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

kendra & josh ::: engagement session at the LA arboretum

engagements

:::::::::::::::::::::

Thursday, July 21, 2011

kendra & josh:

content with just being together,

he adores her

she is essentially perfectly gorgeous but so much more inside.........

smart, quick, grounded, & very very subtly funny.

the subtle humor is the best.

i was there when josh and her had one of their first bigger interactions: we were at a Christmas party and he was wearing a light pink hoodless sweatshirt with....cats or something on it? anyway........ isn't it fun when those things work out?

oh, ps: those golden ones? kendra found that spot. she took my SEEING class a while back, and she blew me away with how she noticed that light as we just walked by. we were on our way to somewhere else and she saw it. so proud of her. easily the best lighting situation of the day. all because of her.

2 comments so far

::2:: Trackbacks add a comment send to a friend

blythe says:

LOVE these!

(07.21.11 @ 09:49 PM)

Maddie says:

Beautiful work!! Your blog is a pleasure to look at :)

(07.22.11 @ 11:09 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: kendra & josh ::: engagement session at the LA arboretum . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://shannonleith.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/353

elise & philip ::: engagement session in claremont

engagements

:::::::::::::::::::::

Thursday, April 14, 2011

it's so weird that you can just like someone from the minute you meet them.

the body and spirit communicate so much by just being there.

i liked elise and philip from minute 1.

their energy, their passions, the way they show up.

their relationship has been growing for 6 years and has a depth to it that i admire.

we did their session at claremont colleges because that's where elise's parents met. never have i had someone honor their parents in that way! precious club!

p.s., philip notified me that this would be his debut on the internet. don't we all love him?

p.s., elise is letterpressing her invitations herself. as in....getting in the print shop and letterpressing them. these are the kinds of things that get me EXCITED.

5 comments so far

::5:: Trackbacks add a comment send to a friend

Christen says:

I love this session! What a beautiful, joy-filled couple! I can definitely see (from the images) why you enjoy them so much. Beautiful work Shannon. Its hard to pick a favorite, but I lean towards the one of them in front of the tiled wall where she is wearing the blue jacket and looking at the camera. STUNNING.

(04.14.11 @ 02:04 PM)

Ro says:

oh my I like them

(04.14.11 @ 03:44 PM)

Cramer says:

Great pictures

(04.14.11 @ 03:58 PM)

Lindsey Swedzinski says:

oh my word! the thing about her using a letterpress for ALL of their invitations is insane and SO awesome!
the light is PERFECT in these photos! they're all gorgeous!!!!

(04.15.11 @ 01:01 PM)

ashley says:

ooh, shannon, i really love this shoot!!! great job capturing this cute pair.

(04.18.11 @ 11:05 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: elise & philip ::: engagement session in claremont . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://shannonleith.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/327

ryan & paige::: engagement session in pasadena

engagements

:::::::::::::::::::::

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

I have never done an engagement session for a family member before.

First time.

My brother Ryan absolutely melted me when he told me that he wanted me to photograph his engagement session, but for his wedding he just wanted me to be his sister. No photos. It made me feel so good to know that he respected my work enough to want it, but also knew that he didn't just want my photos, he wanted... me. That meant so much. It's a tough one.... the subject of photographing family and friends. On one end, I would be kind of sad if they didn't want my images, and on the other.... it's tricky to do two things at once.

So, I did their engagement session, and it blew me away.

I had never seen my brother in this particular way.

For me, photography opens up my eyes in ways that aren't possible through anything else. The visual language is a beautiful thing. Communicating with images does something that conversation can't.

My favorite thing that they said during our time together was that they don't take themselves too seriously. They've been dating for more than three years, and they just like to play. After having a battle with the branches in my street, Ryan made sure to let me know that they actually do play with sticks in their real lives. This was normal. I then had this weird jealousy come up: why don't I have fake (real) battles with branches? Probably because I'm the oldest and he's the 2nd.

Love you Ry,

okay and this face right here?

this is my brother. i have memories of this face from childhood.

(makes me hope that i capture these types of expressions out of my clients. the ones where only their closest people will know how real it is.)

9 comments so far

::9:: Trackbacks add a comment send to a friend

angelica says:

fab session!

(04.05.11 @ 05:04 PM)

Jordan Sabolick says:

dear shannon,

you are grossly talented .

!

(04.05.11 @ 05:23 PM)

rachaelmarie says:

i love it...isn't it wonderful + disarming to photograph someone you know well + see them in an entirely new way? so glad i found you again. i snagged one of your leftover polaroids after you offered them up to your readers from your exhibit a few years ago. i lost track for a while, but then i saw the post on tara whitney's blog today...beautiful images! anyway, so glad to reconnect!

(04.05.11 @ 05:45 PM)

jan aijian says:

Shannon....these are fabulous and edgy.....love them, and you!

(04.05.11 @ 06:53 PM)

Nikki McArthur says:

Hey just thought I'd stop in and say HI! I LOVE these images of your brother. I too have a little brother and the idea of him one day being this happy makes my heart swell... Thanks!

(04.06.11 @ 01:06 PM)

Marilyn Paul says:

If you could make anyone look better in a photo, it would be you, Shannon. The great thing about this is that you don't even need to make them look better. They both look GREAT, but you still did a good job! love ya

(04.06.11 @ 01:51 PM)

Marilyn Paul says:

Took me awhile to realize why the first picture was included. Now I see the tug of war with the branch - Ryan and Paige. Cute! Thanks for making two beautiful people look even more so. Everyone had fun and it shows

(04.06.11 @ 01:54 PM)

Emily says:

Ohhh good heavens. Their joy is radiant.

(04.08.11 @ 06:44 AM)

Emily says:

Oh good heavens. Your last little thought. YES YES YES.

"the one where only their closest people will no how real it is."

Those faces are the best.

(04.14.11 @ 12:07 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: ryan & paige::: engagement session in pasadena . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://shannonleith.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/320

RACHEL & DAVID! engagement session in my backyard.

engagements

:::::::::::::::::::::

Friday, February 4, 2011

when its one of your closest friends getting married, there's both no words and too many words. rachel's getting married. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! that's how i feel. absolutely excited for her, and absolutely smiley when i met David for the first time last week. they decided during this session that the word fiance didn't feel right to them, so they now refer to each other as OFW and OFH. Official Future Wife, Official Future Husband. one of the many reasons i think they rule. and another reason? an aquamarine stone for her ring. it matches her eyes and marks the month they fell in love. WHAT.

8 comments so far

::8:: Trackbacks add a comment send to a friend

hollie says:

RACHEL'S GETTING MARRIED?! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to see more of these.

(02.04.11 @ 02:10 PM)

hollie says:

RACHEL'S GETTING MARRIED?!!! HOOOOOOOOORAY!!!!!!!!! I want to see more of these photos. for sure.

(02.04.11 @ 02:11 PM)

Lindsay says:

that's so great!

(02.04.11 @ 02:38 PM)

Michelle says:

Saw this an had one of those "I READ HER BLOG!" moments. :)

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/01/17/eco-friendly-california-wedding-by-shannon-leith

(02.04.11 @ 03:11 PM)

Victoria Smith says:

Love love love!!!!! BEAUTIFUL couple---that ring KILLS me. Gorgeous!

(02.04.11 @ 04:10 PM)

Alexandra says:

This got me sooo good.
Absolutely LOVE this union and these captured moments.

(02.04.11 @ 05:49 PM)

@laurenlankford says:

Your photos are fantastic. I still keep you in my Reader and look at every.single.photo.you.take.

(02.05.11 @ 10:20 AM)

Christine says:

I LOVE Rachel...and so happy she's getting married. (Praise the Lord and yay for you Rachel!) And these pictures are really sweet.

(02.08.11 @ 03:33 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: RACHEL & DAVID! engagement session in my backyard. . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://shannonleith.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/295

deborah & jeff::: engagement session at the huntington gardens in pasadena

engagements

:::::::::::::::::::::

Thursday, February 3, 2011

they're getting married TOMORROW!

to my lovely friend debs,

with her yummy salads and wellness plans and a spirit that is magnetic and jazzed.

who now has a MAN!
eeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jeff takes life and makes it light.
so happy for you two.

p.s., forgot to mention that i have true envy of her huge curls. if only.

3 comments so far

::3:: Trackbacks add a comment send to a friend

Katie says:

Shannon, you are beyond inspiring. I heart you! Love these!

(02.03.11 @ 01:59 PM)

Marisa P. says:

I love the first photo too!!! :D

(02.03.11 @ 02:01 PM)

Deborah Ford says:

Shannon, we could not be happier! it is a joy to both know you & be photographed by you!!!

(02.09.11 @ 08:56 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: deborah & jeff::: engagement session at the huntington gardens in pasadena . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://shannonleith.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/294

jen & harold::: engagement in south pasadena

engagements

:::::::::::::::::::::

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

he's in the army, and they've essentially been doing their relationship long distance for years. they've been together for 7 total, and they've only been in the same city for a teensy bit of that. they're blocked by the barrier of skype, both a blessing and a curse. because you can't hug over skype. you can't kiss over skype. jen said the thing she misses most is just doing the daily things of life together. like grocery shopping. she said it, not me. promise. (my kind of girl.)

this session was refreshing for me.

all about the people, in a real way, in a way that wasn't covered with fluff or pretension or fake. no trying just being.

hope you enjoy :)

shannon

4 comments so far

::4:: Trackbacks add a comment send to a friend

Janee Lookerse says:

SHAN~

white wall, yellow flowers. FAVORITE. EVER.

xoxo

(02.01.11 @ 03:59 PM)

Jessie says:

These are great— especially without all the fluff that's been going around ;)

(02.02.11 @ 05:41 AM)

Christine says:

I LOVE grocery shopping...and I love the photo of them hugging.

(02.02.11 @ 08:38 AM)

tracey says:

isn't that what seeing is all about? capturing the uncontrived (is that a word?). I love that you caught them as they would be on any other day. Thank God for the gift you gave them. :)

(02.03.11 @ 01:07 PM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: jen & harold::: engagement in south pasadena . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://shannonleith.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/291

engagement session in south pasadena::::: katy & josh

engagements

:::::::::::::::::::::

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

sessions with me are this.

-- blank geometric background, space to play.

-- space to stare.

-- space to explore and breathe.

...i had been waiting for SO LONG TO MEET KATY!

i screamed when i saw her at my door.

and josh was a dream.

happiest guy ever.

strong and manly and perfect for katy,

but with an aura of joy that isn't always common in big strong men with muscles.

what katy and josh have is honestly gorgeous.

and i needed to share this email i got from Katy the day after their session. she said i could.

When we walked away from our shoot with you Josh was like, "I fell in love with you all over again today." You really provided a fun time for us to just stare at each other. It's funny how the longer you date, the less time you seem to have to just stop and simply think about love.

3 comments so far

::3:: Trackbacks add a comment send to a friend

Katy Vold says:

You are the best, Shannon. That's all!

(11.24.10 @ 06:39 PM)

hol says:

um. so that last picture is AMAZING. IT IS SO AMAZING! I am still amazed by it... you are blessing the world through photography :)

(11.24.10 @ 09:33 PM)

Shanna says:

Shan,
I am in love with these pics...especially the last one!!!! I love lines...
Shanna

(11.25.10 @ 12:45 AM)

Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: engagement session in south pasadena::::: katy & josh . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://shannonleith.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/276