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

shannon leith :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: photographer of everyday life based in pasadena, california http://shannonleith.com/ en Copyright 2010 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:20:53 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification seeing:::: a photography class by shannon leith
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this has been a dream of mine for two years.

photo classes that focus on light, how your eyes see, and discovering the unique vision you've been given.

these classes are unique because of the personal attention you will get: this is essentially a mentoring relationship that will help you discover more of who you are as a person, a photographer and an artist. It's about the holistic process of your own journey as a lover of life and a person who wants to become more free.

i'm bursting!

glitter glory!

so excited about this.

Week 1: Sunday, September 19th, 1-4pm at SPACE art gallery in South Pasadena, CA

Weeks 2-4 are one-hour private sessions at my home studio (the pink house!) in South Pasadena. You will sign up for your own weekly slots for the weeks of 9/27, 10/4 and 10/11. These can also easily be done over the phone if you live out of the area.

all the details are on the website :)

i made the site through into the darkrooom,
the best photography website company out there.

the class is sponsored by all of my favorite companies.

Into the Darkroom::: photography websites

Finao::: albums

Shootsac::: lens bags

and check out SPACE, the art gallery where we get to have our first session!

this is is limited to ten people: sign up quick!

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/seeing_a_photography_class_by_shannon_leith.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/seeing_a_photography_class_by_shannon_leith.html pink house Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:20:53 -0800 zigzag

talk to me, tuesday.

this is what i saw today.....

revved me up, even though its quiet.

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/zigzag.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/zigzag.html pink house Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:56:52 -0800 when photos just make you want to hug them.

i am becoming really passionate about this kitchen & dish series that i've been doing for the past year or so. i've been posting them on here now and then.... and am slowly realizing that there's something here to pay more attention to. the series is going to become my next body of work that i frame. i got some test prints the other day----- 16x24"----------- and i screamed when i opened the box. there's a spirit to these images that just gets me. these say shannon to me, but in a way i didn't know really existed. so. this is now my new thing.

favorite part about this one....... the water marks on the french press. the glories of hand-washing your dishes in southern california's hard water,

and i figured out that 4pm is magic in my kitchen.

....its crazy to me that all of these are from the same 10 minute span of time, from the exact same mix of dishes just sitting on the counter. they all feel like they're from opposite ends of the universe. this is a good example of my best photo trick: move around a lot.

so i hope today is a really good day for you.

if its not..........

i hope these made you a little happier.

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/when_photos_just_make_you_want_to_hug_them.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/when_photos_just_make_you_want_to_hug_them.html pink house Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:21:53 -0800 the daily::::::::::::::::::: the daily things are important.

sleeping,

eating,

checking the mail,

calling friends,

cleaning up,

cooking food,

cutting up an apple,

and my new discovery:

VITAMINS.

i'm now into taking a B, C, multi, and spirulina each day.
hello, energy!

it got a bit overwhelming opening up each bottle so i got THIS,

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/the_daily.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/the_daily.html daily life Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:24:15 -0800 workin with what you've GOT, the artist is a cartographer.

he maps the world.

the world within him and the world as he sees it.

---- JULIA CAMERON, WALKING IN THIS WORLD

this is my world this week. our floor in our kitchen is getting re-done.

what i love about it is that all they're doing is removing the old linoleum and refinishing the wood floors that were underneath.

work with what you've got.

accept what you have.

creatively see what's in front of you with your own unique eyes.

it was hard to sit down and breathe this week because a) southern california is 100 degrees, b) i didnt own an air conditioner until yesterday, and c) life feels mixed up and not normal with our whole kitchen in our living room while the floor is being done.

i enjoyed peeking in through the plastic temporary door and documenting our house as it was today.

i normally expose for the midtones and shadows to make my images bright, which ends up leaving blindingly white areas, but while photographing this today i asked myself why i dont let the shadows in. the mystery. the darks. they draw me in but also make me uncomfortable. doesn't feel connected to me and the way i see. but i think i needed to pay attention to that and ask why. in the photograph below i'm in the same place as that one above, just about 2 steps back and vertical. crazy how there's a million ways to see the same space. the same world.

the artist is a cartographer.

he maps the world.

the world within him and the world as he sees it.

---- JULIA CAMERON, WALKING IN THIS WORLD

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/workin_with_what_youve_got.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/workin_with_what_youve_got.html pink house Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:41:29 -0800 wedding at rancho capistrano:::::::: :::::::::: amy & brennan! amy,
MOST ENTHUSIASTIC PERSON EVER!

i love this girl.

brennan,

witty, smart, composed, and has the best eyelashes.

their wedding at rancho capistrano was lovely.

they win the award for making me cry while editing.

those ones of them coming down the aisle? wow.

lovely and full.

just, full.

full to the brim and overflowing.

that's my word for those ones.

enjoy!

and, their wedding party had 19 people in it.

want to give a shout out to all of you for being AWESOME!

(and for letting me rile you up.)

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/wedding_at_rancho_capistrano_amy_brennan.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/wedding_at_rancho_capistrano_amy_brennan.html >>> weddings Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:48:12 -0800 renovation. our kitchen is in our living room.

so the pink house is in a bit of a transformation mode. the kitchen floors were disgusting, and our really nice landlords have decided to have them re-done. it only took 6 months of asking, and i am so jazzed about it. they're taking up the linoleum and refinishing the wood that was underneath.

the whole house smells like wood stain and polyurethane, which is rough when you work from home. its also hard to have the stove and fridge in the living room, and to not be a believer in microwaves. i've been eating out for every meal and its getting annoying to not be able to eat anything in my own house. on top of that, we have no air conditioning. stagnant, hot, polyurethane filled air. awesome. cosmo is staying at the neighbor's house. they have a cat, but i think that a cat is less of a threat than deadly vapors. mmm?

so, all of that wraps itself up into me being a bit stressed out. the whole kitchen is on tables, surrounding me as i type, and i'm still in my yoga clothes from this morning because i had to do the whole out-for-breakfast escapade..... and now its lunch. so i have to leave again.

this is how my brian and heart feel:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what's exciting though is the anticipation of MONDAY WHEN IT WILL BE DONE.

what's also exciting is the great dish photos i'm getting to add to my collection which i am hoping to launch very soon. and by launch i mean frame.

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/renovation_our_kitchen_is_in_our_living_room.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/renovation_our_kitchen_is_in_our_living_room.html pink house Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:42:40 -0800 wedding at the san diego botanical gardens::::: rachel & jeff they met on PlentyofFish.com, and proudly displayed their profiles at the guest-book table so everyone could get a glimpse into the way they met.

Jeff's!

I am happy. My stars are aligning. I am very creative, but also down to earth. I believe living your purpose is what is most important outside of family and friends. I have a strong appreciation for music, the arts, Steeler's football, and all things healthy. I strive to keep myself fit mentally, physically, and spiritually. I'm interested in meeting new people, seeing if we enjoy each other's company, becoming friends, and if fortunate...more. I'm not interested in drama or games.

and here's Rachel's,

My head thinks too much and my soul delights in dance. Make me laugh and I'll laugh out loud. Sit down with me and engage in discussion. Travel with me and discover the interesting aspects of the world we've not yet seen. I believe in God and the community he provides for us on Earth. I believe the beat of the drum should be explored and hips should sway. I believe lovingkindness is one of the most beautiful words because each part necessarily loses its validity when separated from the other. If I work out enough and keep jumping higher and higher....perhaps one day I'll take off and fly.

and here they are, married.

THERE'S HOPE, PEOPLE!

they had a bagpiper!

one of the sweetest parts of their wedding was the dancing. rachel has been a ballet dancer for a long time, and it was so clear that it was in her. life and joy :) loved it.

wedding location: San Diego Botanical Garden (formerly Quail Gardens)

>>>> and here's a slideshow!

hey you.

enjoy your day.

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/wedding_at_the_san_diego_botanical_gardens_rachel_jeff.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/wedding_at_the_san_diego_botanical_gardens_rachel_jeff.html >>> weddings Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:36:47 -0800 blaire & kc::::::::::: at their apartment -- she likes to buy pretty dresses, he likes to buy electronics.
-- she likes to go to sleep early, he goes to sleep late.
-- she likes vegetables, he likes frozen pizza.

-- he likes army things, she doesn't support the war.
-- she tries to adhere to proper grammar, he doesn't.

-- he likes cats, she likes dogs.

they both,

-- hate sports
-- love learning
-- are libertarians
-- love listening to podcasts

-- are really close with their families
-- go to lots of midnight film screenings

-- and are.... obsessed with harry potter. they're going to that new harry potter world for their honeymoon.

in light of all of this, we decided to do their session at their apartment: the place where they have merged their lives and daily navigate the ins and outs, the ups and downs of relationship. i love that they're so different, SO in love, and have chosen to grow together and learn from each other. they're the best. love you guys :)

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/blaire_kc_at_their_apartment.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/blaire_kc_at_their_apartment.html engagements Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:57:17 -0800 canada day :::

my friend trish is canadian,

i am canadian,

and she had a party!

she wore a flag dress,

i wore a bear hat.

different strokes, baby.

there were canadian tattoos,

so i put a flag on my right arm.

it was a great addition to my 4th of july outfit a few days later.

just added an AMERICAN one to the other arm.

who knew.

temp. tats are IN.

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/canada_day.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/07/canada_day.html daily life Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:14:36 -0800 cosmo puts himself in time-out.

cosmo has the opportunity to fly wherever he wants, but he usually chooses to perch on some random object and look at the wall for 15 or 20 minutes. he'd do this all day if i let him. why doesn't he fly in circles, eat the food that's laying around, or play with his toys? why does he choose to isolate himself and look AT THE WALL?

hello cosmo, you're free buddy.

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/cosmo_puts_himself_in_time-out.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/cosmo_puts_himself_in_time-out.html pink house Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:33:17 -0800 family portraits, my interpretation I love doing family portraits for people who are open to what the words family portrait might mean. Blaire, her mom, and her grandma fit into that category. Wanting a documentation of the real them, having a real experience. We went to the the San Juan Capistrano Mission, a place where her grandma had taken photos of Blaire and her mom 20 years ago. The three of them are reallyclose. Both Blaire and her mom are the only daughter---- think Gilmore Girls, and you'll have a glimpse into real life for them. We ran to the car from the rain at the end, happy with what we had and excited to see what we had created and captured. So, Blaire, Sue and Grandma. I call her Grandma too along with Blaire, so we'll go with that :) enjoy,

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/family_portraits_my_interpretation.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/family_portraits_my_interpretation.html portraits Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:02:10 -0800 aw,

okay, he wins the quirky cute YOURE MELTING ME award.

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/aw.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/aw.html pink house Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:04:03 -0800 my mail life lately,

the mail lady now comes around 12:15 instead of 1..... which makes the most exciting part of my day happen forty-five minutes earlier. i love this. i have considered going down to meet her since she does provide me with the best substance ever: my mail. i think i'm at least going to write her a note or something. especially since i spy on her as she walks up in her USPS shorts and mail bag, listening to her ipod and hopefully loving her life.

anyway.

today my neighbor val yelled up in my window: you have a package!

i literally ran downstairs,

to find TWO PACKAGES.

glory.

one from blaire, who sends me a present every month as an ongoing birthday present (WHAT!)

one from my friend rosanna's brother phillip.

blaire's june present for me was a sugar holder from her work. i love it.

i now need to go get some sugar packets somehow.

phillip,

he gave me a box of maple seeds.

which i am just realizing at this second are placed perfectly next to the maple syrup jar which i transformed into a vase. life is nice to us, mmm?

honestly just taking a nice deep breath right now and saying THANK YOU GOD! for such great people in my life. yes, i receive the delights of today.

thank you blairey,

thank you phillip.

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/my_mail_life_lately.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/my_mail_life_lately.html pink house Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:20:07 -0800 garden party, i've been meeting with a group of girls from my church every thursday night.

we had a garden party in my new backyard oasis last night,

celebrating our year together.

monica made spring rolls,

which made us all feel like we were in a gourmet vietnamese restaurant.

but really we were just at the pink house,

hanging out,

trying to figure out how to juice limes without a citrus juicer,

and enjoying our last night as an official group.

for me, each of them has helped me transition to pasadena and i'm thankful.

transition is hard and the consistency of our weekly time together has been so good.

]]> http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/garden_party.html http://shannonleith.com/2010/06/garden_party.html pink house Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:57:43 -0800