Beautiful.
I've missed you.
The photos of you dancing made me cry.
I just got an email from a blog reader that said this: shooting naturally what you see in front of you is an endless palette to be re-discovered every day

everything is beautiful, but you make it so clear. this was like hearing the perfect song...

Oh, you're so good with the words. And the light.

I missed your blog posts. I kept checking in. But you were off, just like Namaste.

Love that sidewalk.
I would most value...
Good food for everyone, early morning centeredness, travel, closure, and flexible ritual.
Thanks for making me think! :)

Thanks for this, Shannon. I love the inspiration I glean from just showing up and reading your blog. YUM.

My top 5 things:
1. Love (sharing it and expressing it and receiving it - touch, smiles, laughing, unspoken)
2. Respect (for rights, for art, for boundaries, for differences)
3. Sharing (ideas, food, love)
4. Nature (the big mama planet and all the millions of amazing things that happen in nature each day)
5. Authentic - being real, being seen (this is inspired by your list)

leah i love those!!!!!!!!!! way to go girl!

Hi Shannon, I work for a nonprofit that does work in Tanzania and I'm also a photographer. I just love the concept of this class and hope to take it one day! I was reminded during this post of a teacher I used to work with in Tanzania. Her name was Evasia and instead of asking, "what do you think?" she always asked, "How do you see it?" I always thought this was just a beautiful way to inquire about another person's perspective. Anyway, just thought I'd share that!

So, I just had this intense urge to call you Shann and then Shanny. What?! I can imagine you hate both of those nicknames. :)

Anyway. Thank you for writing this. I so needed to hear your perspective on the funk and what can happen when we come to the end of ourselves. I've been in that exact place today (and more than today, actually). Thanks for the reminder that miracles can happen. xo

Love,love,love and so inspiring. I am totally working on my values right now. I have changed and I owe you a bunch of that credit. It's a good change!! :)) I am no longer a want to be...I am finding...me!!!

Thats how it happens isn't it? When we get to the end of ourselves God can make miracles happen :) sorry to hear about the relationship transition - those are hard! but so glad to hear about your day!

we have been sick here too - I think all of Cali is :( and yes I always think it should take a day... super cute photos :)

I LOVE this. I do not love that you are sick. Sorry friend. Yay for more dancing in the days ahead. :)

we have been sick here too - I think all of Cali is :( and yes I always think it should take a day... super cute photos :)

Can't tell you how much I love that first one!! I hope you feel better soon :)

So sorry are sick. :( But I love your leg warmers...they remind me of jr. high. (yes I am that old)

you have a mad sense of color.

can . not . tell . you . how much I connect with this right now. The past 6 months has been quite the whirlwind and I feel like sometimes it's all I can do to stay afloat and other times it's all I can do to learn all of these life lessons fast enough.

Since my move back to Minneapolis from Tacoma I've been missing the ocean something fierce. Was just thinking of driving up to Lake Superior in a couple days to just breathe and soak in the waterside air.

yay for extra expensive wine and salmon the bbq... Thanks for sharing these gorgeous images of the movements in your heart and the raw emotions that come with them. :) You are strong in your vulnerability.

Gosh, your words are so refreshing to me today. I hope you write a book someday. Because I'd read it over and over. Praying for you my friend, and I'm in the thick of it and can agree wholeheartedly with what you feel!

Gosh, your words are so refreshing to me today. I hope you write a book someday. Because I'd read it over and over. Praying for you my friend, and I'm in the thick of it and can agree wholeheartedly with what you feel!

that picture of you all windblown is gorgeous.

I understand not wanting to live in the middle. I am glad that I have left the really low point and am almost scared to go higher but I have to because the middle is no good. Movement helps, the road and trees and telephone poles flying by and streaks of sunlight on the windshield. Yep I get it, thanks for you words. I know we don't know eachother but I found your blog while I was going through a rough time and the beauty of your images really spoke to me. I will be praying for you amidst whatever the rollercoaster may be

oooh.. co-worker day. that is genius!

this reminds of a director who produces shots that appear through doorways to demonstrate two separate atmospheres. so, so good. & lovely bird.

"but then i tell them: you could pull it off it you wanted to."

Yes! Yes yes yes!

I love your response! It's so true. I remember my 20th birthday when I wore the most mis-matched, girly, colorful outfit and I felt so FREE. I biked down the street with such rebellious joy. I can't wait to see you in person, owning your hot pinkness. :)

I LOVE your pink sweatshirt! Also, I love the picture on the top of your blog. :)

YES! anyone can pull anything off. confidence.

Eli's mom told him when he was little that "confidence is sexy" and I actually found him quote that line in his 6th grade journal (which, by the way is the most hilarious thing ever). This post also reminds me of our first christmas that we were married when eli bought me HUGE hot pink fluffy slippers because he somehow thought that pink was my favorite color. Wow. Go pink. I still have them and have worn them ever since... and pink has indeed grown on me since then.

You've got some nice fingers! :)