Archive for August, 2010

why weird locations can rock…

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Don’t get me wrong, I love some of our locations we have available here in Knoxville.  But sometimes I find myself needing a fun location to bring out a little creativity.  Don’t you?  Just to shoot for some fun and in different, weird locations.  To challenge myself and see the world a little differently than in my usual spots of shooting. I’ve shot here before but its been about 2 years ago and it was so fun to be back.  I pushed myself a little more this time and we even befriended some skaters and did some shooting in the bowls and jumps…very fun!

So this past Knoxville Photog Meetup we did a little fun shooting with some beautiful models at a local Knoxville skate park and I did just that…had a little fun shooting in a weird location that was awesome!

The models were amazing and up for anything (even skaters jumping over them!).  So our group had some fun photographing the models and playing around at the skatepark with the amazing light!!

model photography

Here’s another little sneak of Rachel, the beautiful model, that I had put on facebook the other day:)

So, where do you shoot if you are a photographer?? Do you find yourself shooting at the same locations?  Ready to try some new ones!? Look around this week and find one…step out of your comfort zone a little if you need to too…sometimes that is great for creativity!

turning 3…

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Today you turn 3.

how did that happen?

As each day goes by I love you more

and am amazed by you.

you see,

you’re kind of magic.

***

You love to talk

You jump up and down when you know someone is coming

and your curls…oh your curls!

I hope they never go away.

you always say hi to people and have yet to meet a room you didn’t take over

just by the joy of your presence when you walk in.

That’s your nana in you.

You have manners, say please and thanks, and love life, that is her too.

***

You love to have your hair in the wind

close your eyes

yelling “feel it”

You are determined and focused and smart

that’s your pops.

you love a good picking on, thats him too.

***

You love all things that are a game.

whether it be hiding under the covers waiting for a tickle

or closing your eyes right in front of us yelling “find me”

you love to jump and run

that’s your dada…he’s magic too.

***

You have planned your birthday party for months

going around with a catolog saying

“let’s tink about my party”

you color little post its and call them your projects

that’s from me.

you are opinionated, logical, and inquisitive.

and like to stomp your feet.

that’s probably from me too:)

I love every thing about you and more.

happy birthday Lenabean!

xo,

mommy

winner!

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Excited and honored is an understatement.

Like, really.

The announcement last week of giving away a wedding left me nervous.

Yes, it was a big gift, but what if no one signed up?

What if I was left giving it away to the one person who signed up?

So, we announced it.

and I got sweaty palms.

***

After about 2 days from announcing it I got brave.

and I checked the number of entries.

it was 20! I was relieved.

I wasn’t going to look like a dork!

***

The drawing was held at Second Story’s Grand Opening.

Second Story is a local bridal lounge here in Knoxville.

We had 59 online entries alone!!!!

I was floored!

We had ourselves a contest!

So, I’ve had some excited people on facebook wondering who won but I wanted to touch base with the winner before announcing:)


Drum roll please!


The winner is Leslie Tyson of Shallotte, NC!!!


Here is her response:

"Oh my goodness! You have got to be kidding! I can't believe it... whoa. I
don't ever win anything. Are you serious??!"


love her already!

aj + rosie

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Remember AJ and Rosie’s awesome engagement session? Well, they got married this past week in a beautiful ceremony and reception here in Knoxville at Black Oaks Heights Baptist Church with lots of fun, unique details to make their wedding so them! Here are some of my faves:)

1. Isn’t AJ’s ring awesome with the crosses in it? 2. This is a dish that one of the bridesmaids made with their pictures all through it…super cool. 3. There are glasses to match…scroll on down to see:)
knoxville wedding photography

knoxville wedding photography

so it poured rain all day but we made the most of it and played with some windows and reflections.
knoxville wedding photography
knoxville wedding photography

all the flowers lined up waiting for their big debut:)

knoxville wedding photography

knoxville wedding photography

best grooms tie ever. its was in a trinity knot. Isn’t that amazing!?

simple beautiful centerpieces…and those flowers are real…aren’t they perfect:)

knoxville wedding photography

the glasses were made by a bridesmaid and was a collage of all these different pictures of AJ and Rosie with quotes and fun personal things. You could even see different things showing through on the inside…so cool! Love fun little touches like this at weddings:)

Rosie saw this cake topper online and joked to AJ about it. So they ordered it, naturally.
knoxville wedding photography

knoxville wedding photography

and of course we couldn’t have a wedding without some camo! Best garter ever:) knoxville wedding photography

they got this car good.
knoxville wedding photography

knoxville wedding photography

second story: a vendor

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Second Story is a new bridal store here in Knoxville that gives brides a place to talk all thing weddings and see some awesome vendors from everything from invitations, planners, and of course, photographers. How fun is that!? Its a super cute place that I’m proud to be part of. Second Story is just starting up with the grand opening tomorrow in Knoxville and hopefully has a bright future ahead of it! If you are a bride, be sure to head on over to Second Story to check it out:)
second story

PS…we are drawing for the free wedding photography tomorrow at the Second Story open house!! I have been floored at all the submissions rolling in! If you know of a bride getting married in 2011, be sure to send them over by tomorrow at noon!

Win a Wedding!!!

Thursday, August 5th, 2010


We here at Shannon Kelley Photography are going crazy today and are GIVING AWAY A WEDDING!

Here’s all the juicy details:

One Grand Prize Winner gets:
-full day coverage up to 12 hours on your wedding day
-travel expenses up to 150 miles from Knoxville, TN.
-online gallery of all edited photos
-(1) 11×14 print
-(1) CD of 100 digital prints of photographers choice from your gallery.

Rules:
-Wedding must be in 2011 and is subject on my availability on the date.
-Wedding can be anywhere in the world but travel only included up to 150 miles from Knoxville, anywhere additionally will be at the cost to the bride and groom.

To enter: go here to fill out an online form or attend Second Story’s open house on August 10th where we will be holding the drawing. You do not have to be in attendance to win, winner will be notified through email.

HURRY and enter!! Contest closes at noon on August 10, 2010

To view contest rules, go here.

knoxville smug wrap up!

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Last week a bunch of fun Knoxville photographers met up for our monthly SMUG with the amazing Julie Roberts as our speaker. We had yummy munchies, learned a ton, and I can’t wait for next month! knoxville photographer smug

If you are a Knoxville photographer, head on over to our meetup page to join up and come!

etsy wedding find

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Confession: I love Etsy. You probably knew that and probably do yourself.

Confession #2: Growing up I wasn’t one of those girls who planned their wedding. I just never thought about it and when my wedding planning was happening I just started afresh…I didn’t have anything in mind that I had to have.

Fast forward to today and I think I’m making up for lost time. I love weddings, I love seeing everyone’s creativity in making their day completely them. All the unique fun details. Ah! Love it!

So, I thought I would share one today. I was the type of bride that loved being organized. Stumbled upon this little gem today on Etsy and wish I would have had it for my wedding. Cute and purposeful…and personalized, a custom wedding planner! Inviting Style by Pick Me Paper Designs does a fabulous job at making your wedding planning even more fun!

(picture from Etsy, not mine)

Head on over here to see more and get your own!