Are you thinking about booking a photography session? There are lots of options out there and while looking through a portfolio and pricing is often a big part of the selection process, don't forget these 6 questions you should ask your photographer before you book a session! 1. How long have you been a photographer? The longer a photographer has been in business, the more likely it is that it’s not just a hobby for them. They will have more experience and should be able to help and guide you during the process from questions before you book until you have your products from your session. 
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So unless you live under a rock, you probably heard that there was a solar eclipse today. I admit, I wasn't super excited about it and a little nervous about the possibility of going blind (mostly for my children) but when we visited Asheville last week, we stopped at the visitor's center at the Blue Ridge Parkway and they had information about the solar eclipse. It was interesting to read all the information they had about it and as a bonus, we were lucky enough to get solar glasses for free at the visitor's center. Today, I built the glasses into paper plates for extra protection (a huge thank you to the crafty person to think this up!) and when the eclipse started, it got exciting! This is when I was kicking myself for not buying a filter to photograph such a unique event. Once we had less sun exposure (and thus less heat so I wouldn't melt my camera with the magnification from the lens) I guessed on some camera settings and aimed and hit the button quickly without looking. Shockingly, I only missed a couple times and made very few adjustments on my camera since I knew time was limited! Before you judge, I know these are not the best pictures you will see nor are they my best work. However, it's not every day this happens so I thought I would share what I did capture so if you didn't get to see what happened outside today, this was it! If you are interested in purchasing one of these images on print or as a digital file, please visit www.shannonandersonphotography.shootproof.com/gallery/2017eclipse  Taking a vacation, whether it’s on your own or with family and friends, is a happy and exciting time. There is always a memorable, funny or majestic moment to capture as you relax and unwind. Taking great photos is not a skill that comes naturally to everyone but there are a few things you can do to ensure that you have plenty of wonderful images to remember your vacation by.
Simple Photography Tips for the Traveler
Safe travels. If you have ever wondered what motivates a photographer, you are about to find out! Below are just some of the many reasons photographers wouldn’t change their job for anything in the world. 1. Photography changes how you see things. You notice colors, light, textures, flowers, trees, people, shapes and light in a way most people never see them. We chase the sun, we notice lighting and home decor in real life and tv and immediately think how amazing that would be for an in-home session. For newborn photographers, we see everything and wonder, can I put a baby in that? 2. You pay more attention to the beauty around you. Even the most mundane object can become beautiful when you photograph it in a creative way. Many photographers love their job because they develop a fascination with the world around them by viewing it through new eyes. My daughters have spent a lot of time scouting locations with me (which for them is hours of driving and walking though fields but they are often rewarded with new parks to play at) so even my youngest at 4 years old, will point out a field of flowers (ok, maybe weeds) and say how I should take their pictures there! So as she made me realize, photographers don’t see weeds, just beautiful spots for pictures! 3. It's an amazing creative outlet. You get the chance to put a little bit of who you are into each photo that you take. Anyone can click the buttons on a camera but not everyone can truly make a photo into art. While I photograph a variety of session types, I specialize in newborn photography, I find this is the most artistic outlet as I can pose and mold babies and even add in a prop or two to make it more unique and custom to each client. For outdoor sessions, I love finding fun and unique locations or getting that light just right, even if that means moving just a inch over to get the perfect glow of light. Capturing that perfect moment in family sessions and that genuine smile or laugh in children. Finding your style of shooting and editing is what makes it fun and unique, no two images will ever be exactly the same and that’s what makes it fun! 4. It's a challenge. Creating amazing photos that capture the magic of everyday life doesn’t come without hard work, dedication and imagination. There is always something new to explore and a new way to take the same photos. Even newborns in a similar pose, at a few days old, have little things that they do thats unique to them and that image. And chasing a toddler to get them to look and smile at the camera…I’m sure all parents know that challenge. It’s a job that never gets boring and the education is endless! I typically will take one to two workshops a year plus countless classes so I’m always working to improve - from editing, to a better customer experience, being a professional photographer is still a career. They call it work for a reason, but photographers love it! 5. You get to meet new people all the time. A photographer works with people from all walks of life. Getting to know someone new is a part of the process of bringing someone’s personality to show in a photo. Many parents are worried about their children being too wild or shy but it also makes the photograph show who they are at that point in their life. For me, it also makes the job a lot more fun! I love playing with kids, chasing them around, make them and parents more comfortable and learn to enjoy the moment and not that perfect picture that you visualize in your head because the moment is perfect that you can just relax and later look back and remember that time where you forgot about every else and just had fun. It’s the reason why I take a limited number of clients because I love getting to know my clients and see them come back over and over again and hear what they’ve been up to and know their names off the top of my head. My client experience gives you the option to meet me before you even book to make sure we are a good fit and I help you prep for the session all the way until you pick out artwork for your home. 6. The flexibility is great. Being a full time photographer means you get to work your own hours. This doesn’t mean it’s a laid back profession though. A photographer is always aiming to perfect their craft, taking on new challenges and helping their clients achieve the perfect pictures. While you may only see a photographer for 30-60 minutes (or a couple hours for newborn sessions), there are many, many hours behind the scenes, from marketing, editing, client communication, education and more! For some, it means staying up late nights to work when kids are in bed or sending children to child care for your session to do the behind the scenes work. But we enjoy it, most of us are lucky to say that our hobby is our career and not many people are able to pay the bills with something they love to do! When you decide to pay for a professional photo session, know that you are hiring an individual who is passionate about what they do and is willing to go the extra mile to help you create beautiful photos that you can treasure forever. Take a look at my portfolio and if my style is what you like, let’s chat! If you are looking to step up your photography hobby, be sure to contact me and join me in my next Intro to DSLR class or 1:1 session to help you however you need! Meet Erica, she has been on a roller coaster for the last 6 months. While her story is a bit different from others that participating in my Healing Hearts project, her story is one that is the very reason why I started this project, to put aside all the troubles during our session together and have a bit of fun, make some memories and get in pictures. So grab a kleenex or two and hear how Erica's life changed in an instant. "As I sat and thought about what I would write about, I realized so much of that was a time I have tried everything in my power to forget. If you have ever suffered the loss of a child you know how I feel, if you haven't, you cannot possibly fathom it. Your body's natural defense when something truly awful happens is to block it out, and while it's true that I have large gaps in my memory from that time period. I realized I needed to sit down and remember, remember what Tomas meant to me. I sat down and wanted to write about what it meant to lose a baby, but the page stayed blank until suddenly it all came in a rush. Most women say there is no greater pain than childbirth, unfortunately there is, the pain of burying your child. People would say how brave and strong I was, our family was, but the truth is... I was scared, we all were terrified. Sometimes I didn't know if I would even survive this journey I was forced to walk. We survived the trauma, the shock, the agony of those first couple of weeks. Those long nights where I thought I might die from grief. The greatest loss a human can experience is the loss of a child, it destroys and demolishes you. But no one really has a choice to survive the grief, it's not optional, especially with 2 small girls at home. Someone asks me how I am and I simply say "I'm fine, thanks". I say this to you, because I simply cannot describe the pain. It's been 6 months since our journey began. 6 months since that fateful Monday in November....There is nothing harder than sitting here during dialysis browsing social media and seeing little baby faces as they are welcomed into the world by their family. I'm so happy for all my friends having babies, gosh I'm so happy for them, but it hurts, and it stings, and it sucks, to think sitting at home in his little spot on the top of a glass shelf...sits a tiny urn. This wasn't supposed to happen, this wasn't the way things were meant to be. I write this to share and hopefully help someone else with my story. You aren't alone... I was a healthy, active, normal 30yr old in the prime of my life. I have 2 beautiful girls, (7 and 3), and a wonderful husband. We were expecting our third child, a son, in December of 2016. I was extremely high risk and hospitalized several times over the course of the pregnancy, but that only made me closer with Tomas Isaac, the name I agonized over for weeks wanting it to be perfect. A unexpected bonus was weekly ultrasounds so I would see his little face develop week by week. I couldn't wait to meet him, being a girl mom I was so excited to shift to boy territory. From lace, ribbons, dance class, and pink to the trucks, legos, sports, and of course a love of the Denver Broncos. On November 14th 2016, the unthinkable happened... I went in to the hospital at 36 weeks due to a lack of fetal movement over the weekend. When I awoke Monday morning and realized I had slept through the night I knew in my soul something was terribly wrong. Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. When I got to the hospital they attempted to find his heartbeat with a doppler and eventually ultrasound and then I was told the words that no pregnant woman wants to hear, that there was no heartbeat. When something like that is told to you, the floor opens and you fall. At that point they told me I would need to be induced to deliver him. I was also given something to sedate me as I was understandably hysterical. I had arrived at the hospital alone because my husband was so sure that I was imagining things and he never truly felt there was any danger. Because of the sedation I actually didn't wake up until almost 2 weeks later (yes, you read that right, 2 weeks later) and learned what had happened during that time. They had attempted the induction and Tomas's hand had come out first, in trying to reposition him my uterus had ruptured and I started bleeding out. I had to undergo an emergency c section and hysterectomy while they tried to get the bleeding under control. I had to receive 14 units of blood and the blood loss as well as fluid around my heart triggered me coding for 6 minutes. They were finally able to revive me after the 6 minutes but I had lost my kidney function at that point. I was deemed too high of a risk at this point for me to continue to stay at my local hospital's ICU and I was transferred, while still on the ventilator and with the feeding tube, to a larger hospital in Charlotte NC to their ICU for more serious care. That is where I woke up, with the tube down my throat and no clue what had happened. I had to have Brian and various nurses explain to me, heartbreakingly multiple times that I had lost my baby and the majority of the function of my body. I have no memory of those weeks, I've tried so hard and failed to remember anything. The last thing I remember is the doctor telling me that Tomas had no heartbeat and the next thing I remember I woke up at the hospital in Charlotte. This is my greatest heartbreak. I was never able to hold my son, I never got to touch his cheeks, I never got to kiss his sweet face. I fully believe in my soul, that when I coded I said goodbye to my baby boy. He knew my girls needed me. He sent me back to finish my work as a mother. I know he sent me back because given the choice alone I don't know that I would have chosen to come back. I was broken and there is no pain like that of the pain of losing a child. I was eventually able to come off the ventilator and discharged about 6 weeks after everything happened. I ended up back in the hospital several days later with gallstones and because I wasn't strong enough for surgery a JP drain was put in, in place of removing my gallbladder. I slowly resumed my normal life or what was left of it. After several weeks I became so sick from my gallbladder that we had to find a hospital who was willing to do surgery to remove it. My current surgeon in Charlotte was hesitant with my past history on the operating table. In addition to that, during one of my weekly Mon/Wed/Fri dialysis sessions I ended up having chest pains only to be rushed to the hospital and a blood clot found in my neck. We finally were able to locate a hospital who was willing to do the surgery on both my gallbladder and remove one dialysis catheter to put another one in my chest. The goal was at that point that I would be free and clear from the hospital. Sadly that was not the case for very long. During another routine dialysis treatment I had similar symptoms from when I had the blood clot before. I was rushed off to the hospital where they found another blood clot in my chest directly above my heart. I was treated for that and there were some very positive steps being made in my recovery process. It's been a long road and I have a even longer road ahead of me especially with me being a mom to two daughters who still don't fully understand the loss of our baby as well as the loss of my health. I'm still struggling, with another blood clot in my lung and I just got sick with bronchitis/pneumonia a couple weeks ago, but I know my road ahead will be easier with time. At this point my kidneys are still not functioning, we have waited, hoped, and prayed but unfortunately it doesn't look like that will work out for my own kidneys to start working again. I was placed on the kidney transplant list and the wait period is about 3 years at this point. My best hope for a match is a family member, but since I'm adopted that option is non existent. I have had several people offer to get tested, we should have all the details in the next couple of weeks and then we can start to make plans for anyone who might be willing to donate. Telogen effluvium, I had never heard of it. I spent a afternoon last week at the doctors learning all about it after battling severe hair loss over the past few weeks. Telogen effluvium is a form of non scarring alopecia characterized by diffuse hair shedding, often with an acute onset... In normal terms, it means I'm losing my hair due to a traumatic event. My new hair just arrived, I never thought I would be wearing a wig or shaving my head but here I am, crossing off another "never" off my list. I think one of the big things I've learned is that "never" doesn't exist in my vocabulary anymore. It's been a few days since my latest (and pointless) surgery for a permanent dialysis port, a dialysis fistula, and I've got a nice knot in my arm and what will become a nice size scar. The surgery in my arm was a bust, a small setback we weren't expecting. My surgeon opened my arm up, but however my veins just weren't big enough for him to fuse them. This was a huge frustration since he opened me up and I'm sore and hurting for nothing. There are some other options that may be available to me or it may possibly move me up on the kidney transplant list. Scars are funny things, people have scars in all sorts of unexpected places. It's a physical reminder of what we went through, our wounds teach us something. They remind us where we’ve been and what we’ve over come. Regardless of it's me loosing my hair or another surgery it all leaves scars, both seen and unseen. This week hasn't been all bad, I did one of the scariest "firsts" imaginable this week... I picked up a baby, a newborn. I thought it would be horrible, I thought I would cry, and honestly I didn't have any intention of holding her, the words slipped out of my mouth before I even realized they were out. It was a beautiful, hurting, breathtaking moment and it made my heart skip a beat. I walked away with peace in my heart and tears in my eyes. It's an event, a milestone, a threshold. Big or small. Something that changes us and gives us hope. My body took quite a beating over the last 6 months, but I'm not quitting, I'm not slowing down. Most people don't go to bed and expect to spend the next 6 months battling for any sense of normalcy. The permanent scars on my body a constant reminder of what I went through, what I'm still going through. The bruises and needle marks from the IVs cover my arms and hands, the dialysis port in my chest, the 3 scars on my wrist from unknown causes and then of course the biggest one of all.... Perhaps my biggest reminder, the distinct square of a defibrillator paddle forever burned on me. 6 minutes I have no memory of, 6 terrifying minutes for my family, thankfully, 6 minutes my daughters are blissfully unaware of. It's a good time to remember. Remember what I've been through. Remember how blessed I am to be here. Remember the fight to get to where I am today. I did not just stop being pregnant. I didn't lose a pregnancy. My baby died. That one sentence, 3 words that rocked me to the core. I will never forget the words of the doctor "I'm sorry, I don't see a heartbeat". It's easy to say "God needed another angel", but He didn't ask you for yours. My greatest regret is that I never got to hold my sweet baby. My little playmate, my beautiful little boy. I would have loved to cuddle him and tell him I love him. I will always love him. There will forever be a piece of me missing. I read a saying; when a spouse dies, it's called being widowed, a child who loses parents is called an orphan, but there is no word for parents who lose a child. That's how truly awful the loss is. I was so lucky that I was able to carry Tomas for 9 whole months, to hold him, and while I was not able to say goodbye in this world, I know he knew of my love for him. I believe he sent me back, when I coded I believe I held my son, I told him of my love, and we said our goodbyes. To live is a gift, and I will live my life every day thanking God I was so blessed to have Tomas. He is and always will be, the little love of my life, my angel baby, my beautiful, precious baby boy. If I can help even one mother with my story of loss and perseverance then it is all worth it. That horrible day in November became a part of me; it was a turning point, a great threshold. Our story as a family is stilling growing, we have so much left to tell, so much left to live. Very few families can go through what we went through and survive, and function. Somehow, someway, we still are. That's not to say we don't struggle, there are days I struggle to get out bed, to move on. There are days I cry for hours until I'm so exhausted I can't breathe. The pain we have learned to live with is unthinkable. But we haven't been knocked down yet. This is my story, this is my families story, and it is far from over." UPDATE: Since this has been posted Erica has been on the search for a living donor for a kidney as she is in kidney failure. She has ups and downs and many offers from people all over the world to be tested to see if they are a match. But in the meantime, she has had some complications from her failed fistula surgery. While doctors are considering safe options, Erica's history makes thing more risky and there is always the chance they will not work and she will become sicker. Currently, Erica's focusing on getting her blood pressure over 100 to be eligible for a transplant. If you or someone you know is interested in being tested to be a kidney donor, please contact me and I can pass along your information to Erica.       For more information on the Healing Hearts Project or to be considered for the project, please click here.
Shannon Anderson Photography specializes in newborn, baby, child and family photography in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Shannon has a home studio in Mooresville, NC available for newborns and young children and travels around the Charlotte area for outdoor and lifestyle sessions. To contact Shannon please email at [email protected] or click here.  I am so honored and excited to be selected as one of the top 20 newborn photographers in the Charlotte area! 255 newborn photographers were considered for this award. The company Expertise analyzed and scored each business across 25 criteria points to create lists of the best local professionals in each US city to give readers the confidence they need to make the right choice. I am so honored to have made their list! To read more on the Expertise website, click here. To view my studio newborn portfolio, please click here. To view my Fresh 48/lifestyle portfolio, please click here. Shannon Anderson Photography specializes in newborn, baby, child and family photography in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Shannon has a home studio in Mooresville, NC available for newborns and young children and travels around the Charlotte area for outdoor and lifestyle sessions. To book a session please email Shannon at [email protected]. You invest in a professional photographer so don't just let them sit on a computer as files! Those amazing images deserve to be printed and displayed but this doesn’t mean you always have to use a traditional frame to showcase them in your home. Below is some inspiration for deciding how to display your favorite memories. If your home décor is very contemporary you might want to consider canvas gallery wraps, photo blocks or framed canvas to showcase your photos. Going frameless is also a great option if you’re looking for something truly sleek and modern. I'm a bit obsessed with canvas and photo blocks right now since you don't have to worry about finding frames that work together and they can be hung quicky! If rustic and chic is more your style, turn old pieces of wood into stained photo clipboards, using binder clips to hang the photos against the wood. Another unique option is to hang your photos on a thin cable to make it look like a clothesline. Binder clips also work perfectly for this. This is popular now so you can often find this look at stores such as Homegoods. If you’re the creative type and have some extra time on your hands then there is the option of creating frames out of washi tape. This way you can incorporate different colors and designs around your photos to really make your walls pop. Pinterest has tons of inspiration for washi tape frames. If you are a fan of frames, why not buy different sizes, colors and styles and create one big photo wall that displays a variety of memories. There are so many shapes and designs that you can use to create your photo wall and really make it your own. The Organic Bloom has endless options with multiples shapes, colors, etc. At Shannon Anderson Photography, you can find a variety of traditional and non-traditional framing and display options, even a book with all the images! I have some samples in the studio and always looking for more ways for you to turn your images into an amazing product! I am here to help you pick the right option for your home! No matter which method you choose, get creative. Filling your walls with a lifetime of memories is one of the most special and visual ways to tell the story of your family, so get hanging! Shannon Anderson Photography specializes in newborn, baby, child and family photography in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Shannon has a home studio in Mooresville, NC available for newborns and young children and travels around the Charlotte area for outdoor and lifestyle sessions. To book a session please email Shannon at [email protected]
If you’ve started the search for a photographer then you’ll know just how many options there are. Odds are you know someone who's a photographer, so shouldn't you just hire someone you know? Before you go ahead and book a photographer for a session, there are a few important things to consider. What style are you looking for? Photographers have different styles so you need to decide on someone who can help you achieve the end result you are looking for. This applies to everything from wedding and maternity shoots to family and baby sessions. Be sure to review their portfolio and don't hesitate to ask the photographer if you can view a session or two similar to what you are considering booking. This will give you a clear idea of their style, how they edit (do they all look the same or do they change their style from image to image) and what you can expect from your session. Research and review. Before you invest in a professional photographer you need to do your homework. Get online to find a few customer reviews, browse around their website to view their latest work and have a look around their social media pages to find out what others are saying about them. These platforms will also give you a good idea of their personality and style. Some other important points to consider when researching photographers are:
Create a short list. Once you have done your research, create a short list of professional photographers that stand out for you. Get in touch with each of them to discuss your needs and to ask any questions that you might have. It’s important that you chat with the photographer over the phone or in person as this is the best way to get to know them and find out whether you’ll be able to work with them. Feeling uncomfortable or stressed out around your photographer makes for bad photos and by the time the images are edited, it might be too late to hire someone new if the images don't come out as you expected. It’s important that you pick a photographer that you have confidence in. Your photos are there to last you a lifetime so while there is nothing wrong with helping out your photographer friend who has just started out, it’s best to choose an experienced photographer for important events and occasions that you can’t re-live. It saddens me when clients contact me when they need a session because their past session didn't go as expected. So do your research, take your time and don't worry about offending your photographer friend if you use someone else, there are plenty of clients to go around and many in the photography community focus on supporting each other. So get out there and start doing your research and don't be afraid to tell someone you are not interested, you might really save them time and save you the annoyance of follow up calls, emails, etc. And while you are here, check out my maternity, studio newborn, Lifestyle newborn, babies and kids, family and more portfolios and contact me for for info!   Shannon Anderson Photography is a maternity, newborn, child and family photographer in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Shannon has a home studio in Mooresville, NC available for newborns and young children and travels around the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas for outdoor and lifestyle sessions. To book a session please email Shannon at [email protected] or click here use the contact me page
Why book your Newborn Session before baby's born? | Mooresville Studio Newborn Photographer11/4/2016 During your second trimester, you barely know what the baby's name will be so why do you keep hearing that you should book a newborn session at this time? I know, I know, it's early. You may still be working on your baby registry or just planning what to do this weekend, how can you think of booking a photographer for your baby that isn't going to be born for months?!? If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you know I preach about booking early. Why? Because babies don't always come when you think! The unpredictability of their arrivals as well as the fact that their sessions are more time consuming, including the prep/planning before the session, a 1-3 hour session, clean up after (think lots of laundry!) and several hours of editing, make it so that newborn photographers can only accept a limited number of newborns each month so that you get your gallery in a reasonable time. Booking early for a newborn session doesn't commit you to a date, but reserves the availability of your photographer. Once baby is born, then we set an actual date within the first 2 weeks of birth! What if my baby is born much earlier or has to stay in the NICU? Don't worry, it happens! Just be sure to keep in touch with your photographer so they know the baby is born as we mentally plan when we can get you scheduled as many photographers have to arrange for child care and work around other sessions and personal obligations. Once released from the hospital, you'll want to get in for a session as soon as you can, ideally within 1-2 weeks of release. Just know that sometimes older babies prefer to be wrapped and may not be as sleepy as you may see in your newborn photographer's portfolio and there is an increased risk for baby acne. What if you are just reading this now your baby is already born or due any day?!? Don't worry! Even though it's a messy job and working in a hot studio isn't for everyone, newborn photographers love their jobs, so we do what we can to get you in and if we can't we often have other photographers we can refer you to! So if you are reading this and realizing it's time to book, then please be sure to head to my portfolio and if my work is something you like, contact me so we can chat more!  Shannon Anderson Photography specializes in newborn, baby, child and family photography in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Shannon has a home studio in Mooresville, NC available for newborns and young children and travels around the Charlotte area for outdoor and lifestyle sessions. To book a session please email Shannon at [email protected]
If you’re one of many families preparing for a photo session with your children this fall, you may be feeling a bit apprehensive. Children aren’t always easy to deal with, which is why the below tips will definitely come in handy before your upcoming photo session. 1. Don't make a huge deal out of it. If you're stressed and cranky, your kids may pick up on it and act accordingly. Their behavior will usually be better if you are relaxed and having fun. You may have to make some compromises to keep the peace such as letting your energetic daughter's hair stay straight instead of curling it into because she won't sit still. Focus on the big picture and don't sweat the small stuff. 2. Make it fun. Let the kids have a couple “fun pictures” where they get to do what they want, like a silly face photo. Your photographer will keep them happy and in the age of digital, these can be deleted or your photographer may present them in a gallery to make the kids remember the fun session! This way everyone wins. If you are struggling to get your kids to sit still, turn the photo session into a game. Simon Says usually works like a charm. 3. Be prepared. If you're going to be out for several hours, ensure that your children are well rested and have had their nap. Bringing some snacks and activities along is also a great idea. Allow ample time for kids to wake up if they tend to fall asleep in the car. Do the kids sweat easily? Bring a towel or two (one wet in a baggie and one dry works great!) You never know when you might need something like bug spray, tissues or a first aid kit so might as well bring that along too! And a back up outfit is never a bad idea, especially if you have anyone in the family that has car sickness! 4. Be patient. Save your sanity by trying not to control the photo session too much. Sometimes the best photos come from kids just doing their own thing. A forced smile aren't always the best smiles, so just try and have fun and work with your photographer and your photos will look fantastic. 5. Have a chat. Get your children talking to both you and the photographer about topics such as school or their favorite songs. This allows them to feel more comfortable around your photographer and will also give your photographer a chance to capture a few candid and cute expressions. Many babies can even sing "If You're Happy and You Know It!" and kids love to talk about Halloween Costumes and things they want for Christmas!  Shannon Anderson Photography is a maternity, newborn, child and family photographer in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Shannon specializes in studio newborns and has a home studio in Mooresville, NC available for newborns and young children and travels around the Lake Norman and Charlotte areas of North Carolina for outdoor and lifestyle sessions. To book a session please contact Shannon at [email protected]
Teaching a photography/camera class was something I have had in the back of my mind, but when several people were talking about where to take classes, I decided it was time to make the leap and I'm so glad I did! The class was fun to prepare for with preparing books for each attendee to keep to use as a reference in the future. I added some fun final touches with matching water bottles and camera cookies for each mom that attended. The class is very hands on and everyone was fiddling with their settings to find what was where but everyone was shooting on Manual by the time they left and know more about the other settings on the camera and when and how they should use them. One mom said, "This class will help you get to know your camera and teach you how to get off of the Auto setting. Shannon teaches in a relaxed and welcoming environment and her experience in the field of photography makes her well qualified to present the information. I enjoyed the class and would recommend it for anyone who is looking to do more with their DLSR camera." So if you have a new DSLR or even an old one and are still shooting on Auto and not getting the results you are hoping for, come to a class! We had a lot of fun and everyone left with a lot more knowledge and probably the desire to go buy some new lenses! Class requirements: - DSLR Camera with at least one lens - Camera Manual This class will last roughly 2.5 hours. Please allow for an additional 30 minutes, if necessary as it will be hands on which can take a little extra time! Cost of class is $125 and includes a book to take home! Class is limited to 8 moms. Click here to check the classes tab for the next class date!  Shannon Anderson Photography is a maternity, newborn, child and family photographer in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Shannon specializes in studio newborns and has a home studio in Mooresville, NC available for newborns and young children and travels around the Lake Norman and Charlotte areas of North Carolina for outdoor and lifestyle sessions. To book a session please contact Shannon at [email protected]
Fall...one of the busiest times of year for photographers and it's not surprising since the weather tends to be perfect, not too cold and not too hot and how can you not love the beautiful fall colors when the leaves change color! If you are planning on a session this fall, here are some tips to make your photo session go smoothly. 1. Dress warmly and use layers. You will be surprised at how often this is overlooked. Since you’ll be standing outside and not moving around a ton (unless you have a toddler, then you may be on the move!), short sleeves, thin fabrics, and open toe shoes will not be comfortable for very long. Shivering makes it hard to look happy, pose properly and having blue lips doesn't make for a cute picture! Children tend to get cold quickly, so if it's going to be chilly, stay in the car until it's session time! Blankets are always a fun to use in sessions as you can snuggle up or wrap up a baby! Don't be afraid to bring a cute coat, sweater, gloves and a hat for later in the session if anyone is chilly! 2. Watch the weather. Have options for what to wear! I've only lived in North Carolina for 2 years but fall can be in the upper 80s or lowers 60s and temperatures can be drastically different one day to the next! Warmer days may seem more pleasant but being fall, it's ok to toss on a sweater and bundle up! If it ends up being a warm day, bring some ice water and a towel to blot off sweat (everyone sweats!) If it's going to be cold, bring a blanket to warm up during the session or after the session in the car and have tissues available since cold weather often leads to runny noses!. Bring some hot cocoa or hot apple cider along to keep warm or grab some on the way home - this is a great bribes for children since it's often a special treat. 3. Be flexible. Unfortunately, photographers cannot control the weather and odds are unless it's raining the session will go on as planned. Fall is a busy season, so most photographers don't have a lot of flexibility to reschedule if the weather is less than perfect. Yes, a beautiful golden sunset is always pretty, but clouds are a photographers best friend especially if your session isn't at sunset. Don't be disappointed if the weather isn't exactly as you planned. 4. Incorporate color. Even though fall has some amazing colors to work with, why not wear a splash of color to really pop in your photos? For example, beautiful shades of blues and purples look amazing amongst crunchy brown leaves. Even if you add some color with a jewelry or a scarf it adds a little color pop! Of course, neutrals, like cream, works year round as it pops against the outdoor colors. If you are still unsure of what to wear, check with your photographer for help! 5. Plan your day. Sessions are typically scheduled during golden hours, so roughly 1 hour before the sunsets for beautiful lighting. Mini sessions can be earlier in the day but times are limited so if this interferes with your day to day routine, be sure to adjust your schedule for this one day. I know parents are very concerned with changing up children's naps and going to bed later than normal, but in my years of being a photographer, I haven't run into a problem when parents make a little adjustment for the one day. If your child will nap in the car, be sure to allow ample time before your session for them to fully wake up and adjust to being in a warm car to a cool outside. I tell my clients the hardest part of a session is selecting what to wear. After that, just show up on time, or early, have fun and get ready for some beautiful results! Shannon Anderson Photography is a maternity, newborn, child and family photographer in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Shannon specializes in studio newborns and has a home studio in Mooresville, NC available for newborns and young children and travels around the Lake Norman and Charlotte areas of North Carolina for outdoor and lifestyle sessions. To book a session please contact Shannon at [email protected]
 I'm sure I'm not the only one that decided that I loved photography, owned a DSLR camera and then turned it into a business like a flip of a switch. But it's what I did. I remember sitting at my kitchen table with my husband and tossing names around and checking online to see if it was something I could use. I decided on Pix by Shannon. It was short, had my name and my dad was always a fan of short-handing words so just like that I became the owner and photographer for Pix by Shannon! I did all the legal stuff to become a real business and that was that! Over the years I regularly thought of changing my name but it involved so much work, so I didn't change it. When I moved I debated the change again but moving across the country and starting up a business from scratch when you know no one is stressful enough, so Pix by Shannon stuck. Another 2 years passed and I decided that the name Pix by Shannon just didn't match my work or brand anymore. I couldn't shake it, I thought about it all the time. I was making some changes with my business for 2017 to include volunteering for organizations such as The Gold Hope Project (donating sessions to children with cancer), Magic Hour (donating sessions to any age with cancer) and Red Thread (providing discounted sessions to adopting families) and focusing on newborn photography, (don't worry, I'm still shooting maternity, babies, kids and families), so I decided it was time to make a change since I was changing up the way I was working. Again, I pondered names, why is coming up with a name so hard?!? I tossed around several but at the end of the day, I decided to keep it simple and classic and use my name. People know me by name so it seems like the logical route! That's when Shannon Anderson Photography was born! I had a new logo designed and loved it. Once I had the logo, I realized it was really happening! I had all the intentions of waiting for a huge grand announcement later in the year, but as a business owner, this is pretty exciting and I can't keep it a secret any more! So, what does this mean? Well, lots of changes for me and hopefully very few changes for you! As a business owner, I do what I can to get my business name out there and I did just that so I'll be working to get the Shannon Anderson Photography name out there! It's a time consuming process, so any help you can give me to get my new name and business name out as a fan or client is appreciated! Simple things such as commenting on blog posts, social media posts and share my info with others, it's all greatly appreciated and as loyal clients, you will still be rewarded when you refer new clients! I have a new website as you probably see since you are reading this on the new website and will be working to convert all Pix by Shannon info to Shannon Anderson Photography. I wish it was as easy as flipping a switch but after almost 4 years in business my name is all over the place and now I'm starting fresh! So bear with me while I change everything over during the next few weeks! Thank you all for your support and while you are here, take a look around at the new website!  Shannon Anderson Photography is a maternity, newborn, child and family photographer in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Shannon specializes in studio newborns and has a home studio in Mooresville, NC available for newborns and young children and travels around the Lake Norman and Charlotte areas of North Carolina for outdoor and lifestyle sessions. To book a session please contact Shannon at [email protected]
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