Shannon Sewell » mentoring

‘let her pale light in to fill up your room’

SS — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:15:29 +0000

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

‘may all your Christmases be white…’

SS — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:54:10 +0000

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 :)

‘it turned my whole world around and I kinda like it’

SS — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:27:59 +0000

**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

‘yeah i’m working to make butter for my piece of bun’

SS — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:32:53 +0000

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 :)

‘dear NY this is a love letter to you and how you brought us together’

SS — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:56:54 +0000

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

‘show me good times show me happy days show me better ways’

SS — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:10:19 +0000

I first met Hilary in New York for a mentoring session at the beginning of the year. It was an instant friendship. She is an amazingly kind soul and just an all around cool kid so when she asked if I was interested in coming out to do a workshop with her there was no hesitation- heck yes!!! The added bonus would be that I got to hang out with & get to know her partner in crime- Angela :) It was a perfect, relaxing girl trip… so good that we are already planning our next one for next August! ha :)

And, as if the workshop wasn’t already perfect (the women that came were such a pleasure and sooo my kinda people), Hilary was able to get us accommodations at the cutest inn… The Westover Inn was secluded, quiet, quaint & superb service- love it!

She also surprised me with personalized cupcakes (I can’t believe I only got this one crappy picture cause they were the coolest thing I’ve ever seen my images on!) from Flavour Cakes…

(yes- that is an edible picture) :)

Hilary brought in ADORABLE models and we got to outfit them in some of my very favorites (thank you so much ZozoBugBaby and Lisa’s Mini Mad Hattery for topping yourselves once again).

(if it was possible to pick your own eye color… dang- wouldn’t this be top choice?? sooo beautiful & the sweetet little girl to boot)

I also want to thank the generous vendors that provided give aways for us…

One Willow Presets by Jessica Paige

Little Lainie Headbands

Baby P Designs

Photography Props by Lori Limburg

Henry’s Canada

Essential Image

wardrobe: ZozoBugBaby & Lisa’s Mini Mad Hattery

st. mary’s | ONTARIO CANADA

‘i am going back home to the west coast’

SS — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 02:48:42 +0000

I am here enjoying the last days of summer… trying to grab a few more mornings to sleep in and have long lunch dates with my two favorite people. This includes, when I do have to work, staying close to home. This weekend was a little trip to Tacoma. I had two fun reasons to go up… I got to visit, hang out and do a session with a family that was a complete blessing brought into my life. You probably remember them from here. I don’t know how you could forget a family like theirs :)

If it’s possible, they have gotten even more beautiful with time.

I was also invited up by Val to do a workshop. My fabulous friend, Willow, let us hang out in her studio for the day while I got to make a bunch of new friends and talk about things I love and take pictures of ADORABLE little girls.

Ritchie Rags and Maya’s Curls wardrobed our little ones (perfectly if I do say so myself). And, of course, I will have an outfit and hair accessory for some lucky readers (just scroll to the bottom for details) ;)

If you would like to win one of the outfits here (the winner gets to choose!) OR the cute little feathered headband, just go to their store link below and tell me your favorite item they’re carrying in the comment section below. I will announce the two winners on Thursday (Sept 1st). Good luck!!

wardrobe: Ritchie Rags and Maya’s Curls

tacoma | WA

‘they are painters and they are painting themselves a lovely world’

SS — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:20:01 +0000

Hey :) I’m excited to announce that Alicia Thurston won the outfit from Lillipops (you are going to LOVE it!!). Just email me and I’ll get it right out to you :)

I also wanted to share a personal project. I have fantastic people in my life that I can text at midnight when ideas are swirling and I need to get them out. They text me back with ‘I’m in’ and the next thing you know I am standing there with my camera and my vision staring me back through a lens.

Thank you Julie for giving me beautiful things to clothe adorable little models that you find me in. We make a good team ;)

Christina came out from the east coast to hang out for the day. She got roped into playing too… couldn’t think of a better person to do it with ;)

My version of Frida…

wardrobe: ZozoBugBaby

portland | OR

‘if you are not ready to give you are not gonna get much more’

SS — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:34:52 +0000

**check the bottom of the post for the winner of the Flourish Actions gift certificate and for another adorable give away from The Measure!**

I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Minneapolis for a fantastic day put on by Vickey and Teresa (thank you sooo much ladies!!) and can I say that nothing makes you more grateful for 70 degree overcast July days then coming back from 100 degree (but feels like a sweaty 115) midwest heat wave? Although, even thru the dripping sweat, I absolutely find Minneapolis completely charming… such a cute city. The actual workshop was held in Stillwater which, dang… hello inspiration! Definitely going to have to make a trip back to explore (& hang out with all the amazing women I met this trip). We spent most of our day in the studio playing with cuuuute little models all styled up by our hair stylist Jayme & wardrobe designed by The Measure. Ali from Rock the Drop (yes- I now need these in my life) brought us these backdrops… totally took our sets to another level! And for all you lucky readers, she is offering 20% off her backdrops. Just contact her through her site and let her know that you are one of my blog readers :)

Cute, yes?

A lucky reader will get to own the striped dress/toile leggings (size 6) from The Measure just for commenting below and telling me you have the perfect little girl to enjoy it :) I will pick a winner on Wednesday (7/27).

And the winner of the gift certificate is…. Nicole Evans!! Just email me and I will tell you how to get your gift!!

hair: Jayme Mees of Viva Voce Salon

wardrobe: The Measure and Lilllipops Designs

backdrops: Rock the Drops

stillwater | MN

‘we are gonna come together we are gonna celebrate’

SS — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 05:04:31 +0000

“we’re gonna gather around like it’s my birthday”

Austin Texas has finally been checked off my bucket list. It was definitely my kind of city (all the tattoos, dreads & bikes made me feel right at home, kinda like I was still in Portland… with the heat turned way up). I got to hang out with a funny, sweet, lovely group of women for the day and work with two of my favorite ladies (& genuinely amazing women I know). And it was made all the more special since it was my birthday. I am not a birthday kinda girl (never really enjoyed celebrating… well… myself) but the sweet gestures of everyone around me was just the greatest reminder of what a fabulous group of people I have come to know. I got a little singing… beautiful gifts… an indulgent cupcake or two (thank you Delish for providing the yumminess)… delicious dinner… some chocolate-y good cake (only follow up to cupcakes, right?)… drinks & my favorite story teller (love me some Cheryl Muhr)… calls that made my heart soar… it was a good- strike that- VERY great day :) Just imagine… all that AND a workshop that included things like clothes from the one and only ZozoBugBaby, styling by the amazing ButterflyspArks, models hand picked by the sweetest Texan you’d ever meet- Kristin, shoes by a completely inspiring company launching next month- Chooze Shoes… seriously. A day to top all days. Thank you :)

And just to show you some of the goodness I got to bask in… images from the day :)

styling: ButterflyspArks

wardrobe: ZozoBugBaby & Chooze Shoes

cupcakes: Delish

austin | TX