Toronto Wedding Photographer, Shannon Davy
In a quiet corner of Oakville, Ontario, a young girl found her father’s camera and never really let it go. That camera—and the memories attached to it—became her tether to a man she lost too soon and a creative spark she’s nurtured ever since. Today, Shannon is the heart behind West of Yonge Studios, a Toronto-based wedding photography business capturing weddings across Ontario and British Columbia. Her journey has been one of intuition, artistic evolution, and deliberate balance—a career built not just on talent, but on perspective.
A Personal History Rooted in Photography
Shannon’s earliest memories of photography aren’t about settings or shutter speeds. They’re about connection. “My father was a professional photographer, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever,” she recalls. “When he passed away, photography became the way I stayed close to him.”
That sense of emotional weight—of honouring something fleeting and important—has never left her work. After studying photography at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), Shannon spent several years traveling the world. From vibrant cultures to soul-shifting landscapes, she credits her travels for deepening her appreciation of life’s brief but beautiful moments.
From Elopement to Establishment
Her first wedding was a city hall elopement, complete with “Mr. & Mrs.” balloons and a pack of red helium hearts being dragged down Bay Street. “We walked around for two hours just letting the joy unfold,” she laughs. “It was chaotic and adorable—and I loved every minute of it.” That shoot marked the beginning of a new chapter, and by the time the gallery was delivered, she had already booked her next four weddings.
From the start, Shannon approached her new career with strategy and humility. She built a relevant portfolio with low-cost offerings, full transparency, and a focus on small weddings that fit her experience level at the time. “Every single one of those early weddings went well,” she says proudly. “Some of those images are still in my portfolio.”
Documenting the Day, Not Disrupting It
Shannon’s approach today is intentionally balanced and experience-focused. West of Yonge Studios caps bookings at 25 weddings per year, and she never double-books weekends. “This allows me to be fully present for every single one of my couples,” she explains. “It’s also how I avoid burnout and stay in love with this career.”
Her photography style is primarily documentary, placing connection and storytelling above all else. “Your wedding is a wedding first—not a photoshoot,” she says. Shannon is present without being intrusive, observant without interrupting. She offers gentle guidance during portraits using natural prompts and movement, but otherwise lets the day unfold authentically. Editing is clean, true-to-life, and intentionally subtle—her goal is for couples to feel the moment, not notice the Photoshop.
Between Two Provinces
Legally registered in both Ontario and BC, West of Yonge Studios travels often for weddings across Canada. While most of her bookings are currently in Toronto and the GTA, she lights up when talking about BC. “I think a lot of people don’t realize I shoot out west too,” she says. “I’d love to do more weddings in BC. It’s where I feel most creatively energized.”
A Client-Centered Career
Shannon’s clients are, in her words, “down-to-earth, genuine people—the kind I keep following on Instagram just to see where life takes them.” She builds connections that last long after the final gallery is delivered. Her extroverted nature makes her a natural presence on a wedding day, while her behind-the-scenes editing time offers space to recharge. “Editing is my calm,” she says. “I usually work late at night—it’s when I feel most focused.”
Married with a young daughter, Shannon is intentional about maintaining balance. Her 25-wedding limit isn’t just about workflow—it’s about making space for life. “I keep one weekend per month completely wedding-free, no exceptions,” she says. “That time with family keeps everything else in alignment.”
A Business Built on Contentment
Unlike many in the wedding industry chasing constant scale, Shannon’s ambition is different: “I chase contentment. I’m happy where I am.” Her goal isn’t to build a sprawling empire—it’s to do deeply meaningful work, with couples who trust her, for as long as she loves it.
And love it, she does. “It still feels monumental every time someone chooses me,” she says. “That hasn’t changed.”
Website: westofyonge.ca
Instagram: @west.of.yonge.studios
