Meet Shanle Bowen of Kennesaw, GA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanle Bowen.

Hi Shanle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been a wedding photographer for a while now and photographed nearly 300 weddings, but there was one moment in particular that started my passion for photography.

I distinctly remember taking a photo of my cousins on the front steps of a family farmhouse in the NC mountains as the evening sun glowed around them. I remember seeing it later, after my dad downloaded it off my little camera and being in awe that the photo looked how that moment FELT to me – the toasty sunlight, dust floating through the air, and the quietness of a bunch of tired kiddos sitting and playing on the front step. (You might say it was a pivotal life moment for me!)

It’s incredible how photographs have the power to introduce us to stories we’ve forgotten and stories we would’ve never known.

I’m blessed enough to have grown up with an extensive collection of photographs that belonged to my grandparents and great-grandparents. They gave me a glimpse into their childhood, wedding days, and lives. When my family and I would sit together, every photo would come with a story, while other times they’d pick one up and I’d watch as their face lit up with a memory they’d completely forgotten. Their stories have always been a part of my own, I count myself blessed to actually know what they are.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been easy! I’m so grateful and blessed to be surrounded by a supportive family, including my amazing husband, but there have been some major challenges along the way. I spent years and countless hours learning not only how to improve my art, but also how to run a business. God has absolutely blessed me with some amazing growth over the lest few years, but there were many times where it felt like I would never reach the next step.

As artists, we often start pursuing our craft and serving clients from a place of passion. It can be hard to learn the steps to build a profitable and sustainable business.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Working as closely as I do with couples, I have the privilege to see the great amount of care they’re pouring into this day to make it special for them and the people they hold dear. And honestly, their wedding days become some of my own favorite memories.

I’ve experienced it all-watching parents become a puddle of tears upon receiving a handwritten thank you letter, a couple making time for every single guest even though it meant being on their poor tired feet for most of the night, and being in a room full of people smiling from ear to ear, beaming with genuine joy. During each exchange of private vows. And at every first and last dance.

I often joke that I can’t go to photograph a wedding without my trusty waterproof mascara. Feeling the emotions and joy of the day alongside my couples and their families helps me to tell their story from a unique point of view. I find myself completely invested in their moments, not just the beautiful portraits, but the in-betweens, the smiles and looks, the little details.

When looking back at their photos I hope every one of my couples feels just as seen, valued, and loved as they made their community feel on their wedding day.

How do you think about luck?
It might be a bit controversial, but I don’t believe in luck!

Pricing:

• Wedding Photography starting at $4400 (as of June 2025)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shanlebowen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shanlebowenphotography/
• Other: https://shanlebowen.com/georgia-wedding-photographer

Image Credits
Photographs by Shanle Bowen Photography