We’ve normalized addiction, it’s time to normalize recovery. These before and afters were created and presented at the Zoe Freedom center’s year end Image Bearer’s Gala fundraiser. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the following for making this possible:

– The amazing Jeet of Glam by Jeet for the stunning hair and makeup
– The staff at Stevenson Ridge for hosting and serving an amazing dinner
– The staff & volunteers at Zoe who covered every detail imaginable.
– The Girls who were so brave to share their stories and photographs.
– Jeanne Allert of The Samaritan Women for the Keynote.
– The over 100 attendees who came in support of this amazing cause.
– Mark & Dana Brown at Zoe Freedom Center for making all of this possible.
– The amazing sponsors that came on board!

Click HERE for photos of the gala.

Go behind the scenes with Stacey as she shares what it means to her to be photographed by Charleston fashion photographer, Shannon Michelle.

Watch behind the scenes boudoir video with Zumba instructor, Shannon Keane. Her story is an inspiring one about [at one point] being overweight and unhappy with what’s in the mirror. If you liked Shannon’s story, please leave her an encouraging message in the comments section below!

Thank you, Paula, for sharing your story. Paula is a wife, a mother, and an equine chiropractor. But Paula is so much more than that; she is a woman. A strong woman who is passionate about her family and has been taking care of everyone else for such a long time that she almost forgot what it’s like to take care of herself. Shana and I just adored meeting Paula. She is honest, caring, kind and let us go on and on about our own pets when she was in the hair and makeup chair 🙂

I just adore how she lights up after her shoot. You can visibly see how much happier and confident she is after our time together. Watch her interview and leave an encouraging comment for Paula below.

Dress: Rent the Runway
Hair | Makeup: Shana Christoforo
Photo | Video: Shannon Michelle

I’m sooo exhausted…

But I just can’t pull the trigger. You know the one; the one that says “power” on the TV remote. Have you ever felt that way? Like you just need to listen to noise to fall asleep? It might be my anxiety or my creative genius that keeps me from turning off my brain at times…or it could be that I’m one of seven and background noise is the norm. None the less, there I lie, listening (not watching) the TV.

Then I hear him!

Like a little fashion angle…the voice of, no other than… Tim Gunn! So of course I peel my eyelids open and found that I was watching….The Biggest Loser?

No. That can’t be right. I don’t watch that show. But tonight was different; it was makeover night.

Well, now I’m awake! Tim Gunn and makeovers?! Sign me up!!

As I was forced to play catch up on what the hell was going on, I quickly realized that Tim was providing makeovers for the top 7 that were still in the running to becoming America’s next (sorry, wrong show)…Biggest Loser. And as I watched, intrigued by the hair, makeup, styling choices etc., I realized just how much I loved this! The show wasn’t making over the finalist or even the top three. They were experiencing their makeovers mid season! They hadn’t reached their final weight loss goal and they still had a long way to go (I assume) but they celebrated anyway!! They celebrated how far they had come and used this experience to acknowledge that even if you aren’t exactly where you want to be yet, you don’t need to wait, to look your best. With a little styling help, some hair, makeup and a smidge of confidence, these men and women looked absolutely fantastic! 

[photos by NBC]

This is exactly what I want for you!

You don’t need to wait until you’re a size 2 to be photographed. You can look amazing no matter where you on the size chart. I’ve seen it time and time again with my own clients. Often, it ends up being the confidence boost you need to keep going.

If you’re ready to celebrate where you are in life, who you are in this very moment, please download our info (by clicking on the photo below) and contact our team so we can help you get started and inspire you to see yourself differently. What, no Tim Gunn? No worries. Our creative concierge will take great care of you. You just need to take the first step….

We have absolutely beautiful clients, but who doesn’t love a little pick me up?!! I’m so beyond thrilled with our high end fashion retouching team out of London. They not only work on commercial campaigns, they retouch anything our clients order in print! Our in house retouchers are here to offer basic editing to client photos prior to viewing. Here’s just a sneak peak example of what you can expect from our retouchers when you work with us!!

Love working with a great team to come up with some fun and creative hair concepts. Kai Anthony, owner of Salon 1803 in Marshfield, MA is an amazingly talented stylist. He’s also a Redken educator, my personal stylist and a good friend. This is shoot #2 for Kai’s Mastered class with UK hair icon and celebrity stylist Sam McKnight. Our beautiful model is Jesslyn of Maggie Inc. Makeup by the amazing Shana Christoforo.

[Scroll below the pictures for links to all creatives involved as well as a behind the scenes video.]

Can you imagine?! Over 10,000 women were in attendance! This year at the annual Massachusetts Conference for Women, we had the opportunity to take part in an amazing 2 days that support local business women.

Keynote speakers included Nasty Gal’s own Sophia Amoruso, Project Runway’s Tim Gunn, Shonda Rhimes [executive producer of ABC’s hit shows “Grey’s Anatomy and “Scandal”] and many more.

Exhibitors included local brands like Alex and Ani, The Boston Globe, XO Monica Lee and of course, Yours Truly. Make up artist Shana Christoforo was by our side as our partner in crime and offered makeup tutorials throughout the day. [I even learned how to contour my own face shape…finally], we raffled off a complimentary private makeup and posing class for a group of 10 friends and we gave away 100 pairs of eyelashes, completely free thanks so Amy June Lashes!

The day was absolutely amazing. We met some wonderful women, added hundreds to our VIP list and even ran into some past clients as well as other vendors! In fact, photographer Jen Arya posted on social media that she was there that morning so of course we invited her in for one of our makeovers [pics below]!

Next year’s convention is scheduled for December 8, 2016. It takes place at the Boston Convention & Exhibit Center on the waterfront [Summer Street] in South Boston and if you’re not into early rising and morning traffic, crash the night before at the Westin Boston Waterfront. That’s what we did, and it made things so much more enjoyable. Just make sure to get on the convention’s mailing list and get your tickets as soon as they are available this summer; they go lightening fast!

A special thank you to Jaclyn Lombardo [Newport wedding photographer] who came up all the way from Rhode Island to help us out last minute. We couldn’t do anything without the support of an amazing team and friends.

Please enjoy a few cell phone pics below from the event!

Didn’t make it to this year’s convention? Just mention that you read this blog and book before Feb 14, 2016 for a complimentary mobile look book featuring 10 retouched digital files with any booking. Schedule your appointment HERE.

Over 10,000 women in attendance at the MA Convention for Women.

Shannon + Shana at the MA Convention for Women.

Shana, Jen, Jaclyn + Shannon

Shana giving makeup tutorials.

The Before and After Board.

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of working with a great team to come up with some fun and creative hair concepts. Kai Anthony, owner of Salon 1803 in Marshfield, MA is an amazingly talented stylist. He’s also a Redken educator, my personal stylist and a good friend. On a whim [which is how he makes most of his decisions and I love that about him] he decided to take a Mastered class with UK hair icon and celebrity stylist Sam McKnight. So for the next 4 months, Kai will be given an assignment and we’ll be photographing it for you  and sharing it on our blog. Make sure you follow along. You won’t want to miss the various levels of creativity that is Kai Anthony!

[Scroll below the pictures for links to all creatives involved as well as a behind the scenes video.]

Hair: Kai Anthony
Make Up: Joshua Litterio
Models: Maggie Inc.
Photos: Shannon Michelle
Book a shoot: info@shannon-michelle.com

I’ve had this white bob wig in the accessories closet of my studio for well over a year. Last weekend, I finally got to use it! I absolutely LOVE monochromatic colors and when we applied that theme to Claudia, it did not disappoint! Here’s a before and after photo and some behind the scenes video from this fashion inspired portrait shoot.
I just LOVE the transformation with hair, make up and photography.

If you want us to recreate this look for you, message info@shannon-michelle.com!