About Me:
i like to laugh...a lot...i love my friends...i'm kind of a foodie.
as much as i try to hide my enthusiasm for everything anthropologie, starbucks and accessories...i can't.
i get inspired by graphic design, fashion and photography masters like henri cartier bresson.
i'm grateful for chasing down my dreams.
i'm grateful to be loved.
i love to photograph...life.
McKenna is… Vibrant… Beautiful… Stylish. And an absolute blast to work with. I recently photographed her sassy & classy session and I think we were laughing 90% of the time 
I was also in loooove with her biege heels with the ribbon on top. Too cute! Every time I photograph one of these sessions I feel so honored to document my clients beauty, to see them really shine inside and out.
*all images are posted with permission.
Under fluorescent lighting, the four of us sat and talked. The kind of talk where minutes fold into hours. Where time skipped by all of us, but we didn’t care. Over the shared meal of pad Thai, tom yum soup and the deceivingly spicy papaya salad, myself, Milan and our dear friends and former bosses caught up – on life. None of us could believe that four years had gone by since we had gotten together. It seemed like only yesterday that we were photographing senior portraits, soccer teams and elementary school portraits together at Creative Imaging Center.
I owe many thanks to Dean and Monique for… Taking a chance on a very young, naive girl… Teaching me photography… For introducing me to my husband… Making the bestest of friends (sooo not a word, but I’m totally okay with that)… and so much more. Working at Creative Imaging Center is a major cornerstone in my life and I am eternally grateful for every minute I spent working, laughing and growing up there.
Here is a blast from the past from my time there. I’m guessing I was probably standing in so one of the photographers (Milan, I’m pretty sure…) could get their lighting all set up before a client arrived. I love the photo of me on the right…Clearly I wasn’t sure what to do with my hands
Happy, happy Friday! And a big welcome to this weeks installment of Thank Goodness it’s Foto Friday. Today I wanted to share with you a few fun, inspirational photography resources.
1. TWIT Photo
Co-Hosts Catherine Hall and Leo Laporte interview a wide variety of top photography professionals. The latest episode featured the always entertaining, international wedding photographer Jerry Ghionis. TWIT Photo airs live every Tuesday at 1:30pm, PST and is also available for download. They also have an archive of previous shows which I have been digging into. This show is highly entertaining, informative and professionally produced. A new favorite of mine. Check it out – here.
2. reDefine with Tamara Lackey
I recently stumbled upon photographer and incredible business person – Tamara Lackey. Tamara tells it like it is and is full of tons of no-nonsense, get-things-done photography business advice. Not too long ago she launched her educational and inspirational show – reDefine. She frequently interviews leading professional photographers, but also will interview celebrities and other artists. The shows are a perfect bite size 10-15 minute an episode. Check out reDefine – here.
3. PetaPixel
PetaPixel is a blog dedicated to photography related news and gadgets. This blog is updated at a rapid pace. Blink and there is new content. It’s very easy to loose large amounts of time digging through all the fun articles. For the latest and greatest in photo news and toys check out PetaPixel – here.
4. Katelyn James
I am so happy that I stumbled upon the vibrant, enthusiastic and talented – Katelyn James. Katelyn is a very successful wedding photographer based in Virginia. Her blog is full of beautiful wedding and engagement photography, as well as, fun personal posts, photography and business advice. You can find her lovely blog – here.
5. Vintage Camera Pillows
I WANT THESE!!!!! That is all. You can purchase one of these cute little camera pillows – here.
Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we brought home our little furry bundle of joy – Olive. And at the same time it seems like she has always been a part of our life. Little 18 pound Olive always keeps us fully entertained. Milan and I have never had a dog that is so comical. Not to mention lovey. If you are sitting down, you can find Olive cuddled up in your lap. We’ve also never had a dog that has so much gas… But nobody is perfect
Fun Facts About Olive
1. When excited she loves to spin in circles, but only clockwise…never counter clockwise. Unless in Australia
2. She is extremely jealous. If she is outside or in the other room and there is even a hint at giving Sammie any attention, she darts in and pushes her out of the way.
3. She loves water, but only to sit in. Swimming is overrated.
4. She has no fear. Or maybe she doesn’t aim. Olive will jump wildly for a ball or onto a chair and miss 60% of the time.
5. She loves gloves. If you are missing a glove…look in our yard. She loves to trot around daintily holding one finger. Who knows why…
6. Hates cold weather.
7. Loves to jump up in my lap while I am editing, stand on my desk and then lick the computer screen. Her editing skills need some work…
8. Is afraid of my steamer mop.
9. Loves to FLY through our doggy door. There is no gentle in or out. The doggy door is a toy…
10. Brought so much joy to all of our lives
February 2011 : Olive’s first day home
June 2011 : Tearing up Sammie’s beloved red sweatshirt
July 2011 : Olive destroy’s her beloved bed. We were all left wondering – WHY?!
July 2011 : Kiddie Pool
October 2011 : Fall Fashion
December 2011 : Christmas Dress
On Saturday we embarked with a goal – Find the ‘perfect’ console table. The one that will match with the unattainable vision that floats around in my mind’s eye. The result of which is from watching too many interior design shows on the DIY network and being a perfectionist. I really don’t know how Milan puts up with my constant dreaming, creating and designing the perfect…everything.
So it was off to Ikea for the adventure of finding a console table and rug. I have this LOVE/HATE relationship with Ikea. Love – the modern design and the affordable prices. Hate – how the store is more rat race/social experiment. Every time we go I am shocked that I am not handed a piece of cheese for making it out alive and asked to sign a waiver. And don’t get me started on assembling the furniture itself. But I guess we can’t have everything…
In the end we purchased – Hemnes. He…yep, it’s a he. He is quite charming. Stylish and functional. And unlike a lot of Ikea furniture…He is made of ACTUAL wood…Instead of cardboard and fairy dust. I think he fits in nicely with our little family. I know Olive approves
So, what are your Ikea stories? Have a best or worst purchase? I’d love to hear them!
I LOVE Bernadette’s style. Bold, creative and glamorous. And I soooo badly wanted her amazing pink glitter heels. Bernadette is a professional model that I had the pleasure of working with recently. We bonded over, fashion (big surprise..) and music…We both love Lykke Li, who Bernadette recently got to see… Lets just say I was a tad bit jealous
Thank you Bernadette for making my vision a reality! I look forward to working with you again
I love Lightroom. That statement almost sounds like ‘I love lamp’ from a favorite movie of mine…but honestly…I LOVE Lightroom! Lightroom changed my life. And that statement sounds a bit dramatic, but honestly…when I was spending eons of time editing in adobe bridge…GASP! Or opening an image 1 by 1 in Photoshop…Took forever.
Then I met my friend Lightroom and all was well with the world. This program is FAST. It allowed me to cut my editing time down tremendously. It’s quick, easy and quite the powerful program.
On Wednesday, February 22nd at 6:00pm, here in Chico myself and Brent Holland are teaching a Lightroom Workshop!! The class is 3 hours long and is all hands on training. You follow along on your laptop as we teach, working on your own photos. This class is great for beginners and more advanced attendees as well. Annnnnddd you can grab your seat for – $99! But hurry space is limited.
To purchase go to - facebook.com/shannonrosanphotography click ‘shop’ under my profile pic. Look for workshops. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at – shannonrosan@gmail.com
Welcome to this weeks installment of Thank Goodness it’s Foto Friday! Today I wanted to talk about making art out of the everyday, seemingly ordinary, but oh so wonderful moments in our lives.
An Evolution
When I first fell, head over heels in love with photography I took photos of everything. Oooohh Look at That! Click. You name it I photographed it. It was a time of exploring every object and moment and treating it like it was the most precious thing on Earth.
Were the photos any good? No. But that didn’t matter. I was enjoying every moment and the adventure of learning the craft of photography.
As the years clicked by I slowly became a better photographer and artist. Learning not only the technical, but also crafting a vision and a style for my art.
But…Somewhere in there…I stopped documenting my life.
A Challenge of Sorts
I’d like to challenge us to start seeing the beauty in the everyday. The small moments that make up the bigger picture of our lives. Yes..pun intended To find a story that represents who we are at this moment. It can be a very fun, rewarding and difficult challenge to make the ordinary extraordinary.
Like a little dog destroying a basketball… It says so much about Sammie’s tenacity and spirit. She lights up our day…destruction and all.
*No joke. Before Sammie got a hold of this basketball, it was full of air, ready for the basketball court…Now – a trophy to a little dog.
Fun…Playful…Lots and lots of laughter. Whenever I’m shooting a Sassy & Classy boudoir session we are having a great time. We have music pumping and I show off my not-so-killer dance moves – which one of two things happen, we start laughing all over again or I fall down because I’m graceful like that But what I love most….is that I get to show each woman I work with just how truly beautiful they are. So, a big thank you to Miss K. You are such a fun person and you look Ah. Maze. Ing! (- that right there was internet grammer because I’m so ‘hip’…)
Pssst! There’s still time to take advantage of my Valentine’s Special!! 1 hour session, 10 images to Cd for … $149!!! (normally a $500 value). Book your spot now by emailing me shannonrosan@gmail.com or purchasing online here - facebook.com/shannonrosanphotography click ‘shop’ under my profile pic.
Happy Friday! And…Welcome to another installment of Thank Goodness it’s Foto Friday. Today I wanted to talk about a little gadget with lots of power – the graphics tablet.
What is it and what does it do…?
A graphics tablet is a device that is designed to add speed and accuracy to help photographers with editing and retouching. It is also commonly used by graphic designers and illustrators.
Long before I was introduced to the power of a graphics tablet, I used just a standard mouse or gasp! touch pad on my laptop for editing/retouching. As you can imagine the touchpad on most laptops is not quick or accurate in the least bit. Needless to say that’s exactly what I was struggling with. Thankfully Milan, who is excellent at professional retouching introduced me to my first graphics tablet by Wacom some years ago and I have never looked back.
How it’s Useful
Where the tablet really shines is using the pen. The pen is pressure sensitive and works a lot like if you were using a paintbrush, the harder you press the more effect gets used in the image. It’s quick, efficient and very accurate. *A warning…The pen takes a day or two to get used to as most of us are accustomed to using a mouse, but learning how to use the tablet’s pen is so worth it in the long run.
If you are looking to dramatically up your productivity when retouching/editing, I highly recommend getting yourself a graphics tablet.
For more information or to purchase visit - wacom.com/en/Products/Intuos.aspx