate world. Shannon captured my essence, creativity, and style with her lens and it was one of the most empowering feelings. I walked away falling in love with myself all over again."

    — Sapphire R.

  • "I was nervous going in, but Shannon has a true gift for making you feel comfortable, seen, and respected. She provided the perfect balance of clear direction and creative freedom, making the entire experience feel like a fun collaboration. The results were phenomenal. The photos are not only beautiful, but they've genuinely changed the way I see myself."

    — Michael P.

  • "Shannon created a warm and comfortable space to allow me to unfold in a way that felt right to me so that I owned this moment. The photoshoot ended up being an emotional experience in a good way, and I quickly became comfortable in front of the camera."

    — Julie A.

  • "My photos captured who I am outside of every role I play – the parts of myself that hadn’t been nurtured in so long: my sense of humor, my joy, my sexuality, my openness to adventure. The things that are lovable about me not for what I do, but for who I am. I now have the most authentic photos of myself that I've ever had and I'm so grateful for that."

    — Katherine K.

  • “In the photos Shannon took of me, I saw facial expressions that I had never seen on myself. It was almost like seeing what other people might experience of me for the first time. It was a trip. I don't think I had fully seen myself, and I would not have if not for the space that was created by her. So that was a remarkable thing.”

    — David A.

  • "Looking into my eyes in the pictures, I feel, is looking at one of the strongest versions of who I am. Now I know what it looks and feels like when I am my most authentic and powerful. I recommend a Portrait Playdate to anyone on a transformational journey in life who wants to better connect to who they are. "

    — Jyoti J.

  • "My photos have given me a major confidence boost beyond the photoshoot itself, helped me appreciate parts of my body I’ve struggled to accept, and I find them incredibly valuable to refer to when my own self-perceptions can get twisted. They will forever remind me of the change I’m capable of and a level of joy I didn’t know was possible to experience."

    — Ben W.

  • "My photos are totally bad ass! I feel like they capture my energy, confidence and welcoming nature, while also making me look super powerful and commanding. It helps me realize that those qualities are already within me, it's just a matter of bringing them to the surface."

    — Dani L.

  • "Not only did we have such a blast experimenting with looks, lighting, etc. — I ended up with photos that I used for music releases and event promotions over the next 18 months. It absolutely elevated my promo game and helped me feel more confident presenting my art."

    — Emily G.

  • "My results were simply stunning. Not only did Shannon capture me in my best light, but she also managed to convey my authentic self in every shot. Truly my favorite photos of me to date! If you’re looking for a photographer who not only delivers exceptional results but also boosts your confidence along the way, look no further."

    — Lucy B.

  • "Incredible experience from start to finish. Shannon created an environment that was comfortable, encouraging, and authentic. Her ability to combine professionalism with creativity and care shines through in the final photos. This photoshoot exceeded my expectations in every way, and I’m so grateful for the way Shannon’s work helped me see and celebrate myself."

    — Heather B.

  • "Shannon made the photoshoot fun and the process seamless with her excellent attention to detail and by offering great suggestions to ensure I photographed well. I was able to relax and enjoy the afternoon while she made sure my hair and posing were taken care of so I didn't have to worry about anything. "

    — Mollie D.

  • "My photos have given me a strong sense of confidence in myself, and I feel very grateful to have been captured with such genuineness, grace, and vibrance. Big kudos to Shannon for her gentle care and diligence at each step of this wonderful experience."

    — Smita M.

  • "My expectations were beyond exceeded, and this was by far the best and most thought-out shoot I've ever done. I really can’t recommend her enough for headshots, press photos or portraits."

    — Ben M.

  • "I was nervous because of my insecurities and my ingrained modesty, but Shannon made me feel at ease and comfortable through the whole process. She captured me in a way that really makes me feel handsome and shows my strength of personality and character."

    — Henry W.

Read the reviews

Ready to see yourself in a new light?

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Black and white portrait of a woman with dark, shoulder-length, wavy hair, wearing a light-colored T-shirt, looking at the camera with a slight smile.

Meet your Vision Doula

I’m Shannon, a Seattle-based headshot, personal branding, and portrait photographer.

I created the Portrait Playdate & Headshot Playdate photoshoot experiences because I love holding space for camera-shy humans and co-creating images that make them feel damn good about themselves.

I’d be honored to capture you.

Meet Shannon

What I Can Do For You

  • photo of woman wearing space glasses and 90s fashion by portrait playdate

    Portrait Playdates

    A Portrait Playdate is a pampering, magazine-style photo shoot experience customized to your vision and objectives. From personal branding to boudoir, explore one or more genres to capture your multidimensionality.

    Book now
  • headshot of a brunette woman on a black background by portrait playdate

    Headshot Playdates

    Time to update your LinkedIn photo or email signature? These sessions are great if you just need a couple classic headshots to boost your confidence and credibility to take that next leap in your career or promo game.

    Book now
  • a 4x3 image of 12 corporate team headshots

    Team Headshots

    Whether you’re updating your company website or investing in employee morale, I can design a red carpet on-site headshot experience that gives everyone the pro-fresh-ional treatment and outcome they deserve.

    Get a quote

Wanna make magic here?

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Wanna make magic here? *

Tour the studio

Behind the Scenes

  • A woman in a colorful robe sitting on a chair, smiling, as a person pours champagne into her glass in a room with wooden walls.
  • Behind the scenes of a photo shoot with a woman in black pants and a red shiny jacket, wearing pink sunglasses, with her hair styled in large curled braids, in a photography studio. A photographer is adjusting her placement as she smiles at the camera. Studio equipment, including lights and backdrop, are visible.
  • Indoor photography studio setup with a yellow backdrop, two women standing near a camera and lighting equipment, one woman wearing a black shirt and glasses, the other in a white robe, preparing for a photo shoot.
  • A woman in a white suit standing on a white platform in a photography studio, being photographed by a woman with a camera. Studio equipment, lighting, and background are visible.
  • A woman and a man are on a photo studio set with a white backdrop illuminated by purple and green lighting. The woman is reaching towards the man's face with her hand, and they are both standing on the white paper roll. There is a large studio light to the left, and a ladder and hanging fabric are visible in the background.
  • Two women working in a photography studio with a bright orange backdrop, professional lighting equipment, and a model seated on a white box.
  • A woman stands on a white platform while another woman adjusts her hair in a photography studio with blue and yellow backdrops, professional lighting, and photography equipment.
  • Portrait photographer Shannon Johnson holding a camera and laughing during a photoshoot with a woman in white with a red tablet sitting at a table in the background, also laughing.
  • Portrait photographer Shannon Johnson sitting on a step stool smiling and providing posing guidance to a male client standing in front of a black backdrop in a photography studio with professional lighting and equipment.
  • Portrait photographer Shannon Johnson hugging a female client post-headshot session in a photography or video studio with professional lighting and equipment.
  • Indoor photoshoot with a man in sunglasses and a denim jacket posing on a beige backdrop, camera and lighting equipment, photographer in bright yellow top taking pictures, studio setup with furniture and equipment.
  • A woman with long curly hair stands on a white platform during a photo shoot in a studio, with a blue backdrop behind her. A photographer with dark hair, dressed in black and wearing slippers, is holding a camera and standing nearby. Studio equipment, including lights, a large reflector, a ladder, and yellow curtains, is visible in the background.
  • A woman in a blue dress with jewelry having her hair gently zhushed by Portrait photographer Shannon Johnson in a photo studio with orange backdrop and professional lighting
  • A male portrait client sitting on a stool in front of a green backdrop, laughing, with Portrait photographer Shannon Johnson also keeled over in laughter, in a studio setting with photography equipment around.
  • A woman is having her portrait taken in a photography studio, standing in front of a backdrop with red and beige curtains. She has dark, wavy hair, is wearing a sequined pink top and black skirt, and is posing with her eyes closed. A photographer is standing beside her, holding a small prop with lights, and there is professional lighting equipment around them.
  • Photo of a professional photo shoot setup, with a woman in a white suit standing on a platform, surrounded by photography equipment including lights, reflectors, and a backdrop. A photographer with tattoos and casual attire is gesturing towards the woman, who appears to be posing for the shoot.
  • A man sitting on a white box in a photography studio is smiling as a woman applies makeup, with professional lighting and camera equipment around them.
  • A man with gray hair and a yin-yang shirt is seated on a stool during a photo shoot, with a woman standing in front of him taking photos. There is a large black umbrella light diffuser, black backdrop, and a white board reflecting part of the room. The setting appears to be a studio with various equipment and artwork visible in the background.
  • A male client and portrait photographer Shannon Johnson are high-fiving inside a living room with large windows, wooden trim, and indoor plants. The woman is holding a camera, and the man has a big smile.
  • A woman with dark green hair smiling, talking to portrait photographer Shannon Johnson, holding a camera, in a photo studio with purple backdrop and lighting equipment.
  • Two women in a photo studio. One standing with arms outstretched on a blue backdrop, and another sitting on the floor smiling. The studio has equipment like lights, reflectors, and a fan.
  • Interior of a photography studio with a male client in a beige and black outfit standing in front of a black backdrop, portrait photographer Shannon Johnson adjusting equipment, studio lighting, and various props.
  • A photo studio with portrait photographer Shannon Johnson zhushing a male client's hair while he sits on a blue chair, smiling. The studio has professional lighting, a backdrop, and various equipment visible.
  • Two women in a studio setting. Portrait photographer Shannon Johnson gently adjusts the hair of a blonde woman, both standing next to a yellow stool and a white box, with photography equipment and lights in the background.
  • Portrait photographer Shannon Johnson on set with a female client. Shannon is looking down at the back of her camera at her most recent shot, smiling, with a woman in the background sitting and playing an acoustic guitar while smiling.

YOUR PLAYDATE AWAITS

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