September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Go Gold! More than 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, and sadly 20% of them will not survive it. One of those affected by childhood cancer is my friend Abigail. Her spunky, sweet toddler started to walk around 11 months, as many kids do. However, about […]

Maddie and Matthew’s Engagement Session at Cox Arboretum in Dayton was amazing! When the stars align with cool August weather, dreamy light, and a sweet couple, it’s so fun to create memories and beautiful pictures! As a musician, I love how Maddie and Matthew met! They were both at a country music concert. She was […]

Zach and Anna are one of the sweetest couples I’ve worked with! They both live, work and volunteer in the Dayton area and quickly bonded over their heart for helping others. As soon as you meet them, their love for each other, their families, God, and their community is so apparent, and this was even […]

Matt and Megan connected with each other when Megan had a college class assignment and needed to interview a graduate in the field. What started out as a homework project turned into a such a sweet relationship, and I’m sure they will always remember that finance class as it changed their lives. They both live […]

Tricia and I met in an online photography class years ago, and it has been so fun following each other’s lives from far away, learning and growing in photography, and watching our kids get bigger and bigger! She and her family live hours away from me, but when they had plans to be nearby, we […]

I’m so excited to share Andrew and Michelle’s wedding with you! I met them over hot chocolate a few months ago and fell in love with their story. Even though their families have known each other for years, they didn’t actually start dating until a year ago when her sister married one of his best […]

Charleston quickly won my heart with its pastel houses, Spanish moss, and cobblestone streets, and I loved getting to meet Ashley, Matt, and their three girls at Waterfront Park. I was amazed that this downtown park was just steps from the bustling city life as well as the ocean. It had incredible views of the […]

Motherhood can be beautiful, messy, exhausting, funny, and most of all worth it! With Mother’s Day in a couple weeks, I can’t think of a better time to celebrate and honor all the amazing, strong mamas out there. And so, I’m sharing 35 Photos of mothers that have inspired me and allowed me the privilege […]

This week I’m celebrating 2 years since I launched Karen Schanely Photography! It has been such an honor and privilege to be invited into so many wonderful homes and families to capture such special moments! The past two years have also taught be SO much more than I could have imagined. Here are just 5 […]

This newborn session with SIX boys was such a fun way to start my Newborn Sessions of 2019! Because it’s definitely a party with a bunch of brothers! It was so much fun to watch them go from wrestling and tickling with Dad to calmly holding and kissing their new baby brother. Baby Judah will […]