So I have a few of these mentoring sessions under my belt and I have to say that I am having sooo much fun! I have had the nicest, most down to earth, talented people come to me and I have to say it is such a humbling experience. When I started this photography journey- in awe of the crazy talent, the abilities of all these people I found online, in person- I NEVER thought I would ever make it to a place that I could be in a place to help out other new and aspiring photographers. I love how it has come full circle. I owe everything to the wonderful photographers in my life that have given me tricks, tidbits, encouragement, inspiration… Truly, the more people I get to know in our community the more I am just so impressed and inspired by the incredible people in our industry.
A couple of weeks ago I got to hang out with Stephanie McBride. This girl is so cute & talented & fun… and I am kicking myself because, once again, I forgot to get a picture! argh :( We did, however, get some adorable images of this cute little blondie during our mentoring shoot. We played in full sun, some fun urban stuff, a ‘studio’ session (be sure to check out Stephanie’s versions, I didn’t want to post mine after I saw hers!).
Last month I got to go on a ‘business’ trip to Minneapolis. Yes, it was business. Technically I was hired to come for a shoot of the wonderful Michael B… honestly though, it was so much fun I almost forgot it was business. Not only is Michael an amazing photographer, he is one of the most fun/sweet guys you’ll ever meet (yes girls, he is single… ;) ) He showed me Minneapolis, introduced me to some other fabulous photographers (Sally & Eliesa- Blu’s Girl of the year!) and, well, was just the most awesome host a girl could ask for!
I fell in love with his adorable (SUPER adorable) children. His little girl is honestly the sweetest thing I have ever met and his son is boy through & through and I couldn’t love him more for it!
Without further ado…
lisa m.: shannon, the images of michael and his children are amazing...you totally captured every beautiful element of them and what an amazing father michael is to his babies...its ALL fab!! I loves it!! (08.27.2008 09:35pm)
Jamie Sampson: He is cute and his kids are adorable. MAH-VEL-OUS photography, but honestly could you do anything else? You rock! Hope you have a happy week! (08.27.2008 09:37pm)
Kara May: Sigh....love these. Adorable kidlets and what a hip dad. Fabulous session! (08.28.2008 05:16am)
cindy cieluch: NO WAY!!!! I'm dyin' over how ridiculously CUTE/INCREDIBLE these are. The one of the little girl with her hand on her hip made me stop and SMILE - way too much cuteness....and the ones of the boy with the hat & then Michael with the hat are PERFECT. Love the family...love the chair...love the locations. And I can back up just how awesome Michael is! I was freezing cold at a WPPI party...and he literally gave me the shirt off his back so I could warm up. Complete gentleman. Again, fun shoot Shannon...fun way to kick off my morning... (08.28.2008 07:06am)
janice: like this shoot a lot, but, uh, yeah...he's a hottie!!! ooh. --janice (08.29.2008 12:56am)
Sara Blanco: oh my, i LOVE every single image! you are truly one of the most talented photographers i've seen. i can't get over how perfect this session is...everything down to fact that all three of them are wearing chucks! i love it! (08.29.2008 02:10pm)
Braeden: I think I can confidently say you are the best children's photographer alive. (08.30.2008 10:16pm)
willow: omg shannon, just stop!!! this bunch of cuteness, fun, sweet, stylish, peeps...i cant stand it!!! i want to reach through this monitor and grab a piece of it!!! :) how fab that you created these images for mr michael b-he's got good genes :) and a great smile-that hat one is tah-die-for!! (09.01.2008 10:16am)
Maya: Could they be any cuter? All of them of course! (09.01.2008 10:02pm)
Bea: Hey Shannon! Jack and Ella's mom here. How cool are you!? this is just awesome stuff! Can't say enough about how beautiful your work is and how unproductive my workday is going to be due to staring at them in awe instead of working... Ok so you did have some amazingly cute subjects (mom clears throat)but the real question is ... really how much work did you put into Michael's photo :-)... oh ok, I am kidding!! ;-) Thanks for the beautiful pics!! (09.02.2008 08:55am)
Lynn@CHRIS+LYNN: Totally, completely, utterly awe-inspiring! (09.05.2008 10:14pm)
Ed Atrero: Hey Shannon!!! These are so rad. I love those shots showing that attitude. Keep rocking it, homie! (09.10.2008 12:13pm)
eliesa: Shannon, these are SO great! Thanks for coming to Minnesota - you are welcome anytime! eliesa (09.11.2008 08:13am)
Casey Warren: Wow, these are sooo nice. The edits are totally rad, and the kids look like they are having a blast. Likin, the first shot, lol. Love the expressions. The B+W are brilliant as well. (09.15.2008 01:32am)
Senior sessions… they always end up being some of my favorites. It usually means willing subjects (yay!) so we have fun, try new things, roam, laugh, visit, change clothes A LOT…
I actually just did this Seniors sister last year. We went to pretty much the same locations so it was fun for me to look back and see how similar/different I shoot in a year’s time. If nothing else, the blog has definitely improved! ;)
maggie: These are STUNNING -- love all the vastly different poses, angles, & locations! It's obvious you two had fun and she seems so at ease with you. I can't wait to meet you soon, Shannon! :) (08.23.2008 02:20pm)
wrecklessgirl: beautiful! the water images are really fun and unique--by that i mean...something that's not overdone. really cute for senior pics! (08.23.2008 04:31pm)
Jenifer: OH these are all so gorgeous shannon. I absolutely love the last one in the water! Awesome. (08.23.2008 11:28pm)
janice: I have to chime in with major kudos on the shots in the water as well...there's something about those shots. Totally simple, with the buildings far, far off. The rocks are beautiful. The dress she's wearing is perfect. The ones with her hair up are so great. Senior shots have come so far since 1987!!! --janice (08.24.2008 12:03am)
Linnea: Beautiful pictures. I always enjoy your blog. (08.24.2008 02:19pm)
Cindy: You are so dang incredible that you make grass look awesome. BEAUTIFUL shoot. Gorgeous girl...and the feel, angles, colors, poses, everything matches her just right! (08.24.2008 09:43pm)
Annie Patrick: I love these! The skin tones are amazing! I love the 5th one. They are so clean and simple. I love coming to your blog for inspiration! (08.25.2008 08:41am)
nathalie: wow!! simply stunning. i guess you hear that a lot! hugs to ya! (08.26.2008 01:43pm)
Jamie Sampson: You rock! Your photography rocks! All of them are amazing but the second one from the top is my fav, I love her super happy laughing face! She is GORGEOUS! (08.27.2008 12:32pm)
This lovely family donated their time to Jared and I when I was in Dallas for his mentoring session. And they were such troopers, so sweet, nice… one of their little girls got sick in the car on the way over, one outfit destroyed :(. And it was hot, did I say hot? Yeah, Dallas heat… this NW girl is not used to it ;) You wouldn’t have known it was anything other than perfect though, they stepped up to the task and performed like rock stars. Thank you so much guys. I’m so glad I got to meet you!
stephanie mcbride: lovin the one of the little girl holding her toes and the bws above that pic. you always have a way with capturing the best in people! (08.19.2008 10:42pm)
janice: uh, i'll "donate" time to you anytime you'd like. :) but, it'd truly be a donation to me, not you, believe me....lovin' the mellow colors they all chose to wear. worked really well with the settings you guys chose. --janice (08.19.2008 11:49pm)
elizabeth: These are fantastic Shannon I always find so much inspiration in your work and you can tell everything you do is taken with love (08.20.2008 10:31am)
Jocelin: Your images are just so beautiful! I love your blog. These little girls and family are so cute! (08.20.2008 08:58pm)
willow: omg girly grabbing her toes, toooo cute! love dad with the girls, that is so important. you really feel the energy of their family... (08.24.2008 05:32pm)
I actually had 3 shoots when I was out in Dallas last month. I also did Mr. Fred Egan. I got together with him & his boys for a bit the last day I was there. We got to hang out & play before my dash to catch my plane home. His boys, as you can see, are about the cutest things you could lay a camera on. Got me wrapped around their little fingers… basic hook, line & sinker. And Fred, well I’ll let you be the judge of that… ;)
Melissa McClure: What cuties! (Fred too) Great shots Shannon! (08.14.2008 07:20pm)
wrecklessgirl: cute :) (08.14.2008 07:41pm)
Kara May: Great shots, handsome boys, and I'm lovin' their spirit. (08.14.2008 08:40pm)
bobbi+: Shannon, you're such an amazing photographer. Oh, and those boys of Freds... SOOOO CUUUUUTE!!!! They both look SO much like their daddy! LOVE LOVE LOVE! ~bobbi (08.14.2008 09:31pm)
lroah: You just made Fred's year. These rock. (08.14.2008 09:39pm)
Kathy Carlisle: I can't believe how dang close these guys are in age! It looks like they had a blast with you. I can't believe the variety you got in such a SHORT time! Killer....cuties! K (08.14.2008 10:10pm)
Willow: my fave is the very last one. i like how dad and bro are framing him in, its perfect. actually, i take that back, i like the one with the two boys back to back where they're both smiling if i could only pick one...i can change my mind :) (08.14.2008 10:51pm)
Jamie Sampson: Oh my goodness! These are amazing! I love the personality they all have and that very special Shanon-ness that is so evident in your work. YOU ROCK! Hope you have a happy weekend! (08.15.2008 07:12am)
cindy cieluch: Are you for real!??!? I'm in love with this shoot. My fave: Fred doing bicep curls with his boys. Just perfect...his sons are scrumptiously adorable and this session completely shows them off in a fun, boyish way. And the one of his son kissing Fred made me smile... (08.15.2008 11:39am)
Laura E: WOW! Those little boys are absolutely adorable, and your photography is amazing! The very first picture is my favorite, followed quite closely with the bicep curls picture. Well done! (08.15.2008 11:52am)
one love photo: What a bunch of cuties. Great shoot! Love the location and their outfits. (08.15.2008 11:12pm)
stephanie mcbride: i'm really diggn the last ones where the little man is peeking out behind the dad and also have to agree with willow and those little guys back to back... keep that talent oozing over :) maybe it'll filter down to utah, haha :) you're amazing. (08.16.2008 08:19am)
Christina: Wonderful images :) I can't decide which one is my favorite... Which theater is that, I just can't place it off the top of my head! I'm wanting to say Grapevine?!?! (08.18.2008 02:04pm)
FRED EGAN: T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U :D (08.19.2008 10:55am)
Elle J: I love all the lollipop shots. :) Great photo session ~ those little boys are so cute ~ up and coming models! (08.20.2008 10:17am)
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stephanie mcbride: i am bubbling over here, seeing my name on your blog, and as soon as i post i am printing this post and hanging it on my wall.... you are so kind, talented, amazing....and so much more. i have learned so much from you. thanks again truly for taking the time to share some of your knowledge and love of the photo world with me. it rocked my world :) and these images, take my breath away. -forever a blog stalker...haha (08.31.2008 04:49pm)
Charity: i love them i have been anxiously awaiting the images! Next up mar mar ;) great job shannon! (09.01.2008 09:08am)
elizabeth: Shannon... these are amazing what a beautiful girl.. each one of these tells a story and makes me smile (09.08.2008 08:34am)
Ginnie: Seriously, this little girl is absolutely breathtaking. These images are so refreshing and wonderful! LOVE THEM! (09.10.2008 04:27pm)