Standing...

My baby is pulling himself up. It is so strange to me to walk into his room and see him standing up in his crib. He is getting so big so fast. If only I could freeze him. Maybe that is why I love pictures so much, because in a small way I am doing just that

With A New Beginning....

"With a new beginning comes unlimited potential; In the beginning perfection is with in grasp." By Marie Gross

A friend of mine Marie Gross is a very talented writer and has started a blog, visit her at http://maggab.blogspot.com/. She is simply amazing and a joy to read. I highly suggest adding her to your favorites.

Hope you don't mind the quote Marie, I just loved it, and I thought it complimented the Pictures of the day!!



Trying out some over exposure.

Camera Eversion!!

So, remember how I was saying that Mr. Ryan was such a joy to photograph? Well, let me introduce you to the polar opposites.....Mr. Braydon and Mr. Brooks. These two could be in the happiest of moods, smiling, laughing, sitting still, and I think "awesome, this is a great time to practice on my boys." But as soon as they see the camera coming (well at least as soon as Braydon sees the camera, I have my suspicions about Brooks too :)), they go crazy, crying, jumping, running from me. I try to stay calm and make it a fun experience, but as the resistance continues I begin perspiring, and soon follows the pleading, and bribing. I have come to realize that not only do I have a lot to learn technically, but my interaction skills need to vastly improve as well. This is what I got. I realize they aren't that good, but I figure the family wouldn't mind seeing the boys regardless.





Here they are side by side. Do you think they still look a like?

Picture of the Day!

I think summer is over :(!

Mr. Ryan

Isn't he beautiful? I think he would have let me take his picture all day, unlike my kids, which will be evident in my next post.

Mr. Jack

Shot this picture hours before he gave himself an inverted Mohawk....he he!!

Pictures of the Day!

I couldn't decide which one of these two I liked better so I posted them both.



I like his boobies...

Manual Madness!

So, I am going on week two of working with my new camera, and with each passing day I realize more and more that I have no a clue what I am doing. So I enlisted the help of Jessica Washburn. Many of you know her or have had the honor of having her shoot you or your kids, and certainly don't need me to tell you that she is a VERY talented photographer (I highly suggest seeing for yourself at http://jessicawashburn365.blogspot.com/) She used to live in Port Orchard, but has recently moved back East. She has three beautiful girls, and is busy busy. Anyways, I emailed her to ask a few questions and in true Jessica form (always going above and beyond) has been extremely generous with her time and knowledge. Through our emails she has offered to help critique my work, and has given me assignments to help me understand basic concepts. I can not tell you how invaluable this is to me, nor how excited I am to not feel alone in this learning process!! I like to think of her as my mentor (my words not hers :)). Anyways, her latest suggestion is for me to start shooting solely in manual. I don't know if any of you can understand how scary this is....so let me tell you, I AM SCARED. I feel so vulnerable, and it only solidifies all the more that I really don't know what I am doing!! Anyways, I have been doing it for a few days, and want to post the only picture that I have liked so far. I really want to use this blog to reference my hopeful progression in my photographic journey, so be prepared for lots of pictures, the good, the bad, and the ugly :)!

Soccer Mom

It's official, I am a soccer mom. Braydon started practice last week, and in true Braydon form he was the shyest kid on the field. It is hard for me but I am learning to not push him and let him join in on his own. I think he is going to love it once he feels comfortable, and we are excited to cheer him on!

Picture of the Day!

My Little Brooksy Bear...

Attention......

Photo album lovers, Scrapbookers, and Blog Journalist who plan on printing off their blogs in the future. My new favorite website is http://www.blurb.com, it is a website that you can download their program to your personal computer and create a book of photos, scrapbook, blog journal or even write your own book and have it published. I am so excited about this for many reasons but mostly I have been struggling to keep up with our photo albums, and this is the perfect solution because I can add to my photo book as soon as I am done editing my photos. The cost varies, but starts as low as $12.95, and goes all the way up to $169.95 ( which is a large format landscape hardback book with 400 pages). If you added up the cost of prints, shipping, album purchase and time for 400 pages worth of albums, I think it would be a wash, if not savings. Anyways, check it out....

Shutter Speed Lessons at the Fountain Park

So I am working on weaning myself off the "dummy settings" on my new camera, and today's lesson was on shutter speed, and the water fountains are a great place to practice.

Last year Braydon wouldn't go near the fountain, it is fun to see him shedding some fears.




This little cutie latched onto Mary and Jamie VB. I love her eyes.

Picture of the Day!

Family Day Lighthouse Hike

This weekend we were able to sneak away for a family day. I am ashamed to admit that we haven't explored our area very much. I hope to change that with our weekly family day outings. Here are a few pictures from a hike we took down towards Kingston.

I recently got a new camera. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with it, but also really excited to learn what it can do. You should notice a major difference in quality.



I love his eye lashes in this picture.

Zenni Optical!

Every once in a while I come across a book, a website, or a thing that I just love and feel the need to share with anyone that will listen. My brother in law Brian turned me on to my latest awesome find. For any of those out there that wear prescription glasses listen up. Zenni Optical is this amazing website where you can find lenses and frames for as low as EIGHT dollars. I kid you not. All you need is your eye glasses prescription. The website is www.zennioptical.com, Ben and I order four pairs between the two of us, and all four are just as great as any $200 plus pair we have bought in the past. The only down fall is you can't try them on, but for eight bucks I can afford to order a few pairs before I find the perfect pair.

Ms. Estee,

We were able to spend some time with the Dave and Sundy this weekend. Here are a few pictures of their beautiful daughter Estee. If any of you know Sundy you know that she is one of the most passionate people around, she truly inspires me to challenge myself. Thank you Sundy for that.

Shot on my Canon power shot. Couldn't decide which edit I liked better.

About Shannon

Welcome, welcome, welcome!  I wish I was introducing myself to you in person as I find these 'about me's' to be difficult to convey who I am and what I do in a few short paragraphs.  I hope someday we  have the opportunity to meet, but until then, here is a little glimpse of me.

I always feel like these things start out with a person's statistics.  Am I right?  So I have included mine at the end of this page.

So lets get down to why you are here.  Why should I be your photographer?   First let me start off by saying that you don't need me telling you how fast children grow and change; or how important it is to capture these moments.  If you love a child you already know this.  I also know that choosing a photographer and getting your family ready for a photo shoot can sometimes be over whelming.  Trust me, I understand.

For me, getting my family ready for family picture day can be, well, a challenge.  Let's face it, it can be hard making everyone look their very best {especially while trying to keep everyone happy in the process}.  However, after it is all said and done I am always so glad I put my family {and of course myself} through yet another photo shoot. I don't know about you but no matter how hard I try to hang on to the memories of what my kids looked like at 1 week, 6 months, 2 years or even 3 months ago it is nearly impossible. These sessions are my life line to our remember when's.... So I will continue to talk my seven year old into wearing his converse's, a button up, and if I am really lucky a tie or hat. I will tolerate the grumbles and complaints I sometimes get, and say your welcome as we look back on all our remember when's.

I respect your time and the effort it takes in making this happen for your family.  I guarantee you will never regret it if you decide to choose me as your photographer.  Not only do I promise to give you beautiful images you will want to hang proudly in your home, but I also promise to make the process from start to finish easy and enjoyable.  From styling to location decisions I will be there to help guide you.  Together we will create your unique remember when's.

I hope you have had a chance to look around my blog or website to gain a feel for my photographic style.  If you haven't, please take a moment to do so.  When choosing a photographer, I believe it is so important that their style reflects that of your families.  You should feel inspired when you look at their work.  That is my hope for what you find here as you view my images.  If  that is the case please don't hesitate to contact me.  I look forward to the possibility of meeting you.......in person.

Shannon Morgan - About Me Statistics:

Name:  Shannon Morgan

Age:  32              Height:  5'7"           Weight: {Come on!  Did you really think I was going to??}

Location:  Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110

Occupation:  Photographer

{Award Winning Photographer 2009}

{Published in 2012 Keith Urban Calendar}

Marital Status:  Married  {His name is Ben, and if you care to know he is 6'8'.   He has other endearing and interesting qualities but that by far is the most noticeable.}

Children:

Braydon - 7   {He is all boy!  Which simply translates to a lot of running, jumping, wrestling, and climbing.  Combine that with a tender heart and the sweetest smile and you have my Braydon.}

Brooks - 4   {He was blessed with his Mother's obsessive tendencies for order, and he isn't afraid to voice his preferences.  His best friend is his 'browder bwaydon'.  He says the silliest things, and still loves to cuddle his Mommy.}

Hobbies:  I wish I had time for a 'hobby'!  {I do love to read, and I make time every night for a good book.}

Favorite Color:  I think it is safe to say a light bluish/green {If you can't tell by my brand.}

Favorite Pair of Shoes:  My white/black/gray Converse's hands down. {They are my go to session shoes.}

Celebrity Crush:  This one is important.   Are you ready......Keith Urban.   I love him.  Deeply.  I met him last year and the experience has taken the word 'crush' to a whole new level.  I also had the honor of having one of my images of him selected to be published in his 2012 Calendar {Located in the Month of November}.

Shannon
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
shannon@shannonmphotography.com
206-715-5676

Mr. Kyle, Ms. Brittany & Ms. Hailey,

Three of our favorite Fay Court Friends.