In the spirit of fashion week, I took a little down time to head to Newport, RI to meet up with friend, and wedding photographer, Jaclyn Lombardo of Jaclyn L Photography. Newport Film, along with the Rough Point Mansion hosted an outdoor showing of the documentary Dior and I. The film followed designer Raf Simons as he took over for John Galliano at the House of Dior and produced his first fashion show for them in just 8 weeks!! Our black and white damask/french themed picnic was the perfect accessory to the evening’s events.
NY Fashion week starts September 4th! Be sure to follow us on Instagram (@ shannon michelle photo) for behind the scenes coverage.
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Kai Mitchell, owner and lead stylist of Salon 1803, celebrated his birthday as many small business owners do…at work. Although, this was no ordinary day at the Salon for Kai and his team! The usual quiet and intimate space located in Marshfield, MA was suddenly transformed into a bustling photo studio! Blow dryers roaring, make up artists and models chit chatting away, camera and video crews scrambling for the perfect shot, assistants and more, were all present. And for what you might ask? To celebrate and take part in a video being filmed to promote Salon 1803 on the oh so popular Yelp website. It was a busy day to say the least. After starting at 5am, Kai’s schedule was filled with informal interviews, behind the scenes camera work, 3 hair make overs, and of course…a photo shoot by yours truly. We can’t wait to see the final video but in the meantime, here are some sneak peak photos of what went on (keep reading…there are behind the scenes pics after the credits below). HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAI!!!!
Continue reading….behind the scenes pics to follow….
Model 1: Jolene Nicole Hunt | Model Club Inc.
Model 2: Krista Marie River
Model 3: Molly Dillon
Hair: Kai Mitchel | Salon 1803
Make Up: Michelle McGrath | Anchor Artsits
Stylist Assistant: Giana Calapa | Salon 1803
Photos: Shannon Michelle | Shannon Michelle Photography
Photo Assistant: Megan Ryan | Shannon Michelle Photography
Video: Yelp
There were people everywhere! There were lights, cameras, make up & hair teams, not to mention the crowds of fans trying desperately to sneak a peek. I patiently waited next to her as her stylist fussed over every inch of her five foot, ten inch frame. She then sat down, looked right at me and smirked flirtatiously for the camera. It was effortless for her. I couldn’t help but notice… the flawless skin, pouty pink lips, golden locks that bounced across her shoulder. She is after all, a Victorias Secret supermodel. More specifically, I had just photographed Doutzen Kroes.
I’m just going to say the one thing every photographer thinks but is not supposed to say out loud.
IT IS JUST MORE PLEASANT TO PHOTOGRAPH BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.
So what is it that you don’t like about yourself? What is it that keeps you from thinking you are beautiful? Coming up with a list of things we don’t like about ourselves is usually not a problem. In fact, unfortunately, it’s almost on autopilot.
My nose it too big
My nose is too small
My hair is too curly
My hair is too straight
I’m too short
I’m too tall
I’m too skinny
I’m too fat
I don’t like the shape of my eyes
I don’t like my smile
I don’t like my skin
I’ve even had a client say “I don’t like the shape of my nostrils!” I photograph women of all ages, all shapes, and all sizes. When I recently put together my speaking program for teen and preteen girls, I racked my brain about what is it that really makes someone beautiful?
No, but really, what makes someone beautiful?
I thought about the celebrities and models I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the years and then I thought about the young women who enter my studio every day. We’ve all heard that confidence makes someone beautiful. My problem with that is that models (just like everyone else) have a list of things they don’t like about themselves. In fact, their list may be longer than yours. After all, rejection (and rejection based on looks alone) is an every day experience for the professional model. They are more aware of their flaws than anyone I know and not all models are confident. So how does that make any sense?
If confidence is what makes someone beautiful, what makes someone confident? And then it hit me…
VULNERABILITY IS BEAUTIFUL.
We all have the ability to be vulnerable. Your world will change when you can take that list you make of reasons you are not beautiful and look yourself in the mirror and say “This is what I don’t like about myself but it’s ok. I welcome you to look at me (or photograph me) just as I am.” Vulnerability is a fragile state. Many of us have worked for years to cover up any part of us that is vulnerable. But the one thing we thought was protecting us, may be the very thing that has kept us from growing in love. If you can be open about what you don’t like, I think you just might be able to accept some of those ‘flaws.’ There’s always room to improve but appreciating yourself as you are is what gives you the room to grow.
Confidence is what people tend to see on the surface of those that are perceived ‘beautiful’. But being vulnerable (in my humble opinion) is what makes someone truly beautiful. Vulnerability leads to acceptance,which leads to self love, which leads to confidence. Start to take a second look at those models in magazines. Are they confident? Or is there also sense of vulnerability about them? We all look for someone relatable. I think vulnerability is one of the most relatable and honest attributes you can have.
So yes, photographing beautiful people is more pleasant. I JUST TEND TO THINK EVERYONE HAS THE ABILITY TO BE BEAUTIFUL, STRONG AND CONFIDENT.
FOR BOOKINGS OR INQUIRIES: info@shannon-michelle.com
Are you super nervous about the idea of a boudoir shoot? No worries, you are not alone!! But chances are, you are so focused on the shoot that you haven’t even thought about what happens after the shoot?
That’s where we come in! We consistently search the globe and are very proud to have one of the best boudoir product lines available. It’s just not enough to have a few small prints made to be shoved in a drawer somewhere to be found years later. These are beautiful, intimate images of you at a very special time in your life and deserve to be celebrated by presenting them in a stylish and modern way. We are beyond proud to offer you many ways to do this. Even prouder, many of our products are made right here in America!
Please enjoy a few of these American made selects from our product line. Which one is your favorite?
A couple of our boudoir albums are made in the USA. This uniquely shaped ‘clutch’ album is one of them!
Beauty boxes come in three different sizes and include a grouping of custom made prints, all made in the USA.
The mobile look book is made in the USA and a great way to keep all your fav photos at your fingertips.
We offer custom prints that are made in the USA. All prints are mounted for added protection and coated with clear layer that protects against fingerprints and UV rays. Nothing but the best for our guest!!
Metal prints, metal murals and sublimated metal prints are all made in the USA.
And last but not least, of course a photo shoot with Shannon Michelle is 100% created in the USA!! Gift certificates are a great way to celebrate the ones you love.
Please note: Products featured here today are, to the best of our ability, known to be created in the United States of America. Should an item come to our attention that does not fit the requirements, the item will be removed.
FOR BOOKINGS OR INQUIRIES: info@shannon-michelle.com
What to do with all those beautiful portraits? Try a beauty box! Perfect for gifts or to keep all your favorites in one location without binding them to an album.
Hair | Make up: Krisann Kiley
FOR INQUIRIES OR BOOKINGS: info@shannon-michelle.com
Niji is moving to NYC in just a couple of weeks to continue school as a singer and artist. We were thrilled to be able to work with her before leaving and love the bold colors she wanted to use for her beauty shoot!
Flowers – Braintree Flower Shop
Makeup – Shana Christoforo
Photo – Shannon Michelle
FOR BOOKINGS OR INQUIRIES: info@shannon-michelle.com
It was such a pleasure working with Rieko! She flew all the way to Boston from Chicago to have a shoot with us before heading back to Japan in just one week!! We appreciate clients who know they want to shoot with us and will move mountains to make it happen.
Roses – Braintree Flower Shop
Hair & Makeup – Shana Christoforo
Photo – Shannon Michelle
FOR BOOKING OR INQUIRES: info@shannon-michelle.com
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