Just a quick little stop in to share Susanne (of 3 Beans Photography) and my day… one of my favorites, The Measure, outfitted us for our play date. Have I mentioned lately how much fun I have ‘working’… cause I do. ;) Not only is Susanne a great photographer, she’s got mad skills with a needle and thread (can’t wait to share her new site and all its goodness). Thanks for coming out… can’t wait to hang out again!
wardrobe: The Measure Designs
Friday was the Portland workshop. It was a crazy talented group of ladies. One of them even made the crowns for our shoot (wait until you see those!)… yeah- I was on Cloud 9 all day long :) My favorite part of workshops are the connections I make- the common interests, the inspiration & excitement each person brings and having time to just sit & talk about what we love. As I finish up editing the photos from our day, I get to move on to a little break from intense work for the rest of the month and I can’t think of a better day to go out on & savor as I gear up for the new year. Thank you ladies…
(ps… you can win these ZozoBugBaby dresses below)
wardrobe: ZozoBugBaby
portland | OR
The winner of the Maya’s Curls headband was Kari Nichols!! The next give away are the two dresses from the shoot (yep- picking TWO winners this time!). Be sure to like, share & comment to get all the entries you can!
WE HAVE WINNERS: the winners of the two dresses are Heather Hughes and Toria Henderson… email me at shannon@shannonsewell.com with your addresses so I can get the dresses to you! Congrats :)
Kara Layfield: Looks like an amazing day! Love the set! (12.19.2011 02:10pm)
remi: LOVE the twig crown! : ) Merry Christmas Shannon! (12.19.2011 07:24pm)
Heather F: love this series of images, holds true to the fact that less is more :) The crown is awesome and love love the dresses. (12.19.2011 08:18pm)
zalaine: The girls and their dresses are just too cha cha, Miss S! (12.20.2011 01:26am)
Amy C: Absolutely beautiful! Love the punch of color in their hair. And those crowns?? Seriously?? LOVE! :) (12.20.2011 01:45pm)
sara: i love all the WHITE. (12.20.2011 02:13pm)
Becky: Sometimes there just no words for how amazing you are and how much you inspire!! Wow, wow, WOW!!!! (12.21.2011 02:55pm)
April Nowotny: LOVE these...beautiful. The crown is also seriously awesome! Did you make it? (12.21.2011 06:18pm)
Jacqueline C: Shannon, you are amazing! I just love everything you do! (12.22.2011 03:33pm)
Jenny Beck: Pretty in white! Another great photoshoot! Love your work! (12.22.2011 08:21pm)
Josh Mitchell: love the crown, such an awesome set *as always* (12.30.2011 10:41pm)
Elizabeth: Shannon these are awesome.. love them (01.02.2012 06:15pm)
**IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN A PORTLAND WORKSHOP READ BELOW!! :)
Whew!! Such an amazing last week… I have always sworn by the beauty of the NW but wow! Northern Arizona/Southern Utah… jaw dropping. So inspiring…
I have some fun stuff from the Grand Canyon and Zion to share (once I can get caught up and actually edit! haha) but for now… the reason I got to even head to that part of our beautiful country. Jeanette and I have emailed back and forth for a while so when she suggested I come to Phoenix for a workshop I was all in. I couldn’t wait to get down there to finally meet her and hang out for the day :) We stayed & hung out all day at The Clarendon. Such a cute little boutique hotel and fabulous place to do some shooting. And these models… can I tell you how much I love it when kids come just bursting with spunk and personality? These girls were perfect!! Amazing models, a super fun group of attendees, inspiring scenery… made for about a perfect day :)
I came home feeling totally refreshed and excited about things to come… it got me thinking. I have cleared most of my December (left those Christmas card deadlines behind long ago- LOL) and I have always had inquiries about doing something here in Portland… I would love to find out what kind of interest there is for me to do a small workshop here in Portland maybe on December 16 or 17th? (try and fit it in before kids are home for break!) Having it here at home means I could cut costs (for you and me) and it is perfect timing to squeeze in one last tax write-off! It would also be the first (& probably only) time that I would offer something where I would actually be able to show you the studio that I do most of my work in. Anyway, if you are interested email me at shannon@shannonsewell.com and let me know. I will have to scramble to get it all perfect so quick but I feel like I have all this extra excitement and would love to spend a day in a room of people that I can share it with!
k… back to those cute girls :) Thank you to Jeanette and our two perfect models and to the girls that came… I loved spending the day with you all :)
phoenix | AZ
zalaine: Girls rock. There is Something about the natural ability of a girl to look in the camera. Awesome, my friend! (11.21.2011 10:29pm)
Chandra Ferguson: Shannon I may be interested:) How much would it cost? and what would the day look like:) Thanks so much, Chandra (11.22.2011 05:40am)
Kara Layfield: Love your comps! Gorgeous models and clothes! (11.22.2011 01:40pm)
Phillipa D: beautiful (11.22.2011 09:26pm)
Roxana: Such beauty and delicacy in these photos. Love them, Shannon! The young ladies are adorable, the clothes amazing and you make it look too easily! :) (11.23.2011 05:40pm)
Jovana Zlicaric: Yay for the workshop. Buying my ticket today. I will be traveling from Seattle and taking a vacation day from my regular M-F job. :) (11.23.2011 09:15pm)
Genille: My friend ( the blonde one^^) posted a picture on Facebook of her modeling, and im very interested. (01.23.2012 02:31am)
Eliza F: Wow, the blond girl, Brenna C, is one of my really good friends! (01.23.2012 03:08am)
Happy Sunday :) This post is a bit different than what I typically share but it is something that I thought would be helpful to some of you (& maybe keep some extra $$ in your pocket) ;)
I regularly receive emails asking me about my gear… what camera do I use, what are my favorite lenses, etc. And while I do feel whole-heartedly that you should spend lots of time & care picking your gear (it’s a big investment and YES- lens choice will effect how your images ‘look’), I don’t think that is what ‘makes’ a photographer take good pictures. What I do believe is that a good photographer can take any camera, figure out how to work it (reading the manual goes a long way) and take an good photograph.
I saw a message on Twitter yesterday that got me thinking and gave me the push to go grab my original Rebel and 50 1.4 out of the closet to play. It was a message saying that my pictures made them want to upgrade their DSLR. If you are reading this, PLEASE don’t feel like I am calling you out!! It is a totally legitimate ‘wish’ but my gut reaction was “NOOoooo… don’t go spend all that money!!” haha And this is why…
This was literally about two minutes outside and less than 10 frames with the gear that I started on 7 years ago (This is the original Rebel. All 6 megapixels of it. My iPhone now beats it out- haha).
Now, granted these aren’t jaw dropping images but I think you would agree that they are sharp, high quality and, other than some hard core experts out there, you would be hard pressed to tell if these are from a Rebel, a 5D or anything in between. I also want to note that I used the 50 1.4. I normally shoot with L glass… had I used one of those lenses I am sure you would find it even harder to notice any difference from my 5D.
So, the moral of the story is that you should use the equipment that you have to its full extent before you need to upgrade (unless money isn’t an issue.. then I say go for it! heck you can even throw a little something in there for me if ya want) ;) Seriously though, upgrades should be a necessity. I know that (obviously) 6 MP won’t blow up nearly as nice for a poster/billboard as 21 MP does… and I do love the extra room and feel that my full frame sensor gives me… being able to shoot low light with less noise… most of these things aren’t necessities for your average portrait photographer though. Decent light, a semi-willing subject and about the lowest end DSLR you can get your hands on is all I needed to make these happen.
So get out there and play… show everyone that it isn’t your camera that makes you amazing… it’s YOU that makes you amazing ;)
xoxo ~S
and the cute little hat clip is by the lovely Maya’s Curls. Use them as barrettes, hat pins, brooches… LOVE how fun, beautiful and versatile her pieces are :)
Kelly: Nice Shannon! And so true. Good glass esp. does make a difference but some of my favourite shots of mine we shot with my 40D and 50 1.4 (that's a sharp lens!) Next dare... do this with a disposable ; ) (11.07.2011 12:58am)
Ellie A.: I have a Nifty Fifty although I have the 1.8 I so do love that lens one day I will upgrade to the 1.4 because I have seen magic w/images w/it. I actually upgraded to a 50D as a early bday gift to myself & its fun to see what I have started to do. I know its not the camera you have but the photographer who makes the picture but it sure is fun to have a new toy! You inspired me to take a trip downtown w/the kids & see what I can capture maybe I'll find a quiet cool spot Ha :) That's what I asked the kids to give me as a Bday gift next weekend hehehe. Sneaky Mama I am! (11.07.2011 01:07am)
Heather F: I love this post and I believe every word of it! I love my 50 and I also have the 1.8 like Ellie mentioned and I shoot with a Sony a550 {gasp} I know I know its NOT a canon LOL I was a big Minolta girl back in high school so I got sucked into Sony and I am saving like crazy for the full frame. Can I just say you have the most beautiful kids...seriously...gorgeous :) (11.07.2011 01:42am)
Paige Anderson: I saved and saved so I could get the best I could afford. I love my Nikon D700. I'll be hard pressed to upgrade anytime soon. Honestly, though, your talent speaks volumes above the equipment you use. You are truly an artist. (11.07.2011 01:42am)
shawna [of styleberryBLOG]: I'm sharing this on my FB fan page & it makes me wish I'd kept my rebel to do the same experiment. I love this idea! :) It's totally not your gear. It helps sometimes...but I love what you said! (11.07.2011 02:04am)
Suzanne: I had a pro photographer say to me recently, "You're shooting with a Rebel?" in utter shock. Having said that, I have since upgraded to a 7D as my Rebel died on me. (11.07.2011 02:10am)
Tara S.: I love this post. You're amazing :) (11.07.2011 02:32am)
Juliet Carey: Your kids are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!! You ROCK! Love these :) (11.07.2011 02:44am)
Yolanda: Thanks for making me feel not-so-bad about running my business on a Rebel. We all know intellectually that better equipment doesn't make us better artists, but it be easier to look at the shortcomings in our gear than the shortcomings in our skills. (11.07.2011 02:45am)
Kelsey Gerhard: Yay. Awesome... love it! (11.07.2011 02:49am)
janice: Being a non-photographer - I KNOW this is true. I laugh because you and I could be standing right next to each other taking pictures of the same thing, using the same cameras. Your shot would be amazing and mine would suck. I have a point and shoot Canon Elph (that probably horrifies real photogs, but I LOVE it), but even when the husband and I both use his nicer Nikon: he takes great pics and I take really bad ones. I can vouch: it has NOTHING AT ALL to do with the camera. It has to do with the person behind it...and YOU'RE AMAZING, Ms. Sewell. (11.07.2011 03:51am)
Paul: Totally agree Shannon. Several years ago I shot some pictures of a guy in a band, in the studio with exactly the same camera you used here. Admittedly with the 70-200L 2.8 (the original one), without any Photoshop help, no rezzing up at all we output to a 44inch Epson printer at larger than life size. The results were taped to the studio wall for comment, every single person that saw those images was blown away including me! The result.....I became a digital convert that day :) Cheers from Down Under! (11.07.2011 05:46am)
equipment | jenny collier – tulsa photographer - jenny collier photography blog: [...] http://shannonsewell.com/theblankpage/2011/11/07/yeah-im-working-to-make-butter-for-my-piece-of-bun/ equipment | jenny collier – tulsa photographer · November 7, 2011 · 8:34 am · random [...] (11.07.2011 01:34pm)
Kathy Carlisle: WELL SAID:..and DONE;) (11.07.2011 04:25pm)
Laura: Love this. As someone who can NEVER afford new equipment, I try to live by the "its not the camera, its the artist" motto. So I like to think I'm not missing out on something because I'm not shooting with the "best" camera :) Beautiful shots! (11.07.2011 09:34pm)
stephanie mcbride: see. that is what i love most about you. so willing to give a helping hand. love the pointers. made my day. i actually dug out my 50 and dusted it off and had some fun with it. thanks for helping us rethink. you're a gem:) (11.07.2011 10:14pm)
crave photography: Started out with a Canon Rebel too! I feel the same way. It's the person behind the camera that either can or can't make things happen. Study, study, practice, practice!! (11.07.2011 10:28pm)
Pam Burke: Very well said. I still shoot with my Olympus E510 even though I have a Canon 7D and it feels so right. I'm still learning and appreciate your tips! (11.08.2011 12:58am)
christina: WORD. (11.08.2011 08:18pm)
AmyHall: Preach it sister! I re shared on fb coz it's dat good! Makes me wanna bust out my Ricoh manual flim camera asap! (11.10.2011 12:10am)
Mindy: my friend sent me this post because I've been debating about upgrades too. Thanks for reminding us that it's not about the gear, it's about us making it work. I think the middle shot is beautiful! (11.10.2011 03:05pm)
zalaine: You are so right! Took me a long time to really see it an da bit longer to believe it. Thank you for encouraging us... (11.11.2011 03:53am)
elizabeth pellette: well said.. I agree its not so much the gear as what you can do with it..and the way you see the world. (11.16.2011 10:19pm)
Maya C.: May I ask how much was done in post here? Great images and I agree with every word in this well written article, but I also find PS an art of it's own as well. I love my Rebel too, as many of the comments have agreed on and chose the glass before the upgrade on the body :) I am getting her out right now with side kick 50 1.4 !!!! I have seen SO many pro's shoot with Rebels, both old and newer models, and their work is pro! I will be sharing this article with friends who think my 5D is why I take the images I do! I am curious to know your post process and see SOOC. Thanks :) (11.26.2011 05:50pm)
SS: hey maya- trying to email you but it keeps bouncing back :( same processing as everything I do... flourish actions color pop & a defog.. that's all! super simple & fast :) (11.27.2011 12:55am)
First… the winner of the ZozoBugBaby dress is… Ela Dominguez!! Just email me your address and I will get it shipped right out :)
And next up… I just got back from a whirlwind trip to NYC. West coast to east coast and back in 36 hrs… the amazing thing is that I fit SO much in. I got to hang out an entire evening with my very dear friends, meet amazing new people through a friend here AND do a workshop with a SUPER fun group. We even had the talented & charming Rosanna Wolff come in and talk with us for the day. All in all, one of my best trips to NYC yet (though I would really love some good weather one of these trips- please? brrrr….).
We ventured out with four adorable models to hit the streets of Manhattan and take on a little punk, urban theme. Couldn’t do punk & urban without thinking Knuckleheads (of course) and we also added one of my favorites pieces ever by Bits ‘n Pieces by Kristin- come on.. what little girl wouldn’t LOVE a Beastie Boys dress?? (sorry guys- my little lady already has this one claimed) ;) Thank you so much Lisa for having me out and to all the ladies that came. I loved every minute and can’t wait to come back!
wardrobe: Knuckleheads Clothing & Bits ‘n Pieces by Kristin
new york | NY
renee: This is so my kind of shoot!! LOOOOOVE it!! XOXO (11.02.2011 06:11am)
Zalaine: Awesome. Pink, girly and fabulous, Miss S! (11.02.2011 10:54am)
Marci Yochum: Love how these turned out Shannon! So fun to get to hang with you behind the scences too. Claire had so much fun getting styled and modeling for the shoot. The silly string fight and meeting some new friends was definitely a favorite as well. Thanks again. (11.02.2011 11:21am)
Kara Layfield: Oh my goodness this is just too much!! I so love the urban little punk theme!! These girls have got it goin' on!! :) (11.02.2011 01:27pm)
Jennifer Beitchman: Shannon-thank you for being so kind and sharing yourself and your talent with us. It was such a great day and I really loved it and didn't want it to end! We were so lucky to stumble on that gated wall! Its like it was there JUST for our shoot! <3 (11.02.2011 04:11pm)
Louise Friedman: Just gorgeous Shannon! You are so talented and the girls absolutely love working with you. They would never complain about the cold with you.....can we see you again in August....hopefully warm? (11.02.2011 04:49pm)
Emilyn Guillermo: Thanks so much Shannon for sharing your talent with us. I came out of that workshop feeling so inspired. My mantra now is "Do what makes YOU passionate". I'm back home in Anchorage. Can you believe the thermometer registered 10*F!!!! Hmmmm, having a workshop in Hawaii would be nice....i'm totally there!!! (11.02.2011 06:50pm)
Rosanna: Crazy beautiful, your eye and direction are spot on Shannon. Hard to pick as they are all super amazing but my favorite are the last two. (11.02.2011 09:43pm)
Lori: Hello Shannon! Just wanted to thank you for a very lovely day on Sunday. Your workshop was incredibly inspiring and I am honored to have met you! Best always. (11.02.2011 10:23pm)
Lisa: I love these photos!!! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity and knowledge with us Shannon. (11.03.2011 04:45am)
Ellie A.: How fun are these pictures! Those colors are amazing.I can feel that NY Swag in those pictures. Could you ROCK anymore? OH MAN ..JUST love it!!! (11.05.2011 01:51pm)
Kari: Your work intrigues me!! Really hope to mentor/work with you one day... What a beautiful little girl & a cute outfit as well :) (01.16.2012 01:12am)
janice: yeah, gorgeous dress!! i want it. it's funny: i didn't realize that was E. at first. her hair color is changing as she gets older..she was a great choice for this shoot. I love it!! (01.16.2012 03:23am)
joan: Amazing!, Shannon. I love your images and your backgrounds. Were all the photographs taken in the studio?. (01.16.2012 08:49am)
Scarlette: Are you kiddin' me with this gorgeous dress on this gorgeous grown up girlie here? So fabulous...and age/size appropriate - bet she liked this one ;). PERFECT pics as always. (01.17.2012 05:43am)
Ieva: love you style (01.17.2012 04:08pm)
janee: What a fun dress and I am in love with the first picture <3 (01.18.2012 05:30am)
Kara Layfield: Looks like such a fun day! Your dd looks amazing! (01.18.2012 02:14pm)
Phillipa: Looked like a fun time and the results are inspirational as usual. Love the background. (01.18.2012 05:24pm)
Jocelin: Just lovely! Your work is so inspiring :) (01.18.2012 07:26pm)
zalaine: You make me want to abandon street and black &white photography, for just a while. Stunning, Miss S! (01.20.2012 04:34pm)
Helen: Wow!!! GORGEOUS!!! FABULOUS work as you always create! Amazing YOU! Keep on shinning!!! (01.29.2012 01:15am)