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

elise & philip ::: their wedding in ojai.

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Monday, August 29, 2011

when the priorities of the day revolve around food i'm inspired and excited.

elise and philip's wedding felt so effortless and was saturated in this sense of YES.

they met in france, ingrid michaelson's you and i was playing the whole time she was getting ready, and they served wood fired pizza and rabbit at their reception. i also got to experience the new line of dresses from bhldn, and oh my gosh. elise's friends looked stunning.

beyond all of that though, watching philip as he first saw elise, telling her 'its HERE! its TODAY!' that was my favorite part. watching them soak it in.

location,,, twin peaks ranch
coordinator, bijoux events
bridesmaids dresses, bhldn

5 comments so far

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Margaret Jacobsen says:

This is one of my favorite weddings you've shot! Its BEAUTIFUL! I especially love the shot of the bride & her bridesmaids. So natural and lovely!

(08.29.11 @ 12:23 PM)

Stevie says:

Amazing! You can feel the emotion through all these photos .. You did an incredible job.. and the lighting was incredible

(08.29.11 @ 07:46 PM)

Christina says:

wow, so much lovely light! these are awesome. love the one with cut-off heads and you only see the bride's face. cute!!

(08.30.11 @ 01:24 PM)

Ketti says:

I love how you rocked that lighting! Beautiful.

(09.24.11 @ 11:08 PM)

Ketti says:

I love how you rocked that lighting! Beautiful.

(09.24.11 @ 11:08 PM)

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rachel & david:::::: {{{belong}}}

>>> weddings

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Friday, July 15, 2011

this wedding wasn't typical.

there was nothing fabricated and everything rang completely true to the spirit of who they are.

for one: instead of bridesmaids she had a village. a village of 25 people who have contributed in their own unique way to who she is today. men, women, young, old. and guess what: i got to be in it! rachel and i have been friends for about six years and she has become a sister to me. i got to be both photographer and village-member--- i tag teamed it with paige de wees. she photographed the parts i was supposed to be in and then used a holga the rest of the time. ideal.

at the end of the night i set down my camera and danced hard, and if you've been following my journey you will know that that was a big deal. it felt so free. and that's what i think rachel and david both offer to people: space to be freely who you are inside. space to express and shoot out and blossom.

david didn't have a village, because he is not her. he had a western town made up of his top six important people, including his sister. in a western town, each person plays a significant role. i can see this concept going global. david's a smart man.

and i need to tell you a few more things: their program was a small thirty page booklet that they wrote themselves, and it explained every last detail of symbolism, including her flower choice: 'baby's breath is an overseen and unnoticed flower. today we are bringing the forgotten to the center stage.' this speaks to me. it also talked about how david's last name, murdoch, means sea. she was becoming the sea. therefore we all wore blue. its things like this that get me deep down and make me say YES. this is how life should be.

...............................and it was in iowa at a lodge called hole n' the wall. (with the apostrophe on the right.)

enjoy++++++++++++++++++

8 comments so far

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Christine says:

Absolutely perfect...

(07.15.11 @ 05:44 PM)

Annalisa says:

happiness is what is written all over her face! What a beautiful wedding, and I love all the symbolism, so special!

(07.15.11 @ 05:49 PM)

blythe says:

It looks like such a beautiful, magical, fun time! glad you got to experience two of your besties' birthplace! ;)

(07.15.11 @ 08:08 PM)

Megan Eckers says:

What an absolutely beautiful wedding. You did such an amazing job capturing its uniqueness. And I love the idea of a village and a western town full of people who love you and who have been important parts of your life. What a great concept. Love it all, Shannon!

(07.15.11 @ 08:16 PM)

christina says:

amazing...amazing.

(07.17.11 @ 07:07 AM)

Paige de Wees says:

great work shannon!!

(07.18.11 @ 01:22 PM)

janeen says:

love these, all of them. especially her hand resting in that car. and ESPECIALLY ms. linda and ms. emma and ms. rachel and linda's stepdaughter (?-can't tell!) in a hold. what a circle of love and goodness. so much warmth in these...it's clear you are kindred.

(07.22.11 @ 09:32 PM)

jenesis says:

this wedding brought me SO much joy. wow. the wedding party concepts and program, especially. incredible. you are blessed with gems of friends.

(09.13.11 @ 05:58 PM)

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denise & jason::: wedding at lantern bay park

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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

i call her dens.

we were RA's in college together! the Max was our life.

learn about what i mean on my old blog which most of you have probably never seen before!
shannon from 5 years ago :)

anyway :)

denise and jason were so natural and fun.

just my style.

real & natural and comfortable and easygoing.

i loved being there!

i also got an entire glass of wine spilled on my face at this wedding.

it was like a waterfall in the air, and it happened to only land on me. on my head.

2 seconds after it happened was the first dance, so i ran and photographed it like nothing had happened.

except for the fact that i smelled like wine and had it all over my shirt and in my hair.

i think i pulled it off.

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Janee Lookerse says:

You pulled it off. I know you did :)

(02.09.11 @ 04:33 PM)

Christen says:

these are fabulous Shannon!!I love how joy is radiating from the bride in these shots.

(02.09.11 @ 04:40 PM)

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KATY & JOSH! wedding at the headlands center for the arts

>>> weddings

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Friday, January 21, 2011

talk about elegant and classy and lets talk about katy.

she's down to earth and bright,

lovely as ever and has THE happiest guy: josh.

honestly, together they're beaming. consistently.

so bright.

that's my word for them.

katy also happens to have amazing style while keeping it real.

by that i mean....

doesn't let the style overtake the day.

the day was about people and love,

and i felt it the most during dinner when EVERY table got up and cheered as they came by to say hi! who does that!!

the wedding was in THERE! i flipped my lid when i drove up.
headlands center for the arts: coolest location ever.

cool shoes don't really impress me or woo me, but these did, because they have glitter and because they are simple and unobtrusive. go katy. i love you.

hi pretty,

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

blythe took this one. absolutely all over it.

(a total favorite.)

(another total favorite.)

(so quiet i love it.)

and i couldn't get over the mismatched chairs!

cupcakes gone, rings, in.

everyone needs eric trine as their dj. i dont recommend anyone else because he's my favorite. who else could pull off playing kirk frankin? seriously revved up the dance floor more than i've ever seen.

wow wow.

venue, headlands center for the arts

dress, jcrew!

dj, eric trine

katy, you're brilliant.

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carson leith says:

those photos that you said were your favorites are simply brilliant. ah! they move me! looked like a fun and beautiful wedding.

(01.22.11 @ 04:32 AM)

Katy says:

You know what's cool? When I'm 80 and looking at my wedding photos... I'll also be thinking of you. You've given me something that will last a lifetime and YOU (your creative vision, your impeccable eye for beauty) are woven right into the images that you create. You're creating a legacy that is spread out over every life you encounter.

The photos are incredible. More than I could have asked for or imagined. I knew to expect more than I expected. Thank you for this gift!

(01.22.11 @ 10:12 AM)

Erin says:

As usual, you are amazing! You capture their joy so well- it just shines in your photos. Congrats to the couple!

(01.22.11 @ 03:55 PM)

Bethany Cissel says:

shannon, this is my favorite wedding you've ever posted. i guess it sounds silly, but i get SO JADED from looking at so many stunning brides everyday on blogs. and i was so taken aback by the beauty of this bride. she is gorgeous. what a beautiful and elegant day! you rocked it. as usual.

(01.22.11 @ 09:31 PM)

jennifer says:

very moving photos shannon..i'm especially in love with the image of the feathers and the mismatched chairs. love!

(01.24.11 @ 10:28 AM)

Chickything says:

Very beautiful!

(02.08.11 @ 12:48 PM)

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erin & adam::: wedding at barndiva in healdsburg

>>> weddings

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

up in the quiet of healdsburg,

erin and adam had the greenest of green weddings,

complete with the fresh herbs at dinner and the soy inks on their invitations and the succulents in her hair.

erin's spirit is open and free,

welcoming,

determined.

adam has a sparkle and a big heart,

upon reading that he probably said something sarcastic.

receive it, dude.

their wedding was at barndiva!

the coolest venue ever.

art gallery meets organic garden.

this day was honestly such a joy to experience.
so much anticipation and thought and meaning.

love you guys :)

venue: barndiva in healdsburg

stationary: maemae paperie! THE BEST!

+ lots and lots of diy!!! erin's a genius!

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Christen says:

BEAUTIFUL wedding. I love the shot of the bride laughing and the one of her looking off to the right with the drawing in the middle. STUNNING work. Where were you in 2007 when I got married? =)

(11.17.10 @ 08:40 PM)

Katy Vold says:

beautiful people & beautiful wedding! i really love the one where her back is to you with the wood tables and tall windows in the background. love the way you captured that space.

(11.25.10 @ 10:25 PM)

erin says:

Have I mentioned recently how awesome you are? PS Adam did make a sarcastic comment (when he wasn't laughing) after reading this. The three of you together (with Blythe!) make for a hilarious adventure in wedding photography. I loved every minute of it :-)

(12.07.10 @ 04:22 PM)

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erin and adam::: day after session in san francisco

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

we went to the san francisco art institute for the first part of this session. one of erin's favorite paintings,

dude..... any couple that has special handmotions/handshakes/secret powers is impressive to me. makes me want to be them.

lets talk about adam for a minute. so funny in an understated kind of way. made me feel like family. embraced every part of the picture taking process. i literally, love, these, next, photos.

!!!!

black and white just fit.

a day-after session in san francisco.

wedding photos by the golden gate bridge.

art and relaxation before they got on a plane for their honeymoon in india.

they had to leave literally a few hours later.

who does that!

honeymoons in india!

I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!!!!!!

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jennifer says:

captured so beautifully shannon! their style and personalities shine in these photos!
j.

(11.16.10 @ 04:07 PM)

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katie and ben::: wedding at the red horse barn

>>> weddings

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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

katie and ben,

elegant

classic

classy

smart

to the point

on the ball

in it

on it

lovely

& in love.

this image of katie REALLY really really meets me.

so does the one of the rings. i sat on the ground for 20 minutes photographing those. i love spending time.

my favorite. it speaks,

and, bridal party photos!

katie. kickin decor,

right after the ceremony, these all happened, just us in this little room. as i was photographing them everything was so quiet. i love when its all just comfortable and natural and real.

venue: red horse barn in huntington beach

videographer: naumannstudios.com

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Lehua says:

mmm, these are SO good Shannon, seriously, so beautiful :)

(10.06.10 @ 03:39 PM)

dvo says:

not going to lie...the hug from behind shot gave me goosebumps! :)

(10.06.10 @ 04:14 PM)

MaeMae says:

BEST. EVER. the ring one... totally meets me.

(10.06.10 @ 04:29 PM)

Seth says:

I think these are the BEST wedding photos I've ever seen! They're incredible... breathtaking all around. Every single one is just perfect!

(10.06.10 @ 04:38 PM)

Shannon Leith says:

everyone, thank you :)

(10.06.10 @ 04:48 PM)

Maren says:

These pics r beauuuuuuuuteeeful!!
Shannon u r sooooo talented!

(10.06.10 @ 06:23 PM)

Maren says:

These pics r beauuuuuuuuteeeful!!
Shannon u r sooooo talented!

(10.06.10 @ 06:23 PM)

Katy Vold says:

Once again.......... you make me so excited for my wedding. :) These are gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. I also LOVE the bride's necklace. Beautifully done, Shannon.

(10.06.10 @ 06:57 PM)

Catherine Just says:

you are really really really really really really good.
beautiful

(10.06.10 @ 08:12 PM)

hollie says:

umm another WHOPPER. These are epic, stunning, perfect.
You are on a roll sister.

(10.06.10 @ 09:08 PM)

Emily says:

These. Are. LOVELY. The one from behind them is beautiful. Her dress! Love these Shan.

(10.07.10 @ 02:08 AM)

aubrie says:

okay, seriously.

the bar shot from behind gives me chills (!) so stealing that for my wedddddding. :D

(10.29.10 @ 02:13 PM)

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