lots of love...david and celia

I absolutely LOVE this couple... I have known them for quite sometime now and was super blessed to shoot their wedding and thrilled that they allowed me to shoot them again a few years later...just for kicks! Thank you so much for an amazingly fun shoot! xoxo Shannon

little, little bits...jonathan

Okay so... all I have to say Jonathan is that your Daddy made me do it. Years down the line when you see these pictures and you think, "What kind of horrible photographer would shove me in a Tuba???"... again... not my idea. But I will say little man... you put up quite a fight. Peeing twice and throwing up roughly 6 or 7 times... but alas, I still put you in the Tuba. You are so so adorable Jonathan... thank you Katie and Steve for letting me photograph your beautiful baby boy... xoxo Shannon

Operation Smile

Okay so I just found out that October is Family Portrait month... but seeing as how I've obviously missed that boat... I'm making November my honorary Family Portrait month. And in honor of my honorary Family Portrait month I will be offering a $100 discount to those special families that book a portrait session in the month of November. In addition to the $100 off I will be donating $100 to Operation Smile. I can't even express how much my heart goes out to what these beautiful people are doing so I'm glad they've created a video... xoxo Shannon

The Wedding... Mike + Meredith

I absolutely LOVE this couple. Meredith is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet and Mike is SO talented! Here is their story in her words:

"We met in the summer of 2004 on a humanitarian trip to Hitachinaka, Japan, a small town outside of Tokyo. We were in Japan building churches in the inner city among urban poor, and teaching Japanese children the English language. After developing a deep friendship and both realizing our shared passion for traveling, God, and helping the urban poor, we began dating a couple of years later. Another year after that, Michael proposed to me at Carpinteria State Beach on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This beach held many special memories to us because it was the first place we expressed our love to one another. Once engaged, Michael, a fashion designer by trade, expressed to me his desire to design my wedding gown. After nearly twenty five fittings, several hundred beads, and hours of labor by Sok Tea, my dress was completely breathtaking. The dress, mixed with the overwhelming love shared by family and friends from all over the world, made the wedding day picture perfect."

I also wanted to add that I've had the pleasure of getting to do two weddings with these wonderful bridesmaids and they are so incredibly fun!!! I love these girls!!! Congratulations Mike and Meredith! Enjoy each other always... xoxo Shannon

Wedding Gown: Designed by Michael Abe, the groom, and made by Sok Tea in Hacienda Heights
Shoes: Made and bought from a street vendor in Brazil, South America
Grooms Suit: Custom designed and made
Location: Ambassador West Campus in Pasadena, CA
Wedding Planner: Meredith Abe, the bride
Floral: Sara Marroquin of Los Angeles
Cupcakes: Dots Bakery of Pasadena
Cinematography: Steve Opperman
Linens: Unique Party Rentals of Glendale
Lighting: Unique Party Rentals of Glendale
Invitations and Programs: Kristi Wolford of KW Designs in Glendora, CA
Wedding Coordinator: Kristina Schwartz in Covina, CA
Event Design: Meredith Abe, the bride
Catering: Johnny Carinos of West Covina, CA
Hair: Marcos Garcia of Tu La Diva Salon in Glendora, CA
Makeup: Michelle Kelley in Los Angeles