Art Exibit Opening | Shanna Dugan

Shanna is a full-time photographer and owner of Photography by Shanna. I began studying photography in 1998, and received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University.

Starting my photography journey on film gave me a wonderful perspective that I believe can be lost with digital cameras. Every shot mattered. Missed shots cost – both money and time in the dark room. I learned on the principle that creating an amazing photograph was worth taking time to make it amazing – not just firing off a bunch of clicks and hoping it happened. While most of my client work is shot with digital now, I carry that frame of thinking with me to this day.

After several years as a hobbyist photographer, I began shooting sessions for other people around 2006, and opened my business in 2012. Three years after opening, my business grew to a full time venture. Today, I shoot select clientele for family portraits, branding portraits, senior portraits and weddings. I teach photography workshops and classes at the 408 Fine Arts Factory, and advise small business owners on branding and social media with the Small Business Development Center. I am also the LaSalle-Peru Tuesdays Together leader for the Rising Tide Society, which promotes community over competition among small business owners and creative entrepreneurs