shalyn o'neal photography

THE BLOG

Welcome to my corner of stories and insights. Here, I share recent weddings, engagement sessions, and helpful planning tips drawn from my years in the wedding industry. Browse through for inspiration, practical advice, and a glimpse into the genuine moments I've had the privilege to capture. I hope you find something that speaks to you as you plan your own celebration.

Behind the Scenes: My First Western Chic Styled Shoot
Shalyn O'Neal Shalyn O'Neal

Behind the Scenes: My First Western Chic Styled Shoot

The theme? Western Chic. It was bold, unique, and so much fun to shoot. From the textured florals to the carefully curated décor, every element added to the stunning vibe. And the lighting? Absolute perfection. It felt like every shot fell into place effortlessly (even if I was second-guessing myself the whole time).

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Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: Kelli & Johnsie's Wedding
Winter Weddings Shalyn O'Neal Winter Weddings Shalyn O'Neal

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: Kelli & Johnsie's Wedding

Kelli & Johnsie’s wedding was the perfect way to wrap up 2024—a day full of love, family, and faith. It also happened to be my first truly chilly wedding, and wow, did the cold keep me on my toes! At one point, my hands were so frozen they locked up, giving me a few technical hurdles to work through. But even with the chill, this day was absolutely unforgettable.

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Tears, Twirls & Touching Moments: Andrea & Greg's Wedding
Winter Weddings Shalyn O'Neal Winter Weddings Shalyn O'Neal

Tears, Twirls & Touching Moments: Andrea & Greg's Wedding

Some weddings just hit differently. After attending as many weddings as I do—and with weddings being such a core part of my life for as long as I can remember—you’d think I’d be immune to getting teary-eyed. But Andrea and Greg’s wedding? I was a puddle. Their day wasn’t just beautiful, it was deeply moving, and I found myself feeling not like just their photographer, but like a friend lucky enough to witness it all.

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Golden Hour Magic: Holly & Jacob's November Celebration
Fall Weddings Shalyn O'Neal Fall Weddings Shalyn O'Neal

Golden Hour Magic: Holly & Jacob's November Celebration

Having worked with Holly and Jacob during their engagement session this past spring, I already knew we were in for a great day. These two are so sweet and easygoing, and their love for each other is so obvious it makes my job feel effortless. Plus, Holly brought her A-game with organization—her detail boxes were ready to roll, which made the morning a breeze (pro tip: organized brides are my love language).

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Stress-Free Wedding Timelines: Your 3-Step Guide
Shalyn O'Neal Shalyn O'Neal

Stress-Free Wedding Timelines: Your 3-Step Guide

One of the biggest contributors to a stress-free wedding day is a well-thought-out timeline—and as your photographer, I’m here to help you make it seamless! The timeline not only ensures we capture all the special moments but also allows you to truly relax and enjoy your day. Here’s how we can work together to create a wedding photography timeline that feels effortless.

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Rain-Kissed Glass Chapel: Jessica & Bruce's Wedding
Fall Weddings Shalyn O'Neal Fall Weddings Shalyn O'Neal

Rain-Kissed Glass Chapel: Jessica & Bruce's Wedding

With three other professional photographers in the wedding party, I admit I was a bit intimidated at first. But they were incredibly sweet and even helpful throughout the portrait session. Their attention to detail made me appreciate the power of collaboration and reminded me that there's always something to learn from others in this craft.

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52 Weddings Later: Reflections on a Record-Breaking Year
Shalyn O'Neal Shalyn O'Neal

52 Weddings Later: Reflections on a Record-Breaking Year

As I sit down to reflect on 2024, I can confidently say this year was the busiest I’ve ever had in my photography career—and probably in my life, period. It was a year filled to the brim with beautiful weddings, sweet moments, and incredible people. But let’s be real for a second: it was also a year of learning (sometimes the hard way) about boundaries, balance, and the toll that chasing your dreams can sometimes take.

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Kalleigh & Austin's November Wedding: Overcoming Delays for Sunset Portraits​
Weddings, Fall Weddings Shalyn O'Neal Weddings, Fall Weddings Shalyn O'Neal

Kalleigh & Austin's November Wedding: Overcoming Delays for Sunset Portraits​

Kalleigh had mentioned Austin wasn't too keen on photos, but you wouldn’t have known it! They both did so well, and even though we had to hustle a bit after the ceremony to catch the best light before sunset, they took it all in stride. We did have a slight delay before the ceremony (hair and makeup ran just a bit over schedule), but with Kalleigh's awesome bridal party stepping up to help keep things running smoothly and maintain that “first look” surprise, we got all the pre-ceremony shots just in the nick of time!

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Fall Family Union: Jamie & Nathan at Big Cedar Lodge
Fall Weddings Shalyn O'Neal Fall Weddings Shalyn O'Neal

Fall Family Union: Jamie & Nathan at Big Cedar Lodge

Jamie and Nathan couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful day for their wedding at Big Cedar! The weather was perfect, with that crisp fall air and just the right amount of sunshine, making their day feel like something straight out of a storybook. Their ceremony took place at the charming Garden Chapel, a fitting setting for an intimate family affair. With only close family present, Jamie’s daughter and Nathan’s son participated in a sweet sand ceremony that beautifully celebrated their new blended family.

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Behind the Scenes of a Wedding Photoshoot: What to Expect (Hint: Controlled Chaos with a Smile)
Shalyn O'Neal Shalyn O'Neal

Behind the Scenes of a Wedding Photoshoot: What to Expect (Hint: Controlled Chaos with a Smile)

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of your wedding photoshoot? Here’s the thing—wedding photography is a blend of precision, flexibility, and, if I’m doing my job right, a little bit of magic. I’m not just snapping away at random moments; I’m your timeline manager, crowd controller, calm-in-the-storm friend, and your personal advocate for keeping anything remotely stressful away from you. Here’s how that plays out on the big day!

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Honest Reflections on My First Truck Mini Sessions
Shalyn O'Neal Shalyn O'Neal

Honest Reflections on My First Truck Mini Sessions

If it’s okay to be honest on my own blog, here’s the truth: I wasn’t thrilled about mini sessions! This year, I set out to make it happen as a practice run, especially since it’s something I’ve wanted to try for a few years now. Though I didn’t truly have the time for it, I felt like it was now or never—especially with my husband’s truck as the main prop! He’s always swapping vehicles, so it seemed like a fun way to incorporate it before it might be gone.

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Camera Confidence: Why Engagement Sessions Win
Shalyn O'Neal Shalyn O'Neal

Camera Confidence: Why Engagement Sessions Win

Let’s be honest, not everyone is used to having a big camera pointed at them for hours on end. An engagement session helps you get comfortable being in front of the camera, so by the time the wedding day arrives, it won’t feel intimidating. You'll already know what to expect, which helps reduce the pressure and allows you to focus on the joy of the day.

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Sarah & Braiden's Golden Hour Truck Engagement Session
Engagments Shalyn O'Neal Engagments Shalyn O'Neal

Sarah & Braiden's Golden Hour Truck Engagement Session

When we sat down to chat about the engagement session, Sarah mentioned that Braiden had one big request: he wanted to incorporate his truck into the photos. I was totally on board but knew it brought a bit of a challenge—we couldn’t just show up at a random parking lot or field for this shoot. It needed to be somewhere that truly matched their vibe and vision.

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