Shannon Walton Photography » Info

Couple things…

Shannon — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:51:51 +0000

Tonight is date night with my daughter. We’ll be doing a little shopping, eating and with any luck belly laughs will also be shared. There are a couple things I’ve been meaning to post about so I’m going to try to make it short and sweet because remember I have some belly laughing to do. I get e-mails almost daily from photographers and aspiring photographers asking me questions about photography, business, where I get my props and so on. While I’m flattered to have inspired others I just don’t have the time to answer every one. In a perfect world I could take the time to sit down and answer every question in detail but right now keeping up with my clients and my family is all I can handle. The world wide web is a wonderful thing and you can find pretty much anything you take the time to search for. I will tell you that I shoot manual 100% of the time when photographing clients. There is no luck involved in the creation of my images. Well, sometimes I get lucky with a killer expression or a pose that one of my little clients create themselves, but I choose the settings, lighting, background, posing, ect. I know my camera, I know my lights, I know the rules of composition. I have even gotten really good at anticipating those killer moments, in fact, when my photographer friends were here I was photographing a newborn and said to them, “mark my words, we are about to get a smile!” Sure enough within seconds our little baby was grinning from ear to ear I will admit that when I first started my shots were mostly luck. I couldn’t stand the feeling of not being in control and knowing I was going to be able to deliver fantastic images every single time so I have spent the last 6 years continuing to learn and develop my skill. Another thing to consider is not only the photography aspect of being a photographer, but the business aspect also. It’s not always easy running your own business. I could certainly do without the business part of business but in order to succeed and plan for the future I have to devote just as much, if not more, to that part of being a photographer. Having a business plan, insurance, studio policies and paying taxes are just as important as knowing how to take a great photo.

The second thing I’d like to chat about for a second also has to do with e-mails I receive. I get so many great e-mails, facebook messages, even hand written notes from clients thanking me for their experience. I would like to create a testimonial link here on the blog. If you’d like to write a testimonial I sure would appreciate it! You can send them through the contact link above. 95% of my clients come from referrals…that is pretty awesome! I would love to share some of those experiences with my potential clients so if you have the time I would greatly appreciate it

Have a great weekend everyone!
Let the belly laughing BEGIN!!

Sweet Rides and Tough Guys!

Shannon — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:25:11 +0000

The inspiration for this mini session came from 2 images actually. My all time favorite shot of my boys together and another little fella which still makes my heart melt every time I look at it. The image of my boys has been hanging on my wall for several years now. It will hang somewhere in my home until my grand kids are old enough to do this shot

my boys…

little heart melter…

My latest little model and quite the tough guy himself…

These sessions are not 20 minute sessions. They are 45 minute sessions, therefore space is limited. Please send me an e-mail if you’d like to book and I will send a PayPal invoice for $85 to the e-mail you specify. Once I receive payment we will set up a time. I cannot reserve time slots without payment. You also do not have to have a PayPal account to pay via PayPal but if you do have an account already set up please send me that e-mail address when you e-mail to reserve your spot. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t text me. I prefer to have the e-mails all together and it will help me keep things coordinated and the order in which people booked. My E-mail is shannonwalton@sbcglobal.net

If we fill up Sat. I will open up times on Sunday. The 11×14 image will be printed on metallic paper which is awesome for metal and high contrast images. Bikes, trikes, petal cars, skateboards, look awesome on metallic. The image I have of my boys is a metallic gallery wrap. You do not have to have it printed this way, but highly recommend it for this session

Here is the rest of the info you need to know….

Illinois newborn photographer

Shannon — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:12:03 +0000

Just a note to let you know I will be unavailable until Tues. My friend and fellow photographer are getting together to shoot each others families over the weekend. I am over the moon excited to have some images of my family to plaster all over my walls. It will be nice to let someone else shoot my kids and as an extra bonus I get to be in them too I LOVE her work and if I can’t shoot my family, she is who I’d pick so it should be fun!

People say that newborn smiles are only gas….I am a firm believer that those newborn smiles are VERY real! There is no way this is gas…

I’ve shot so many great sessions this week. Will share bunches next week! Have a great weekend everyone!

Have you heard??

Shannon — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:31:00 +0000

Props for Pics

Shannon — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:15:39 +0000

Voting begins tomorrow!

Shannon — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:13:04 +0000

I will post the caption entries and voting will begin tomorrow (12-23)! Voting will end Dec.31 at 11:59 p.m. I would love to donate the entire $500 to St. Jude so tell your friends and family, your families friends and your friends families to vote :)

Only one vote per household. Good luck to those who entered and thanks so much for taking the time to send in your captions.

The blog has been looking a little blah with all these updates but no photos so here is a couple from our first snow session at the studio.

Shannon Walton Photography now has a STUDIO!

Shannon — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:59:00 +0000

My how I’ve waited to post this! I’ve thought a very long time about how this post should go. I’ve thought about all the family and friends that I need to thank for making the next step in my journey possible. I’ve thought about how I can write something that will truly convey how thankful and blessed I am. After 4 years of working toward this I feel as if I should pinch myself…that it must be too good to be true.

To my dearest friends, Jessica, Julie, Jill, (wow, I must like to pick friends who start with the letter “J”), and Colleen. I wouldn’t be here to today without all of your love and support. To my family, Carol, Sam and Rick, Scott and Courtney, you have supported me and encouraged me every step of the way, thank you. To my clients, none of this would be possible without you. I have built a client base full of amazing families who I consider part of my extended family. To my 3 kids, Ryan, Kyle and Emma, you were and always will be the source of my inspiration, I love you so much. To my realtor and friend, Tami Lamprecht. I e-mailed or called her at least once a day (maybe twice ) throughout this process and she was amazing. If you are looking to buy or sell your home she is amazing to work with and awesome at what she does.

To my husband, thank you! He gets his own paragraph because honestly I don’t know what I’d do without him. I truly believe he is just as excited about this new space as I am. There was never a doubt that this business would be successful in his eyes. He has always been so willing to help me, from climbing trees to get a limb for a shot, hauling chairs and props to locations, keeping my computer backups and organization running smoothly, and now remodeling a studio space. When I went to let the cilco man in to turn on the gas to the space I saw this sign hanging in the front door. At first I thought the owner of the building had placed it there and then when I read the 4 names realized my husband had made it and hung it when he picked up the keys. I stood there crying I was so touched. Thank you, I AM a lucky girl

Lastly, I have been thinking a lot about my father-in-law lately. He was so proud of my job, he was so proud of me. If I had one wish it would be that he was here to see this sign hanging inside my new studio, but know he will just have a view of it from a little higher up

Right now we are getting the space ready for shooting. There is a lot of work to be done and we are trying very hard to finish by Nov. 1st. I will post images of the progress and keep everyone up to date. Fingers crossed we will be shooting in there very soon

Just a quick note

Shannon — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:08:37 +0000

We are booked for the months of May, June, July and August. September has 2 remaining spots. Thanks to all who have booked their sessions…I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends and meeting some new ones!

Mark your calendars!!!!!

Shannon — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:20:39 +0000

I am doing a display at the Glendale School Craft and Home Party Vendor Show!!

Where: Glendale School

1000 Bloomington Road

East Peoria

When: Saturday, March 28th

Hours: 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m

Lunch will be available for purchase along with lots of great vendors including yours truly and my friend Jill from j.doodle designs.

I am super excited!!! I’ve ordered many new samples to display including canvas, metallics, books, cards, and so on.

If you book your session at the show for the month of April or June 2009 I am offering a complimentary 8×10 and sheet of wallets. The special is only good if you book at the show. I am also going to have a drawing to win a gift card from a children’s store (just haven’t picked which one) This is a great chance for you see all our products and I would love to see you!

I think I’ll ask Colleen to join me and maybe she will sing for us. If you have followed the blog for awhile you know she is such a great singer and I think her talent will really get us some attention at the show! Whoever thinks Colleen should sing please post a comment! lol…she is going to kill me!!

Updates

Shannon — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 04:21:44 +0000

I will be out of the office from Sunday-Wednesday. I will have limited access to voicemail and e-mail. I will try to check e-mail as often as possible but it may take me a bit longer to get back to you. Thank you!

Also, July is completely booked. Thank you to everyone who has reserved their session for 2009. If you are waiting or considering a session with us this year it really is best to book early. May, August and September only have a few remaining spots. Again, I appreciate all of my repeat clients and look forward to meeting many new ones this year as well.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Shannon