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

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Thursday, May 10, 2012

laura wanted to make a chicken stock during her shine** session-----

i invite each woman who does this to think of something that she really loves to do.

and isn't it the best thing ever that we have people like laura, who decide that creating their own chicken stock is that THING?

love this girl.

here's what i saw that day.

the rainbow,

madeleine l'engle,

those two freckles,... the texture of her shirt,

the shadows. the quiet.

the searching,

the simple,

creating---

using filtered water not tap water---

intention,

light,

,going inward,

i love her hair :)

teensy & still very much present,

laura is a woman with both so much grace & so much power in her.

i love her. i love her story. i love what she's about.

hope you enjoyed,

hope you find a little patch of joy in your day,

and we'll be in touch!

peace!

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contact me

learn more about the shine** project

see other shine** sessions here

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3 comments so far

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Marilyn Paul says:

Seeing these pictures just made me want to see more - the one picture I was looking for was one of her front-face. The back of her head was different, but the next picture needed to be the other side hehehe Anyway, she's lovely and i love her pictures. gr ma

(05.10.12 @ 05:11 PM)

Candy says:

yeah :) the texture of her shirt...my favorite!
love your "shine" work!!

(05.11.12 @ 05:00 AM)

little pink cakes says:

Beautiful post! I love the purity you have in many of your pictures. They have something so relaxing and comforting. I cannot quite put it into words... Great work, Shannon!

(05.14.12 @ 07:02 AM)

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it's dawn------- shine**!

--- shine**

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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

so dawn's name means Pretty Sunrise-----

which she fully embodies.

dawn's laugh...... is amazing.

its one of those laughs that comes from 'in HERE and not out THERE',, as i like to say. it comes from deep in her core and not as this superficial reactionary cover-up to anxiety. (i can tend to do that sometimes.)

the day before dawn's session i had bought my first set of watercolor paints. i had them in my car, and was inspired to invite her to paint during her session, and of course: SHE had been wanting to paint but hadn't yet! it was perfect, it was relaxing, and the second she layed down on her stomach in the middle of the room and made the first move on the paper.......... there was this huge rush of "this is right" all over my whole body. it's pretty cool when you follow those gut instincts and take a risk.

dawn is living this courageous life, where she's doing bold things like going to alaska, and becoming a doula, and wearing her hair curly instead of straight. its things like this that inspire ME to follow my dreams and to let myself be myself.

*********************************

what is shine?

book a session here
contact me :) i love emails.

4 comments so far

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Dawn says:

Shannon! Thank you for inspiring me and inviting me to show up and to be myself. It was so meaningful. You have a gift and inspire me too...to pursue freedom and live courageously!

(05.08.12 @ 01:45 PM)

Sharon says:

love these

(05.08.12 @ 09:59 PM)

Leah Noble says:

In an Internet full of busy, bustling, DO IT YOURSELF! blogs, this blog brings me peace and stillness when I visit it. That's a true accomplishment. Keep on doing your thing. You inspire me from across the continent.

(05.11.12 @ 12:13 PM)

Stevie says:

man I wish I lived closer to you! I am in love with these sessions!!

(05.14.12 @ 02:15 PM)

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a shine** session for my mama---

--- shine**

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Monday, May 7, 2012

i had lunch with my mom today, and coincidentally this is the day i had planned to post these images from her shine session! she got a new red cell phone cover this week, which i guess isn't that big of a deal, but then in looking at her images i saw the old cover---- the pink one-------- and was reminded of how even in the small things, life changes. things move & flow & shift. and i just love how these sessions are a place to record and celebrate what is in your life Today. you never know when those things, even the simple ones, will change and move on.

something else with her phone, is that she is obsessed with personalized cell-phone rings ;) she has a different one for each person and finds such delight every single time someone calls her. so we spent a good long while listening and laughing to each and every one :) :) i love discovering the small things that light someone up. giving space to let those things come to the surface.

it's an interesting thing to photograph a family member--- you've known them for your whole life, but there are always new things to learn. i learned more about her and saw even more of the beauty in her through this session---- its so exciting to me that photography helps me see people deeper.

so here's a celebration of my mama---------------------------

enjoy :)

i love her pretty blue eyes--------------

and her hands--------------

and her joy------------------------ :)

(i think my ring on her phone is this rosie thomas song. it fits.)

and this one is my all-time favorite-------

when i see it i hear her :)

interested in hearing more about shine**? click here to contact shannon

& details are here :)

4 comments so far

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Kristin Ritzau says:

I

(05.07.12 @ 05:15 PM)

Marilyn Paul says:

I'm so amazed at the pictures you got, Shannon! I'm also amazed and thrilled that this is my own "child"!!! I'm so proud of both of you and thank God for you. My mom created me, I created Shelley and she created Shannon. Happy Mother's Day to all of us. My Mother is in Heaven smiling at her girls.....

(05.07.12 @ 10:22 PM)

blythe says:

Love these, shan! The table and chairs are different now too! i love that you capture these seasonal life changes like the phone and the decor.

That second one-- i can see the resemblance between the two of you, a lot.

xo

(05.08.12 @ 05:30 PM)

little pink cakes says:

I just came across your blog: and had to stay! Your pictures are really great! Especially the ones of this post caught my attention - so beautiful! Both the pictures and your mom!

(05.09.12 @ 04:32 AM)

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shine** -- chelsea!

--- shine**

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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

its crazy how much fear can rule us.

i have literally 5 shine** sessions that i could post, but i think i'm scared.

i haven't even really touched the images, they're just sitting on my harddrive, because it's scary to admit that yeah, i really believe in this. i really believe in giving women a place where its okay to let yourself be seen and celebrated.

there's also this weird part of these sessions where the whole point is to do the normal, to experience your down-to-earth self, not your made-up self,------ and that's honestly kind of scary. it leaves ME feeling like: is what i'm doing enough? is this work really substantial?

yeah, it is.

there's weight & substance here, but it takes a special person to be able to see it i think.

so chelsea's session really hit home because she, too, faced some big fears.

she booked this because she wanted to face her fear of being in front of the camera. i honestly think we all can relate to that fear: who actually LIKES the experience of getting your photograph taken? i take it as a personal challenge to make this process actually enjoyable, and not awkward, and not fake and plastic. shine** sessions celebrate the real in you.

chelsea's heart is so multi-faceted and so beautiful.

i think its easy to think: is my normal daily life enough? is what i do on a saturday morning....enough? is me as me, enough?

and yeah, it is.

i asked if i could photograph her pretty freckles and she said yes!

the walls remind her of her grandma :)

beauty,

can NOT get over how gorgeous she is,

interested in hearing more about shine**? click here to contact shannon

& details are here :)

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Blythe says:

i love these! i'm seriously obsessed. beautiful!!

(03.21.12 @ 01:51 PM)

Katy says:

WOW. Stunning. Stunning. Stunning. This might be the truest and most encouraging thing I've heard in a long time: "i think its easy to think: is my normal daily life enough? is what i do on a saturday morning....enough? is me as me, enough?

and yeah, it is."

(03.21.12 @ 03:40 PM)

laura says:

keep it up, Shannon. so beautiful and inspiring. I wonder that everyday.

(03.21.12 @ 05:51 PM)

laura says:

keep it up, Shannon. so beautiful and inspiring. I wonder that everyday.

(03.21.12 @ 05:51 PM)

ChristenB says:

BEAUTIFUL. LOVE this session!

(03.21.12 @ 06:03 PM)

Christine says:

I'm glad she said yes to the freckle shot. :)

(03.21.12 @ 06:25 PM)

shannon says:

christine--- me too :)

(03.21.12 @ 06:34 PM)

josh says:

Lovely.

(03.22.12 @ 07:12 AM)

sara montour says:

I adore these sessions and think you should post them all. Work that is a reflection of true life and a person's soul is undoubtedly substantial. I've been telling my best friend, who also happens to be a photographer, that once I feel settled in my apartment I want her to do a session of me there. After a year of insanity I feel like I definitely need it.

Show more! Shoot more! Love these!

(03.22.12 @ 08:53 AM)

Sharon says:

I really really know how you feel. I just shoot for myself, trying to capture our family. I shot some friends recently and each time I just let it sit there cause I was so scared and then when I finally dug into them I was so in love and my friends were so thankful. When you give your heart, it is enough - you're right ;) LOVE the scooter and the last one especially!

(03.22.12 @ 03:55 PM)

Janette Daneshmand says:

Holy mackerel Chelsea! You look fantastic here! You are gorgeous!!! And what a greeeeaat job Ms. Leith! You captured her beauty and essence to the T!

(04.11.12 @ 08:19 PM)

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

--- 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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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)

Jennifer Young says:

What a stunning lady! You captured her beautifully, Shannon! The colors in these images are so stunning.

(02.22.12 @ 11:14 PM)

laura says:

These are wonderful. I'm in love with the salad spinner one.

(03.02.12 @ 08:54 AM)

Ginger M says:

I love this session!! AND, her sweater vest:) :)

(03.19.12 @ 09:23 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!

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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.

************************************************

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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