Gilded Prairie Studios

Welcome to Gilded Prairie Studios

As your photographer, there is nothing more important to me than capturing the real you.  You are beautiful, you shine, and I can’t wait to create art you will cherish.

So let’s get real.  I’m Laura Shanks, a wife and mother, biologist by education, glamper and photography nut by passion.  I love traveling the back roads of the country, reading, cooking, gardening, crafting, old movies, a cup of coffee in the morning, and a glass of wine at the end of the day.

Photography has become something I am not whole without.  I believe in a true and authentic portrait because you are you–and that is beautiful.  I believe in traveling with an open heart and mind because there is so much wonder out there; let it pull you in.  I believe in life and love and laughter and good lenses.

I believe in creating art that is true to you and will be cherished by you now and your grandchildren in the future.  I also believe that photography is so much more than photos, it is about service.  Sessions with Gilded Prairie Studios will have you feeling spoiled at each step of our process.  I want to be more than a photographer, I want to be YOUR photographer.

We are located in Altus, Oklahoma and readily serve southwest Oklahoma and northwest Texas.  I love to travel and would love to talk about destination photography sessions.

Just Shine

Custom portraiture is an investment in your family’s story.  Portraits mark your time together, they remind us that we are loved, they show us where we’ve been, and give us hope for what is yet to come.

Sessions with Gilded Prairie Studio are fun, tailored to you, and may even include a laugh-snort or two.  We offer a range of portrait sessions: from our 30 minute in studio Classic Modern Sessions to two hour on-location sessions.  Within two weeks of your photography session, we will meet again to reveal your fully edited images and assist you in selecting and creating the art that speaks to you.  I understand the trust you place in me and I aim to exceed your expectations of your experience.   Continue reading “Portraits”

Your children are your everything.  Their childhood is so precious.  At this last stage of childhood, celebrate your tween or teen with a unique and fun party at our professional studio.  Capture the amazing person they are becoming in beautiful portraits and allow them to express themselves through group photos with their friends.
Continue reading “Parties at the Studio”

The first years of their lives are so special and those first birthdays are magical.  To capture the precious little person in your life, celebrate with a cake smash session at Gilded Prairie.  We make the day as easy for you as we can, we even provide the cake!  All you have to do is show up with that little charmer and sit back and enjoy all the silly and all the fun.  The images we create will include the details that you’ll want remember forever, the curl in her hair, his cute chubby arms, all the faces they make.  This session goes beyond remembering an incident with a cake, we capture your baby, your beautiful baby, at this first milestone. Continue reading “Cake Smash Sessions”

Our fur babies make us smile every time we see them, they bring so much joy into our lives and ask for so little.  Capture your sweet fur baby in one of our pet photo sessions.  We can arrange a session in our studio, at your home, or on location.  Create art that brings a smile to your face for years and years. Continue reading “Pet Photography”