shannon leith :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: photographer of everyday life based in pasadena, california

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Monday, November 14, 2011

there is a project i have been working on for 6 months, or maybe more, and last night as i was at dance jam i realized that if i wait any longer to tell you about it i will explode.

so today's the day.

it's called shine.

portrait sessions for women that celebrate the essence of who you are inside.

the experience will be really meaningful.

it will let you have a space to celebrate and explore this specific phase of your life.

this feels so natural and right for me to be doing---

i realized i had become kind of stopped up though, in the process of launching it.

i was all set to do this big intense official launch, but sensed today that we didn't need that.

i just can't be silent about it anymore. it needs to be seen as i have things ready. ha, actually...... it IS ready. there's nothing left to 'do' except for aesthetic things like switch around my website and make a few pdf's for when people sign up. i didn't want to let that stop me though.

instead of drumming up some big THING...... i want to let you see my process.

i want to move to the music that is there, not wait for this big crescendo moment.

i'll be posting throughout the week with the story behind this, and with the answer to the question: what about weddings?

so first, is simply a real shine session so that you can visually get an idea of what this is.

here's jessica. :)

a woman who is so alive and living her dreams,

a woman who risks and has joy in the process,

a woman who is clear clear clear in who she is and what she's up to in this life.

.............and she's from alaska.

>>> what she had to say about her session >>>>>

1. It doesn't matter what I wear, as long as what I wear reflects me. And no, I don't need several outfits to reflect me, because it's not about the clothes.

2. I don't have to pose. The point is to have photos that reflect me. Therefore, I just need to BE me.

3. As I am being me, Shannon is going to capture something with her camera that represents what I am feeling or experiencing about myself, and that's what makes the photo beautiful.

4. I am beautiful. Wow! Who knew? I mean, I've heard it, but I'm not sure I believed myself to be beautiful. Shannon, you showed me a reflection of me that had far more truth than what I see when I look in the mirror. And THAT is priceless.

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i will be posting more information throughout the week, but if you are a person who is drawn to this concept, a person who gets it already without me saying more, you are welcome to be one of the first of twenty available sessions in 2012.
information is here,

book a session by clicking here

11 comments so far

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Kristen Lim says:

love these pictures. love this idea!

(11.15.11 @ 06:14 PM)

blaire says:

PROUD.

shine is about women being themselves, which is you being yourself.

(11.15.11 @ 06:17 PM)

Jasmine says:

I am so hopelessly delighted by you. I can't wait to hear more.

(11.15.11 @ 07:56 PM)

Christen says:

Yay, I celebrate the launch of this dream that you have been thinking about for months... and I so look forward to seeing the beauty of each woman you work with shine through your lens. I still feel like you offered me an unofficial shine session, and hopefully, I can have an official one in the future. Congrats Shan! Beautiful, beautiful work from your stunning heart.

(11.15.11 @ 09:30 PM)

hollie says:

oh love love love this.

(11.15.11 @ 10:07 PM)

jennifer says:

this is so incredibly beautiful shannon...i feel like you are meant to do this.
j.

(11.16.11 @ 12:18 AM)

Blythe says:

Sometimes all there is to say is: !!!

(11.16.11 @ 10:14 AM)

Blythe says:

Sometimes all there is to say is: !!!

(11.16.11 @ 10:37 AM)

marilyn paul says:

I can't think of anything more in your character and dream than this. I can imagine the fun you and your "model" will have each time you have a session. You love taking inner pictures and you make people want to be themselves and not POSE! Great going!! love ya, gr ma

(11.16.11 @ 10:39 AM)

marilyn paul says:

I can't think of anything more in your character and dream than this. I can imagine the fun you and your "model" will have each time you have a session. You love taking inner pictures and you make people want to be themselves and not POSE! Great going!! love ya, gr ma

(11.16.11 @ 10:39 AM)

Jason Leith says:

Shan. shan :) this is really exciting. I love the concept, i love the philosophy. I really love how it serves to to a better job at reflecting the beauty of an individual better than a mirror can. This is unique and YOU. exclamation points!!!!

(11.16.11 @ 10:30 PM)

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this weekend---

daily life

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Monday, November 14, 2011

i spent the weekend in lake arrowhead---

at a retreat-------

and some of my favorite time was time spent laying on the floor.

laying on the floor and looking at light and realizing,

oh.

a) it is so good for me to take the time to just look

b) i am a person who was made to use my eyes to see

c) whats up with the color white?
d) where did that circle come from?

e) popcorn ceilings arent all bad.

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marilyn paul says:

Popcorn ceilings aren't all bad if it's somewhere besides your WHOLE HOUSE! Touch that stuff up there and you get a snow shower into everything. I DON'T LIKE IT! It's a mess to get rid of when it's everywhere. BUT, I love you, Shannon.....gr ma

(11.15.11 @ 08:34 AM)

leah noble says:

Oh girl, you are so inspiring. I feel like your blog just reaches right across all the BS and touches the REAL. You've got a real gift both in your writing and in your photography. I so love what I discover here, and mostly what it makes me discover about myself.

(11.16.11 @ 05:17 PM)

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its kind of like he's doing a ballet move.

pink house

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

cosmo flew wildly around my room and of all places, decided to land on the flimsy butcher paper finger painting i did last month at my women's club and looked at the wall for a while. the bird who chooses to stand on the edge of paper and can actually balance.......wow. hello TALENT,

7 comments so far

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isabel says:

the last shot of cosmo, wow, print that big and frame it.

(10.19.11 @ 06:14 AM)

blythe says:

sweet cos

(10.19.11 @ 12:01 PM)

chris says:

classic cute pet thing to do

(10.21.11 @ 12:15 PM)

Jas says:

Dang. That guy's got SKILLS.

(10.21.11 @ 05:01 PM)

Tracey says:

wow. I don't even have those skills. Cosmo should join the circus.

(11.03.11 @ 03:27 PM)

Tracey says:

Wow. Cosmo should join the circus.

(11.03.11 @ 03:28 PM)

Cheryl R. says:

Hi Shannon! Hi Cosmo!
Wow, Cosmo... you are a hunka Hunka!

(11.06.11 @ 06:37 PM)

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to be awake.

daily life

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Monday, October 17, 2011

i lost my phone.

on my way going from a coffee shop to a building next door, it disappeared.

i wasn't even in a hurry! what the heck!

it happened so effortlessly that all i could do was laugh.

i came home and told my roommate, and she noticed that i was BEAMING.

apparently i was really ecstatic about this loss.

i honestly all of a sudden felt so light and free.

i never want a phone again.

it was actually quite surprising and hilarious how much burden i felt lift right off my shoulders.

i have been entirely enjoying the past 3 days and 3 nights with no way of communicating except for real life.

its interesting how much i've had to trust.

to trust that a friend will show up when we've planned to,

to trust that even though i'm not getting calls, that people still like me,

to trust that when texts and calls go into a black hole....it will be okay. (i got scared yesterday that since i'm not replying or calling back--- WHAT IF PEOPLE THINK I HATE THEM. such an interesting fear.)

along with trust, there's the opportunity for surprise.

today i went to my favorite and now DAILY place to drink coffee and read: busters.

i would normally call jen to see if wanted to come.

but took the lack of a phone as a sign to just be there with just me.

then guess who showed up.

I KNOW! we screamed and sat in amazement at how our lives could randomly connect even when we didn't try. to let God be nice like that was so, nice.

over the weekend i found myself being so aware of time. or....unaware of time.

my roommate wanted to do this little photoshoot of cosmo and i, and i had just gotten out of the shower so my hair was wet and i had no makeup on and it felt so raw and beautiful and like time stood still.

no phone.

a way of waking up to the present moment instead of constantly trying to be somewhere else.

and yeah i'm avoiding getting a new one as long as possible. so far i'm still alive, business is still alive, photos are still being taken, food is being eaten, friends are still alive, cosmo is alive...... ETC. who knew.

14 comments so far

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carson leith says:

one of my favorite posts by you, EVER.
i resonate with these thoughts so much and love being forced to have only REAL LIFE face to face conversations. love love love having no phone.

two fav lines:
"no phone. a way of waking up to the present moment instead of constantly trying to be somewhere else."
"i have been entirely enjoying the past 3 days and 3 nights with no way of communicating except for real life."

(10.17.11 @ 02:38 PM)

Katie says:

I often want to throw my phone away or at least take a break from it. You always inspire me.

(10.17.11 @ 02:47 PM)

Heather Leith says:

i secretly loved it when my phone broke. i experienced these same things!

(10.17.11 @ 03:00 PM)

deborah ford says:

this is so counter-cultural...beautiful how you are learning to embrace each moment as it unfolds...discovering so much freedom in letting go...enjoying the gifts of each day...i love how you walked right into this & haven't looked back...with Katie, I am inspired ... & smiling right now!

(10.17.11 @ 03:40 PM)

jas says:

This is an inspiring tale, but also makes me feel woefully fearful, now that just four days ago, I entered my first steps into the world of smartphoning.Others are already rejecting the world I have so little knowledge of yet! I feel behind the times.

And you and cosmo are the cutest.

(10.17.11 @ 04:50 PM)

hollie says:

i love leaving my phone and bags at home and going places completely empty handed... so free. This is a great post. love you.

(10.17.11 @ 08:17 PM)

hollie again says:

oh and who needs phones anyway now? we have no shortage of ways to communicate simply through this crazy thing called the internet that so often sucks the life right out of us.

(10.17.11 @ 08:21 PM)

Leah Bean says:

What about getting a landline? That's all I have. It's beautiful. It takes messages. It's there when you get home. But when I'm out and about I'm there with just me, just a paper and pen in case someone wants me to take a note about something.

(10.18.11 @ 07:25 AM)

Leah Bean says:

What about getting a landline? That's all I have. It's beautiful. It takes messages. It's there when you get home. But when I'm out and about I'm there with just me, just a paper and pen in case someone wants me to take a note about something.

(10.18.11 @ 07:27 AM)

Amy Hood says:

Losing your phone is TOTALLY the best. :)

(10.18.11 @ 11:43 AM)

Flora says:

I have dreams about giving up my cell phone. My fiance wants me to get the new iPhone, but I think my subconscious is secretly resisting this.... I kind of think that if people can finally get a hold of me via e-mail while I'm out and about, then there's no hiding anywhere.

(10.18.11 @ 01:46 PM)

MaeMae Paperie says:

one of my favorite posts.

for about 3-4 months i would only use my phone in my studio. when i left - the phone stayed. made me feel SO GOOD. now i am not so freaked out about people being able to contact me. i feel in control. the phone doesn't control me. but maybe i will need another phone fast in the future.

LOVE YOU.

(10.18.11 @ 05:39 PM)

Larissa says:

I love how much trust and joy you are experiencing with the loss of your phone. I hope I am the kind of person who can have those qualities whenever I am without the things I assume I depend on.

(10.19.11 @ 02:57 PM)

giedre says:

J.e.a.l.o.u.s. I HATE phones. And, as a result, I generally don't answer calls and avoid calling back as long as possible. I'd much rather just meet in person or over email. Email, well still annoying and time-consuming, doesn't seem to be nearly as obtrusive as a phone call. :) So, just wanted to let you know, I'm kinda in awe and totally jealous of you.

(10.19.11 @ 03:34 PM)

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SEEING! the next one.

daily life

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

i want to announce the next seeing class!

january 21st. i'd love to have you.

sign up here.

during the week leading up to this past class, i had some major inspiration in my own life which led me to incorporate some new things.

including: a 5 course lunch at my favorite restaurant: heirloom---- and a visit from my yoga instructor to teach us how to open up not only in our vision, but in our body.

the body, the soul, the mind, and the heart are all connected.

for me, experiencing new tastes, and new yoga poses are such beautiful ways of opening me up creatively. doing those things with our bodies somehow magically filters into our whole selves. i love that.

so, it felt natural and right to lead people down that path with me.

that's what the class is all about: getting out of your box and becoming more free.

so this is charity :)

one of the deepest souls i know.

teaches me to dive into the deep end without a life preserver and just swim.

holly!

when i asked her what color she'd be, she chose yellow. i agree.

and this is lauren---

the one who brought a peach as her object to photograph, because she's obsessed with The Earth. yes girl.

and chelsea!

whose favorite color is pukey green because it reminds her of her grandma. :)

so the next class is open for registration.

it is a two month experience that starts on january 21st and includes the following:

-- the 5 course yummy lunch & yoga practice

-- 9+ hours of group class time, FULL of teaching, doing, breathing, exploring.

-- 3 one-hour mentoring sessions with me

-- a notebook with resources, tips, questions, and exploration assignments to do on your own

-- super easy tips for how to make your camera UN-COMPLICATED! :)

-- a chance to see how i photograph people

-- ways to deepen your understanding of light

-- a mini portrait session of you!

and... tons more. its an experience. its a process. its therapeutic. its for people who want to pay attention to their vision and to deepen their view of the world.

if you're interested sign up here! (seven spots available.)

peace to you,

shannon

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Leah Bean says:

Can you come to Cape Breton and do a class here?!? Pretty please? I can give you a place to stay, a yoga teacher who would cooperate, a restaurant to eat at and people to take part. It could be rad!

(I'm mostly kidding since I bet it would cost more for you than it would be worth, but I would also LOVE to take this class and California is just so far away.)

(10.18.11 @ 07:31 AM)

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6:50,

pink house

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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

i found myself a bit bored with photographing my kitchen for a while----

but then i noticed the evening light and was re-enchanted.

oh, the back and forth of something being SO AMAZING AND INTERESTING and then somehow becoming boring. that fascinates me.

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morning routine,

daily life

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Monday, October 10, 2011

i've been using my new favorite coffee shop as my new favorite place to work.

i used to think working at a coffee shop would be annoying,

and it felt too cliche for a self employed photographer to go to a coffee shop to get some things done.

but now i get it.

instant coworkers!

lots of refills!

buzz!

and the prettiest light in the bathroom which awkwardly makes me want to stay in there forever just staring at the paper towel dispenser.

why do bathrooms always, always, have the best light.??

maybe its because there's time to actually sit and stare.

this is getting to be an interesting post.

but yeah, that's my theory.

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isabel says:

reminds me of ryan muirhead. he loves shooting in bathrooms. and yes, i'm in love with the paper towel holder here.

(10.10.11 @ 03:11 PM)

Tracey says:

yes, why do bathrooms have the best light? Seriously. I've thought of this before too. NOT weird that you pulled out your camera while you were sitting there. Not at all....

(10.15.11 @ 09:17 PM)

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