First… we have a WINNER!! Erin Sommers will be joining us in Cincinnati and I can’t wait! There were almost 500 entries and I can’t thank you all enough for taking the time to enter… so sad we can’t just invite everyone!
Speaking of sad… I live in the NW which means I am blessed to live amongst lots of green. I take it for granted at times that my views, commutes and places I play & work are beautiful. A couple weeks ago I noticed a huge group of trees that I drive by everyday had orange tape spread throughout… within a few days all that remained were a couple of lonely evergreens spaced few and far between… with a view of the once hidden apartments now in their place. I think it hit me harder because this wasn’t a place I had taken for granted. Every time I drove through I thought how lucky I was to have that be my welcome home.
I decided to walk through the next morning, see what the ‘plans’ were (as suspected- strip malls & offices)… a man walking his dog passed me and remarked “So sad, isn’t it?”, his words were drowned by more bird sounds than I have ever heard in one place (save the bird aviary at the zoo). I instantly thought “The Lorax” (and the Swomee-Swans gathering to fly away). It was one of my favorite books to read to my kids and I felt like I was standing in it. I came home and told my kids about the trees, birds & plans and my daughter said “Mom, it’s like The Lorax. You should do a shoot to remember it before they put up all the buildings.” She was right, so I gathered my favorite little model and took a last walk through the ‘forest’ that evening…
Even bunnies were out…
beautiful skirt provided by Ritchie Rags
How would you like a free day at one of my workshops? I was talking with Lexi (from one of my favorite magazines… Lemonade and Lenses. I just recently did The August Collaboration with her!) about our upcoming workshop in Cincinnati on July 21st and we decided it would be really fun to give away a spot!! Since we are using the PunchTab entry below there are tons of ways to get entries so lots of chances to win… please just be sure you can come to Cincinnati on July 21st (although this is a transferable prize so you can gift it if you want to enter for a deserving friend). This give away is a $500 value and will end next Wednesday, June 27th so go ahead and enter as many times as you can and I will keep my fingers crossed for ya ;) Can’t wait to meet one of you!
And because no post is fun without pictures… here is another feature from the summer issue of Dreamer Journal. This one was a really fun collaboration between Peppercorn Kids & ZozoBugBaby (you’ll be seeing more of this perfect combo in the coming months) ;) Perfect summertime backyard fun…
salem | OR
clothes: ZozoBugBaby
accessories: Peppercorn Kids
art director: Kim Adams
Tania: Sigh, so thinking a trip to the US is on the cards ;) . Good luck everyone - totally jealous!! xo. (06.20.2012 07:55am)
Caroljean Strawn: I am in love with these precious children and the layout and quotes are adorable! "Who would I like to see win a seat to the workshop?" Me, of course! :) But I would love to see someone else win too! :) (06.20.2012 02:42pm)
theon: I would like to see myself win (being selfish!) But if not then someone that with a passion for photography and kids. (06.20.2012 05:57pm)
Tara S.: Me! I want to win SO badly!!! It is my hometown after all :) (06.21.2012 01:59am)
Roxana: Oh, I'm coming! [I wish! :D] Just love these photos, amazing, fresh, cheerful, what can I say more... Wonderful! (06.21.2012 07:15am)
Melissa Perry: Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be your winner! Can't wait for you to be in the Buckeye state Shannon!!! And by the way ADORE these photos! (06.21.2012 03:35pm)
Laura: I would ♥ to win a workshop lesson from you! Sending my ♥LOVE♥ (06.22.2012 01:07am)
Kristin Railton: Who would I want to see win? Of course I'd love to, but I really hope someone who normally couldn't afford to win & that it would be a true blessing to. (06.22.2012 01:08am)
laressa: I would love and appreciate this amazing opportunity!! If I don't win I would love for someone that is hard working, passionate and giving to win. (06.22.2012 01:14am)
Hannah Sorg: Who would I want to see win a seat to the workshop? Hannah Sorg (aka me, myself and I). Love the colors and expressions in these photos! My son is 5 and the idea of photographing the summer through his eyes is an idea I love and may borrow :) Thanks for the chance to win! My fingers and toes are crossed! (06.22.2012 01:18am)
Katie Fritz: I would love to win a seat! I am a new photographer...so I would love the opportunity to learn! Your work is seriously amazing!!! (06.22.2012 01:19am)
laressa: I would love and appreciate this amazing opportunity. If I would not win I would want someone that is hard working, passionate and giving to win.i (06.22.2012 01:19am)
Tamara: Love this series. Love the fonts you used too. Would you share the font names..maybe... (06.22.2012 01:23am)
Melissa a: I would love love love to win! love our work and would love to be inspired by Shannon. Keeping my fingers crossed! Good luck to everyone! (06.22.2012 01:27am)
Amanda W. Fleming: I would love to win a seat at the workshop, I've never been to a photography workshop before! (06.22.2012 01:40am)
beth bevelhymer: me! (06.22.2012 02:25am)
Soledad Mateo: This will be a dream come true (06.22.2012 03:14am)
Jen: I would love to win a seat to this workshop! (06.22.2012 03:35am)
Christi: I would love to win, of course! But am happy for anyone who has the desire to go. It's gonna be GREAT! :) (06.22.2012 03:48am)
Melissa Toma: I would love to be the one to win this seat! I just started my own photography business but still have SOOO much to learn! (06.22.2012 04:56am)
Becca Alder: Ohhhh I would LOVE to win this! What an amazing opportunity! Thanks for the chance :) (06.22.2012 03:52pm)
Anastasia: I would love to see myself ;) win a seat at your workshop!! (06.22.2012 09:48pm)
Monet: honestly, I would love to win a seat, but if not me, my dear friend Laura so she can learn amazing things. (06.23.2012 01:18am)
Brittany Thiebeau: I would LOVE to win a seat at this workshop! Love your work!!! (06.23.2012 01:55am)
nicol oot: myself!! I don't know anyone else with a passtion for photography ;) (06.24.2012 05:51pm)
Kirk: Would love it! :) (06.25.2012 06:34am)
Dana K: ME! This 'ol momma of 4 could use a creative, inspiring getaway!! :) (06.25.2012 08:10pm)
Leesa: I would ***LOVE*** to be at your workshop! I adore your images, adore zozobugbaby and would love to learn from the best!! (06.25.2012 08:12pm)
Caylee: I would love to go, but if I couldn't .....my little sister. (06.25.2012 08:19pm)
Peg: I want to send myself...Peg. It would be a blast! (06.25.2012 08:20pm)
Teri Salvino: Who would I like to see win??? Me me me. Shannon is my idol. I admire her work and would love to win and absorb as much as possible from a workshop as I could with her!!!! But if not me. Someone who loves her as much as I do. :-) (06.25.2012 08:27pm)
Dawn Shiree: I would love to win a seat in the workshop! Pretty, pretty please!! :) (06.25.2012 08:42pm)
Ellie: I'd selfishly like to win for myself. I love learning! (06.25.2012 08:48pm)
Casey: I would love to see myself win! I am trying so hard to get better and better at what I do, and have been looking for a workshop opportunity. I hope I get the chance!!! (06.25.2012 08:49pm)
Bianca Morello: ME OF COURSE! your work is just so precious! Would love to be inspired by you and learn from the best! :) but everyone deserves a chance to win! :)...still though ,pick me pick me!! haha (06.25.2012 08:49pm)
Jessica Paxson`: Me :) or my friend Jennie of Jennie Good Photographs! I know we'd both love it!!! (06.25.2012 08:50pm)
Alexis: I'm a huge lover of kids with style mixed with some fun and whimsy! Of course, I'd love to see me win, but anyone who wants to push their photography and be inspired by you would be more than worthy! (06.25.2012 09:05pm)
Sherri Y: Oh how I would love to see ME win ths great opportunity! I'm so anxious to learn more and more...I'm driving my husband crazy with this new passion of mine! (06.25.2012 09:16pm)
Amanda: Shared the giveaway on my page :) This is an amazing opportunity!! And would be a fantastic trip! (06.25.2012 09:42pm)
Jana: I also would love to win this awesome opportunity! Thank you. :) (06.25.2012 09:55pm)
Jenn: I would love to win a seat to your amazing workshop but think it would be a great opportunity for anyone who has the opportunity. Your work is beautiful and it would be fun for a pro or semi-pro and a great starting point for a beginner. Thanks so much for the opportunity. (06.25.2012 10:09pm)
Tamara: I would absolutely 'love' to win the workshop! I recently left my career as a successful Chef and delved into a career of photography! I love vintage inspired, character shoots and soak up any and all exposure! <3 (06.25.2012 11:06pm)
kristen: wow, thank you for this awesome opportunity! (06.26.2012 12:27am)
Whitney frederick: Love your work! Of course I would love to win and just so happen to be in Cincinnati visiting my father that weekend!!! (06.26.2012 01:31am)
Amelia: I would absolutely love a spot in the workshop, I am a striving photographer who is eager to learn anything I can! (06.26.2012 02:31am)
janeen Cappelletti: I would love to win! But I would also love for someone else who has never attended a workshop to win! (06.26.2012 03:06am)
Juliet Carey: I can NOT wait to meet you! YYYYAAAAAAYYYYY! (06.26.2012 02:28pm)
Candace: I have been dying to go to your workshop!! :) (06.27.2012 05:08pm)
Mallory D: Selfishly myself! This mama could use a trip, fun binding time with other photographers, and learn some new tricks! (06.27.2012 05:25pm)
Tennile: I'd LOVE to win a seat in this workshop. I live in NH, so my overall cost to attend (including travel fares) is more than half the cost of the workshop. This would really help! Or, know what else would be sweet? If you did a workshop in Boston or NH. ;) Just sayin'. (06.27.2012 06:05pm)
Sarah: Of course I Would love an opportunity to take a workshop with you! I greatly admire your work & think this to be an invaluable experience. I think any one of these entrants would deserve an opportunity to learn! (06.27.2012 08:03pm)
Day two with Rachel and we had the best shoot. Our models couldn’t have been better if I had special ordered them… cute, sweet and perfect little posers & artists. It was the perfect ending to our days :)
Corey Sewell: These are so fun! Love the colorful paint! (06.18.2012 02:19am)
Shannon: These turned out so great! You captured my kids beautifully. They are shots that will treasure for a very long time. Thank you Shannon for a wonderful experience and Sydney is constantly talking about it. I think you made her day :D (06.18.2012 02:45am)
Tania: Wow these are GREAT!! Beautiful kids and great posing and colours! Wish I knew your secrets to posing kids ;) (06.18.2012 03:25am)
MelodyA.: Adorable, as always. Love the paint idea. (06.19.2012 01:46am)
Susanne: SHANNON, I ADORE these layouts!!!! (06.26.2012 05:11pm)
A few months ago I was asked to be a part of The August Collaboration by Lemonade & Lenses Magazine. It was one crown, 15 photographers and three months of creativity. I loved the concept and could only imagine how beautiful it was going to turn out with the talent involved… it surpassed every expectation. I am so humbled and honored to be a part of something so beautiful…
And my spread (with some of the outtakes)...
This shoot could possibly go down as my craziest idea yet… I am not sure how many of you have worked with chicken wire (the base for my little deer friend) but I came out the other side looking like I got into a wee hour bar fight- in a blackberry bush and I am still finding random chunks of moss in my house and car (even after having it detailed). Yeah- thinking I should stick to the paper crafts from now on ;)
I also can’t thank Jen enough for jumping on board when the request went a little like “Hey- can you help me with a shoot? It’ll kind of involve some hiking, some mud & uh- carrying a life size moss deer down a mile or so of trails.” Not for the faint of heart and she didn’t bat an eye (okay- there may have been some hysteric laughing as we got stared at the entire afternoon). And a big thank you to Kim as well for being able to create and sew together my crazy ideas for dresses :) I am a lucky girl with an amazing network.
crown by If The Crown Fits
dress by Kim Adams
Evelyn: BEAUTIFUL!!!!! LOVE IT THIS IS SO GREAT <3 (06.15.2012 07:54pm)
Heloisa Fitzgerald: Sensacional as always! you are incredible Shannon. Cant wait to shoot with you again. I wish we were closer to volunteer. Heloisa (06.15.2012 07:57pm)
Kara Layfield: So much fun!! Love the idea and your dd looks amazing! LOVE the shoes! (06.15.2012 08:18pm)
Casia: WOW!!! Congrats and so well deserved. You always go above and beyond the concepts and I love how you push your ideas. Trying new things = WIN! (06.15.2012 08:20pm)
Kasandra: oh shannon! she is beautiful, the setting is beautiful, and you have a beautiful, creative soul! (06.16.2012 12:59am)
Tania: OMG how beautiful are ALL of these shoots! All so different but all so wonderful. You are all so lucky to have wonderful people around to inspire. Love your stuff as usual ;) (06.16.2012 12:13pm)
Roxana: Summer Princess and her deer! Loove these! So fresh and so adorable, I want to see more and more! You have an amazing team and friends, and this can be seen from the photos. :) (06.17.2012 03:09pm)
Kristin Cook: LOVE this shoot Shannon! How fun! Swooning over the last image ;) (06.17.2012 04:42pm)
Marianna Marinina: So beautiful!!!! Sensational is always is just the very right comment! (06.17.2012 08:41pm)
stephanie mcbride: shannon- you out do your self every single time. it can't be possible that you can be any more creative... images are stunning. still and always will be your hugest fan! (06.17.2012 10:10pm)
rowe: what a gorgeous series of images shannon... im so in love with that last image! (06.29.2012 12:30am)
Heather F: That last shot of your daughter, WOW I mean just freakin WOW! Now can you replicate that same shot with my 5yr old LOL I am so in love with that location, good job sister! (06.29.2012 03:59am)
photography interview with Shannon Sewell: [...] Haha- guess I can say I did it though and that’s the important thing, right? The shoot is located here_kmq.push(["trackClickOnOutboundLink","link_50a5118e88746","Article link clicked",{"Title":"located [...] (11.15.2012 04:00pm)
Sophie: Absolutely stunning, and worth every scratch from the chicken wire. :) Really gorgeous!! (11.15.2012 11:51pm)
I just spent the last two days with the loveliest photographer from Israel. I was a little nervous having someone come so far and making sure we fit every little bit in we could (and I may have asked way too many questions about her life back home. Love hearing stories from far away places. Thank you for appeasing me Rachel!!) :) It ended up being a fun, chill way to make a new friend and play behind the camera (always a good excuse for that, right?). Loved every minute!
We had one little moment of panic (okay, I had one little moment of panic) when I got a text that our models for the day car had broken down and they couldn’t come! We have the most amazing community and network of photographers here though and within 5 minutes we had three models on their way (and in the studio within 20- crazy!!) We had adorable props from Vol. 25 (you need to check them out- amazing props, templates, everything!) and super cute wardrobe from Maggie Bogart (I didn’t get a chance to shoot everything so more to come!)
Day one…
Sometimes my models aren’t overly thrilled with me… ;)
wardrobe: Maggie Bogart
props: Vol. 25
Kara Layfield: Cute kiddos and super cute clothes! Looks like a fun session! (06.14.2012 08:10pm)
Tania: Adorable! Your models always look like they have such fun with you! (except for that one shot, but man, how CUTE is that LOOK!! hahaha) (06.16.2012 12:16pm)
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Roxana: All those trees... heart-breaking! Your [and mine also] favorite model was right to shoot that before the constructions begin. Huge visual impact! A beautiful lonely girl looking over that destruction. It is impressive! (06.28.2012 07:45am)
Amy C: Beautiful, as always. I do sometimes hate "progress". We live on a nature preserve and I can't imagine if it weren't a preserve. I love hearing all the birds and trying to figure out what each one is. I love seeing the deer and bunnies. (06.28.2012 12:45pm)
Amy C: Beautiful, as always. I do sometimes hate "progress". We live on a nature preserve and I can't imagine if it weren't a preserve. I love hearing all the birds and trying to figure out what each one is. I love seeing the deer and bunnies. (06.28.2012 12:45pm)
jennifer beitchman: Sad and hauntingly beautiful. That shot of your daughter sitting in the big logs is completely swoon-worthy. (06.28.2012 06:35pm)
catherine lacey dodd: Making me very sad... (06.28.2012 06:35pm)
Tara S.: These are amazing, and your daughter is so breathtakingly beautiful. (06.28.2012 06:47pm)
renee waters: THESE are AMAZING Shannon!! (06.28.2012 06:51pm)
Rebecca Tolley-Stokes: stunning. i love them, especially the last, black and white. it has an evocative feel to it--very Dorothea Lange. (06.28.2012 07:00pm)
kim "YO ROCK STAR FRIEND": soo sad for you , yall totally rocked this shoot though (06.29.2012 03:24am)
Tania: Oh, wow. Look at the size of those trees. It's very sad. You do live in a beautiful spot, shame that people sometimes see beauty as places to shop! I still believe that everything will turn around and we'll head back to where nature is adored and service and manners are the norm. Fingers crossed! Beautiful shoot, powerful story (06.29.2012 07:43am)
Kara Layfield: So sad...yet so beautiful! (06.29.2012 01:15pm)
kasandra: i love that your daughter wanted to capture the moment ... you're obviously an amazing mother for not only instilling that compasion but also encouraging it! (06.29.2012 01:43pm)
kasandra: oh and ps ... that b/w has amazing tones!!! (06.29.2012 01:44pm)
Julie: Anyone ever told you are kinda good at this photography thing? ;) (06.29.2012 11:29pm)
Toria: This is so beautiful! A few months ago my junior high school was torn down. When I first got the news that they were soon going to, I had an idea to do a shoot there so I can always have those memories of the building. I wanted to do a shoot with children on the stairs like old times. Before I could get to it they put gates around the building making it impossible to do the shoot. I tried contacting a few people for permission to still do the shoot but no one ever responded. Needless to say, all that is there now is a big field. It makes me sad that it's gone but even more sad that I never had a chance to get those last photos before it was destroyed. I'm happy your daughter had this brilliant idea and that you were able to get the photos before the construction starts! :) (07.04.2012 08:17am)
Kelley WC: Auch a gorgeous shoot and sooo sad! :( it breaks my heart whenever they clear out trees for "progress" too. Especially when there's hundreds of buildings standing around empty from failed Best Buys and Taco Bells. Ugh :( (07.17.2012 11:56am)
sev from France: this B&W pic is stunning and the whole session is inspiring. (07.24.2012 05:34am)