I have a bit more to share from Tennessee… I got to spend the afternoon playing in the woods with a little boy. We explored the woods, splashed in the creek, dressed up and played just like a kid should. Shoots like these are exactly why I do what I do… there is something about digging into the minds of kids (I tell you, they are way more interesting than any grown ups around) ;) We wander, chat, joke, pause… and I get to watch eyes light up when they get to take on new personas and they realize that we are there for the sole reason of capturing how amazing they are.
I’d like to introduce you to one of the most cute & articulate little men I’ve had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with in a long time…
and his talented mama made these… he was SO adorable when he put on this outfit. He took it very seriously ;)
gatlinburg | TN
I just spent the last week in Tennessee. We went from Nashville (the perfect combination of yummy food, fantastic live music & great company) up to Gatlinburg (an amazing lodge retreat in the middle of the Smokey Mountains). Spending the day in the mountain air with a group of amazing women (the babbling creek and campfire made it almost surreal) was just what the doctor ordered. I can’t thank Misty enough for having me out or Jen for being the perfect travel companion…
and, of course, our adorable little models…
gatlinburg | TN
Kristin Cook: These are precious! Love the styling w/ the boy in boots! (05.04.2012 09:33pm)
sonya: i really love every thing about these photos! the models, colors, location! awesome! (05.04.2012 11:03pm)
Kelsey: Oh man! Love the boy and the tree! (05.05.2012 12:36am)
Tania: These are gorgeous as usual. I so, so love the way you embrace sun and shoot with it. I could only dream to try! Hope you had fun! xoxo (05.05.2012 11:30am)
melody dowdy photography: i had a fabulous time in tennessee & i came home both inspired and challenged. thanks for sharing your gifts with us!!! i would highly recommend your workshop. (05.05.2012 12:51pm)
Tara S.: ooh, i love, love, love these pics! the shots of the boy hanging from and behind the tree put a big smile on my face. the frog, too :) i need to send you a pic of the canvases i had printed for my living room. i look at them and think of you every single day :) (05.05.2012 07:08pm)
Kasandra: I love these and I loved spending the day with you ... you're exactly how i had envisioned you to be ... kind, smart, and real ... thanks for sharing so much with us! When Abe and I got in the car, he said, 'well that was a good day ... i got to play in the stream all day and you made new friends' ... he's completely right! (05.08.2012 01:29pm)
more workshop fun » bonny and blithe photography: [...] to learn from her. Her work astonishes me. So a week or so ago I spent all day at a workshop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with several other photographers absorbing her philosophy and approach to working with and styling children’s portraiture at [...] (05.11.2012 07:57pm)
I am spoiled. Kim & Alyssa came again to help me out with a shoot (I don’t know what I will do with myself on my own again!). If you love the props, be sure to check out the Prop Shop (Kim’s new baby where she will be selling all of her amazing creations), they’ll be there.
Jenn Davenport drove up from Kalama to hang out for the day. I just love when you meet someone that you instantly connect with (even better when they live on my side of the country!). She was an absolute delight and we had such a fun day hanging out, talking shop & playing in the studio. Thank you for coming and I can’t wait until we can do it again… :)
styling: Kim Adams from The Prop Shop Market
hair & make up: Alyssa Underwood
Tania: Ah, too cool for school! Haha. Great shoot. All your models just ooze cool :) (04.26.2012 03:24am)
Juliet Carey: I absolutely adore everything about this!! OMG the bull dog...precious...the girls...INSANELY precious! LOVE! (04.26.2012 03:45am)
Kara Layfield: Very Cool!! OMG your DD looks so much older here. :) (04.26.2012 07:01pm)
Rachelle codd: This is an awesome shoot! i love the colors and the girls' hair is super cute!!! Nicely done! (05.01.2012 04:53am)
renee waters: This is so fun!! I have been trying to find a light fixture for a while now to paint. Love your work as usual! (05.02.2012 08:35pm)
Becky: Love all the bright colours!! That LOVE sign is the bomb!! (05.05.2012 05:55pm)
Janee: so cute love the lighted love sign (05.05.2012 06:44pm)
I am a specialized children’s photographer. If you can drive a car or a pack of smarties and a temporary tattoo aren’t the way to your heart, I am probably not the girl for you ;) And, I have to say, I really like it that way. There is one genre though that makes me change my tune… artists. I adore shooting artists (photographers, musicians, you name it… I’m there). There is a different energy, a different story to capture…
I was lucky enough to take a break from my normal work this week and meet back up with Stephan from City Squirrel (he has new bandmates now which quadrupled the fun) :) You can check out their music, upcoming show dates and everything else here.
And meet them right here…
Tania: Shannon, I so love this! I love that you shoot what makes your heart sing!! These images rock. I love them. And surely NOBODY turns down a pkt of smarties, no matter how OLD they are ;)! xo (04.20.2012 08:37am)
sara: two words: super cool. (04.20.2012 08:56am)
Kara Layfield: Very cool!! I love the one of the 4 of them in from of th ivy wall. (04.20.2012 03:22pm)
Kathy: This is amazing as always! I love that even though your colors are a little richer and your contrast is a little more contrasty, the joy and happiness in your children's pictures still show up in these! Wonderful! (04.20.2012 03:25pm)
Ronnie: Love 'em :) Great captures as always and it's always good to break away from the norm :) (05.14.2012 08:58am)
Where do I start? I am so excited to share this shoot with you. You remember my little Frida girl? Well, her big sister is a HUGE Audrey Hepburn fan. Just a couple of weeks ago I had mentioned it to my amazing cohort, Kim and (of course) she finds a whole slew of Audrey inspired goodies within a week. It just happened to coincide with Denise flying in from Japan for her mentoring day with me so… it was a date! Denise and I have been talking forever about getting together. The distance between here and Japan was a bit of a hurdle though so as soon as she found out they were moving back to the states we HAD to get it on the calendar (she will be moving to Vegas for anyone interested in a session with her!). So, we got our gorgeous model (I adore working with this family) and had an Audrey extravaganza! Didn’t Alyssa do an amazing job on hair/make-up? So perfectly Audrey :) 
styling: kim adams
hair & make-up: alyssa underwood
vancouver | WA
PS… the winner of the Vol. 25 give away is Jessica from Refuge Photography!!! :)
Jen: Ahhhh I love this so much! SUCH a big Audrey fan. I love that you did a few different looks! (04.12.2012 04:30pm)
sarah: These are SO fun! Love the different set ups/locations, costumes, and of course, your creative shots! She's beautiful! (04.12.2012 05:22pm)
Roxana: I love Audrey and this is just unbelievable! She is such a beautiful young lady! Amazing job, looks like magic came out of your camera once again Shannon! (04.12.2012 05:38pm)
julie brazeau: Love this shoot! Totally awesome! You did it again Shannon! You're the bomb!!!Bomdigydy!!! (04.12.2012 10:40pm)
Tania: Oh, I SO love this!! Love all of them, and how stunning is she?!!! Beautiful! Love the Moon River shots! xoxo (04.13.2012 07:40am)
Becky: LOVE this whole shoot, but I especially love the pics in the window! (04.13.2012 04:34pm)
jeramie ritchie: PERFECT! WOW! What more can I say?! (04.17.2012 02:13am)
Jocelin: love! love! love! (04.23.2012 07:04pm)
Kari: If this window is part of your regular studio, I'm gonna be soooooo jealous!!!! ♥ Fabulous shots as always! (04.24.2012 01:01am)
Joan: You and Audrey are amazing!!. Great work, Shannon. (04.28.2012 01:56pm)
renee waters: She is perfect.... I love Audrey too!! Sabrina is one of my true favorites! (05.02.2012 08:37pm)
Tania: Gah, adorable!!! xo (05.09.2012 03:36am)
Jess Cudzilo: holy crap, amazing! (05.09.2012 05:06am)
Roxana: Spending time with kids is always rewarding! Letting them be who they really are and taking a peak into their souls... that is a gift! Wonderful images, lovely lovely boy! (05.12.2012 08:04pm)