You know what the best kind of present is? Ones that captures love & emotion & that can last forever…
I have had a couple of people over the years purchase gift certificates for friends and family. Last Christmas this amazing family’s sister bought them a session with me. We finally were able to hook up and make it happen. They were adorable & so much fun to spend the afternoon with. And I am super excited that I get to give them something that means so much…
And just to stay on the whole giving theme… I have an adorable outfit from Lillipops Designs to give one of YOU. Remember this cute little number?
Well- the shirt, skirt & cummerbund (size 6) will go to a random commenter here! Just make sure you’ve ‘liked’ Lillipop’s page and friended me (just make a note that you are a blog follower on your friend request) and leave me a comment below. I will pick a winner Thursday (10/27) night!! Not gonna stop there… she has a precious Holiday line up right now (perfect time for those Christmas card shots) and if you order now through Nov. 10th with code HOLIDAY11, you get free shipping!
portland | OR
If you have run into me in the past 5 months you’ve noticed that I have a new addition…
to my face.
Yep- I am old enough to need wrinkle cream and I decided that was the perfect time to do a little throwback to the teen years and get braces (I keep telling myself it makes me look younger- not dorkier) ha ;)
I have WAY more respect for all those kids sporting these things… smiling is awkward, eating is messy/painful/gross, flossing is nearly impossible (best purchase ever would be this) and (though I’ve gotten over this part) it has been the first time in my life I have woken up in my own pile of drool (yeah- super sexy… I know ;)) and last, but not least, the inside of my mouth closely resembles tenderized meat at any given time. BUT- all that said… five months later I have STRAIGHT teeth. They weren’t horribly crooked before but break-the-floss tight. I am sooo happy to say that is no more. I still have a few months to go but- wow… super impressed and happy with the results. I have to admit, I never would have done this if it hadn’t been for photography… not the in front of the camera pretty smile type photography, but the behind the camera and I have amazing clients types photography. The Moses family has been clients for years and when I finally got off my duff to go into the office and see Dr. Moses, it was a no brainer. His staff is amazing- sweet, friendly and helpful. He has made the whole process quick and easy. Heck, I am so happy we are going to start the whole process over with my son!
I went to pull an image of my ‘before’ teeth. Apparently I didn’t like them very much because I have about two pictures with them showing. If you look close though you can see my wonky front tooth and my new & improved smile…
please excuse the iPhone pic… wrecklessgirl took the other, hard to compete ;)
Wondering where I am going with this story? Well, it was my lead up to introduce you to my wonderful orthodontist and his adorable family :) We hung out on Sauvie Island for a bit last weekend and did this…
If you live in the area and want him to make your teeth pretty too, just click here ;)
sauvie island, portland | OR
Sara from L.A.: You are brave beyond words. You go girl. My parents couldn't pay for mine til college. I tried to convince myself all those years that the giant gap between my two front teeth were EXACTLY like Lauren Hutton's. I hated them. Needless to say, the day they came off was top 5 happiest days of my life. You'll be so glad when you are done. And your ortho looks simply charming so that should make things brighter. Once again, you go girl... (10.04.2011 02:56am)
Scarlette: Beautiful. You, your teeth, the photos, the Moses, orthodontics...all of it. Loves. S. (10.05.2011 02:29am)
Jennifer beitchman: Is it weird that I'm jealous? I had braces as a teen and straight teeth for years and years after that. But they have slowly gotten SO crooked in the past several years and I HATE it! I desperately want braces again! good for you, Shannon! (10.05.2011 03:56am)
Ellie A.: ROCK on w/ the braces crew! (that's what I use to say w/my friends since we had them Senior yr. H.S. Needless to say My Senior pic has the "smile" you know the one of HMM HECK no your not gonna have them shining instead of me LOL... Although I am thankful for them Now as I hear oh what a pretty smile you have why thank you & Dr. Petterson :) (10.06.2011 05:35pm)
Amy: WASSSSUP BRACE FACE? I love it..your choppers look sick! I love it...can't wait to see them all shiny and new! I remember the day my freshman year in high school when I got mine off.....so slippery and permagrin! Enjoy....... (10.06.2011 10:15pm)
Janee: My daughter was looking at your blog with me...Oh this is her life right NOW..as of 3 days ago she became MIss Brace-Face. I keep telling her someday it wont hurt to eat...and you willl smile again..I promise! Way to go getting braces..you look beautiful ...and I LOVE the pic of the ortho and his wife....awww its so presh! (10.08.2011 08:06am)
Lesley: You look gorgeous, with and without braces! But I do agree, it's hard to compete with Kristy's work..she's amazing! :) (10.11.2011 11:39am)
Becky: Good for you! Braces are awesome! I had braces in grade 10 and it was the best thing I ever did...I love my smile! Is that vain? lol. I figure I should love it though because my mom paid good money for it ;) (10.19.2011 01:22pm)
I just got back from my first trip to Ontario. I got to roam around a bit… started in Toronto where I hung out with Elizabeth and her adorable family (thank you so much for having me guys!!) Then I headed on to St. Mary’s to spend time with some of the most fabulous ladies I know (all that in the next blog post) ;)
Other than missing the convenience of turning to my iPhone for every need (dang international rates), I absolutely adored it. I learned that Canada has way better planes (USB ports, outlets & touch screen TV’s makes traveling très agréable). Speaking of… I also learned that the 4 years I spent in French class had virtually no lasting effect and that Canadians are very sweet people- except when they drive… got a defensive driving crash course downtown Toronto. No worries though- totally aced it :) Really though- beautiful country, city, people… the whole package.
A little snippet from my first day…
toronto | ON CANADA
Elizabeth Fulton: I cannot stop looking at these photos Shannon! We love them so much! (09.29.2011 11:52am)
Amy C: These are adorable!! Great color! (09.29.2011 01:41pm)
zalaine: Sounds like you had a great time. What sweet memories you have made for these guys! Cute as can be. Heard that the US is 26th in the world in interent speed. Romainia is ahead of us, crazy. (09.29.2011 03:27pm)
Dina: Ahhh...I can't believe you were so close to where I live and I somehow missed out! Bummed that I let this opportunity slip through my fingers. Beautiful images, as always, always! (09.29.2011 04:08pm)
The Detailed Life: I only just heard of you recently... glad I found another nearby photographer's blog to follow. lovely work. (09.29.2011 08:25pm)
Hilary: I am thinking a family shoot is in order next August for us! Wow. Wow. Wow. Fantastic!!!!! (09.30.2011 01:35am)
First off- because there are 330 of you waiting to know and because I need to end this give away (my approve button on my blog is getting tired!) We will start with the fun stuff- giving away a bag!!
DRUMROLL…
the winner of the Kelly Moore bag is Rachel Allison. Congratulations!!! Email me and I will tell you how to get your bag :)
Be sure to read to the end of the post… another amazing give away for you families!!
Now- it is time to get back to work :) I just spent the last week road tripping through Montana, Canada, Idaho & Washington. I got to finally meet Kelli Trontel in person (just as marvelous as I had pictured her!!) and visit her at the Red Caboose (coziest, cutest, BEST little coffee/frozen yogurt house I’ve been in). If you are anywhere near Whitefish MT you need to find it :) If you don’t already know her, you might recognize Kelli and her husband from their recent appearance on HGTV (one of the few times I really regret not having cable). Kelli and I… (and yes… I always look stoned in pictures orrr maybe I do in real life too??? haha)…
We will be hitting up Whitefish again… such a cute, friendly city.
Second stop was Calgary where I got to hang out with Ms. Short & Sweet… Dana Pugh. I adore this talented lady and once a year in Vegas is not enough. No pictures of us but there will be a whole post dedicated to her adorable kiddos in the next couple of days! (gotta finish this post so I can edit- yay!!)
Such beautiful scenery through Montana and Canada…
We also made a pit stop at Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho. I had never heard of it before and was expecting a permanent state fair (I have been spoiled by having Disney trips my whole life… everything else is unfairly compared- ha) It totally surpassed though! It had great rides jambed into a fairly small, easy to navigate park and my kids thought the water park was the best part of the whole trip ($42 for both parks was good for me too- take that Disney) ;)
The distance covered in the time allotted though left a LOT of hours in the car. Pretty sure the car and hotel rooms were where we spent more than half the time. If it weren’t for the Solars there could have been some really unhappy kids. Before we left we bought the Adventure in a Box. It was the best $129 bucks spent on this trip.
I do look quite good in a mustache (if I do say so myself) :D
The goodness started before the trip even started with the Happy Family Movement emails (fun ideas to easily incorporate into your day that keeps your routines from being… well, routine). They know how to illicit giggles, laughs & all around good times. The Road Trip kit started with a manual that walks you through your planning process from beginning to end. It included choosing where to go, what to pack (and what to leave behind), how to make the most of each day, and what to do when everything goes south all at once. (Hint: it involved their very best pulled-over-by-the-side-of-the-road-game.). The Road Trippin’ box includes activities with detailed instructions. Lots of ‘em. All wrapped up and assigned for specific times of day during a seven-day road trip (we modified and used it over 5 days in the car- worked perfect!). My kids loved having these little surprises to look forward to and excuses to stop and have some fun during the boring. The activities are great for little to big kids… it is genius (I love that I didn’t have to do any planning- just opened the box once we were on the road!). A little sneak peek of what ya get…
And guess what? The Solars are giving away one of these kits to a lucky reader!! All you have to do is comment to let me know you want entered in the random drawing :) I will announce the winner Wednesday night.
And even better? If you can’t wait and want buy one right now all you have to do is enter ‘sewell’ at checkout and they will give you $30 off!
Back to good ole photo posts this week!
whitefish | MT
banff | AB Canada
Deborah: Please enter me in the drawing for the Road Trippin' box. Yea! (08.14.2011 10:10pm)
Shayna Shipley: I'd love to win this kit! How fun!!! (08.14.2011 10:28pm)
Kelsey: Such a cool road trip idea! I'd love to be included in this drawing! (08.14.2011 10:44pm)
ayesha: Omg how cool would love to be entered (08.14.2011 11:04pm)
Nicole Voth: Oh man! Our family would love to win this! (08.14.2011 11:32pm)
Heidi Lawson: Okay, that adventure in a box looks like the coolest. thing. ever. Sign me up to win. (08.14.2011 11:39pm)
michelle e.: New adventures?? Sign me up!! I'd love to start some new fun on our road trips!! (08.14.2011 11:54pm)
Angela F.: Looks like a lot of fun. I love roadtrips....... (08.15.2011 01:28am)
Alexandria: Road trippin in a box - what an awesome idea!! Enter me in please!! (08.15.2011 01:32am)
Kelly: please. please. please. would love one! I adore their music for happy people picks and look forward to the emails every week and would be thrilled to try a road trip : ) (08.15.2011 01:33am)
natalie millard: Please! I would love a road trip box :) and you look like a super awesome loving mommy! way to go (08.15.2011 01:44am)
jodie: What an AWESOME adventure kit! I've never heard of it before and we're already dreaming up our first road trip for next summer! How perfect! Thanks Shannon! (08.15.2011 01:57am)
Tami W.: I would love to win this! I've been following them on their adventures and I'd love to do this my own little family. Thanks! (08.15.2011 02:06am)
Kris ALINO: Please enter me Love Happy Family and love the box!!!- going road trippin soon and with 2 boys I'm a gonna need one!!! (08.15.2011 02:08am)
Rosemary Gustin: I want the road trip in the box, and I heart the Solars! :) (08.15.2011 02:27am)
Amanda Lipsey: Oh man i have been wanting to check those out! So cool! (08.15.2011 02:38am)
Kate: I love the Solar's Happy Family Movement!! They are so awesome!! I'd love to have a kit, looks fun! (08.15.2011 03:23am)
Marcie: I'd LOVE this for our family road trip down to Disney World in November!! (08.15.2011 03:34am)
Kyle O'Neill: I would so love to have on of the Solar's Road Trip Adventure In a Box! They have so many fun little ideas to keep the road part of a trip entertaining! (08.15.2011 03:36am)
Prescilla: Please enter me into the drawing. I would love to win! I've been wondering what was in there, thanks for sharing and explaining it. (08.15.2011 03:52am)
Chrissi Richards: and we've even got a road trip coming up! :) (08.15.2011 04:10am)
Allison Waken: Congratulations Rachel! LOVE the Happy Family Movement! (08.15.2011 04:11am)
Courtney: we would LOVE to win this!!! i love road trips, but haven't taken one as a family yet! (08.15.2011 04:34am)
Samantha: That definitely sounds cool. Would love to win! (08.15.2011 04:44am)
Echo Dannelle: We've been seriously considering taking a road trip this fall. We're not really sure where to, lol. But this would be awesome to win! Echo Dannelle echodannelle[at]gmail.com (08.15.2011 04:48am)
Gina P.: I could have used this road trip kit last week! I'll have to save it for my next road trip if i win :) (08.15.2011 05:22am)
Jessie Emeric: totally planning on getting this already for our next road trip, winning one, would be awesome! thanks :) (08.15.2011 05:42am)
cheryl: please count me in! looks like fun for all! (08.15.2011 11:57am)
Kristi: Ooh, that's awesome! Would love to win! (08.15.2011 01:16pm)
shari: Oh, I'm all about the Happy Family Movement!! Love their work, their products, and their fun family blog. Would love to win this for our future road trips! (08.15.2011 01:24pm)
JIll: What a cute kit! I'd love to win one of them! (08.15.2011 01:39pm)
Caroljean Strawn: Looks like you guys had a blast! Would love to enter to win one of those kits for family fun on our next trip...great idea! (08.15.2011 02:43pm)
Ellie A.: How fun is that little box! Please throw my name into the bowl :) (08.15.2011 03:27pm)
Jennifer: YEA! I would so love one of these :) (08.15.2011 04:44pm)
Erica Reed: Oooh! Pick me! I'm a road-tripper by heart, and unfortunately, my daughter is not. This would probably help! :) (08.15.2011 05:02pm)
Jeannine: I would love this...my kids are technology junkies in the car! Something different for them to do! Please enter me! (08.15.2011 06:38pm)
Danielle: OH Totally want this!! :) LOVE. (08.15.2011 06:43pm)
Phillipa: What a great way to have an adventure...sign me up! (08.15.2011 10:11pm)
zalaine: Have friends who live in Whitefish and that you were in my home state, hope you had a wonderful time and we treated you guys right! The trip kit looks so cool. We are living for the Oregon Coast in a bit, how fun would this be? (08.15.2011 10:29pm)
kim lowery: Yes please! (08.16.2011 02:45am)
Jessica Slingerland: I would love to be entered to win this! It would be perfect for our road trip to Ontario, Canada later this year!! :) (08.16.2011 03:23am)
The Bike Wash (a how-to guide): [...] Yesenia Emeric!! Thanks to everyone who entered!! And, the lovely Shannon Sewell is giving one of our Road Trip in a Box‘s away on her blog, so just click here to head over there to enter! [...] (08.16.2011 03:23am)
Nicki: What a great idea - wish I had thought of it! I would love one for a trip :) (08.16.2011 04:05am)
vanessa warren: oh, you & kelli are so cute. so happy you finally met! and your comment about your photo made me lol [for real]. you are crazy! what an amazing trip ... so jealous! i want to visit Calgary, now! miss you ... let's for real chat soon! xo (08.16.2011 04:35am)
janice: I bet Whitefish is cute, but there is something about ski towns in general!! Jackson Hole is cute in the summer...I love Whistler for skiing, although have never been there in the summer, but hear it's cute too. (08.16.2011 07:09am)
Jen: How fun! I love following the Solar's adventures. (08.16.2011 12:11pm)
Janet McK: OOOH. This would be a great gift for my sister's family!! (08.16.2011 04:03pm)
Jeanette: I wanna win :) I wanna win:) (08.16.2011 05:56pm)
Mara: SO perfect for our upcoming road trips next month! Count us in! (08.16.2011 07:40pm)
Alisha: This looks like so much fun! Count me in! (08.17.2011 12:25am)
Lauren Dvorscak: How AWESOME!!! We are about to go on a road trip in a few weeks! I'd love to be included in the drawing! I love Josh & Jennie and the HFM is so brilliant! Thanks for the opportunity, Shannon! Xoxo. (08.17.2011 02:19pm)
Bre Crutis: PICK ME! PICK ME!! ;) We are in NEED a fun little road trip! ;) (08.17.2011 07:02pm)
Christi Mulkey: Omg.... how much fun!!! I want to be entered... and if I do not win ..... I will buy one of these. This looks like so much fun!!! I need some goodness like this in our lives!!!:) Thanks for the post!!! (08.17.2011 08:31pm)
Michelle barbeau: I love this...enter me please! (08.18.2011 03:04am)
Heather: I'd love to win this!! (08.18.2011 12:20pm)
casandra heeren: oh, wow! we would LOVE this!! (08.18.2011 12:47pm)
Carrie Hasson: OOOh I want to be entered! This is SO perfect, just moving from Hawaii back to the mainland, our family has LOTS of road trips in our future :) (08.19.2011 12:48am)
Britt: Soooooo cool! I know there will come a day when my family will be making the dreaded drive back to Wisconsin, and this might just save me from needing extradition to one state...or many states. (08.20.2011 05:30am)
KELLI TRONTEL: YIKES! How did I miss this post?!?!? I am so happy to have FINALLY met you. I loved our [little] time together, but look forward more adventures for sure!! Thanks for stopping by the Red Caboose...and I loved meeting your sweet family. XOXO (08.23.2011 09:10pm)
Tj: Next time you need to head even more north to Edmonton!! I would die to meet you!! I hit up whitefish this year and I'm in love. We have a cabin near Kalispell that we have been going to since I was 10! So it's been a LOOOOONG time. LOL! It has to be one of my favorite places on the planet. BEautiful. (08.31.2011 11:13pm)
katie Larson: Hi Shannon! you photographed our family 6 or 7 years ago and we love the work you do. I have been looking at your blog and am amazed at all you have been up to. Wow! would you be interested in doing senior photos for a young man? Ben is now 17! how time flies. I didn't see any guys in your recent work- but love the creativity you lend....let me know if you are interested...we are in Lake O... katie (09.18.2011 04:36pm)
First up… the winner of the outfit from The Measure is Michelle Q. Email me with your address and I will get it right out to you!! Congrats :)
I get to share a type of shoot I don’t normally get to. Nope- I’m not opening up spots for family shoots. Still just a plain ole kids photographer ;) Lucky for me though, I am my own boss so I get to make executive decisions and make exceptions where i see fit. So I did :) I ventured up into the Snoqualmie area… part of Washington I’ve never been in. And holy heck- it is beautiful. Always in awe of what a paradise the Pacific NW is… so lucky to live here :) I hung with this delightful family playing, s’moring & just enjoying the day…
teepee & tug-of-war rope provided by: ZozoBugBaby
snoqualmie | WA
Paige Anderson: Everyone looks so happy! (07.27.2011 08:56pm)
Gina P: i don't know shannon....i think you've got something there. lovely and creative on the family side :) (07.27.2011 09:38pm)
Tara S.: my heart is doing somersaults looking at my family on your blog! what an honor :) thank you, thank you, thank you! (07.27.2011 10:00pm)
amelia: she. is. a. DOLL! (07.27.2011 10:45pm)
Caroljean: So creative and fun...Love that tug-of-war shot too! (07.27.2011 11:05pm)
Jenne Dunham: Absolutely gorgeous! I LOVE the b&w of the little girl near the end. (07.28.2011 01:01am)
jodie: Oh Shannon! I want that last collage for my wall! How awesome would that be just HUGE? So in love! Great session! (07.28.2011 02:42am)
ali: EXCEPTION again pretty please next time you come to dallas ;)) and can I make that asap!!! xoxox (07.28.2011 03:52am)
Jennifer Potter: I love your style, and well... just the way you see people is beautiful. (07.28.2011 04:27am)
Rose: It is understandable why you love to shoot kids, but your work is just as amazing in portraiture, family sessions and all. You're too good not to do an amazing job, despite of the "model". :) Love the very first photo so much! (07.28.2011 07:53am)
cheryl: love this shoot! gorgeous family. great collage idea at the bottom! (07.28.2011 02:09pm)
zalaine: No matter what venue you choose, your style comes shinning few. Lucky family. (07.28.2011 06:09pm)
Kate Craft: Stunning as always!!! (07.30.2011 01:49am)
Becky: Love that second last shot of mom and son! This session is adorable! (08.01.2011 02:35pm)
Stephanie McBride: An amazing, creative shoot in every way. (08.02.2011 03:23pm)
Kaye S.: Wow, what an awesome shoot! You captured the fun and love that is shared in this family. What an honor to see my son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren so beautifully portrayed. (08.04.2011 08:23pm)
ShannonJoy: Love it!!!! I'm a HUGE fan of KM bags and would LOVE to have the MImi bag!!!! Thanks! (08.08.2011 10:54am)
Abbie Kressner: I really love that series of photos at the very end (the collection of tall skinnies)!! It's rare to come across something really unique these days given that I follow so many diff photog blogs, but you have accomplished just that. Nice job! (08.08.2011 05:27pm)
The Barr Family | St. Louis Family Photography | Fresh Art Photography - St. Louis Modern Lifestyle Photography: [...] Inspiration for this HERE. [...] (10.18.2011 07:37pm)
Jacqueline: Size 6 is just my daughters size. You should totally pick me! (10.25.2011 03:43am)
manda: I remember that cute little girl! hee hee ..because she's mine! That was a fun surprise to see!! We cut her hair about 4 inches and the ringlets didn't come back quite like that...I'm sad. So many great pictures - I especially love the first one, pictures of laughing make me laugh!! (10.25.2011 03:51am)
Alicia Thurston: Ha ha... let's try again. You know me, I'm a sucker for a contest. :) Gorgeous family photos as always... I think I need to start saving my pennies for your next visit to T.O. (10.25.2011 04:01am)
ginny: LOVE the Rosenbaum family and you Shannon!! The pictures are awesome! Thank you . (10.25.2011 04:19am)
zalaine: Totally girly and so cute. Super family session, they will love these forever! (10.25.2011 04:31am)
kirsty: My little one is about to turn 6 - she'd LOVE this <3 (10.25.2011 04:33am)
Britt: Lovely photos of lovely people! My daughter would love to wear this lovely little Lillipops number! <3 (10.25.2011 06:12am)
Roxana: Such a beautiful happy, funny family! They irradiate love and these photos are such a great gift and such an amazing reminder what family stands for. Unconditional love. (10.25.2011 07:03am)
Shayna Shipley: Awesome! I'm loving that little outfit! :) So beautiful as always Shannon. <3 (10.25.2011 11:10am)
Michelle Keefe: Beautiful work! Love these pictures! And yes, I have a daughter in size 6! Been a fan of Lillipop's. Sent you a request but it didn't give me a spot to leave note. Thanks for the giveaway! (10.25.2011 11:30am)
Andrea: Wow Shannon...... I am in awe of your artistry and the moments you captured... Until now we have never had any truly beautiful family pictures. These brought the sweetest, biggest, crocodile tears to my eyes! "You know what the best kind of present is? Ones that captures love & emotion & that can last forever… And I am super excited that I get to give them something that means so much…" Thank you for your kind words that absolutely nailed the words from my heart. It really does "mean so much".... ~Andrea (10.25.2011 01:05pm)
janee: Ok theses are so cute! One of these days you'll do our pics...when you come back to AZ..I too will save my dollars. (10.25.2011 02:00pm)
yolanda: Thank you for the giveaway. Already a fan of Lillipops & sent you a friend request. (10.25.2011 02:09pm)
Juliet Carey: WE LOVE Lillipops Designs and YOU!!! Yay size 6!!!! (10.25.2011 02:11pm)
Nataly: Beautiful family session! I would love a session with you someday! :) (10.25.2011 03:24pm)
Shannon @ Lifelong Impressions: Oh, I love the couple close up shot with her looking at the camera!!!! Of course I like them all but that one struck me. :-) Just noticed it's also a contest post... I like Lillipop & am your friend! (10.25.2011 03:32pm)
Lisa: You have and always will be on my blogroll. You ROCK! Completely swooning in gushy, weepy love over this outfit. Then I ask myself am I swooning over the images or the outfit, can't decide. (10.25.2011 03:36pm)
Callie: I'm always so excited to see one of your post pop up in my feed reader! Love the designs from Lillipops! (10.25.2011 04:45pm)
Heather F: Missed the giveaway but oh well, super excited to see new images from you! Love the family photos, beautifully done as always :) (10.27.2011 05:16am)
Kate Craft: Love al of these ...great as always!!! (10.28.2011 03:15pm)
Stephanie McBride: You are still and always will be one incredibly gifted photographer/human being. Thanks for continuing to inspire us. You set the bar pretty high;) (11.01.2011 01:48am)