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Shelby Studios Photography | Peoria IL wedding photographers bio picture

Thanks for stopping by the blog! My name is Cindy and my business is named after my beautiful daughter, Shelby.  I am a wedding and lifestyle photographer.  If you are here, it's because you are looking for pictures that are different than you've ever seen before! You want something unique and special.   You are looking for images that capture emotion and feelings.

Your wedding day, your family, your child is significant.

They are significant to me because there is nothing like two people in love committing to each other for the rest of their lives. They are the beginning to a new family, a new journey, the first chapter of a story.  

They are significant because there is nothing like a newborn baby and the overwhelming joy and love that you feel as a new parent when you hold your own child and look into their eyes. 

They are significant because your child changes at an unbelievable pace.  Before you know it, they have grown up..... learned to ride a bike, started driving, they are off to college, and now starting their own life and their own story. 

Every wedding, every family, and every child is unique.  I want to document these moments so that you remember exactly how you felt...... on that day...... for the rest of your life. 

So if my work sparks your interest, you are not an average bride.  If my work revels up emotion and joy, you are in the right place!  Please drop me an email or give me a call.  I would love to hear from you. 

Shelby Studios Photography serves Peoria IL and beyond...

Trent | Metamora High School | Class of 2011 | IL high school senior photographers

I’m not going to lie. This happens to be one of my favorite “guy” high school senior sessions. Trent made my heart pitter patter just a little with those big blue eyes and rugged good looks. Bonus – he was a total natural in front of the camera which made my job behind the camera and in front of the computer a total breeze. Check out his slideshow here and you will see exactly why! Ladies… he has a girlfriend!

My name is Trent Richard Passwater

I attend Metamora High School and graduate in 2011

In school, I participate in COOP

My favorite subject is Auto Mechanics

Three words that best describe me are hardworking, honest, and outgoing

My best friends are Shelby, Elliott, Tyler, and Ethan

Something that most people don’t know about me is that I am a cadet fire fighter

If I was stranded on an island, i would want a phone and a fishing pole

My favorite food is pasta

My favorite color is aqua

I love the song….. This Afternoon by Nickelback

If there was one thing I could change about myself, it would be my height

One of my most favorite memories of high school would have to be Coop class and getting to go to work a half day

My favorite beverage is Mountain Dew

I have a fear of Big spiders

I love my girlfriend

If I could travel anywhere, it would be California

If I only had one year to live, I would buy a bunch of fast cards

Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

I love to shop at Autozone

If I had one million dollars, I would buy a lambo and ferrari

My favorite television show is Muscle Car

After high school, I plan on furthering my firefighting education

Ten years from now i will be a fire fighter on the coast

Liam is one! | Peoria and Washington IL photographers

Liam’s one year session was bittersweet. I have been blessed to capture his growth, his changes, his personality in this past year but I’m sad that I won’t be seeing Liam every 3 months now. His one year session was one of my favorites. This was the time where he changed the most. Check out some of my favorites below and be sure to watch the slideshow that captures his newborn, 6 month, 9 month, and one year sessions. It will be sure to leave you smile (:

sean - that is a pretty awesome birthday cake! ha! loooove these, cindy!

Rose - Just beautiful! He's so cute with the cake! :D

Eileen Broderick - He is so cute!! And he looks like such a big boy for one! Love his cool hair and clothes--pretty stylin'! Great shots.

John, Marla, & Logan | Peoria and Washington IL photographers

If all my sessions with little ones could be this easy, I would shoot all day long, every day. Logan was full of smiles during our entire session…. it was effortless and sooooooo fun! John & Marla are such a cute couple and I LOVED our time together. Full view slideshow here.

sean - beautiful work, cindy :) very nice. these images are divine, they really pop!

Rose - Oh, Cindy, these are lovely. Your photos capture all this invisible connections between people, they are full of love and magic. Love the presentation also, the looks is amazing!

Kristie Chadwick - Oh My! What a cutie. Great session.

Marla - beautiful cindy i love them! i am never going to be able to choose! thanks again

Stacy - beautiful work!!!

Dee - Such cute pictures of a little sweetie!! Great job!

The Springer Family

Another family that I absolutely adore! I have this thing for Paul (age 6). He reminds me so much of my son when he was that age and the silly things that he does and says completely crack me up! Layla (age 2) is a doll but doesn’t like her picture to be taken and great efforts were made to capture these. Good thing my cat-like reflexes and speed are so awesome! hahahaha!
Aunt Sammy is off to Florida now… everyone misses her deeply. Her smile is delightful and Paul and Layla LOVE their auntie. The image of Paul and Layla tickling her is my fave!
Tobey and Brian – you know how I feel about you! And thank you Brian for putting up with another family session in one month. You are a total trooper and I loved your smiles during this one. Mom and Dad Springer…. thanks for letting me hang out with the whole family. You were all so much fun and I loved every minute of it!

Rose - So lovely! Love the jump shot! :)) So cool! Also the ones with the girls and the mother are amazing! Beautiful!

Gabrielle turns one | Peoria IL children’s photographer

This sweet little one year old – Gabrielle melted my heart with her big blue eyes and leather chaps! Cowgirl cuteness overload.

Kristie Chadwick - Oh my what a cutie. I love all the textures.

Rose - Oh my, she is adorable!! :D Love the one with the horsie. Such amazing photos Cindy! Favorite is the one with her on her tiptoes. Cowgirl ballerina please!

Natalie - I am so thrilled with these! Great job.

sean - haha, the little cowboy pants! love the expressions, cindy, you captured great moments :) your post processing looks great too!

Shannon | Class of 2011 | Metamora High School

Meet Shannon, a high school senior from Metamora High School! Our first session was rained out but our 2nd session rocked! She has a heart of gold. She has a passion for children and wants to help little ones by becoming a pediatrician. Besides this, she is drop dead gorgeous! What an amazing combination. You’ll see what I mean when you check out her pictures below. Don’t forget to watch her slideshow.

My name is Shannon Rose

I attend Metamora High School

In school, I participate in cross country, dance, and track

My favorite subjects are Anatomy and Physiology

Three words that best describe me are Happy, Kind, and Intriguing

My best friends are Megan, Ashley, and Kala

Something that most people don’t know about me is that I dance when I’m having a bad day

If I was deserted on an island, I would want these two things – Music and my family

My favorite food is rice and gravy

Mint green is my favorite color

I love the song, Imma Shine from the movie, Step Up

My Sister’s Keeper is my favorite book

If there was one thing I could change about myself, it would be my height

One of my most favorite memories in high school so far would have to be laughing with my friends

My favorite beverage is a variety of sodas mixed together

I love…….. life!

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Barcelona

If I had only one year to live, I would spend time with my family and friends

Chocolate or Vanilla? Neither, Lemon!

I love to shop at Forever 21

If I had one million dollars, I would make a beautiful children’s hospital in Haiti

Boston Med is my favorite television show

After high school, I plan on being in pre med and majoring in neuroscience

I want to be a Pediatrician

Ten years from now, i want to be happy working as a doctor


sean - she has awesome style, and it fits your photography perfect. really like the first image.

Rose - Gotta love beautiful teens with high dreams! :) love the photos Cindy! Love the b&w!

brianna phelan - Beautiful shots Cindy, gorgeous girl. Love the little black dress and the green jacket.

Susan - She is gorgeous! And you captured her beautifully. Lovely job as always, Cindy.

mary - Love the pics, Cindy you have a gift - Shannon is beautiful! You captured her personality as well.

Jared, Kayci, Shelby, & Lanie | Peoria IL photographers

I LOVE LOVE this post! It’s one of my favorites, EVER! Kayci (8), Shelby (7), and Lanie (4), absolutely love their big brother, Jared. It was so sweet how he adored his little sisters too. We skipped, ran, danced, and were totally silly during our time together. A lifestyle family session at it’s finest!
This is a very special post dedicated to the St. Jude Hospital, a wonderful hospital dedicated to finding cures and saving children with cancer. So……… for every comment that is left on this blog post before Monday 8/23 at midnight, $1 will be donated to St. Jude. My goal is $100, can we do it?? I think we can! Here we go!
Be sure to watch the slideshow below or full view here!

Darcy Riddle - Cindy, thank you so much - you are the best! The kids had so much fun, and we LOVE the photos! And thanks for thinking of St. Jude!

Rose - Oh my God, Cindy! You made me wanna take some photos together with my brother! Seeing these made me teary! :) It's impressive how love just radiates right out of a image!! You are a photo goddess! Love each and every one of them, the girls are totally adorable and their fun and joy and love just jump out of the picture! Thank you, thank YOU for showing these. Loved this session with all my heart.

Traci - LOVE these pictures and this family! Thanks for supporting St. Jude in their name! That's such a wonderful gift!

Krista Westermann - What great pictures of a beautiful family!

Meghan Rapp - A beautiful portrayal of the girls! (and Jared too) Great job!

Angie - These are gorgeous pictures! The girls are just beautiful, and it's so awesome to see Jared all grown up! I remember him as an ornery little kindergartner!

Beth - Love, love, love these pictures! You captured the wonderful personalities of these awesome kids, and that isn't always easy to do with Lanie!! :)

Kari - What amazing pictures! The kids are all so beautiful.

Julie - These are all beautiful pics. Made me smile and feel happier just look at them.

Rachel Gannaway - These pictures are amazing! I love that they show the girls' personalities. I especially love the ones of the girls with their big brother! Priceless.

Brenda - Delightful pictures!

Lisa Hensler - It's official - your family is absolutely beautiful!!!!! These are wonderful photos, Darcy!

Lisa - The kids are all soooo beautiful, I guess I should use handsome for Jared! :) The best part about these pictures is seeing their personalities shine through! Cindy, you did such a great job capturing such precious shots and facial expressions! Darcy, hope you have a large blank wall! I don't know how in the world you would pick just a few to frame! :)

Katie - Beautiful pictures by such a gifted photographer!!

Julie Jacoby - I love all the photos of the family, but the ones of Jared and his little sisters especially made me smile. What wonderful memories have been captured to share years from now.

Christina - Beautiful, stunning pictures!

Laura - Beautiful photos!!!!! Beautiful kids too.

Suzy Boehm - Loved the pictures! They show so much personality. To see a big brother with his little sisters - awesome!

Erin Easter - Cute pictures -- my sister and niece Lucy love these girls!

Erin Magana - oh my gosh! i love those girls! oh darcy, lainey is a dollface. i love the ones of them dancing together. what a great day of pictures!

Trish - These pictures are awesome! I love them! The girls are so beautiful and Jared is so handsome and all grown up! It looks like they all had a good time. Thanks for sharing!

Cheri - awesome pictures, as usual! the big brother with three sisters is just too cute!

Kristi Gudeman - Those photos are amazing, Cindy! I love, love, love the ones of the girls and all their facial expressions! What a scream! Those will be treasured forever!

Jody DiOrio - Love these photos. Beautiful family. Great job Cindy :)

Melissa - You did an awesome job! What a beautiful family.

Renae - This family is absolutely beautiful!

Kelly Knepp - Fantastic photos!!!

Kara - These photos are absolutely beautiful! you did a great job! I can't believe Jared is so big now - it's amazing how time flies!!!

Dawn Lambert - Awesome photos!

Abby - These are beautiful! Looks like a lot of fun was had by all. I smiled through the whole video! Thanks for supporting St. Jude.

Doug Roecker - Wow, those are great pics!!

Jared Weidman - They came out great! Go Cindy!!!

Jennifer DeCamp - Great pictures!! Absolutely adorable :)

Dee - Beautiful pictures!

Lyndi Roecker - I love these pictures! All of the girls' personalities really come out through all of them:)

Cynthia - Wonderful photos!!!

Sherrie - These are so cute. Looks like they really had fun!

Mickey Jones - Darcy What a joy it was to see these pictures! We miss you all! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous family It made our day!

Susan - Ahhh! These are amazing! I LOVE all of the expressions - they're priceless!

the Weston family | Washington IL photographers

One simple word, three little letters would describe this family. F-U-N
Take a look! I couldn’t get enough of the Westons. They are beautiful AND totally crazy. I have always wanted to capture a family jumping into the pool completely clothed. I suggested it……. and with mild hesitation, they agreed. This wasn’t the plan in the beginning and after I suggested it – i started sweating. I thought to myself, what if i screw up the picture and it’s blurry! That wouldn’t be good. But no worries, it turned out great and I think it would look perfect on a Christmas card! LOL
Make sure you watch this awesome family’s slideshow below or full view here.

Melissa - What great pictures of the Weston's! I'm just wondering how they are going to decide what to order!? :)

sean - haha! SO fun! what a great selection of images!

Tom + Kristin | tying the knot on September 18th | Peoria IL wedding photographers

This cute couple is tying the knot on September 18th. To say that I’m super excited about this wedding day is an understatement!! I first met Kristin during a family session a couple of years ago and I remember leaving their home feeling so much happiness because of the amazing time that i had spending time with this particular family. They lived in a gorgeous home, with a gorgeous, big yard and with so many of them……… (if i remember correctly, 8 all together) they got along together extremely well. I also think that I told mom that when her daughters got married, I wanted them to remember me. Yeah!! They did (:
When I met with Tom and Kristin, the vibes were awesome. The love and happiness that these two share completely bubbles out. And Kristin told me their reception would be held in their gorgeous yard during my favorite month, September!
Check out Tom’s sweet ride below. H-O-T and their slideshow!
Congratulations you two and I will see you in a few weeks.

sean - woah, both of their eyes are GORGEOUS! it's cute you did a family session for her family too :) love the first few on his car. smokin' images!

Kristie Chadwick - What a lovely couple. You can feel their love. It is going to be a great wedding!

The Hoffman Family | IL family photographers

I love this family. I love this farm. I love these kids. Yep, they’ve made the top 10 list! Check out some of my favorites below and their “itty bitty” slideshow too!

Rose - Loooove no. 6! :) So beautiful, love big families so much!

Beth - This is a great family session! Terrific colors, location and so much love :)

Lydia - Love this family too! Great pictures!!