Shutter Canyon
Portraits, Films and Creative Business Education
About Shutter Canyon
A Portrait, Film, and Creative Education Studio
Shutter Canyon is a portrait and film studio based in Puyallup, Washington, serving clients throughout Tacoma, Gig Harbor, and the greater South Sound.
Founded by photographer and creative entrepreneur Tara Giles, the studio was built on a simple idea: meaningful moments deserve to be captured beautifully, and creative professionals deserve access to the tools and knowledge that help them build thriving businesses.
Today, Shutter Canyon operates across three creative pillars:
Portraits. Films. Education.
Each one supports the same mission — helping people tell their stories and build something meaningful.
Meet the Founder
Hi! I'm tara
I’ve been creating portraits since 2013, specializing in high school senior portraits and creative portrait experiences.
Over the years, my work has taken me throughout Washington and beyond, including destination senior sessions in California and Texas. One of the moments that meant the most to me personally was photographing my own son’s senior portraits — a reminder of how meaningful it is to preserve the once-in-a-lifetime milestones that pass so quickly.
My goal has always been simple:
to create photography experiences that feel relaxed, personal, and genuinely enjoyable.
Whether you’re celebrating your senior year, gathering your family for portraits, or creating visual content for your business, I guide clients through every step of the process so they feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
The Shutter Canyon Experience
Portrait sessions at Shutter Canyon are designed to feel thoughtful, relaxed, and creative from beginning to end.
We believe photography should feel effortless and enjoyable from start to finish. That’s why we take the time to get to know you, learn your style, and help you choose locations that reflect your personality and vision for the session.
From the moment you book, you’ll be guided through the preparation process — offering support with planning, wardrobe ideas, and location selection so everything feels simple and stress-free. During the session, we’ll provide gentle direction to make posing feel natural and comfortable, helping you relax in front of the camera and truly enjoy the experience.
After your session, you’ll be walked through all the ways you can enjoy your final images, whether that means selecting artwork for your home, choosing digital images to share with family and friends, or preserving your photos as keepsakes for years to come.
The goal isn’t just beautiful photos — it’s creating an experience that feels personal, memorable, and genuinely enjoyable.
Portraits, Films and Creative Business Education
Shutter Canyon was created to grow beyond a traditional photography business.
In addition to portrait photography, the studio is expanding into film projects and creative storytelling, allowing clients and brands to capture their stories in motion.
The studio also offers creative business education, providing resources, systems, and training for photographers and creative entrepreneurs who want to build sustainable, profitable businesses.
Through workshops, digital resources, and educational content, Shutter Canyon shares the strategies and creative insights that help photographers and creatives grow with confidence.
A Studio Built for Growth
Shutter Canyon represents the next chapter of Tara’s work — expanding from a solo photography brand into a creative studio built for collaboration, storytelling, and education.
While Tara continues to photograph many sessions personally, the long-term vision for the studio includes additional photographers, expanded creative projects, and educational resources for the next generation of creative professionals.
If you’re looking for portrait photography, creative film work, or resources to grow your creative business, Shutter Canyon is here to help bring your vision to life.
explore the studio
Serving the South Sound
Shutter Canyon is based in Puyallup, Washington and currently serves clients throughout:
• Tacoma
• Gig Harbor
• Bonney Lake
• Auburn
• Seattle and surrounding areas
Destination sessions and creative projects are also available.