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

more iowa, because i loved it.

daily life

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

since i was in rachey's wedds i got to do the pre-wedding events!

aren't those fun?

these ones were extra fun because they included:

1) rachel's grandmas thrift shop where things are 10 cents.

2) rachel's aunt & uncle's farm

3) shooting clay pigeons at the farm (i found out that clay pigeons are the shape of a disc, not the shape of a pigeon)

4) annie losing her first tooth.

5) oh hello..............................and a hayride.

one more thing---- i asked this guy at the lodge where i could get an iced coffee on the way to the airport. he told me there was 'nothing for 40 miles' and i was sure he was wrong. nope. nothing means......................nothing. wide open space was both a gift and a shock.

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isabel says:

i have just been loving all your recent pics. the florida ones (omg!) these. i'm in my "i had my gear stolen" fog and haven't shot in over a week. slowly looking at other people's photos. and of course, yours just heal the heart.

(07.19.11 @ 04:48 PM)

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i have a few different breakfasts to share.

daily life

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Monday, July 18, 2011

i was just doing my thing in the morning, when i found myself absolutely mesmerized by ashley's peach & cottage cheese breakfast. she's my roommate who's outfits each day are an art project. why haven't i ever thought to just eat a peach & cottage cheese for breakfast? it reminds me of my COLLEGE DAYS (love saying that), when i ate cottage cheese on every single meal for about a year. everything from my oatmeal to my pizza. sick, i know. i think that phase of life is why i am now lactose intolerant. i will say this: i am now obsessed with soy everything.

so whats your favorite breakfast trick that i need to know about?

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ashley says:

That looks so delicious!
I want to start that habit again for sure.

(07.18.11 @ 03:10 PM)

Jen May Pastores says:

Lovely colors! I'll say this again, I want to live in your house! :D

(07.18.11 @ 03:10 PM)

Jen May Pastores says:

Lovely colors! I'll say this again, I want to live in your house! :D

(07.18.11 @ 03:11 PM)

Christina says:

i must admit...i have never been able to get into cottage cheese. it's a texural thing, i think! i'm an oatmeal girl through and through... but it has to be the 5-minute kind that you make on the stove (they taste so much better that way). throw in a handful of craisins, slivered almonds, a little brown sugar and a splash of almond milk...MMMMM.

(07.19.11 @ 08:50 AM)

Cate says:

Cherries and raw almonds is my new favorite breakfast. With coffee and cream or jasmine tea. Very comforting.

(07.19.11 @ 10:24 AM)

Kate says:

Tofutti "Better Than Cream Cheese" on a really delicious, seed-filled English muffin. I put it on these gluten-free English muffins and have some fruit on the side.

(07.20.11 @ 09:23 AM)

Katy says:

Ok, so, I remember you're allergic to almonds... and every breakfast item I was excited to share involves them!

(07.21.11 @ 08:54 AM)

Tracey says:

any nut butter on toast with sliced fruit and a cup of soy milk
any yogurt (i like plain, you can do soy whatever) with blueberries and granola or nuts
fried egg on toast with sliced fruit on side
oatmeal cooked in the slow cooker over night--google recipes and also use a liner. BEST oatmeal EVER.
I would eat breakfast for every meal if I could.

(07.21.11 @ 02:58 PM)

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its the people.

daily life

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Monday, July 18, 2011

this image is from a breakfast i had while i was in minnesota at al's breakfast.

its amazing what happens when you start to talk to people.

this guy has been working there forever, and also happens to be a photographer himself. we talked about my little sx-70 and he told me about his old film days.

i've been going out to breakfast more here in south pas, and its been really refreshing to see real people in the morning instead of being all alone all day. there are many challenges that come along with the freedom of working from home and running my own business. and breakfast is KEY. for me at least. i've found that an inspiring breakfast and simple inspiring conversation inspires the rest of me.

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Carson Leith says:

"i've found that an inspiring breakfast and simple inspiring conversation inspires the rest of me."
totally agree!!!!

(07.18.11 @ 02:55 PM)

Katy says:

was going to say EXACTLY what Carson did. loved this post.

(07.21.11 @ 08:55 AM)

Mandy says:

Oh my gosh. My step-brother, Justin, works at Al's. Seriously. He probably cooked your breakfast.

(07.22.11 @ 06:30 PM)

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rachel & david:::::: {{{belong}}}

>>> weddings

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Friday, July 15, 2011

this wedding wasn't typical.

there was nothing fabricated and everything rang completely true to the spirit of who they are.

for one: instead of bridesmaids she had a village. a village of 25 people who have contributed in their own unique way to who she is today. men, women, young, old. and guess what: i got to be in it! rachel and i have been friends for about six years and she has become a sister to me. i got to be both photographer and village-member--- i tag teamed it with paige de wees. she photographed the parts i was supposed to be in and then used a holga the rest of the time. ideal.

at the end of the night i set down my camera and danced hard, and if you've been following my journey you will know that that was a big deal. it felt so free. and that's what i think rachel and david both offer to people: space to be freely who you are inside. space to express and shoot out and blossom.

david didn't have a village, because he is not her. he had a western town made up of his top six important people, including his sister. in a western town, each person plays a significant role. i can see this concept going global. david's a smart man.

and i need to tell you a few more things: their program was a small thirty page booklet that they wrote themselves, and it explained every last detail of symbolism, including her flower choice: 'baby's breath is an overseen and unnoticed flower. today we are bringing the forgotten to the center stage.' this speaks to me. it also talked about how david's last name, murdoch, means sea. she was becoming the sea. therefore we all wore blue. its things like this that get me deep down and make me say YES. this is how life should be.

...............................and it was in iowa at a lodge called hole n' the wall. (with the apostrophe on the right.)

enjoy++++++++++++++++++

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Christine says:

Absolutely perfect...

(07.15.11 @ 05:44 PM)

Annalisa says:

happiness is what is written all over her face! What a beautiful wedding, and I love all the symbolism, so special!

(07.15.11 @ 05:49 PM)

blythe says:

It looks like such a beautiful, magical, fun time! glad you got to experience two of your besties' birthplace! ;)

(07.15.11 @ 08:08 PM)

Megan Eckers says:

What an absolutely beautiful wedding. You did such an amazing job capturing its uniqueness. And I love the idea of a village and a western town full of people who love you and who have been important parts of your life. What a great concept. Love it all, Shannon!

(07.15.11 @ 08:16 PM)

christina says:

amazing...amazing.

(07.17.11 @ 07:07 AM)

Paige de Wees says:

great work shannon!!

(07.18.11 @ 01:22 PM)

janeen says:

love these, all of them. especially her hand resting in that car. and ESPECIALLY ms. linda and ms. emma and ms. rachel and linda's stepdaughter (?-can't tell!) in a hold. what a circle of love and goodness. so much warmth in these...it's clear you are kindred.

(07.22.11 @ 09:32 PM)

jenesis says:

this wedding brought me SO much joy. wow. the wedding party concepts and program, especially. incredible. you are blessed with gems of friends.

(09.13.11 @ 05:58 PM)

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florida--------------- come as you are

daily life

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Monday, July 11, 2011

the theme of our trip was re-apply.

we we all paranoid about not getting burned.

actually, i announced that i didn't even want a tan, but that changed the first day on the beach when i saw my pitch white skin get a bit of color: something i haven't had in probably 5 years. ha.

my favorite sunscreen was hawaiian tropics. i think it doubles as perfume. i love smelling like coconut & pina coladas. mmmmmm.

family vacation! we normally don't do extravagant vacations like this, so i felt like a queen, especially when we walked into our second hotel that had padded pool chairs & its own fishing dock & free coffee that was actually good in the mornings. luxury. we were in the florida keys, miami area, del ray beach....places like that.

as you have probably noticed, my brothers are little hams in front of the camera. i hate that term, ham, but that is the first thing that came to mind so there you go :)

this trip should be dedicated to apple, because we had approximately three iphones and an ipad on hand at all times to navigate us through the everglades, south beach, the keys, the towns, the everything.

it was refreshing and relaxing to spend ten days with my family. i haven't been able to go on family vacation in years, so this was a treat. i liked being a kid for 10 days straight.

some highlights,

-- walking into a hotel lobby and smelling the best scent i have ever smelled: bergamot, orange, lavender, musk and patchouli. its called sand. i want to smell like this every day.
-- my mom sharing her life story with us. we asked.

-- my dad and his good questions at dinner.

-- my sister & i skipping through dolphin world

-- shell world, dolphin world, coral world, sandal world.

-- driving to 4 places to find rhubarb to make a 4th of july pie

-- WAFFLE HOUSE 3x

-- floating in the waves in the rain.

-- dancing around the southern most tip of the US in the dark.

it felt good to breathe.

ps: we missed you carson. you were the only thing missing.
ps: the theme of the keys is come as you are. that moved me.

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Kate says:

This is my new collection of my favorite pictures of yours.

I need to go to this Shell World place, oh man.

(07.11.11 @ 10:23 PM)

Lindsey says:

LOVED your ocean photos. completely gorgeous!!!! sounds like fun! florida is a pretty wonderful place. :)

(07.11.11 @ 10:57 PM)

Katy says:

I love these pictures! Your mom looks so elegant in her chic bathing suit. As I scrolled down I kept thinking, "THAT'S my favorite" for just about every photo. Glad you go to to go on a family vaca!

PS - your attitude towards a tan (not wanting one and then changing your mind)? Had the exact same experience 2 weeks ago in Costa Rica.

(07.12.11 @ 01:08 AM)

Emily says:

Honestly, your family brings me so much delight. All of these pictures are full of joy and love! The Leiths are a radiant family. I am so blessed to know you all. Just wanted to tell you that. And I miss seeing Carson in these but I'm sure you'll all get to go on another adventure soon! Love love love these photos Shan. You're lovely.

(07.12.11 @ 01:25 AM)

valerie says:

Shell world! Oh man....

(07.12.11 @ 07:30 AM)

Christina says:

REAPPLY is key!! Haha. I got myself into that predicament on my tropical vacation too. :) Now that i have a tan, i never want it to fade! This is a wonderful collection...really captured the fun of a family vacation. That one of your parents in the front seat with the various GPS devices and the pointing...rang so true to me. How many times have we experienced that on road trips?! I keep coming back to these...they make me smile!

(07.12.11 @ 12:21 PM)

Carrie Allen says:

What a blessing! It looks like you guys had the ultimate blast of all time :)

(07.12.11 @ 02:30 PM)

Jenny Gerberding says:

RHUBARB PIE! yes. yes. and yes.

(07.12.11 @ 08:10 PM)

Tracey says:

1. At the beginning of summer I bought a bottle of Hawaiian Tropics bc it had a "buy it now $2 off" coupon on it. I feel like a commercial whenever I am at the beach, I can't stop raving about it. It smells good and it doesn't feel like sun screen. It is the "sheer touch" kind and it actually makes my skin feel good. (See, I sound like a commercial.)
2. Those rainbow beach chairs? Costco...my favorite beach chair. Hubby bought one for me 5 years ago on my bday. Wish mine went with you to Florida.
3. Love these photos.

(07.14.11 @ 09:02 AM)

Tracey says:

1. At the beginning of summer I bought a bottle of Hawaiian Tropics bc it had a "buy it now $2 off" coupon on it. I feel like a commercial whenever I am at the beach, I can't stop raving about it. It smells good and it doesn't feel like sun screen. It is the "sheer touch" kind and it actually makes my skin feel good. (See, I sound like a commercial.)
2. Those rainbow beach chairs? Costco...my favorite beach chair. Hubby bought one for me 5 years ago on my bday. Wish mine went with you to Florida.
3. Love these photos.

(07.14.11 @ 09:04 AM)

Casey says:

I love everything about the Keys. And I love smelling like coconut too. :) Your vacation looks so wonderful! Beautiful images as usual...

(07.15.11 @ 08:33 AM)

Jen May Pastores says:

delightful!

(07.18.11 @ 03:13 PM)

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re-entering.

food, coffee

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

when you get home from a trip what do you do first?

a) unpack. take your liquids out of all those plastic bags. hoping nothing leaked.

b) call people and tell them all about it

c) sit in silence and dont talk to anybody (processing time)

d) get groceries so that you have something in your house to eat,

e) do all that laundry.

.....??

SO MANY OPTIONS.

i just got back from a 10 day family trip to miami & the keys.

i chose to sit in front of my air conditioner & then went on a walk.

and called my friend jen and went to yoga with her.

i like to ease in.

have you read the magazine whole living?

they have this recipe for juice that i made this morning:

ginger, kale, honeydew melon, and green apples.

glad to be home.

but am already missing our obsession with cuban food & ALLIGATORS. and my lens fogged over multiple times due to the humidity.

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blythe says:

that smoothie is awesome! and do you still have that obnoxious lens cloth i gave you forever ago? suddenly remembered that and am now curious.

(07.07.11 @ 09:46 PM)

Janee Lookerse says:

um... that juice looks crazy good. how did Cosmo fair in your absence? also, this is one comment meant to cover the last 8 posts that I just spent way more time reading than I was supposed to. For some reason I always get sucked into your posts and have to read every word and really take in every photo. No skim reading going on here. Not on Shan's blog anyways. xoxo
Janee

(07.07.11 @ 10:58 PM)

Ro says:

would you consider skyping with my mouth full whilst unpacking individual activities ---> I kinda thought it was an experience/event all in one?

(07.08.11 @ 06:22 AM)

Marilyn Paul says:

So glad all of you got home safely. Now you have to get ready for a much longer trip! Wonderful for you.....love ya, GR MA

(07.08.11 @ 10:04 AM)

Marilyn Paul says:

So glad all of you got home safely. Now you have to get ready for a much longer trip! Wonderful for you.....love ya, GR MA

(07.08.11 @ 10:04 AM)

Jane says:

Your smoothie reminds me of an alligator! Glad you had such a good time on vacation. Pretty sure I do all of them besides b as quickly as possible. :)

(07.08.11 @ 04:00 PM)

Kally says:

Hello;) i love reading your blogs,i was wondering could you tell me what type of camera you have.
Recently going to be a Sophomore in college && finished my first photography class and wanted to know a good camera to START with.

(07.09.11 @ 09:56 AM)

Christine says:

I choose e: laundry...I just got back from a trip too! And it turns out that couple from Pasadena that I met in Turkey does know you: Christen and Tony :). We worked at the same camp together...crazy, right?

(07.09.11 @ 11:24 AM)

heather says:

well normally i'd go right to bed or check facebook or something...but this time i unpacked everything right away (even though it was the middle of the night), and woke up feeling so much better the next day! so i choose A!

(07.10.11 @ 05:33 PM)

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new SEEING dates!

daily life

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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

guess what.........

the next SEEING class is open for registration! the experience starts september 10th. sign up here.

one girl from the last class said that within a week it completely changed how she viewed the world. exciting things are happening!

** for this class, i'm adding in a 3rd mentor session because feedback has been coming in that students want more one-on-one time!

*** there are only 7 spots available. more and more people are hearing about this class, so this one will fill up quick!

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ALL THE DETAILS:::

http://shannonleith.com/seeing

DATES:::

Saturday, September 10th, 10am-5pm-- group session

3 one-hour Mentoring sessions: scheduled by personal appointment

Friday, November 18th, 6-9pm-- ending celebration night

LOCATION:::

the pink house in South Pasadena, CA.

private mentoring sessions can also be done over skype.

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this class has now been through three groups of students, so at this point i have refined the exercises and assignments to be the best of the best. i've taken out what hasn't worked, added in new things that work better, and am at a point where i am so confident that this process will help you get out of your box and access the creativity that is within you. i truly hope you are able to come. :)

SIGN UP HERE

here's last week's class--------------- a beautiful group of people from all walks of life. mentoring sessions started this week! i love meeting with each person. just us. chatting. looking at their images. discovering more of what's in them.

today i get to go to my sisters high school graduation, and also i think i'll try and make it to my favorite yoga class. i have been doing headstands!

enjoy your day :) :) :)

shannon

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Shea Hawkins says:

Shannah, if only I lived on the west coast! I'm a friend of Janna Gould and have started following your beautiful blog. Your pictures are refreshing and full of life. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to make it to a session on my next visit to Cali! Anyways, keep up the inspiring work!
Sincerely,
Shea

(06.21.11 @ 01:30 PM)

Ketti says:

I want to go again :)

(06.24.11 @ 03:16 PM)

Ally says:

Hi Shannon! I've been reading your blog for a while now, and I just wanted to let you know that I really look forward to your posts. You are so talented and it seems like you have the kindest heart :) So inspiring!

:) ally
www.feverthrift.blogspot.com

(07.07.11 @ 02:57 PM)

ally says:

ugh i just realized that i forgot to say that "i wish i was in ca so i could be in your class". that was the entire point of me commenting lol.

ally
www.feverthrift.blogspot.com

(07.08.11 @ 03:25 PM)

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