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 back to share my second shoot while I was in Kansas City. There is something so genuinely uplifting about spending time with like minded souls. It is so easy to go day to day in the ‘real world’… superficial interactions, niceties with acquaintences, being the ‘public’ you and keeping the ‘real’ you to yourself. For the first time in 22 years of being a vegetarian, I sat at a table full of people and could eat every single dish served (yes- even living in the crunchy NW, not a group meal goes by that I don’t get asked about my veggie ways as I snack on the side dishes- haha), I watched parents interacting with their kids just like I do and listened to chitchat about lifestyles that sounded just like mine. And I sit here reflecting on how lucky we are- lucky that we are business owners and employees that pick our own co-workers and associates, lucky that we choose our own business models and rules to live by, lucky that we dictate how our day to day will go and can surround ourselves with people that get us and encourage us to be who we are meant to be. Embrace that… don’t let it go unnoticed or fail to use up every lit bit of it you can ;)
I spent my second afternoon with Heather Roth. We chatted about artistic endeavors (the girl has it running through her veins) and goals in our photography. We had a set of adorable twins to model for our shoot for The Measure (they were super shy & unsure but way too cute for the camera not to love every minute with them) ;) I couldn’t have thought up a better way to wrap up my visit…
I will be in Gatlinburg TN next month at this glorious retreat in the Smokey Mountains. So much good stuff planned!!! Come join me here :)
wardrobe: The Measure Designs
kansas city | MO
kara Layfield: Cutsie girls!! Love the outfits and toe nail polish. :) (04.05.2012 06:01pm)
Kathy: Oh man, these two girls are so pensive and sweet! Their hand positions especially are so beautiful. Did you "pose" their hands at all, or was that just their default? (04.05.2012 06:12pm)
Natalie: adorable as always. (04.05.2012 06:41pm)
Trudy: beautiful, Shannon! those girls are just dolls - lovely as always! (04.05.2012 07:02pm)
Tania: too too cute! Love your words btw. So true. Gorgeous girls and fab clothes! xo p.s. have fun at the retreat! (04.06.2012 12:39pm)
Heather: Awww, I love that you mentioned me. :) Thanks so much for spending the day with me. You are so talented and I felt so honored to shoot with you! xox (04.06.2012 09:04pm)
Tanya: That's something.. I'm definitely your fan Shannon (04.11.2012 08:17pm)
jeramie ritchie: LOVE LOVE! It has been tooo long since I hopped over to see your latest gorgeousness! I so wish I could have been a bit closer to KC or had a free weekend to squeeze in a moment to meet you! SIGH! Someday I would love to have a cup of coffee...or tea with you! Gorgeous photos and darling little girls! (04.17.2012 02:12am)
I just got back today from a little escape to warm sunshine and good friends. I spent the weekend in Kansas City with my friends, The Solars (if you’ve read my blog then you know them from their amazing Road Trip in a Box and Indoor Adventure Guide that I’ve swooned over). I am home feeling exhausted and happy… late night conversations with true friends and fabulous days spent with other photographers left me with sore cheeks, a couple extra smiles lines and a full heart (not to mention some fun images of adorable little girls in crazy beautiful dresses). I want to thank each and every one of you that came for the day. It was a perfect group full of talent and humor… I couldn’t have asked for better!
I wish you could see these dresses in person… oh. my. They are hand painted, mixed media and sooooo gorgeous (ZozoBugBaby showing off her art skills & beyond!)…
wardrobe: ZozoBugBaby
kansas city | MO
Tania: Oh these dresses are gorgeous (so of the girls OF COURSE!!). Glad you had a lovely weekend and treasure those extra laugh lines ;) (04.03.2012 06:51am)
Roxana: The dresses look amazing, your little friends are as always adorable and looks like you had a blast shooting these! So, Peace+Love to you too! :) (04.03.2012 07:26am)
Kara Layfield: Love those dresses! Looks like a super fun session with two super cute girls! (04.03.2012 12:50pm)
Juliet Carey: AMAZING Shannon...love the PEACE and LOVE :) Those dresses...HOLY COW Julie Martin!!! (04.03.2012 03:34pm)
tara s.: what gorgeous pics! those little girls are beautiful, and the dresses are to die for!!! (04.03.2012 07:22pm)
Melissa Rieke: Beautiful images!! This was such a great workshop. It was great to get to finally meet you!! (so I am no longer a stalker right...since we have met?) he he he!! :) Thanks for a great day! (04.03.2012 09:27pm)
*blush* | zozobugbabyblog: [...] seriously overwhelmed with the wonderful comments on the two handpainted/mixed media dresses shown HERE on Shannon Sewell’s blog. Art is my passion, and it’s what I studied in college. I love that finally, I am bringing [...] (04.03.2012 11:28pm)
josh: Love these. Loved hanging with you. Can't wait to do it all again in your hood this summer! (04.05.2012 04:03am)
Casia: Awwwww these girls are adorable and so are the dresses. Heck I'd wear em'. If I'm not mistaken the blonde girl is Heather Cole's daughter??? Am I right?. If so WOW she's growing up way too fast. (04.05.2012 06:25pm)
Heather Cole: Such a beautiful job Shannon. My daughter looks too old in these. Makes me want to cry. LOVE LOVE LOVE them! :) (04.05.2012 08:05pm)
Shefali Lindsey: These are GORGEOUS!!! Where were those cute dresses when I was younger?! (04.05.2012 08:22pm)
Toni: So I went to their website ZozoBugBaby-- and these dresses weren't there! I love that fabric, and style. (04.09.2012 02:44am)
Why the High Prices? Part 3 | Carmen Carver Photography & Design :: Kansas City's Pediatric Boutique Photographer :: Kansas City's Premier Newborn Photographer :: Kansas City's Baby Photographer :: Kansas City's Children's Pho: [...] I went to (remember the workshop/continuing education expenses we discussed) with the ever fabulous Shannon Sewell. I’ll blog more about this workshop, the amazing ZozoBugBaby dresses and the fun we had in [...] (04.10.2012 07:15pm)
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)