Inspire (& Pumpkin fest)

Hello Everyone!  I am so happy with how this photo turned out!  I really didn't know if it would work and I'm so glad I tried it- honestly, I didn't think I would have a lot of editing and it really took some time.  This is our new fence in the backyard- we have some landscaping to do but it really was just installed.  I thought having a white background may help me cut our figures out for the silhouette look. It was really sunny and a beautiful day! I am on vacation this week and trying to knock out some projects and of course trying to take every opportunity to take photos :) 

Above is a quick before and after to show you some of the steps I went though to get my final image.  

And here is the final oracle card (below) :) I just adore this! I may frame it here at home!  I'm also thinking maybe if I get Brian & Bear I can do a family version of this for our Christmas cards! 

Chance did not want to sit or look up today.  I love our outtakes though, I think they are so funny to look back on!

We went to Conneaut lake this weekend for Pumpkin fest.  It was packed and I didn't take a lot of photos- I don't remember it ever being that crowded but we did venture down to the lake and got a beer and enjoyed the weather.  There were some really awesome craft vendors there and it just made me realize that I got to get a move on with my crafts and enter into some shows! It's just challenging to get enough crafts together for a show! It's no joke and a lot of work! My favorite booth this year was an older gentleman (maybe in his late 70's) and his wife.  He hand carves Christmas ornaments and paints them.  You can tell he loves to do it and they were all so good- I wish I could have bought more!  I picked up a snowman for our tree at home!  

They actually drop a 1,000lb pumpkin onto an old car at 5pm every year.  It was Brian's first time witnessing it! It's a big deal there! I have a video below :) 

Also- we had two very happy puppies that were excited to be out by the lake! 

Side note: I am so proud of the progress we have made on our home! We still have a TON of work but you can see the photo above was from google maps of the previous owner three years before we moved in and then the bottom photos is our current situation along with some Halloween decorations (my favorite time of year). 

Thanks again for reading and stopping by! I hope to shoot some behind the scenes footage of photos this week :) EEEP! :) 

Courage. (and some life updates)

“We all spend our twenties and thirties trying so hard to be perfect, because we’re so worried about what people will think of us. Then we get into our forties and fifties, and we finally start to be free, because we decide that we don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of us. But you won’t be completely free until you reach your sixties and seventies, when you finally realize this liberating truth—nobody was ever thinking about you, anyhow.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Elizabeth expanded on this by stating that people have their own lives that they go back to and that the world won't ever revolve around your art.  Instead, think of it as helping them escape reality for a moment- but don't do it for others- DO IT FOR YOU! Because it makes YOU happy! Gah, I promise I won't keep talking about this book in all my posts for forever and ever but it's just that amazing! I am almost done with it.  I keep rereading pages and making notes so it's taking me much longer than I'd like but I am just in love with it! <3

Anywho, this is Chance and I's most recent photo for the oracle deck and well, for fun! This is a ton of work and will be but I am just loving this project with him! Check out our photos for "Courage".  I did this photo because I need some courage lately.  Life has been... a bit difficult.  But, that's also what makes us appreciate when times are great... gotta have the downs to appreciate the ups :) 

Before and After

Brian has a lamp in our Bedroom that changes colors and he can control it with is phone but when I want to use it, it comes on red and I don't have the ability to change it.  I tried some photos with the red light but it was a little much- I did, however, catch chances annoyed look.  He just wanted to cuddle and I kept picking him up to face the camera.... 

See! He really just wanted to nap and cuddle! 

I hope you enjoy the photos!

I thought I'd take this opportunity to also do a quick update on what's been going on in our lives.  We got a fence. The dogs LOVE it and they don't need to go out on leashes anymore! It's strange to get use to as it's a privacy fence and maybe a little too private for me but... I am sure I will love it once we start gardening (no deer) and when we have people over and it will keep skunks out! YAY!

We had to tear up the dead pines in the backyard so we will have to plant some grass but here's to freedom for the dogs to play! 

We got together with our close friends Nikki and Matt and went to the drive in's to see the movie IT.  I really loved taking our chairs and sitting outside to watch the movie, it was the most beautiful night! IT was a little disappointing though, not scary. ;) 

My babies - Chance had to go to my mom's during the fence installation because of his anxiety with noise and the photo of Bear (below) is when we had a bonfire. I know the focus is poop but I loved the lighting and black and white has a special place in my heart!

I also got to see my old co-workers from Straka's office.  I can't tell you how good it felt to see them.  I really love these people and I'm so glad we can all keep in touch! I miss them! 

We celebrated my Father-in-laws bday last Sunday and we always have so much fun getting together.  I just love my in-laws. They are so freaking cute!

I've been doing some cleaning in the house and changing some things up.  I just love our wedding photos and I may have too many around the house... 

I saw a blog post not too long ago where they took the photos of the geyser in Iceland and framed them in a series.  Well, I had the same series that I personally took when I was in Iceland as I was snapping away when the geyser went off.  I decided to frame them up and put them in our dining room.  I love them though I do have to space them a bit better (my own worst critic). I was thinking bigger prints of it down the line but I'm happy with this for now! 

Well, this post was pretty random but the snapshots are just thinks that are going on in my life right now- thanks so much for reading and Chance and I will have a new photo soon! <3 

What Makes Us Human - Vulnerable

vul·ner·a·ble

ˈvəln(ə)rəb(ə)l/

adjective

1. susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.

   "we were in a vulnerable position"

   synonyms:

   helpless, defenseless, powerless, impotent, weak, susceptible "he was scared and vulnerable"

   • (of a person) in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, or risk of abuse or neglect.

     "employees must be better trained in how to deal with vulnerable young people"

   
   

     

      So- I really wanted the next photo in the series to be a happier one but it is the end of 

my "staycation" and we did a ton of work around the house and I have been feeling so 

happy about it...until today.  After realizing I had to go back to work tomorrow, I felt very sad, depressed and, well, vulnerable.  These are the things that make us human- these feelings- and sometimes it makes me realize there are some major things I need to change in my life.  Have any of you ever felt that you couldn't move on from something? How did you? If you are reading this, feel free to leave a comment below.  

     I feel overwhelmed with work, wedding planning, new house things, my to do lists and then spending time on hobbies, friend and family (the fun stuff).  I don't feel a balance and it makes me feel vulnerable and sometimes it's a little much.  I really hope you enjoy the new photo- It was fun to do on my last day off for a while. 

The paper airplanes signify all of those things in life headed for me or away from me.  The things I have to let go and the things that I have to let in.  If you are feeling at all this way -  It's totally okay! This is life and it's important to understand that EVERYTHING will not always be in a perfect balance.  Let it in and let it go!

Some other of my favorites from today:

Some behind the scenes photos:

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          (below: before I worked with hues and saturation etc.)
   
   
   
   
   

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Always Look Up

Always Look Up

     This one is dedicated to my mom and dad. My Dad has always told me to look up and more times than not I have found something awesome to look at! Northern Lights, moons that are picture perfect, shooting stars, the milky way! Life has been something to write about lately. I have never felt so depressed and off. I try to be this cheery person and try to force myself to be happy when I am just NOT. My parents are always there for me. No matter what and I want to show them through a photo how much they have helped make my life happier even when I fall into a depression. They are my stars. My light to guide my way. I love you guys. TO THE MOON AND BACK! <3

 I made this dress years ago for another shoot of mine:

     I decided that after my mom found it and told me to take it home to use it for a new shoot! I am so glad that I did. We had a busy day though and I feel so bad for puppers. He had to have a vet appointment today and he is worn out.  Stress, I'm sure. I also think he hit his tale pretty hard today while wagging it. He has been acting strange and if he doesn't perk up by tomorrow it's back to the vets....

So as he got his rest, I edited:

 Before and after!

This is right after I added the stars....

COLD!

 Really COLD!

 My Right Hand Man...

Helping me focus the camera! 

     It was COLD! 20 degrees I think it was.  I was frozen and couldn't feel much of my feet or arms ....or legs... or face... you get the point. It was worth it though! Brian of course helped me carry out the chair to stand on with the extra long dress, and my props. I am so glad we have some "woods" beside us but soon I'm going to have to scout some new locations. I did this quick and most likely would have tried a different angle if I wasn't freezing my ass off but overall I guess I'm pretty happy with it! <3

Much Love

Shannon