Xoxo by Shelah Riley Photography

Xoxo by Shelah Riley Photography Shelah Riley is a portrait photographer based in Lancaster, PA.

Services include bo***ir, fashion and empowerment sessions


http://shelahriley.com/login.php?redirect=/bo***ir.html

I am strong“As a 5’4” petite woman, strength has always been an attitude. Because let’s be honest, compared to most huma...
03/04/2026

I am strong

“As a 5’4” petite woman, strength has always been an attitude. Because let’s be honest, compared to most humans I’m like Polly in your Pocket from the outside...cute but not super intimidating. As a young woman I carried myself with a badass attitude, a “try me” persona which I still utilize today.
With age and wisdom, I’m learning that vulnerability is a quieter side to strength. Letting down emotional walls, removing the masks and showing who you really are is STRONG.
This photoshoot let me play with the duality of strength.” - .fields_realtor

I am both/and“Each year I do this, I grapple with a theme that I want to look back on and also use to drive me forward. ...
02/27/2026

I am both/and

“Each year I do this, I grapple with a theme that I want to look back on and also use to drive me forward. Both/and resists binary thinking. I wanted photos that were monochromatic to contrast. I also (quite literally) woke up like this. A reminder that my body is art as it is.

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse. Being a Fire Ox — it predicts that under pressure and transformation, we will rise to re-establish stability, command respect, and shape a legacy rooted in wisdom. It predicts chances for recognition, authority, and a renewal through courage. I can only hope to meet that challenge head (and horns) on.

I want to give myself the gray area though too. I am allowed to be my full self within my new happy marriage, for example. I can feel joy in my personal life and also anguish over issues in the world. I can feel helplessness but also hope in my advocacy work. All of it can be both/and. I get to determine that.”

Chúc mừng năm mới 🧧🐎

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If you’re looking for flowers for a loved one or yourself, l recommend ! Nadine does absolutely beautiful work- as you ...
02/13/2026

If you’re looking for flowers for a loved one or yourself, l recommend ! Nadine does absolutely beautiful work- as you can see in her 2023
Self Love photos 🪻

“I am learning….To accept not only myself for who I am, but for where I am in my journey.That it’s okay not to be “perfe...
02/10/2026

“I am learning….

To accept not only myself for who I am, but for where I am in my journey.

That it’s okay not to be “perfect” or “passable,” because we all have our off days and don’t have to do things to appease others.

That my comfort and love of myself doesn’t have to come from society’s acceptance of who I want to be.

That it is ok to just be, and be present in the moment, and not plan the next 500 steps.

It is better to have a few people in my life who love and accept me for who I am, rather than many who tolerate me or want to suppress my expression.

I am learning to love and respect myself again.” -

I am LOUD“I remember the first time I heard “Pink Pony Club.” Beyond being the anthem of the Summer of 2025, it was sens...
02/10/2026

I am LOUD

“I remember the first time I heard “Pink Pony Club.” Beyond being the anthem of the Summer of 2025, it was sensory overload in the best way; color, movement, connection, and freedom all colliding at once. It felt like stepping into a place where everyone belonged, where individuality wasn’t just accepted but celebrated; where laughter, love, and courage filled the air. That spirit of unapologetic self-expression inspired this year’s concept shoot.

I created this series as a response to the world we live in today — a world where too many voices are muted simply for being different. Whether those differences lie in our skin color, gender identity, sexuality, faith, nationality, education, or economic standing, conformity has become the expectation, and individuality has become an act of resistance.

Through this work, I refuse to be silent. I stand with my friends, my neighbors, my family, and my community. I stand with every person who has ever been told to quiet down or blend in. To be LOUD is to rebel. To be LOUD is to resist. To be LOUD is to love.

To my friend who is trans, to my neighbor fearful of ICE, to the small business owner fighting to stay afloat, to the family member afraid to see the world differently — your voices echo here. You are not alone. You belong. You are heard, and you matter.

This series, LOUD, is more than photography; it’s a declaration. It’s the sound of democracy, diversity, and dignity captured in every frame, infused with the same fearless joy that made “Pink Pony Club” unforgettable and a reminder that we can all dance, shine, and live loudly together.” -

I am enough exactly as I am today“For a long time, I moved through the world believing I had to become more to be worthy...
02/05/2026

I am enough exactly as I am today

“For a long time, I moved through the world believing I had to become more to be worthy—more productive, more agreeable, more put-together, more healed. So I chased perfection. I chased approval.

This mantra—“I am enough exactly as I am today”—is not about giving up on growth or pretending I don’t want to evolve - I love personal development. It’s about releasing the belief that my worth is conditional. It’s a reminder that my value doesn’t hinge on how calm I am, how successful I appear, how well I’m coping, or how close I am to some ideal version of myself.

I’m allowing myself to be human - messy, quirky, and learning.” - +

02/04/2026

Meet : Artist & Host of the “Unhurried” Podcast

After her 28 Days of Self Love Session we settled in for a chat about being present, slowing down & connected with our bodies during photo sessions (and in everyday life!)

Check back tomorrow to see more photos from Kayla’s session and hear what she has to say about her affirmation: “I am enough exactly as I am today”.

“Stillness is REALLY hard for me. I love this photo because it feels like capturing me at my most vulnerable, but best, ...
02/03/2026

“Stillness is REALLY hard for me. I love this photo because it feels like capturing me at my most vulnerable, but best, self: still, content, and facing the sun.” -

Photographed in 2020 in my bedroom with natural light

Day 1 / 28We’re taking things a little slower this year. Focusing on showing love to not only ourselves, but to our comm...
02/02/2026

Day 1 / 28

We’re taking things a little slower this year. Focusing on showing love to not only ourselves, but to our communities + neighbors.

How will you show yourself love this month?

How are sharing your love with those around you?

xoxo,
Shelah

✨ 28 Days of Self Love ✨Comment below if you want me to send you the link to book! Since I’m posting this late- I’ll be ...
12/01/2025

✨ 28 Days of Self Love ✨

Comment below if you want me to send you the link to book!

Since I’m posting this late- I’ll be extending this deal until Wednesday morning 😘

Life’s funny, isn’t it?Update Part IIIf there’s one thing I would tell my younger self; It’s not to expect growth to be ...
09/12/2025

Life’s funny, isn’t it?

Update Part II

If there’s one thing I would tell my younger self; It’s not to expect growth to be linear or predictable.

When I sat down to announce that my private photo studio was closing, I found a poem that perfectly summed up how I was feeling:

“Make peace with all the women you once were.

Lay flowers at their feet.

Offer them incense and honey and forgiveness.

Honor them and give them your silence.

Listen. Bless them and let them be.

For they are the bones of the temple you sit in now.

For they are the rivers of wisdom leading you to the sea.” -

What I wasn’t expecting, was to miss some of the past versions of myself. Before my last post, I spent a lot of time scrolling down memory lane. I wasn’t expecting to vacillate between Grief and Gratitude. The life I’m loving isn’t the one I would have predicted for myself- and in perfect weird harmony- I’m returning to my truest self.

And since I promised an update, I’m happy to announce that [a few months ago] I accepted a part time position at ; a local/online Woman owned Vintage Jewelry store. In divine timing, I heard about the position from my friend & it’s been a blessing in so many ways.

This has been a wild year, and honestly, I’m here for it. From solo Art exhibits at and , to making it to NY for NYFW, and having one of my photos of in - I can’t wait to see what’s next.

One thing is for sure- I’ll still be doing photography. Next up: website update 🤍

If you’ve made it to the end of this long a** update: comment with your favorite gemstone 💎😘

2025’s been a wild ride so here’s part one of life updates:Even though I am at peace with the decision, it’s not easy an...
07/31/2025

2025’s been a wild ride so here’s part one of life updates:

Even though I am at peace with the decision,
it’s not easy and I know people may not understand: 

I’ve decided to close my studio. 

Why you may ask?

At the end of 2024/ beginning of 2025, it became very apparent to me that my career trajectory was changing. It felt like things were falling in place, and I was beginning to get clarity on my direction. 

When a studio down the hall from Leaf & Loft became available, it felt like the right time to see what I could accomplish in a space of my own. 

While I am proud of the work I have made in this space; I can’t deny that the current economic situation hasn’t had an impact.

So, it’s time for some changes:

While I will continue to do photography, it will no longer be my only source of income. I want to continue to love what I do, and in order to do that, I need to be able to give myself some financial security. I’ll continue to offer bo***ir, branding & portrait sessions on Saturdays, Sundays and select evenings/ Tuesdays.

I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me along this journey & I can’t wait to keep creating with you!

_

Limited dates and times are available for session in the private studio space.

If anyone is looking for a space for their business/ office/ music studio, etc- I love this location & space and the owners of the building are fantastic. DM me for more info and I’ll connect you!

Address

19 S Broad St
Lititz, PA
17543

Website

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About Shelah

Hi there! I'm Shelah (Shay-lah), the face behind xoxo by Shelah Riley Photography.

My favorite things in life are reading, tea, traveling, movie marathons and making people feel amazing!

About a year ago, I started to focus more on bo***ir and body positivity. I loved working with women and helping them to have fun, feel confident, and enjoy their session. This motivated me to take it to the next level, and when it became time to move, I prioritized finding a place where I could shoot bo***ir in my home.

When I am not behind the camera, I am probably exploring Lancaster in search of yummy food and drinks. I love to read, and my favorite days start with a good book and a mug of green tea. I'm obsessed with Harry Potter and LOTR, and my guilty pleasure is watching Golden Girls every morning.