I know being in front of a camera can feel intimidating, but my goal is to make it feel natural, comfortable, and even fun. I’ll guide you through everything with gentle posing, lots of encouragement (I've been told I am the best hype-woman), and probably a few moments of me laughing (or crying) right alongside you. I’m drawn to the real moments—stolen kisses, quiet touches, sneaky smiles, and the kind of love that feels lived-in and honest. if you love breathing in mountain air, wandering hand-in-hand, getting your dress dirty, or chasing the last light across a ridge…then we’re meant to be. My hope is that your worries fade, your joy rises, and you feel like you’re simply with your person—not performing for a camera.
My work is about capturing this version of you—the way you laugh, hold each other, breathe in the mountains, and live your story in this moment of becoming.
I'm Shelby!
The thistle, Scotland’s national flower, symbolizes courage and devotion. I’ve seen it blooming in every corner of the world I’ve traveled - a reminder of strength, beauty, and wild resilience. Combined with my love for forests and mountains, “Thistle & Wood” became the perfect reflection of who I am and how I photograph stories.
I’m a mountain-lover at heart, most myself in cold air, quiet woods, and every wild corner of God’s creation. Nature has always been my anchor, and photography is the way He lets me pour light and beauty back into others. Capturing love stories - honest, growing, and full of meaning - is one of the greatest gifts of my life.
Thistle & Wood Photo grew from my love of wild landscapes and the grounding beauty of Scotland. In 2018, I knew my brand needed a name that held more depth - something rooted in nature, story, and creation.
Thistle & Wood // Shelby
I was soaked, freezing, and covered in mud… and it was perfect. God met us in the wind and rain, reminding me that beauty often comes wrapped in the unexpected. That day cemented my belief that the wild, imperfect elements create the most unforgettable moments. It’s the heart of how I photograph, and the heart of why I do what I do.
In 2023, I married my husband in the Scottish Highlands after a week of adventuring with twenty of our favorite people across Inverness, Isle of Skye, and Assynt. We said our vows beside a misty loch in 30-degree wind and rain - exactly what I prayed for.
Loch Assynt // Scotland
When I’m not in the mountains, I’m probably elbow-deep in a home project.
DIY + Home Projects
God is my foundation and the source of the beauty, purpose, and storytelling within my work.
My faith
I've been to 22/63 and hope to see them all! Olympic NP is my favorite so far.
U.S. National Parks
Misty mountains. Wildflowers, Campfire smoke, Forest trails in the rain, Fog rolling over a ridgeline
Nature + Outdoors
A few of my favorite things...
I photograph because I believe God weaves beauty and purpose into every moment, and it’s my joy to preserve the pieces we often forget. It’s my way of honoring His creation—the landscapes He shaped, the people He’s forming, and the love stories He’s writing. I’m drawn to the wild, the windy, the imperfect, because that’s where the real magic lives. The rain, the fog, the messy, honest moments often become the ones we cherish most. My why is to show you that your love, exactly as it is, is remarkable.
God meets us in the wilderness
My Why
250+ WEDDINGS SHOT / 300+ Sessions / 10 years of experience / Weddings in 18 states & 2 countries / infinite happy tears
Current figures
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