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

workin with what you've GOT,

pink house

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Saturday, July 17, 2010

the artist is a cartographer.

he maps the world.

the world within him and the world as he sees it.

---- JULIA CAMERON, WALKING IN THIS WORLD

this is my world this week. our floor in our kitchen is getting re-done.

what i love about it is that all they're doing is removing the old linoleum and refinishing the wood floors that were underneath.

work with what you've got.

accept what you have.

creatively see what's in front of you with your own unique eyes.

it was hard to sit down and breathe this week because a) southern california is 100 degrees, b) i didnt own an air conditioner until yesterday, and c) life feels mixed up and not normal with our whole kitchen in our living room while the floor is being done.

i enjoyed peeking in through the plastic temporary door and documenting our house as it was today.

i normally expose for the midtones and shadows to make my images bright, which ends up leaving blindingly white areas, but while photographing this today i asked myself why i dont let the shadows in. the mystery. the darks. they draw me in but also make me uncomfortable. doesn't feel connected to me and the way i see. but i think i needed to pay attention to that and ask why. in the photograph below i'm in the same place as that one above, just about 2 steps back and vertical. crazy how there's a million ways to see the same space. the same world.

the artist is a cartographer.

he maps the world.

the world within him and the world as he sees it.

---- JULIA CAMERON, WALKING IN THIS WORLD

2 comments so far

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tiny twig says:

this is a really beautiful and insightful post. xo.

(07.17.10 @ 06:32 PM)

Hollie says:

congrats on the air conditioner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think that brings your stress level down about 10 notches when its that hot!

(07.17.10 @ 09:32 PM)

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wedding at rancho capistrano:::::::: :::::::::: amy & brennan!

>>> weddings

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

amy,
MOST ENTHUSIASTIC PERSON EVER!

i love this girl.

brennan,

witty, smart, composed, and has the best eyelashes.

their wedding at rancho capistrano was lovely.

they win the award for making me cry while editing.

those ones of them coming down the aisle? wow.

lovely and full.

just, full.

full to the brim and overflowing.

that's my word for those ones.

enjoy!

and, their wedding party had 19 people in it.

want to give a shout out to all of you for being AWESOME!

(and for letting me rile you up.)

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renovation. our kitchen is in our living room.

pink house

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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

so the pink house is in a bit of a transformation mode. the kitchen floors were disgusting, and our really nice landlords have decided to have them re-done. it only took 6 months of asking, and i am so jazzed about it. they're taking up the linoleum and refinishing the wood that was underneath.

the whole house smells like wood stain and polyurethane, which is rough when you work from home. its also hard to have the stove and fridge in the living room, and to not be a believer in microwaves. i've been eating out for every meal and its getting annoying to not be able to eat anything in my own house. on top of that, we have no air conditioning. stagnant, hot, polyurethane filled air. awesome. cosmo is staying at the neighbor's house. they have a cat, but i think that a cat is less of a threat than deadly vapors. mmm?

so, all of that wraps itself up into me being a bit stressed out. the whole kitchen is on tables, surrounding me as i type, and i'm still in my yoga clothes from this morning because i had to do the whole out-for-breakfast escapade..... and now its lunch. so i have to leave again.

this is how my brian and heart feel:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what's exciting though is the anticipation of MONDAY WHEN IT WILL BE DONE.

what's also exciting is the great dish photos i'm getting to add to my collection which i am hoping to launch very soon. and by launch i mean frame.

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blythe says:

!!! life change.

you should try out some raw food recipes. :)
wait, do you still have a fridge? or is it turned off?

(07.14.10 @ 01:14 PM)

valerie says:

Cosmo is having a great time down here listening to Frank Sinatra...

(07.14.10 @ 03:28 PM)

Marilyn Paul says:

hi Shannon, sounds like your situation is worse than ours. When we get to our new house in "5 more sleeps" (remember saying that when you were a kid!, then we will throw stuff into a box, take it into the house from the RV and that's about it. At first we will need clothes and food - everything is already there. Love this easy kind of moving. Your's sounds frustrating, but it will beautiful soon! love ya, gr ma

(07.15.10 @ 11:56 AM)

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wedding at the san diego botanical gardens::::: rachel & jeff

>>> weddings

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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

they met on PlentyofFish.com, and proudly displayed their profiles at the guest-book table so everyone could get a glimpse into the way they met.

Jeff's!

I am happy. My stars are aligning. I am very creative, but also down to earth. I believe living your purpose is what is most important outside of family and friends. I have a strong appreciation for music, the arts, Steeler's football, and all things healthy. I strive to keep myself fit mentally, physically, and spiritually. I'm interested in meeting new people, seeing if we enjoy each other's company, becoming friends, and if fortunate...more. I'm not interested in drama or games.

and here's Rachel's,

My head thinks too much and my soul delights in dance. Make me laugh and I'll laugh out loud. Sit down with me and engage in discussion. Travel with me and discover the interesting aspects of the world we've not yet seen. I believe in God and the community he provides for us on Earth. I believe the beat of the drum should be explored and hips should sway. I believe lovingkindness is one of the most beautiful words because each part necessarily loses its validity when separated from the other. If I work out enough and keep jumping higher and higher....perhaps one day I'll take off and fly.

and here they are, married.

THERE'S HOPE, PEOPLE!

they had a bagpiper!

one of the sweetest parts of their wedding was the dancing. rachel has been a ballet dancer for a long time, and it was so clear that it was in her. life and joy :) loved it.

wedding location: San Diego Botanical Garden (formerly Quail Gardens)

>>>> and here's a slideshow!

hey you.

enjoy your day.

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Nicole Knox says:

Gorgeous - loved every photo!

(07.13.10 @ 03:03 PM)

Ro says:

thanks for putting up the bagpiper

(07.13.10 @ 11:06 PM)

Ira Lippke says:

Congratulations Rachel and Jeff! It looks like Shannon got some gorgeous shots of your wedding. It was wonderful to get a taste of what was obviously a beautiful, fun, meaningful day. Much love!

(07.14.10 @ 12:24 PM)

jasmine says:

You were in San Diego and I MISSED IT?!
Unacceptable. Come back immediately. Pretty please?

(07.15.10 @ 09:54 PM)

heather says:

my favorite is the panda bear kid leash boy.

(07.19.10 @ 01:07 AM)

kira says:

Hi Shannon,

I love your work! I ran into your botanic garden wedding photos - I am actually looking into that venue as a possibility for my wedding next May. I am wondering if you'd be able to tell me what time the ceremony was? An idea from a good photographer would help. I am one myself and obsessed with these things, as you may imagine ;) It just looked like the ceremony site in the walled garden might be backlit at and a few hrs. before sunset. Ours needs to be from 5-10 next year as that is their new policy.

Thanks!

(08.09.10 @ 01:02 PM)

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blaire & kc::::::::::: at their apartment

engagements

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Monday, July 12, 2010

-- she likes to buy pretty dresses, he likes to buy electronics.
-- she likes to go to sleep early, he goes to sleep late.
-- she likes vegetables, he likes frozen pizza.

-- he likes army things, she doesn't support the war.
-- she tries to adhere to proper grammar, he doesn't.

-- he likes cats, she likes dogs.

they both,

-- hate sports
-- love learning
-- are libertarians
-- love listening to podcasts

-- are really close with their families
-- go to lots of midnight film screenings

-- and are.... obsessed with harry potter. they're going to that new harry potter world for their honeymoon.

in light of all of this, we decided to do their session at their apartment: the place where they have merged their lives and daily navigate the ins and outs, the ups and downs of relationship. i love that they're so different, SO in love, and have chosen to grow together and learn from each other. they're the best. love you guys :)

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blythe says:

(07.12.10 @ 11:14 PM)

Ro says:

They are so great! I love the way the kitchen glows it reminds me of the PH.

(07.13.10 @ 09:29 AM)

veigh says:

i love the last picture .. i want to be friends with them. :)

(07.13.10 @ 02:41 PM)

Roxy says:

Ahhh! Love that sassy Kit Cat! So much attitude.

(07.13.10 @ 05:27 PM)

Scotland says:

this post is too good to not get a comment.

of all the work you do that i love, of all the work i see that i love, this has got to be one of my favourite posts in quite a while. well done.

(07.13.10 @ 07:51 PM)

jasmine says:

I love the way you see the world, and I love the tiny special moments you bring out in people and places. I mean, pinkies? cookbooks? CAT TAIL?!

(07.15.10 @ 09:52 PM)

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canada day :::

daily life

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Thursday, July 8, 2010

my friend trish is canadian,

i am canadian,

and she had a party!

she wore a flag dress,

i wore a bear hat.

different strokes, baby.

there were canadian tattoos,

so i put a flag on my right arm.

it was a great addition to my 4th of july outfit a few days later.

just added an AMERICAN one to the other arm.

who knew.

temp. tats are IN.

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jennifer young says:

woohoo!!! loving the red and white (and your blue!!!)
j.

(07.08.10 @ 11:35 PM)

Ro says:

You looked so Canada I love it! So glad you could show your pride.

(07.09.10 @ 09:07 AM)

Cate says:

I'm glad to hear this, because on my left ankle I currently have a flaming skull stamping an overdue library book . I am not joking. It all happened really fast after my coworker and I found a book of temporary, library-themed tattoos in her desk.

(07.09.10 @ 03:30 PM)

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cosmo puts himself in time-out.

pink house

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Friday, June 25, 2010

cosmo has the opportunity to fly wherever he wants, but he usually chooses to perch on some random object and look at the wall for 15 or 20 minutes. he'd do this all day if i let him. why doesn't he fly in circles, eat the food that's laying around, or play with his toys? why does he choose to isolate himself and look AT THE WALL?

hello cosmo, you're free buddy.

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Jen May says:

That's hilarious!

(06.25.10 @ 01:42 PM)

maemae says:

no. 1 i love the colors in this pic.
no. 2 this is the funniest thing ever.

embrace, cosmo.

(06.25.10 @ 03:25 PM)

teri says:

sooo funny. thanks for the laugh! your bird reminds me in many ways of our bearded dragon lizard, malduney, who will remain in the silliest positions for hours. yay for quirky exotic pets! :)

(06.25.10 @ 04:24 PM)

shannon leith says:

ha! teri........ so funny!!

(06.25.10 @ 11:04 PM)

Claire says:

HA! I love it.

(06.28.10 @ 11:20 AM)

Jeanette says:

Thank you for your sweet words!
You really made my day

I love your blog, your photos and Cosmo ;)

(06.29.10 @ 01:48 PM)

maren mcmillan says:

that is sooo funnnneeeee

(07.05.10 @ 04:10 PM)

Suzanne says:

Gosh, that is so darn funny and cute!

(07.08.10 @ 10:32 AM)

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