I don’t know how many of you readers are from the local area but man… the last few days have made for GORGEOUS mornings. It has been cold cold but the blue skies, the icy frost covering everything, sun glistening… I have kicked myself every morning because I haven’t taken the time to take a picture. So this morning, I kicked my procrastinating rear and I did it. It didn’t really capture how cool it looked, but the fact that I actually took my camera out outside of a scheduled session is a big enough deal that I am going to share the results anyway ;) (but trust me… it really is a lovely, wintery wonderland)
K… back to work ;) We have a winner for the cute Shop Lady Like Red Knitted Bowtie Headband- JESSICA MUOLO email me your address, you WON!!
Ready for another? I have the Lillipops Designs Black & White Striped knit dress pictured here…
This little dress is so cute… by itself, layered- edgy, girly goodness :) Just enter Punch Tab below (share the link or ‘like’ Lillipops Designs fan page for even more entries!)
I’ve been quietly working hard over here. Lots of fun, new & different projects on the horizon. That means nose to the grindstone and not too much to share (yet) so I thought I could at least do a little sneak peek so that my blog followers don’t get bored, lose interest and leave me forgotten ;)
Last year I found some great tissue paper confetti on clearance at Urban Outfitters. I instantly thought that it would need to make an appearance in this year’s Christmas shoot. But (like it happens often) I came across this picture…
and had a ‘dangit’ moment. Basically the exact concept I had (not that confetti in the air is a stretch) ;) So, I took a different direction with the shoot (but still had to use the confetti for a few shots of course) and these made the cut…
The rest of the shoot has a much different feel and will be published early next month (can’t wait to share!!) along with a couple other things I’ve been working on. It has all led me to realize how incredibly grateful I am for where I am in life. I am working on a big enough project that I need collaborators and it has been amazing to see that 90% of the people I call on are my friends (seriously- being completely surrounded by crazy talented people is what inspires me every single day), not to the mention the fact that every one instantly said “yes”… generous, nice AND talented. This is my public ‘thank you’ to all of you that are such incredible influences in my life and my testament of what a difference it makes in life to surround yourself with people that are genuine, kind and inspirational. I could not do what I do without them :)
wardrobe: Ritchie Rags (adorable custom made bloomers & top)
Jeramie Ritchie: You are ... 1. Completely and insanely talented. Seriously...I can look and look at your photographs for the longest time! 2. Sweet as can be. 3. And a write up a fabulous blog! Another killer shoot! LOVE!!! Thank YOU for the inspiration! (11.13.2011 01:04am)
Rachel: YES! Confetti shots are so much fun to produce. Not as much fun to sweep up :) Beautifully handled. (11.13.2011 05:09am)
Shelly Waldman: What a touching thank you to your collaborators and friends. Being the Thanksgiving month, it seems fitting to voice thank you's to those in each of our lives that make us better people, support us when we need it and make our world a brighter, happier place to be. PS - If you ever want or need an extra helper, please give a shout. (11.13.2011 05:32am)
zalaine: the confetti was a genius idea. So untraditional yet, so festive. Can't wait to see what you come up with next. The kids are too cute! (11.14.2011 03:23am)
Nataly Harris: Glad you still went ahead with the confetti despite your "dangit" moment... it paid off, as shown in these stunning images! Lovely as always! (11.14.2011 05:26am)
Amy C: Love it! Your kids are gorgeous!! :) (11.14.2011 03:42pm)
Phillipa: Fun, I love it and I cannot wait to see what you've been up to. Have a great Thanksgiving! (11.15.2011 12:17am)
The Detailed Life: Your daughter's eyes are stunning- both kids quite adorable. So, who did create that first image who inspired you? I love that one too. (11.15.2011 08:51pm)
Heather F: Yes thanks for new images for your blog readers...not that I stalk or anything ~coughs~ LOL I love the images, it came out beautifully, and look at her shorter hair..wow. I gotta know tho, are those shorts she is wearing or a skirt? LOVE IT! (11.16.2011 01:14am)
Heather F: ok duh now I see you posted bloomers and the maker LOL Awesome! (11.16.2011 01:16am)
Elizabeth: love the idea.. and the shots look great. (11.16.2011 10:17pm)
ajira: Love this. Thanks for sharing. (11.17.2011 03:18am)
tabitha: I love LOVE your work. Where is this little girls outfit from?? I'm head over heals in love with those shorts! (11.17.2011 03:39pm)
amy hall: Love it! I was going to use glitter confetti for my christmas fam pic...hope you know I didn't steal it from ya! This looks so cool and I can't wait to see the rest! xo (11.18.2011 05:00am)
KELLI TRONTEL: Eeek! So gorgeous!! (11.21.2011 06:46pm)
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)
I’ve been reflecting a lot on the importance (or lack of) of our daily strive to make more so we can get more.. be popular.. be cool.. keep up with Joneses.. create that business that brings you the ‘right’ clients. But the thing is, I think all of our ultimate plans are to make it to a ripe old age right? And if we are lucky enough to make it to that old age, I guarantee not one of those things will be important. They won’t be what is spoken of at your memorial or what is remembered by your loved ones. It will be about your kindness.. it will be stories told of laughs shared & tears shared.. the love you gave to others.. the type of person you were to the people around you.
My grandpa just passed away and not one person said a word about how far up the corporate ladder he had risen or how many cool things he owned. Every single memory was of the kind of person he was. I watched an entire house of things he had collected over the past 81 years go out the door. I didn’t want any of it. Without him connected to it, it was all just stuff. I wanted the pictures. I wanted the ring that sat on his finger every day. I wanted to see his handwriting on a card. I realized that in my own life that those are the things I should be paying attention to when I have people I love around. Those are the things I should be striving for and collecting every day.
He had a ’65 Mustang that he used to drive to the cemetery every Sunday to visit my Mooie. My first instinct was that I needed it. It would somehow make me feel closer to him. That wasn’t a possibility so I decided second best would be to do a shoot of the kids with it. The funny part is that the whole time I was shooting, the whole time I was thinking about it after I finished, the whole editing process… I just wished I had done a session of him with the car. I hadn’t taken enough pictures of him.
I guess the lesson of the day is I hear people every day struggle with photography- how to make it a business, how to make more money, how to be well known for doing it… please don’t do that to yourself. Each time you capture something special- someone special, you are surpassing anything you could ever want from the ‘business’ end of things. That is what you are going to look back on and give the people that you love. That is your legacy.
My grandpa kept every single picture he was ever given or had taken. It is the best gift he could have left me.
Handsome sucker wasn’t he? One of my favorite stories told when I was down for his memorial was from a lady friend of his in the neighborhood. Apparently he was the catch of the neighborhood and all of the widows would take walks on his street in hopes of catching his eye (caused a bit of a stir amongst them in the process- hehe).
This is the only time I ever got the ‘real’ camera out to have pictures done of he and I. It was when I had just purchased a digital SLR and had NO idea what I was doing (with the camera or PS). This is a lesson learned… as I got better the camera started only being pulled out for ‘business’ and so I have nothing since (*changing that is at the top of the to-do).
And the one last spin with the Mustang…
santa ana | CA
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou
Jeannine: Thanks for reminding me of my passion and what I need to do everyday! It is great to see what we value most and that there always is a reason for everything that happens. LOVE the car and the memories that it brought to you and your family! Thanks for sharing. (05.27.2011 06:47am)
Jennifer Sparaco: Shannon I'm so so sorry for your loss. You are completely right and how sad it is that it seems to take walking in your shoes before we really "get" what you are saying here!! I'm going to make an effort to do better myself. Thank you for sharing this with all of your fans. (05.27.2011 07:10am)
lesley: Shannon I'm so sorry to hear about your grandpa, but he sounds like one amazing man! This post is a nice refresher amongst all that 'how to get yourself noticed' posts, I will treasure this one more than any other. Leaving a lasting impression on people cause you made them feel important is way better than having money in my pocket. Thank you! (05.27.2011 09:24am)
Kelsey Gerhard: Yes, yes. Good start to the to do list! Don't just reserve the camera for business - I am going to take that lesson to heart. So sorry for your loss. That one black and white of the two of you, however, is priceless. :) (05.27.2011 12:40pm)
Christina: I'm so sorry for your loss. I miss my grandparents every day :( And I totally "get" what your saying about all the business stuff! It's hard not to get caught up in it all! But my eyes were opened when I photographed a young mom and her daughter for some Christmas photos last year, and then a few months later I saw her face on the news...she was a police officer and had just been killed by a drunk driver while on duty, leaving behind her little girl. Those photos I took of her & her daughter were displayed at her memorial and burial. They didn't make me famous or more popular, really only the family knew I took them, but they've turned out to be my most important work. (05.27.2011 02:42pm)
giedre: I'm really sorry about your grandpa! I love all the old photographs you included in this post, though - despite not ever having met him, his image in those photographs seem to be infused with such charisma that they make me smile. Thank you for sharing! :) (05.27.2011 02:45pm)
Lina: Oh, this is so heartbreaking. Hugs to you.... (05.27.2011 03:38pm)
eliesa: AMEN! Love it, love the shoot, love your word, love you! LOVEe (05.27.2011 04:53pm)
laurel: Shannon, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. This was a beautiful post. Thank you :) . - Laurel (05.27.2011 05:56pm)
Kristin Cook: S~ So sorry for you loss :( Losing grandparents just stinks. Thank you so much for your WONDERFUL words of wisdom. (05.27.2011 06:48pm)
ajja: One of the more important posts I have read all year. Thank you for the stirring and for your great remembering. (05.27.2011 07:23pm)
Heather F: I am sorry for the passing of your grandfather, glad you got some pics of the mustang with the kids but what you said about doing pics with HIM in it really struck a chord with me. I also have my grandfather's wedding band, I wear it everyday, its the little thing we cherish or remember most. Thanks for sharing, he was indeed handsome (05.27.2011 11:38pm)
Paige Anderson: I lost my mom three months after I graduated high school. I keep her pictures in my work room for inspiration. She was bigger than life and people loved her. I hope I can live up to that! I'm sorry about your grandpa, it's obvious he made you feel loved! Pass it on! (05.27.2011 11:42pm)
Renee Waters: Shannon I am so sorry you lost your dear grandpa. This was a beautiful post! It makes me want to get in the car and driver to California and do a session with my almost 81 year old grandpa. I realize I have my camera with me when my parents and inlaws come to visit but we have very few photos of them because I do not make it a priority to do. Thank you for peeling away a vulnerable layer of you for us to see. Keep inspiring as always!!! -- Renee (05.28.2011 01:24am)
Nancy K: I'm so sorry for your family's loss. What a lovely gift from him for you to cherish, and thanks for reminding us all about what's important... REALLY important. P.S. yes, he was a looker... them be good-looking genes in your family! (05.28.2011 01:48am)
vanessa warren: oh, shannon ... so terribly sorry for your loss. what an incredible legacy he left in you. such a moving story ... i loved every piece of it. know that you are living the legacy you want to leave. you really are. your heart is full of love & compassion for others & for what you do. you're amazing. lots of love, precious friend. xoxo (05.28.2011 04:01am)
Laura K. Moore: thank you for this. so much. - :) (05.28.2011 08:08am)
zalaine: Crazy good. lookslike you have senior pictures all taken care of. fabulous photos Miss S! (05.28.2011 08:30am)
Shauna: As I was reading it brought back memories of when my grandfather passed away and all of the bickering over the antiques and furniture and farm equipment. All I wanted was an old plaid shirt he wore till it had holes in it. It smelled like him.. even 10 years later it still does :) Thanks so much for the gentle reminder of what is really important.. so easy to lose site of that in our reach for the top. xo (05.28.2011 09:41am)
Hannie: I am so sorry for your loss. Hope the loving memories will bring a smile to your face very often. He might not be in your lives anymore, but he will always be in your heart. (05.28.2011 05:22pm)
Kelly: Beautiful Shannon. So real and so true. Thank you - I think we all need that remind sometimes : ) (05.28.2011 11:49pm)
Sherry Smyth: what you said...what you felt...what you've decided...it's all touched my heart. Sending thoughts of love and peace to you on the passing of your grandfather and thank you for your wisdom. (05.28.2011 11:49pm)
Cecily R: The shoot is amazing and the sentiments even more so. A million thank yous for putting things into perspective for me (on an day that I overloaded myself yet again on the business side of things). (05.29.2011 12:23am)
Cecily R: P.S. I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa (although since we don't even know each other virtually, that probably sounds hollow). From the sound of it, he will be very missed. (05.29.2011 12:24am)
Leigha Graf: your words and photos bring tears to my eyes...and along with your photography, your truth, honesty and compassion are a gift. (05.29.2011 12:34am)
Jennifer Beitchman: Shannon-I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my Grandmother almost 5 years ago after suffering for 4 years after a major stroke. I miss her everyday. It so hard, but you are doing your grandfather justice here. I'm sure he'd be proud. (05.29.2011 01:24am)
Ginette Sundin: Yes, your images are gorgeous and inspire the socks off me....but this is really why I follow your blog as a photographer. Because when you post about life and what is important, you always seem to nail it on the head to me. Shannon, I am so sorry for you loss, but so thankful that you used it to remind us of what is important in life. This is the most beautiful post you have ever done....and I am blessed. (05.29.2011 04:28am)
KELLI TRONTEL: you got it!!! the very lessons that i grasped on to last year.... i hate that i learned those things when I did, but im thankful for the perspective change- at my age. my life was rocked- as im sure yours is. thank you for your honesty....such a great reminder and testimony to what LIFE is really about. praying for you tonight, my friend. XOXO (05.29.2011 05:32am)
Sunny D: Oh Shannon...I needed this reminder. Thank you. I'm very sorry for your loss. Grandparents are soooo special. (05.29.2011 08:00am)
Caroljean: Shannon, seems like to me the images of the mustang speak how you feel. So sorry for your loss. Thanks for posting this. I agree with Lesley, I need to remember that making those we photograph feel valued and treasured is the most important thing....so needed to hear that! See you soon....blessings, cj (05.29.2011 04:22pm)
Rachel: neat. (05.30.2011 02:32am)
Pascale: Shannon, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember feeing the same way when my grandpa died several years ago. Your post was beautifully written and very touching. I love those pictures. All of them, the old and the new. Thanks for sharing your heart with us. :) (05.30.2011 04:14am)
Jennifer: Speechless! I want the whole world to read this! I'm gonna print it & read it often! Thank you. You're brilliant on so many levels. (05.30.2011 05:27am)
Laura: I love these words. They are so true and yet we forget everyday. Thanks for sharing, the photos are beautiful :) (05.30.2011 05:45am)
janice: What a great post, Shannon. I always tell you you're an amazing photographer, but you're an amazing human! It's so true. I say it all the time. Just cherish every moment. Don't say you "have to take your kids to school"...you "get to take your kids to school." right?!? Thanks for the perspective, Friend. (05.30.2011 05:50am)
Rose: I am so sorry for your loss. I know how important grandparents are in our lives. :) Your grandfather looked like an amazing person and you should be so happy you got to have him in your life. It is true also that memories are the most important things we have after we lose someone we love. The only thing I wanted from my grandmother was this little Virgin Mary medallion. Felt like it could bring her presence back anytime I needed her. Sending you many hugs! Love the photos, such a beautiful homage to him. (05.30.2011 07:11am)
gina: well said ... love and light to you! (05.30.2011 08:35am)
joan: Shannon, I'm so sorry for your loss. I love every word you said and I learn a lesson today. Thank you very much. (05.30.2011 09:36am)
Dana: hugs to you, you beautiful soul. well said, my friend. so sorry to hear your news. (05.30.2011 01:36pm)
Amy C: Shannon I'm so sorry for your loss. You are so right on everything in this post. I am close to my grandparents and my grandfather's health is getting worse (alzheimer's setting in). I grew up being at their house regularly and have many, many memories. They will forever be cherished. Although I have brought home a lamp from their house because it just reminds me of them. :) And the business point is right on. I just want to do this so I get joy from it and my friends and clients get joy from it. I do not want to stress about it. It's supposed to be fun :) I love the story about the ladies wanting to catch his eye and I love that your kids are so willing to model for you! (05.30.2011 02:35pm)
Taylor: That last quote sums up everything for me, you grandfather seemed like an amazing man and if you can put that into perspective everyday I'm sure you'll live the kind of life he would be proud of. Keep up the great work! (05.30.2011 03:01pm)
Kathy Carlisle: Sob...sob...sobbing! Thank you for sharing your heart and this most beautiful lesson. I feel so lucky to have met your grandpa and experience his kindness. I know that you miss him so much, but I also know that you carry such a huge part of him in your heart. You are beauty, kindness, love and everyone's life that you touch becomes a lot brighter! This shoot is amazing and so are you! May your Grandpa rest in piece with your Mooie now:) (05.30.2011 05:01pm)
alli: Shannon , so sorry to hear about your grandpa. beautifully written & pictures to match. I love the one with your daughter "hugging" the steering wheel. thank you for sharing. xo (05.30.2011 05:39pm)
binh petit: I am so sorry to hear of your Grandfather's loss. This post is beautiful...LOVE everything about it (very well said and I couldn't agree more). (05.30.2011 07:32pm)
Dina: hmm, this got me thinking...the answer to 'how DO I want to be remembered?' is how I will live my life and build my legacy today. there is so little peace in the race to do more, buy more, be more. I want my peace to more and more come from the truth of where I'll go when I die and what I stored up in HEAVEN! prayers for you and yours tonight... (06.01.2011 02:48am)
Anna: Shannon, I stumbled upon your blog because of pinterest. I'm so sorry for your loss. You are an inspiring photographer and I really love your images. I have been thinking about and struggling with this very same thing lately. It's so hard to keep up especially when you run a business and a family. Thank you for taking the time to point out what really matters in the grand scheme. (06.01.2011 04:42pm)
Adria: What a beautiful post! Truly heart touching. (06.01.2011 07:26pm)
gina: first and foremost, i am sorry that you've lost your grandpa. i remember how i felt when mine passed not that long ago. believe me, they are still very close by. second, do you ever wonder why it takes someone passing or losing someone special that makes us stop in our tracks and remember what is important. why don't we remember all the time? your post is sad and beautiful at the same time shannon. i love that you have all his pictures. xo gina (06.02.2011 01:58am)
Becky: I'm so sorry for your loss Shannon. What a beautiful shoot, with so much meaning behind it. Hugs. (06.02.2011 03:04am)
Matthew K: Thank you for this wonderful post. I just lost my grandfather and am wishing I had taken the time to do some photos of him. I've only had my camera for about a year but I could have made the time to take some pictures of him while I could. (06.07.2011 10:43am)
kimberly: Shannon, I am so glad that you posted this message. thank you!!! You have reminded me, for as much as I would like to say I am immune, the viral effect of FB and being bombarded with images and success each day that looks like joy and meaningfulness, is actually a mirage of sorts. Being the best person you can be to the people right in front of you is the hardest calling that we have... and gaining the whole world and forfeiting your soul would be a tragic choice for sure. So sorry for your loss, you have gained much wisdom to share :) Keep using your power and influence to move hearts. (06.07.2011 05:35pm)
Stephanie: I love that you shared Maya's quote.. thanks so much for your seed of inspiration<3 (06.08.2011 01:52am)
jen carver: Shannon, this was such an incredibly beautiful post.. Its 12:30 in the morning and I have been sitting in this chair since 9am.. frantically editing and trying to get orders out all day and probably all day for the next two days.. and coming across your blog post.. it really gave me a reality check.. it has been such an incredibly difficult year for my family.. my husband lost his job last july and my daughter got strep throat a year ago and triggered the onset of juvenile arthritis..(bizarre I know..) in the midst of it all I had the pressures of helping my daughter get a diagnosis to relieve her from the pain she was dealing with and working my but off trying to keep my husband from losing his mind about the job loss and not being able to provide for our family.. thankfully my daughter is doing well now.. my husband is still looking .. and as for me I have been so focused on succeeding as a child photographer and growing this business..that I think I lost site also of many of the things you mentioned above.. so thank you for the reality check.. I'm so happy I came to your workshop in Virginia for more reasons then just bettering myself at photography.. so thank you for sharing this personal story with the rest of us..and once again I am so sorry for your loss.. I think now instead of pulling another all nighter..I'm gonna go crawl into bed with my girls and enjoy every moment of it! ... so thank you. (06.10.2011 04:35am)
Samantha Deyette: I'm so sorry for your loss... thank you for being so open and sharing your thoughts! Here I sit at my computer, stressed out about business. Trying to re-vamp pricing, my blog, and feeling down about it all. I decide to take a break and check my google reader (something else I'm feeling "behind" on). This was just what I needed to hear. Away from my computer I go and off to enjoy my little ones. I couldn't agree with you more... thanks for the reminder today! (06.14.2011 09:51pm)
Jessica Oatman: Wonderful writing and the best point of view on life that I have read in awhile. I read your blog alot and I'm so sorry about your grandpa. My brother was killed in Afghanistan 22months ago. It's not his things I wanted but the photos that captured who we was. We were blessed with a photo session with him 10 days before he died... Priceless. Enjoy your photos! (06.22.2011 09:06pm)
jennie gaskins: AMAZING message Shannon!! I have also come to the conclusion I need to take more images of those I LOVE and not just whip out the camera for clients!! GREAT GREAT reminder!! THANK YOU!!! (07.13.2011 09:50pm)
Kathy: I just added you on Instagram! Hurray for another way to stalk you! <3 (09.13.2012 08:44pm)
janice: I saw these on there. It's great you're on there. I have like three followers. It's funny, because I don't even care. I love it anyway!! (09.15.2012 01:33am)
Becky: you're even a magic maker with an iPhone :-) (09.19.2012 02:06pm)