January 25, 2013 Blog 1 Response

Passionate for Little Lives ~ Meet CTL’s newest photographer Erin

There’s some pretty exciting things going on here at CTL this winter.  There’s going to be lots announced in my new newsletter that will be launched at the end of this month, so if you wanna get in on the goodies make sure you sign up here.  I promise it won’t be all spammy – if you follow my blog you know that from my infrequent posts already.  ;-)  But in all seriousness, I’m hoping to be sending the newsletter out quarterly this year.

So on to the first big news of the year!  I’m super excited to be welcoming Erin in a completely different role here at CTL.  Many of you may recognize her, for the past 2 years she’s worked along side me as my assistant at weddings and during that time I’ve watched her grow into a killer assistant, and an awesome photographer.  Although it’s going to be hard to loose her as my assistant, her true passion lies in photographing the littlest lives and her extensive background in childcare, her creative eye and passion for photographing new families makes her a perfect fit for her new role at CTL.

And now for the second big news!  With Erin coming on board and taking on maternity, newborn and baby sessions, I’ll be launching a whole new portrait program.  “Life’s New Beginnings”.  There’s all new portrait collections and fun products in our “Expecting and Discovering Life” series.  For a limited time all sessions that take place with Erin will include a DVD of 20 high resolution files from your session! Sessions must take place before April 1st, so contact us to start planning your session today!

Here’s some pictures from Erin’s first “Expecting Life” session with CTL.

I came along on this session because I wanted to get some pictures of Erin in action, see she has just as much fun as I do on shoots.

Erin ran the session and her gorgeous models are Antonio and Emily.  They are a 2010 CTL couple and now expecting their first child.   Thank you guys for modeling for us!

I had so many favorites from Erin’s session, but this one I especially loved the ethereal feeling and beauty…

Oh Emily!  Could you be any more beautiful?

 Not only does Erin rock out the “Expecting Life” sessions, but check out another recent session with this adorable newborn baby!

 Meet sweet Mr. Avion.

Avion was welcomed into the world just in time to celebrate Christmas with his Mamma.

Still with me this far?   If you are, here’s another special for you!  All “Discovering Life” Collections will include a complimentary custom designed album documenting your new child’s first year in portraits.  Remember sessions must take place before April 1st, so contact us to start planning your session today!

June 18, 2012 Blog Leave a response

A New Super Sexy Video Handshake!

Well if you didn’t notice, my being “on a roll” with posting here sort of came to halt.  Not surprising huh? :-| I’ve never been good at keeping up on regular posting in the past, but this time I had a plan, and a calendar to keep me on track.  And then life happened.  In the middle of my busiest month ever, my body decided that last week was a good time to let me know that I’m still not in charge.  Although there’s never a good time, I’m grateful that my calendar was a little light last week and I was able to take the downtime required to go in for an unexpected surgery to have a cyst removed.  The surgery went well and everything is fine and I’m getting back to normal, but a couple of days of Vicodin induced dozing on the couch was not included in my plan.  But I digress…

I really wanted to share the second of my Video Handshake’s that Heather & Jason of Zara Creative created for me.  The last one I posted was to give my wedding & portrait clients an idea of what an engagement/portrait session is like with me.  In case you missed it, make sure to check it out here!

I’m absolutely in love with what Zara Creative made for me .  They did such an amazing job and I’m excited to finally share my Boudoir Video Handshake.  Ladies, if you have ever considered a boudoir session of your own, but aren’t sure what to expect during the session make sure to watch this video.  Yes, we have this much fun.

Clicking Through Life After Hours – Boudoir Video Handshake from Zara Creative on Vimeo.

Here’s a few of my favorites from our video sessions.  Special thanks to my models Emily & Shannon for being a part of this!

May 25, 2012 Blog 1 Response

Video Handshake – What it’s like to work with me. :-)

Things have been super busy around here this Spring with lots of fun stuff going on in the business!  Although the craziness is nothing new, and I’m always changing things up with the business… This video is new and I’m super excited to share it with you. Zara Creative came out to a couple of recent engagement sessions to film me as I work with my clients.  I’ve been wanting to have one of these made for a long time now to give you all an idea of what to expect during your session. Yes, they are this much fun!

I met Heather at a NACE meeting a few months back and when I learned that they were offering these, I knew I finally found the team to help me with this.  I’m so in love with the way they captured us at work and I hope you love it too!

Special thanks to my couples Lindsay & Adam and Andrea & Mike for stepping in front of the video camera for me for this video!

And here’s just a few of my favorites from Lindsay & Adam’s shoot… Andrea’s & Mike’s will be coming soon!

You know how I love me some sun flare!

March 22, 2012 Blog Leave a response

Where I’m supposed to be…

It’s a day in my life that I will never forget.  July 24th, 2008.  That was the day that my life completely changed.  I mean huge – a total 180, and it was not something that I had imagined or anticipated for that matter.  But ready or not, that fateful summer morning I was called into a conference room and given the news.  It started something like this…  “I’m so sorry, but….” and that’s where I tuned out.  I knew what was coming, they had warned us ahead of time which day our department would be going through cuts.    My co-workers and I watched all morning as people were being walked out to their cars.  But I was supposed to be safe… After being told the bad news, that I was being laid off, next came the spiel of the Career Transition person (sure… I was listening… right…).  Back at my cubicle, the HR rep was waiting for me with a box to help me clear out my desk.  I boxed up my personal effects, grateful that my coworkers had all been (mysteriously) called to meetings, all the while trying not to cry.  When I arrived home home after making that terrible commute for the last time, I collapsed in Scott’s and let the tears fall.  Did that really just happen?  What in the world was I going to do now?

As I was perusing the classified ads two days later, I asked Scott, What if I start my own photography business?  I had just purchased my first DSLR camera and my Macbook, I had been absorbed in learning everything I could about my camera and photography in general, and people seemed to like my photos, so why not?  Because he will(has) support(ed) me in everything that I do, he simply smiled and said “Sure… as long as it doesn’t interfere with your finding a job”.    I couldn’t blame his sarcasm.  After all we were still paying off the investment in my attempted career as a Creative Memories Consultant.  Then I read my horoscope and it said “Assume that you’re supposed be exactly where you are and shine.”  That was it, maybe I was exactly where I was supposed to be.  I decided that I was going to shine, I was going to take advantage of a bad situation.  I was going to start a photography business.  All while working on finding a job…

My horoscope – July 26, 2008 hanging on my wall next to my desk where I can see it every day.

Well I never imagined that 4 years later I was going to be a successful, full-time photographer, running my own business.  I’m going into my busiest year yet and I couldn’t be more excited about it.  2012 is going to ROCK!  I just know it, I have so many fantastic weddings come up this year with so many amazing couples that there’s simply no way it can’t rock.   There’s a ton of exciting things going on with the business lately too, but the one that absolutely blew me away was receiving the news that my business had been given TWO very big honors.  My sincerest thanks to my clients, whose reviews of my work and service have honored me with The Knot’s Best of Weddings 2012  & WeddingWire’s Bride’s Choice Award 2012.  I have been truly blessed with some amazing people as clients.  Thank you for having me be a part of your wedding.  And thank you for trusting me as your photographer.  I’m blessed to be able to have this sitting proudly on my desk!

PS… If you haven’t had a chance to, but would like leave a review for me and our time spent together, please follow this link and talk about your experience.

March 9, 2012 Blog 1 Response

I’m back and making a “Boudie Call”!

This winter has been one of my favorites in many years. Besides having the nice mild weather, I’ve been taking advantage of the slower winter months to make some big changes, both personally and in my business. Pretty much a huge overhaul on my business with all new branding, marketing, collections, products etc… All of which will be finished soon and I couldn’t be more excited! Plus all new ideas for lots of fresh content here so although I’ve been quite here, I’ve still been shooting, and working on lots of behind the scenes stuff and enjoying some personal time after my busiest season yet last year.

One of the big projects I’ve been working on is my Boudoir business. I’ve spent the last month completely revamping this part of my business.  Having two separate websites, Facebook pages and brands has proven to be insane to keep up with.  So I’m bringing it all together and into one place, CTL Photography (coming soon!)

For now I’m looking for some hotties to help represent the all new CTL After Hours.  I’m looking for female models to test out new techniques, alternate sets and new ideas.

So yes, I’m making a ‘boudie call’…
Interested?  Some qualities that might make for an ideal candidate…

Females in their late 20s to mid 50s
Women who are comfortable in their own skin
You know who you are, and are secure in your values and beliefs
May not have felt sexy in a while
The mother with a busy lifestyle. All of that constant running to keep your children in sports and extra curricular activities doesn’t leave you much time for yourself
Someone that likes to let loose a little, you know.  You enjoy a few glasses of wine with your girls once whenever you can
You understand the value of feeling good about yourself.

The Scoop…
You’ll receive at least 1 free session, maybe more.  A model release is required and you must be comfortable with my using your images in my marketing materials and on my website.
I will be providing you with promotional items and ask that if you loved it, to share your experience with others. Everyone that brings one of your cards to me, you will receive a $25 credit and at the end of the year, you’ll receive an album with 20 of your favorite images + 40% off all products. You and your significant other will be happy all year long!

How to apply
Applications are being accepted until March 15th and all entrants will receive a free print when they book a session outside of this promotion.
Please know that there will never be pressure to go beyond your personal/ethical limitations. You must be available for all shoots – coordinating schedules of course.

Send me an e-mail to shannon@clickingthroughlife.com answering the questions below and include 2 images of yourself taken within the last 2 weeks. One full length and one headshot. Nothing fancy, just clean and without obstructions. Even a well lit cell phone image will do.

You must answer all of the following questions in order to be considered. There’s no right or wrong answer, and I’m not being picky or judgy I just need to get a feeling of who you are and want to learn more about you…

What do you do?

Why would you be a good candidate to promote CTL After Hours?

What do you like to do for fun?

Anything else you’d like me to know?

All applications must be received by Thursday, March 15th in order to be eligible.  If you are chosen you’ll be contacted the week of March 19th with more details.