st. stephen family portrait session: the best family

tuesday morning i had the pleasure of photographing my good friends: Jon, Kristen, Madelaine and Eloise. it was a slow start, Eloise chose this one day to sleep in, and Maddie still had to locate her magic wand and tiara!

i have known Jon and Kristen for over 5 years, before they moved to St. Stephen, before they had children, before they were married, and i knew Jon before he knew Kristen! in fact, Kristen and were just reminiscing about the first time we met. Kristen had recently moved to BC (to be closer to Jon), and we were with a group of mutual friends at the theatre waiting to see the second Bridget Jones movie - she was wearing this awesome brown corduroy blazer, and i was sporting 1940's inspired black eyeglass frames, each one of  us thinking the other has some seriously good style! we have been friends ever since, and I consider Jon, Kristen and their girls to be some of my closest friends.

Kristen can be credited with my knowledge of St. Stephen and the town's university, which is what initially brought me to this lovely part of Canada. i still remember sitting on the couch in their Langley (BC) townhouse, peppering Kristen with questions about this place and the university. and i remember the following year hanging out with her in her air conditioned bedroom, watching Gilmore Girls while she snuggled her new baby, Maddie and i adjusted to being home after one year at university and preparing for my first travel term. and i remember getting the news that they had bought a house in St. Stephen and were moving to the east coast, back to her "heart-home" and closer to where Jonny's family had moved in that previous year.

Jon and Kristen (and their extended family) have been a large part of my story these past five years and they have repeatedly welcomed me into their home and hearts. i was fortunate to live with them in my final year of university and still feel at home when i am there for a visit (or for a photo shoot). and though it is years since Gilmore Girls went off the air and many, many things have changed in each of our lives, Kristen and i still get together to watch Gilmore Girls... this time Kristen is folding mountains of laundry created by her expanded family, and i am relishing in the fact that i have no papers to write or deadlines for the books i am reading and i am dreaming about being a full-time photographer!!

there were many laughable moments during the photo session, many genuine wide-mouthed smiles were captured as a result. however my favorite and most memorable was when Maddie got her pout on and declared: "i don't want to be in the show anymore aunty shannie!" what a dolly... can't wait to do more family photo sessions for more adorable moments like this!

*to view more photos from the best family photo session please visit my facebook fan page.

**to book your own family portrait session, please send me an email: shannonmayphotog@gmail.com.

st. andrews portrait session:: genevieve + billy

i have some ridiculously good-looking friends. for example, Genevieve has the most amazing green eyes, which sparkle along with her stunning personality! it was an absolute pleasure to photograph her and her stunning self! Genevieve and I have been trying to arrange a photo session since July, when Genevieve first came home from a two month travel term in Europe with her university SSU. she was house sitting and working across the street from me,  so we had planned many occasions to meet up after work one day and roam around Saint Andrews while taking pictures. this never happened. between our schedules and the crazy end of summer weather (or me forgetting to bring my gear with me :) ) the photo shoot was put off again and again until this past Tuesday evening when it finally worked to meet up!

joining us on the photo session was Billy. he had promised Genevieve a ride on his new motorbike and a ride to Saint Andrews on a brisk end-of-summer evening was just the perfect thing! i took advantage of Billy's presence, and took some portraits of him, and then Billy and Genevieve together, having fun with the setting sun, dramatic blue-black sky, street lights, leather and an empty Saint Andrews pier.

this photo shoot is one of the reasons i am more and more convinced that i should pursue lifestyle photography as a profession. i had so much fun, felt free to be creative with my perspective, felt challenged in an inspiring way by the quality and lack of natural light, and loved the post-photo session processing. every part of this experience - which was work - was enjoyable, and though i went into this photo session initially uninspired and a little begrudgingly (it has been a long day), as soon as  i held the camera in my hands and positioned Genevieve against the evening sky i was energized. and I have to say, I am very VERY pleased with the result.


Theresa of Avila wrote : "The important thing is not to think much, but to love much; do then whatever most arouses you to love." photographing people inspires me to love - to love God, to love others, to love life and to love myself; and love inspires me to hope and persevere through the difficult times. to pursue photography as a profession, and to meet the standards of photography i have set for myself and wish to exceed, will take a lot  of hard work and determination (so hope and perseverance is a must).  i think i am willing for i want to "love much." you have my permission to remind me of this when i complain, or sound defeated!

*the featured photo examples some of the fun that ensued during our photo session. to view more of Genevieve's and Billy photo session, please visit my Facebook Fan Page.

**i wish to note that Genevieve and Billy were 30 minutes for their photo session because Billy could not decide what to wear. apparently he had laid out all of his favorite clothes while he tried to decide what to wear, and was not settled until he found his most favorite shirt... which i don't think even made it into the photo shoot!

deer island portrait session: britney

my friend Britney is one of the most beautiful persons I know - when she walks into a room she brings sunshine and her smile will cut through even the grumpiest mood!

we were in the same class together in university before she transferred to UNB. since then however, we have remained in touch and try to find times in the midst of our busy schedules to meet up. after not seeing one another all summer we finally made a plan to meet approximately half way between our houses (Brit lives in Saint John); we decided to meet in Saint George, take the ferry to Deer Island and explore a little. we each packed a lunch, stopped in at the Country Market in Saint George for coffee and fudge, and then ventured to Deer Island accompanied by a little fluff ball named Ruthie, my one year old puppy.

we made our way around the island finding the "point," where we came across a grassy embankment overlooking the Passamaquoddy Bay. after having our lunch we went for a short walk on the beach that turned into an impromtu photo shoot at Britney's suggestion, and i am so glad she did! this turned into one of my favorite photo series! Britney was so fun to have in front of my camera. i particularly loved the childlikeness and playfulness that she exudes... and the grace and pure joy that accompanies this! i always feel so loved and accepted after spending time with Britney, even when it's only a few minutes!! moreover, Britney is wise beyond years... a real contemplative soul seeking a life full of truth and striving to affirm the dignity and humanity in others (Britney spent the summer working for Camp Rotary and is preparing to start her new position as a live in assistant for the L'Arche Community in Saint John).

the first photo displayed here is my absolute favorite.. i smile and giggle every time I see it! Brit's smile and laugh are infectious (infectious in the good way).

to view more photos of Britney please visit my Facebook Fan Page!

st. stephen portrait session:: jonas + kristel

let me begin by asserting that Jonas and Kristel are not engaged!!! in an ongoing to effort to expand my portfolio i have been offering my services to friends, taking portraits of both individuals and couples. individuals are easy to find, but their a very few engaged couples in my circle of friends and acquaintances. thus, i have been canvassing my friends who are in relationships, offering them "couples portraits."

at a house party a few weeks ago i approached Kristel about doing portraits and she was more than willing, but cautioned that Jonas may need some convincing. much to my surprise, however, Jonas happily agreed, even offering to pose for some nudes!! (thanks Jonas but that is not the kind of photography i am interested in at this time)

on Monday i met Jonas and Kristel at St. Stephen's University, where they are both in their forth year, majoring in history. we started out with some fun photos in the library, Jonas reading Hitler's "Mein Kampf" and Kristel reading "Joan of Arc"! fun ensued all over St. Stephen ending in Sobey's with a box of Cheerios and then to Jonas' house where Jonas and Kristel enjoyed some of their favorite beverages!

to view the complete album please visit my Facebook Fan Page!

st. stephen portrait session:: julia

as i meandered around the store floor today attempting to keep busy at work rather than watch the clock tick, tick, tick as time slowly went one, i began to be inspired by the grey drizzly weather. i thought: "this would be SUCH a great day to take portraits!" disappointment settled into my heart as i was scheduled to work until 6pm, and all my gear was at home! thankfully, however, the lovely Julia, who just flew in from Ontario on Thursday, is full of spontaneity and is incredibly fun to photograph! i came home from work, picked up my gear and drove over to Julia's. we hopped in the car at 7pm and took advantage of some of St. Stephen's "natural beauty" - the pier and the highway!! there are some really great photo worthy spots around here if we use our imagination, and are willing to get a little dirty (or risk being run over by a car).

the rain stopped by the time we were shooting, but the dark foreboding sky remained and i was happy to play with the dramatic light. ah, this is perhaps one of my favorite kinds of light! i am pretty impressed with the  fun and creative tone of these photographs... probably my favorite series since intentionally building my portfolio! i hope you enjoy... and i hope you are up for a spontaneous and fun photo shoot sometime should the mood strike!

to view the complete "Julia" collection, visit my Facebook Fan Page.

personal:: good friends

i am a native of Vancouver BC... well not Vancouver exactly but how many of you know where Langley is? anyway, living in St. Stephen, NB means that i am living on the opposite side of Canada from my family, and the friends who have known me my whole life. i am happy to be here - this is a choice i made after many, many sleepless nights during my final year of university as i thought ahead to post-grad life. i determined that staying in St. Stephen close to the academic community i have come to know and love, and many good friends that have become family was how I wanted to spend the next year as i figured out post-grad life and move into the next academic phase of my life (should i continue to pursue my studies). however, this does not mean that i miss my family and friends any less. in fact, the last few weeks as i have sought to balance working full-time in a lovely little eco shop in Saint Andrews, build a photography portfolio, and set up a new home i have found myself longing for the company of old friends and my family, who have always been amazing support and willingly helpful hands when i am in transition or feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities of life. so, when i received an email a few weeks ago from my best childhood friend Jill in which stated that her parents - who have known me since I was an infant - were going to be visiting the East Coast for six weeks and wanted my contact info i was overjoyed!!

Don and Colleen met me in Saint Andrews last weekend and we spent a lovely day together walking through the town, down the pier, chatting over lunch (at The Gables), watching the kites fly at the kite flying festival, and meandering through the gorgeous gardens at Kingsbrae Gardens. it was a beautiful day, and for a time i was able to miss my family and friends a little less. thank you Don and Colleen for bringing a bit home to me! It was a great day and I hope to see you both for a final visit before you head back West.

The featured photo is a shot  I took at Kingsbrae Gardens - you really should check this place out before the season is over!

st. andrews portrait session:: mark

a few weeks ago (while at work between customers) i was thinking about ways to promote my business so that i could increase my bookings. particularly on my mind was the upcoming LSAT registration and that three portrait sessions would enable me to register (i have been on track the past few years for law school and continue to pursue this other dream while i test the waters for photography and develop a business plan). the moment this thought was complete in my mind, in walked mark. a mutual acquaintance had referred him to my photography services. he was in need of professional portraits - he is a realtor with Coastal Realty in Saint Andrews, NB - and I was happy to be hired!!!

we booked the session for a thursday, which turned out to be a rainy, dismal day not ideal for professional portraits! thus we postponed the photo session to the following friday, which was sunny, warm and perfectly inspiring! mark's wife dawn came along to encourage and support mark, but ultimately she provided entertainment for both of us, making the session fun and super casual!!!

it was important to mark that his portraits not look stiff - that his portraits portray the casual and easy-going guy he is while also communicating to potential clients that he is trustworthy and dependable. i hope my portraits have captured this for him!!!