If I could buy any talent it would definitely be singing/songwriting. I am in love with the notion of writing your story- your feelings- your life into a song that can touch the hearts of so many. One of my most favorite talents is Miss Valeri Lopez (she does it so perfectly). She has the voice of an angel and the music prowess to go with. I am also lucky enough to call her a friend (& my kids’ current music teacher so maybe I am buying that talent) ;) She just released a new album and is getting ready to set out on tour so we did some updated photos.
She’s as pretty as she sounds… ;)
and shhhh… don’t tell children’s photography, but if i was to find another love it would definitely be with musicians and artists. Such amazing souls to capture.
portland | OR
I am a specialized children’s photographer. If you can drive a car or a pack of smarties and a temporary tattoo aren’t the way to your heart, I am probably not the girl for you ;) And, I have to say, I really like it that way. There is one genre though that makes me change my tune… artists. I adore shooting artists (photographers, musicians, you name it… I’m there). There is a different energy, a different story to capture…
I was lucky enough to take a break from my normal work this week and meet back up with Stephan from City Squirrel (he has new bandmates now which quadrupled the fun) :) You can check out their music, upcoming show dates and everything else here.
And meet them right here…
Tania: Shannon, I so love this! I love that you shoot what makes your heart sing!! These images rock. I love them. And surely NOBODY turns down a pkt of smarties, no matter how OLD they are ;)! xo (04.20.2012 08:37am)
sara: two words: super cool. (04.20.2012 08:56am)
Kara Layfield: Very cool!! I love the one of the 4 of them in from of th ivy wall. (04.20.2012 03:22pm)
Kathy: This is amazing as always! I love that even though your colors are a little richer and your contrast is a little more contrasty, the joy and happiness in your children's pictures still show up in these! Wonderful! (04.20.2012 03:25pm)
Ronnie: Love 'em :) Great captures as always and it's always good to break away from the norm :) (05.14.2012 08:58am)
All these interests, knacks, places in time… I really could have ended up being anything. I’ve worked in a mortage office, in a pre-school, as an armed security guard in a Federal building (yeah… I packed heat. haha- I know!) yet somehow all these things led me to here. There are days I doubt my choice… (basically any time I have to deal with the business end of things) but when I am sitting in my digital darkroom watching my ideas come to fruition… I know I am in the right place.
I had the absolute pleasure of going on a playdate with a musician last week (artists of any sort ignite a giddyness of possibility). Stephan (aka City Squirrel) will be releasing his latest album this month. Check him out & enjoy a sneak peek of our little shoot together…
lots ‘n lots of thank youuuuu’s to Darcie for coming out with me for the day!
portland | OR
zalaine: This are all uber cool but the flare...There is just Something about lens flare that makes my heart skip a beat. You, my friend, remind me that we all have the music inside but only a select few, know ho to get it out. FABulous... (11.02.2010 11:04pm)
Kelly: Love the depth of these shots - they're cool, sharp but you can get kind of lost in them at the same time. (11.04.2010 12:42am)
Jennifer Sparaco: love Shannon....you and the images too! So glad whatever life decisions you have made brought you to this point in your life. What a darker world it would be without your creative eye! (11.05.2010 06:26pm)
Becky: LOVE your B&W conversions! Drrroooool. (11.08.2010 05:11pm)
Susan Dodd: Cool. Nicely, smoothly cool. Love these! (11.09.2010 06:18pm)
stacy t: you rock the casbah sister!!! (11.10.2010 10:33pm)
Kara Layfield: Love!! I can always just sit and look over and over your work...they always get me thinking. :) (11.15.2010 09:27pm)
Kate Craft: These are so cool. I love your black and whites! (11.17.2010 09:36pm)
This is the story of a music fan. A music fan that likes to look up lyrics & stories behind songs. And definitely notices the pictures. And this one time, while she was doing these things, she came across the photos of a certain artist and instantly she thought “I’m gonna take his picture some day.”
And guess what? After a couple of road trips.. and a few shows.. and a slightly-embarrassing-but-really-pretty-funny (& totally endearing) introduction… it happened :) (ps… it’s a good story if ya ever wanna do coffee)
And, lucky for that girl.. the story didn’t end there.
She got to go on tour with the band. She got to meet all kinds of amazing people and get a badge that said she could stalk legally takes lots ‘n lots of pictures ;)
And this is the result of said story…
(if you don’t already know Mr. Reeves and his amazing music I suggest you stop right here and go get it. Then come back & scroll through with the perfect soundtrack)
minneapolis | MN
iowa city | IA
lroah: Your creativity and talent just blows me away. Everytime. :) (10.23.2010 04:04am)
Stacia Lugo: speechless shannon. what an experience! I knew your next post would be worth the wait. :) (10.23.2010 04:06am)
Ph(oto)D(ude): roadieness. coffee. :) :) (10.23.2010 04:08am)
Jennifer Sparaco: coffee?? ok...I'm buying!!! Just so you know...there are people out there that kind feel the same way about you. One day I will say..."Shannon Sewell..yea...she taught me everything I know!" And people will be in awe...in fact...now that I think about it...a certain few already are! Congrats Shannon...not only are the images stunning...but you are an amazing storyteller as always! (10.23.2010 04:13am)
Jeannine: Love it! Love the colours! Love the uniqueness! Love Love Love! You are so inspirational! Thanks for sharing SS;) (10.23.2010 04:17am)
Kathy Carlisle: "And I cannot tell the way she feels away from me...like a layer to be shed...It is carved in stunning shapes and patterns on my soul...Carried like dreams to places my body could never go." Yes please...I would like to have tea and relive all our storied. I feel like I was on the trip with you. Thank you for sharing you heart...the images paint it beautifully! (10.23.2010 05:36am)
Rose: Love the fifth one so much! You are amazing and the photos are stunning! You captured so well the road-life and the behind the scenes stories. :) Impressive. (10.23.2010 11:26am)
gina: a whole range of delish!!!!! (10.23.2010 03:04pm)
Sarah Lane: Um, wow. Seriously. Wow. Lucky lucky girl with super duper talent. What a blessing to them to have you along for the ride! xox (10.23.2010 05:24pm)
zalaine: I always knew you were a rock star and this set in black and white should leave no doubt. There are two reasons we take photos - documentation and storytelling. You have united the two and with the coolness that only black and white can bring, boom...the fireworks begin. I heart you so Girl! (10.23.2010 05:24pm)
sara montour: love love love them! Especially since some come from my beloved MPLS homeland. <3 (10.23.2010 05:25pm)
Kara Layfield: Such an amazing experience. Beautiful! (10.23.2010 06:12pm)
jules: I think I'd be so excited to do this that I would probably pee my pants! ha! awesome dream and awesome experience! love that you live big! (10.23.2010 07:53pm)
AmyC: OMG! You blow me away! EVERY. TIME. These rock!! (10.23.2010 08:00pm)
Jenni Wise: Hey good for you Shannon! I love his music! That's awesome!!!! (10.24.2010 02:47am)
Sarah: Awesome shots! You never cease to amaze! (10.24.2010 12:21pm)
amy: Bad ass...I bet he is PUMPED!! All I can think about while looking at these is the movie "Almost Famous". Bravo once again! (10.24.2010 05:25pm)
Leigha: wow. awesome Shannon! (10.24.2010 07:48pm)
zalaine: I think a more accurate statement would be a rock star, following a rock star. You tell his Story in the most beautiful way. Rock on, Girl...rock on... (10.25.2010 12:19am)
stephanie mcbride: shannon...i've never seen anything like this shoot. good heavens. you shoot through your head. my goodness. excellence. (10.25.2010 03:41am)
elizabeth pellette: Ohhh Man these are so awesome .. I love each and everyone of them (10.25.2010 01:28pm)
stacy t: you rocked the house!!! (10.25.2010 03:43pm)
jamie: This is seriously amazing! It's not just photography, it's a story. One of the best stories I have seen. You really amaze me. Seriously, in awe. (10.25.2010 09:22pm)
Julie Parker: These are so cool! I really love the one of him on his belly! I wanted to thank you for the workshop! I learned a lot and it was SO great to meet you! (10.26.2010 03:26am)
Jennifer: Spugh-sphah, spu- speachless. Love these!!!!!!! (10.26.2010 04:40am)
Kristi: Awesome!! Your photos are always so amazing :) (10.26.2010 05:06am)
marci yochum: That girl...she's a rock star herself!! (10.27.2010 11:10am)
Jamie Siever: These are amazing. I love them! Fun, soulful, inspiring work, Shannon. Love it! (10.27.2010 04:52pm)
stacy t: you were in NYC??? next time you're in, drinks are on me!!! (11.01.2010 07:53pm)
Music. It takes me up. down. in. out. Brings smiles… tears. My days-memories-thoughts.. they all have soundtracks. And there are artists that stop me in my tracks. Their lyrics & sounds are so vivid and full of emotion that I can actually feel their story in my heart. Amy Seeley would be one of those artists. I’ve watched her perform countless times. Sat with her over drinks.. laughed & cried over life. And still.. when I hear her music come out of my speakers, I am in awe. So when I opened my mailbox the other day and there was a beautiful little package with a handwritten note and wrapped up in a lovely bow, my heart skipped a beat. Her latest ‘eight belles’ were there. In all their loveliness.. and, lucky you, all you have to do is click here & they can be yours ;) Enjoy…
josh solar: Thanks for that link! I've been waiting for the new disc to come out :) (12.21.2008 11:03pm)
Jenny: Thanks Shannon, this sweet music is perfect right now as I watch the snow fall and enjoy my cup of tea...looks like she is in Salem in January. Thanks for sharing! (12.22.2008 09:43am)
rachel brooke: I just bought it! Thanks for introducing me to her, I already love her voice and lyrics. (12.23.2008 08:23pm)
+brittany: amy seeley rocks my socks. this cd will be a christmas present to myself. :) (12.23.2008 09:11pm)
stephanie mcbride: i remember her from a previous post of yours. i think i will check out her music, thanks for the info! she looks lovely :) (12.27.2008 03:59am)
CHO GURL KIM: FREAKIN AWESOME!!!!!!! (07.06.2012 05:27am)
Roxana: These are awesome! Ah, talented people, how I admire you!! :) Musicians and artists are indeed great souls to capture! (07.06.2012 06:32am)
Kara Layfield: So fun!! Love the shots in the rain! (07.06.2012 12:43pm)
Juliet Carey: OH WOW...no words...GORGEOUS!! (07.06.2012 02:00pm)
Julie: OMG SHANNON! THese are LUMINOUS!!!! Some of my favorites you've ever done! (07.06.2012 02:41pm)
Kathy: These are breathtaking! The rain is my favorite....but oh my! HER FRECKLES ARE GORGEOUS! (07.06.2012 02:46pm)
Kelsey: Oh man, I am loving these musicians you are photographing!! Keep them coming!! (07.06.2012 03:00pm)
kasandra: you were made to capture the artist!! (07.06.2012 06:35pm)
Tara S.: I remember the first time I read your blog... I was so captivated by your photography, but I think it was the way you used music to express something about your photography that really connected me to you. It would make so much sense if one day you ended up photographing musicians/artists. Your passion for both really come through in these gorgeous pictures! By the way, super bummed I didn't get lucky and win the spot to your Cincy workshop, but I'd still love to catch up with you at some point during your visit if you have any free time in your schedule :) (07.06.2012 07:47pm)
Dina: some new favorites! she has darling freckles...such a unique beauty! (07.10.2012 12:52am)
Tania: Beautiful!!! Love them all :) (07.10.2012 02:18am)
Val Spring: Stunning images, Shannon! So much soul on them! Adore these to pieces! (07.14.2012 08:16am)
Iris: What a beautiful soul indeed, and it shines through the camera. The rain images bring me back to my childhood and how magical it is to play in the rain. There is an extra layer of goodness in these. Love. (07.22.2012 12:52pm)
Terri: Thank you Shannon for not only photographing such beautiful women, but for once again introducing me to some beautiful, incredible and inspiring music that I can edit wedding images and dream about love to! (09.19.2012 07:12am)