Since moving to Florida in 1989 Shirley has specialized in portraits of children, high school seniors, families, and family pets. Included in her portfolio are photographs she has taken for local clients such as Sarasota Main Street LLC, developer of high rise condominiums in downtown Sarasota, and The Sarasota Ballet Association.

Shirley studied with the late Monte Zucker, who was honored by the United Nations as Portrait Photographer of the Year 2002. Shirley has the same energy and enthusiasm as he had for producing portraits that capture the natural beauty of a subject, and , one that will be treasured throughout the years to come.