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

kristin in all of her elements : shine**********************

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

kristin's life is this beautiful integration of body, mind & soul.

she practices the art of letting things like her gardening inform things like her writing.

in shine** sessions, i let the essence of a person's life really inform and guide the time, and i think what struck me most was that kristin is a person who includes. she's a writer and a spiritual director and a gardening queen, and in showing me her writing space, she didn't just write, she read me a chapter of her book. when we went back to the garden, she didn't just harvest vegetables and then move on to the next thing, she made us a warm beet salad, fresh from the ground, that we shared together. that's kristin.

kristin includes, and creates, and inspires, and lets the elements of her life blend together into this beautiful whole------- if one thing was taken away, the other things wouldn't be quite the same. it makes me think of a quote by an artist i love,, eva hesse. "my art and my life are not separate, they're together."

(ps., kristin wrote this beautiful book about self care, that i love & highly recommend.)

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interested in having a shine** session to celebrate YOUR essence? write to me!

want to know more about shine** ?

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3 comments so far

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Sharon says:

beautiful photos - your writing makes me want to meet her :)

(02.17.12 @ 12:09 AM)

candy says:

You are the most unique photographer. Every story is so special and it makes you want to know the subject. Again, I love,love,love your work!! I cannot wait to read Kristen's book!!

(02.20.12 @ 06:48 AM)

shannon says:

candy------ you would love her book! its amazing.

(02.20.12 @ 05:57 PM)

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jen: shine** !

--- shine**

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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

the cool thing about this shine** session,

is that jen is a piano player---

a real full time self employed musician---------

but she's so much more than that.

her attunement with rhythms falls into so many parts of her life.

she bakes,

she writes,

she's aware of herself and what makes her her.

she takes risks and creates new things that have never existed.

she imagined and created her own christmas tree----- out of branches she collected, and little pieces of ribbon she had laying around,,, and it is beautiful. i dont think i've ever been so moved by a tree. (secret: i dont really decorate for holidays.)

so i am excited to share with you this celebration of jen, & a few of the rhythms that keep her going,,

the little fold of crust

:) (it was sweet potato)

she got down, to lykke li

beauty * grace

and hey,

i want to offer something to those of you who have been wanting to do a shine** session but just dont have the money. soo many people have written me saying they're wanting to save up for a session in the future but just can't make it work right now. i totally understand and wanted to help you out-----

i am offering 10 sessions at $250 instead of the normal $550 rate.

these 10 sessions will include the following

-- a 1 hour shine** session at your house

-- an online proofing & ordering gallery of your finished collection of images

** must be booked by monday, january 16th

** i am in pasadena, california & am open to travel for an additional small fee

** reflection sessions (talking through your images in person with me instead of online) can be booked onto this special deal for $99 if you are interested.

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contact me to book a session by filling out this form!

9 comments so far

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blythe says:

i LOVE these shan! especially the one of her fingers on the ribbon and the very last one. woweee

nice!

(01.11.12 @ 11:37 PM)

stuart says:

Way better than a Charlie Brown Christmas Christmas tree! Jen is beautiful!

(01.12.12 @ 03:46 AM)

Katy says:

SO beautiful, Shannon. I really feel like I know Jen in a small way after seeing these. Heirlooms.

(01.12.12 @ 05:42 AM)

ChristenB says:

so beautiful Shannon!! You captured Jen's graceful poise and thoughtfulness. love these images!!! Also, the lighting in that first one is crazy!! :)

(01.12.12 @ 06:31 AM)

charity says:

I LOVE THIS! Jen is beautiful in her everyday!!!

(01.15.12 @ 10:11 AM)

Lindsey Swedzinski says:

That first photo is MAJIC!!!! gorgeous!

(01.17.12 @ 07:22 AM)

Lindsey Swedzinski says:

That first photo is MAJIC!!!! gorgeous!

(01.17.12 @ 07:23 AM)

sally t says:

these are really fun to look at. fo. real.

(01.31.12 @ 09:41 PM)

Cha de retalho says:

beautiful blog!

(02.01.12 @ 05:05 AM)

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blythe, transition, shine**

--- shine**

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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

shine session!
blythe"""""""""""

even though i've known her for ten years i learned even more while photographing her.
we started at 10am and i got to see her morning rituals.

for example,, she makes one big french press and then saves half for the next day.

she enjoys english muffins. she always sits in a certain chair during her breakfast.

i call her blx because when i put her name in my phone i pressed an X instead of a Y.

best mistake ever.

she is in one of those phases of life where everything is in boxes until you figure out what's next----------- and she's handling it beautifully and with grace.

we wanted to honor this phase in her life,

a time when there is so much up in the air,

but what is constant is her spirit, her eyes, her heart.

so that's why it doesn't matter that this house isn't hers,

or that she has no access to half of her stuff---

because its where her feet are planted that counts.

and i bet someday she'll smile at the time when she danced in her brother and sister in-law's living room to 40 Day Dream.

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what is shine** ?

book a shine** session by clicking here

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Malia Hill says:

Beautiful photos Shannon. I love you Blythe!

(12.08.11 @ 09:28 AM)

marilyn paul says:

Hi Shannon, Is Blythe going out on her own, or has she aleady done it? Her pictures are great. I like the one of her feet doing a little dance all by themselves! She is a special friend to you, so I can imagine that it was a good day that you spent with her! tell her hi from me...gr ma

(12.09.11 @ 11:39 AM)

Jasmine says:

To have recently met her and then to get to see this session unfold: that is extra-special to me. Lovely, Shannnnnners

(12.09.11 @ 03:29 PM)

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danielle-------- shine shine

--- shine**

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Friday, November 18, 2011

danielle owns her own holistic manicuring and reflexology business.

(i just had a manicure and pedicure by her the other day and felt transported to another land.)

these images are now the ones she's now using on her website----

photos that reflect her spirit so that her clients can get a sense of what she's like in real life.

because in real life, danielle is a woman who is gentle and open,

young at heart yet wise,
absolutely beautiful,

and so deeply aware of her own story.

she wrote about her experience in the session on her blog if you're interested in reading---- one of my favorite things that she said was that this showed her that she didn't want to hide anymore. she was ready to be seen. that's what this is all about. saying hi world! here i am as the real me.

so if you want to know more information on what shine is all about,

here are the details

here is the story

and you can book your own session by filling out this form.

and, i want to say thanks again for journeying with me in the slow releasing of this project---

this week has felt so right and i feel a huge weight off my shoulders.

its freeing to do what you love.

its freeing to connect with people who get you. i've been smiling huge with each email i get from women who want to participate. i can't believe this is becoming real.

peace to you :)

more to come!

shannon

4 comments so far

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Jan Aijian says:

I just read Danielle's blog of her experience. Wow!!! What a God given gift Shannon.......to assist folks to become what they have been meant all along to be! Shabash!

(11.18.11 @ 12:54 PM)

candy says:

This is so raw and beautiful. Finally!!! You will help so many :) !!!

(11.19.11 @ 04:18 PM)

Kate Monroe says:

These are absolutely beautiful, Shannon. I love the idea and story behind Sine... what a wonderful gift for any woman on her journey. Your heart and spirit is amazing!

(11.26.11 @ 01:28 AM)

susan yee says:

shannon, these are beautiful! you captured her spirit for sure :) xo

(12.07.11 @ 01:14 PM)

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the story behind shine**.

--- shine**

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

alright.

this was meant to go up yesterday,

but what did i do all day yesterday?

tried to record this 60 times. or more.

kept messing up. whatever that means.

it was hilarious and sad all at the same time.

so i went to bed and woke up today and did a few handstands, listened to some laura marling,, drank some healthy tea, danced around a bit, and then it worked.

i think i needed to just shake it up a little.

anyway,

here's the story of shine**.

its 5 whole minutes and i dont care.

i cant make it any shorter.

our world and their short attention span is going to have to deal with it.

so here is the story behind shine, why i care about this so much, and the answer to the question: what about weddings?

enjoy enjoy :)

if this is something that you feel drawn to, i'd love to have you as one of the 20 women involved in this project.

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here's more information

book a session by filling out this form (15 left for the year)

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Elzie says:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE video Shannon. :) I am SO EXCITED about SHINE!!!!!

(11.17.11 @ 03:51 PM)

Elzie says:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE video Shannon. :) I am SO EXCITED about SHINE!!!!!

(11.17.11 @ 03:52 PM)

Elzie says:

I LOVE LOVE LOVE video Shannon. :) I am SO EXCITED about SHINE!!!!!

(11.17.11 @ 03:52 PM)

holls says:

best video EVER.. THANK YOU for pointing out the awkward fact of talking to a computer. And I'm so proud of you for following through with this idea/call.

(11.17.11 @ 09:20 PM)

Dawn says:

Way to make the video happen Shannon! Love it!

(11.19.11 @ 08:54 PM)

Sharon says:

"it is the person that I care about. It's not being this documentor of an event." beautiful. :)

(11.20.11 @ 01:07 PM)

Sharon says:

"it is the person that i care about. it's not being this documentor of an event." beautiful. :)

(11.20.11 @ 01:11 PM)

Carson Leith says:

LOVE this Shan. i respect how your journey of discovering who you are has actually led to a job change---and not only that, but a job change toward helping OTHERS discover who they are. i could shout out how excited i am for you!

(11.21.11 @ 02:27 PM)

Katy says:

perfect. for you, for this season, for all of us who will be able to share in your work.

(11.21.11 @ 02:49 PM)

Alouette Cervantes-Salazar says:

Shannon, I'm super excited for you and for this project. What an awesome adventure awaits =) God has undoubtedly given you so many gifts. Thank you for sharing them with us. Hugs!

(11.21.11 @ 03:16 PM)

Hannah Pizelo says:

Shan it's so good to hear your voice and see your pretty face! Shine is such an awesome idea, I can't wait to see your photos! Quick question, are you still gonna do engagement shoots? Cause I've always wanted to fly down to LA when I get engaged and get you to take the pics, exactly for the reasons you talked about, cause you capture personality, and real expressions in your photography! I hate engagement sessions that try to make couples look in love, but you can tell they're just posing... especially cause they really are in love, it's just not being visually captured! :) But either way I'm so excited about what you shared, and I just love knowing there are pics of yours in the future...AMAZING pics that I get to ogle! Blessings Miss. Awesome.

(11.21.11 @ 04:18 PM)

angi welsch says:

so happy for you shannon! you are doing something so true to who you are and i know it will produce such great fruit. i'm inspired by your passion. and i think your video was SO CUTE.

(11.21.11 @ 09:22 PM)

Haily Morrell says:

I want to be a shine person!

(11.30.11 @ 03:44 PM)

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moving to the music. ------ shine**

--- shine**

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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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charity----------

--- shine**

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

that spectrum of color up there is a mystery to me. there was no rainbow off to the right. i guess it wanted to be there.

something i love about charity is that she gets it. she wants to explore, and be, and find meaning, and embrace mystery. we experimented and she showed me her real self. there was no makeup artist, no stylist, no perfect location.....she even left her hair wavy instead of straightening it. raw and real. this was a space where she was allowed to shine as her bold, shining, passionate, complex and layered self.

what a joy. :)

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Ketti says:

So beautiful!!

(05.26.11 @ 12:04 AM)

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