Hi! I'm Shelby, the creator and photographer behind Shelby Monio Photography.

Based in Elko New Market, Minnesota, I photograph all the good stuff—couples, families, seniors, weddings, animals, and the everyday moments worth remembering. My sweet spot is anything outdoors, a little unconventional, and full of personality.

Think rustic barns, wide-open fields, dirt roads, golden-hour light, your favorite horse, a pasture full of cattle, your dog who refuses to look at the camera, or a wedding day that feels more like you than a perfectly curated Pinterest board.

My photography leans western, outdoor and lifestyle, with a special love for incorporating the animals, hobbies, places and little pieces of life that make your story yours. Whether that's an equine session, a family on the farm, a senior with their truck and fishing gear, a couple running around with their dog, or a wedding with a beer burro making an appearance—I’m here for it.

Where I’m at & where I’ll go

I’m based in Elko New Market, MN, serving the Twin Cities and surrounding Minnesota communities, and I'm always willing to travel for the right session. If you have a location in mind, a family farm you love, or a spot that's worth the drive, let's talk.

Sessions located more than 20 miles outside of Elko New Market are subject to a travel fee based on mileage.

You might be my kind of client if...

You'd rather be outside than in a studio. You don't mind a little dirt on your boots. You want your horse, cattle, dog, cat or other four-legged family member included. You have a hobby you want to bring into your session. You want your wedding to feel relaxed and personal instead of overly posed. Or you simply want photos that feel like your actual life, not a staged version of it.

If that sounds like you, we're probably going to get along just fine.

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I don't really have a core memory of when I started photography. All I remember is constantly grabbing my mom's camera and taking pictures of the many animals around our house. I graduated from New Prague High School in 2020 as part of the pandemic class. During high school, I took both film and digital photography classes, but I truly fell in love with photography when COVID pushed us into online learning. Suddenly, I was completing all of my photography projects from home. Instead of following a lesson plan in a classroom, I had the freedom to create, explore, and photograph what inspired me. That's when photography became more than just a class—it became a passion. My first sessions were my cousin's senior photos and my best friend's engagement photos. From there, I photographed more family and friends before deciding to officially launch Shelby Monio Photography in 2021.

While I am incredibly grateful for my photography business, my true loves are my animals, hunting, and the western way of life. Pay me in animal cuddles, hay bales, or permission to hunt private land, and we'll call it even.