Local photographer gets national recognition

Photographs of high school seniors mark a milestone in a person’s life that will be kept to look back on. The one book that graduates will look back on and remember is the high school yearbook of their senior year. It is the record of how it was “in the good old days” in high school.

There are millions of 2020 graduates that have had their portraits taken by professional photographers. The photographers used are also numerous, and try to record the little slice of time of a graduate’s senior year. Shelley Shroyer is one of those photographers. She received Epic Picture awards from 7seniors. 7seniors’s “website showcases America’s Top Senior Photographers,” according to their website. Urging seniors to “hire those who go beyond senior photography to create legendary family artwork.” She received two awards for her pictures of Wimberley seniors.

Lots of photographers and their work are listed on the 7seniors website. Some are good, some are exceptional, but winning in a national blind test, where your identity, work, state and other information is not revealed is something else. The photograph is nominated and judged by a host of others from across the U.S.

“After 15 years, it’s always nice to be recognized for the work you are doing. I felt joyful. It’s completely different than me nominating (my own work). It’s extra special. They don’t know you or where you’re from. These were random people from across the country,” Shelley said.

The photographs made the Top Ten of Texas Senior photographs and two Epic Photograph awards. “The Top Ten in Texas, I’m still surprised…(and) two Epic Senior Awards out of 11,580 images… It’s a really huge honor and I’m excited about it.”

But it didn’t all happen overnight, as success usually does. Although she was an Art Major, she had a successful career in Austin as a medical professional. “But I always loved photography.” In 2004, as a mom with two boys and a medical career, she decided she wanted a side business, pursuing her love of photography. “I was feeding my soul, which I loved so much.”

In 2008 the family moved to Dripping Springs and both kids were enrolled at St. Stephens. The family decided to build a house in Wimberley. Her clients now are from the Austin/ San Antonio area, not just Wimberley.

The best part of the job is making people happy. “Number 1. When the parents and the subject open the album, then you see them both light up. I’m fighting crying seeing the emotional response to something I have created. Number 2. Making my subject so they see their own uniqueness and beauty… (they say) ‘I didn’t think of myself as pretty.’ I’m making an impact on young people that are impressionable. That’s important.”

Now during the pandemic, she takes extra precautions for herself and her subjects. She’s able to wear a mask and take the photos from a safe distance. “This is something we haven’t had to do before, and we’ve changed protocol. We’re extra cautious.” Now the equipment is sterilized and masks are worn. “We’ll reschedule the location if needed.”

Staying up with the latest on technology, she continues taking courses from master photographers. She also takes photographs for national features. Her photographs can be seen on her website shelleyshroyer.com.