Marla and Shane Photographers is located on Hwy 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Paradise on earth!

Our Gallery and Frame Boutique in Redfish Village is open Monday through Friday from 9-3. We would love to have you stop by for a visit!

For more information about our photography, please email us via the contact form or give us a call at 850.622.9154

Marla's photographic journey began at Syracuse University, where she majored in advertising/illustration photography.

With an ever-present dream of becoming a professional photographer, Marla jumped right into the photo community after college, working for Microsoft Sidewalk.com as a photographer and photo editor, and later as an assistant for commercial photographer Anthony Gordon.

While living in NYC, Marla accepted a position with the International Center of Photography, as an instructor at the Hunts Point Community Center in the Bronx. The program served to provide underprivi leged children an outlet for their creativity and a safe place to go after school. She instantly feel in love with the kids, and found teaching photography extremely rewarding. She later moved into teaching photography full time at a high school in Texas.

In 2005, Marla became a mother, and decided that it was time to go back to her original dream, and nothing fit as naturally into her life as photographing children...

what can we expect from the session?

You can expect your session to be very casual and relaxed. It is more like a playdate than a portrait session. My ultimate goal is to capture your children comfortable and having fun.

what can parents do to help?

• Tell your children you are going to meet a friend to play and have fun.
• Trust that I can make your child smile, and please do not tell them to say cheese!
• Be patient
• Be happy
• Don't sweat the small stuff. They may get dirty and their hair may be out of place, but we like them like that!

will all our images be in black and white?

No, a good number of images will be shown in color if I feel the color helps enhance the story the image is telling. Black and white is classic and timeless, but my kids have blue eyes, so I get the color thing, too!

can i buy the digital negatives from the session?

Yes, the digital negatives are available as a complete set for $3800 and come with a finished 5x7 print of each image in your gallery. Individual files are available for purchase with the purchase of a portrait collection.

how much should i plan to invest?

Our style of shooting lends itself to creating wall displays and archiving images in heirloom albums and books. Most clients will order a collection and then add to it in order to personalize their displays. Collections range in price from $1200 to $3800. We have a minimum purchase requirement of $750.

what should our child wear?

• Something comfortable
• Something with color
• Something with texture
• Something you love them in!
• Something they do not hate!

what should they not wear?

• Big hair bows
• All white
• Logos
• Busy patterns
• Shoes, especially crocs
• Anything you will feel the need to fuss and fiddle with!

where does the session take place?

All photography is done on location in natural light. I am very familiar with the parks and communities along 30A, and can make recommendations based on what you want to achieve from the session. We will work together to choose a location that works best for you and your family.

when will we see our proofs?

Approximately two weeks after your session, I will email you a link to an online slideshow and ordering instructions.

can we have a family picture taken?

Of course you can! No one ever looks back at pictures of their family and wishes their parents weren't in so many pictures! We encourage everyone to be dressed and ready. BUT, please keep in mind that I do not specialize in posed family portraits. i will capture your family laughing, playing, and interacting in a natural way.

what if it rains?

We spend most of the day with one eye on the weather! Often it will rain during the day and be beautiful around sunset. If we decide together that the weather is not suitable for a session, we will do our best to reschedule you for another day. Should that not be an option due to travel dates, the session fee is fully refundable.

what if my child gets sick?

If your child is sick, please call as soon a possible to reschedule. We are parents and realize that sometimes this happens. Please try to call at least 24 hours before your session as we do often have a waiting list and someone to fill your spot. In our experience, a sick, grumpy child makes for a (you fill in the blank) session. So no need to force things! We can easily edit out bumps, scrapes, and claw marks!

can i see more of your work?

Sure! You can view all of the great images on this website and our blog, or you can visit the gallery and frame boutique in Redfish Village to view the work in person.

standard session

$550 Weekdays or $650 Weekends

• Takes place at home or an outdoor location in South Walton
• Up to Four People ($40 for each additonal person)
• Custom in-studio or online presentation of your images
• $200 credit towards your order placed within two weeks
• Prints and Products sold separately

Print Prices begin at $65 and Collections Start at $1275

To receive a complete price list including collections and album pricing, please send an email via the contact page.

OH, MAN. I cried. You are so talented, Marla!! Thank you for this gift -- for freezing my children in time -- in this sweet time before life pulls them up and away from our home. The shots you captured are all so artistic, free and happy. I loved them all. It's a good thing I have a week because I'll need it to decide!

I received the slideshow! I'm sure you hear this a lot, but it brought me (and my husband) to tears. We couldn't be more pleased with the photos. Now is the hard part and that is deciding which ones to get! Ilove them all.

Marla!!! Thanks so much! I loved hanging with you the other day...you are a blast. Oh...and you're a fantastic photographer as well! Can't wait to see you again soon!

Oh Gosh - they are soooooo great!!!!

How will I ever decide???? or better yet....not end up divorced because I order so much! Thanks again

I can't tell you how many times we have looked at the slide show.....YOU ARE SO TALENTED!!!! I have had my children photographed by just about every photographer here in town and nothing compares...I mean yes you get 1 or 2 really good ones of your kids but not 41!!!!!!

Oh my gosh. i freakin love you! the pictures are unbelievably incredible! we are in love with your work. Thanks so much.

LOVE THEM, LOVE THEM, LOVE THEM!!! I can't believe you put all this together so quickly! We all have cried watching the slideshow! thank you so much, marla!

Marla, I cannot believe how amazing these pictures are of the boys! I had really high expectations after seeing my nephew's and these are beyond anything I could have imagined. I cannot wait to do it again. Take care.

I cannot decide what pictures to order. These pictures are truly a work of art. I am so over the traditional posed family photos. Totally not our style!! We love these. My husband said he thought they would be good, but he had no idea they would be this good!! I love them!!

Oh, Marla, these are so spectacular!!! I have been playing it over and over and over for about 2 hours now and don't know how in the world I will ever decide--they are all so beautiful! I am thoroughly impressed! You captured their personalities perfectly and I loved the way that you manipulated the light to enhance the image--true art that will always be dear to my heart. I know these photos will be cherished for generations to come! We feel very blessed to have had this opportunity and can't wait to take some more pictures!!Thank you so much!!!