Shannon Dagher Photography Blog

Cassie.

2011-04-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

Cassie's graduating from East Carolina University with a BA in Sociology!

*throws confetti*

When she's not dominating Institutes of Higher Learning, Cass makes an excellent lunch & vintage-shopping partner.

I fully intend to write her a reference.

Cassie's a lover of all things organic, so we headed for some nature

...in-between the ubiquitous Southern thunderstorms.

I Know That Bikini...

2010-03-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

My image "Summertime." made it into FILE Magazine's collection this week!

...and not a moment too soon (See: Previous Blog Post).

FILE Magazine.

If you're not familiar with the Awesomeness that is FILE Magazine, by all means...click the link above to leave me now and peruse Beerzie Boy's wicked editorial skillz.

THAT kind of Winter...

2010-03-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

(There's a backyard in there somewhere.)

GOOD LORD.

It's been a long, cold Winter, yo.

And, yeahyeah...I know what you're thinking..."You're from southern California. ANY Winter would be long and cold to you."

Well, yes.

You've got me there.

BUT...locals were astounded, too.

So there.

Dawn, after an all-night snow. Gas station coffee never tasted so good.

A harvested field a couple of blocks from my house.

My very own Plantsicle™. Oh joy.

It was just after midnight and 14º F when I shot this.

That smile was frozen on my face for 3 days.

And can you believe?...I STILL never made a snowman?!

I had a snowball fight, though!

A couple, even.

That shall just have to tide me over until next year...who's ready for Spring? AnyoneAnyone?

SNEAK PEAK : Clarice.

2009-12-18T00:19:00.000-08:00

'Clarice' SP photo shoot tonight. Sneak peak courtesy of Droid. :)

Working on more photos / posts as we speak...coming vurry soon, penguins.

P.S.
Twin & Twin's Love are arriving tomorrow night for the holimadays!
That means I get to go to the Airport...my favorite place!
DOUBLE JOY! :)

I am...

2009-11-19T23:33:00.000-08:00

...watching "Benny & Joon" with half a glass of eggnog after 2 hours in Photoshop.
What a perfect way to end my Thursday.

Oasis, St. Maarten and Peppermint Bark. Oh my.

2009-11-17T23:50:00.001-08:00

Re-organizing my website's galleries by travels is proving a more time-consuming task than originally anticipated. Or perhaps I am just easily distracted and end up perusing the gajillions of images crammed into my widdle CPU, instead of actually editing and arranging them.
Oh, look! A butterfly!...*trail off*

And then there's YouTube with stuff like this:

So not helping, guys.

But, in the meantime, here's a little beauty I re-discovered tonight from my time in St. Maarten [Netherland Antilles] back in May...

She was such a ham for the camera. Wouldn't stop giggling and kicking up sand.
So, naturally, she out-cools me by a good 20 points. At least.

P.S.
*Note to Self:
Eating Peppermint Bark like it's going out of style will not actually make it go out of style.
You have time, woman.
Pace yourself.

My Saturday, November 14, 2009.

2009-11-15T22:14:00.000-08:00

I'm mysteriously sexy. See. I take self portraits in public restrooms.

I've been absent far too long, but I hope to avoid that in the future by trying something a little different here. I warn you, here and now: You're in for my absolute dorkiest self. From here on out I'm really using this space as a chronicle of my life, my photography and my odd obsession with peppermint ice cream. Deal? Deal.

Oksurecoolfine. Now!...

My Saturday, November 14, 2009 was spent with friends; Lance and Arwen. We drove two hours to Raleigh. NC.; talking, laughing, relaxing and listening to good music. We perused the four floors of Father & Sons vintage store and art gallery in downtown Raleigh for hours.

If this doesn't get you jazzed for Chrismoose, you need extra doses of hot cocoa. Stat.

We picked out cool pieces for one another. We tried on ridiculous clothes. We bought awesome stuff. Some of my purchases included: a Jordanian abaya (the most beautiful abaya I now own; even more so than the ones purchased in the ME), an Egyptian embroidered vest, Dr. Marten spectator oxfords, a turquoise silk and real gold thread-trimmed salwar (think: long Indian tunic), a signed photography print from the gallery (shot in Cuba); a 1960's souvenir "Los Angeles" velvet pillowcase, a hodgepodge of antique photographs and slides (dating back to the late 19th cent.) to add to my collection, and some Moroccan earrings. I ~~was~~ am a happy bunny.

Lance in the back alley; waiting for Arwen to pay for her goodies @ Father & Sons. Downtown Raleigh, NC.

We were hungry.

We walked down the block and stumbled upon The Raleigh Time Bar. Housed in the former Raleigh Times Newspaper building (circa 1906), we had a posh lunch and sampled some great beer and wine.

O HAI WAITER.

Me? Blackened Salmon, Pesto Risotto and Cherry Ale. ---> Tell me your stomach didn't just growl. Cuz mine did.

We continued on.

Heading about thirty minutes to Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, NC...

I lost Shotgun. Iz ok. [*whispers* I took a catnap on the armrest.]

We hit up Time After Time Vintage. Among my scores there: 3 embroidered kurtas - 1 Greek, 1 Guatemalan, 1 Indian; a 1960's saffron-colored overcoat, and black leather cowboy boots. I am ecstatic. We headed down Franklin to C.D. Alley, a record store. We nudged our way through the tiny store packed to the walls with vinyl and used C.D.s.

He rolled up on this 1984 Honda bike with a shiny helmet. I was in love. With the scooter? With the guy? Umm...both? We chatted for 10 minutes and he was good people. He lives behind the black door, next to C.D. Alley. Chapel Hill, NC.

We were pleased.

With nearby UNC Chapel Hill's football game letting out, we decided to avoid traffic by killing time in the Carolina Brewery. We shared a bottle of New Zealand Riesling over even more good conversation.

Glass number #2. Yurm.

We headed back home...where by the time we arrived it was dinnertime. We landed on Mexican and had a quiet dinner of chips & salsa. *le sigh* We ended the night by visiting our friend Tina (who was under the weather) & her awesome-beyond-her-years daughter, Kam.

I came home to wash my latest treasures and headed to bed.

P.S.
I may or may have dreamed about Gary Oldman and awoken to a drool spot on my pillow.

Going Home: L.A.!!!

2009-07-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

Headin' home for a visit and I'm so excited I can hardly type!

I will be flitting around the greater L.A. / OC / IE area for the next 10 days, with my giddiness-level rivaling that of a seagull with a french fry. I get to see my brother and many friends, not to mention the photos I'll take.
Oh, L.A. You photograph so effortlessly.
Show-off.

Here's a little sump'in different...(some old El Lay to tide you over.)
See you on the flipside!

East L.A. Apartments; side of Freeway.

Newport Beach.

Freeway Overpasses.

Downtown L.A.

The Ubiquitous Southern California Palm Trees.

Lance.

2009-06-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

This is my friend, Lance.
Amongst other things, he is an incredibly gifted musician.
Over the past couple of months, he has become one of my favorite photographic subjects.
His old soul, musical talent, passion and kind spirit inspire me.
Here are some of my favorite photos to date.

(Click photos for larger view.)

Lance; channels Dylan.
[His home; Farmville, NC. 04.12.09]

Lance; in Wayfarers.
[His home; Farmville, NC. 04.12.09]

Lance's Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
[His home; Farmville, NC. 04.12.09]

Lance's vintage cowboy boots.
[His home; Farmville, NC. 04.12.09]

Lance; with orange juice.
[Best Western; Room #101, Monticello, NY. 05.16.09; 9:30 am]

Lance; sees Woodstock.
[Yasgur Farm; Bethel, NY. 05.16.09]

Lance; serious.
[Yasgur Farm; Bethel, NY. 05.16.09]

Lance; laughing.
[Yasgur Farm; Bethel, NY. 05.16.09]

Lance; performing.
[Greenville, NC. 06.16.09]

Emily & Bobby; Wedding in St. Maarten!

2009-05-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

"Damn, you're short!" she said.

And so, a love story began.
Emily & Bobby were married on the beach in St. Maarten (Netherland Antilles), and the fabulous Punam Bean and I were on hand to share in the fun.
Seriously. It was ridiculously fun.
I am so lucky to have been included in the small group of (equally hilarious) family & friends who laughed non-stop, the entire trip.
Emily & Bobby: may the hilarity ensue for decades to come. :)

(Click photos for larger view.)

*To view more of my wedding portfolio online, please contact me at:
shannondagher.com

NYC & ST. MAARTEN!

2009-04-27T13:35:00.001-07:00

I leave very late tonight/early tomorrow for NYC & St. Maarten!!!

I'll be spending Tuesday in NYC, wandering like a true bohemian--first time since I was a kid...I'm excited! Then Wednesday, the exceptionally-talented Punam Bean and I are off to St. Maarten to photograph Emily and Bobby’s Destination Wedding! Beautiful weather, exciting locales, people to be photographed, two trips in one, excellent company...how much more fortunate can a woman get?!

Look for boatloads of travel & wedding photography to follow! Be back on the 5th!!

The Bride & Groom!

© Punam Bean, 2009.

Congratulations, Kristen!

2009-04-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

Miss USA & North Carolina 2009; Miss Kristen Dalton.

Back in February I did a corporate photo shoot for American Management Group (AMG) in Greenville, NC. Among those on hand that day was Miss North Carolina 2009 -- Kristen Dalton -- herself a former AMG employee! A very sweet girl who I spent the afternoon shooting & talking to, and who I could not be more pleased now to congratulate on winning Miss USA 2009 last night! Kristen will now go on to represent the USA at the 2009 Miss Universe pageant on August 23, 2009 at Atlantis Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas. Congrats, love, and good luck!

Year in Pictures 2008.

2009-04-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

We at 15×100 are pleased to present you with our first Year in Pictures annual!

To view the annual you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click on the above image to take you to the Year in Pictures 2008 page at 15x100.com!

A big thank you to 15×100 photographer Jason Watt for designing our first annual!

Tease : I Love L.A.

2009-04-10T23:39:00.000-07:00

*le sigh*

I miss L.A.
I am a California Girl. I can't wait to get home. But, for now, I have a lifetime's worth of photos to delight & torture me...starting with one...

More to follow soon...

Random Travel Self Portrait.

2009-04-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

"Shannon Dagher; Beirut, Lebanon. 11.10.07"

Encore : Lebanon...

2009-04-06T02:39:00.000-07:00

Because, I just couldn't resist...here's a few more favorites from Lebanon!

"Alleyway; Tripoli, Lebanon."

"Hookahs; Sarba, Lebanon."

"'Communism is not Dead'; Beirut, Lebanon."

"Byblos (Tilt-Shift); Byblos, Lebanon."

"Housing; Tripoli, Lebanon."

"Temple of Jupiter (from Temple of Bacchus); Ba'albeck, Be'Qaa Valley, Lebanon."

"Stairs & Window; Qartaba, Lebanon."

"Hariri Assassination Counter; Beirut, Lebanon."

"100-yr.-old Tile; Qartaba, Lebanon."

"Mediterranean Sea; Bay of Jounieh, Lebanon."

"Stray Cats; Tripoli, Lebanon."

"Rafik Hariri Beirut International Airport; Beirut, Lebanon."

Lebanon : Photography Book.

2009-04-06T01:22:00.000-07:00

"Lebanese Tribute; Harissa, Lebanon."

This is far too long overdue, but I have recently begun working on my first photography book. It will be a collection of my photography from Lebanon. I have been sifting through the thousands of images I captured there, and...WOW. Emotional. Five years ago, I absolutely fell in love with this country, its people and its collective spirit. Nothing inspires me like Lebanon; even just looking through the images...I feel moved. I will return someday, but for now...I am enjoying being immersed in a different way, through my photographs.

"Starbucks; Jeita, Lebanon."

"Souk Vendor; Tripoli, Lebanon."

"Man w/ Camel; Ba'albeck, Be'Qaa Valley, Lebanon."

"Beirut Scars; Beirut, Lebanon."

"Riverside Cafe; Zahle, Lebanon."

"Fruit Vendor; Tripoli, Lebanon."

"Tourist (w/ Temple of Bacchus); Ba'albeck, Be'Qaa Valley Lebanon."

"Politics (@Barbar); Beirut, Lebanon."

"Light A Candle; St. Rafqa's Tomb, Jrabta, Lebanon."

"Food Souk; Tripoli, Lebanon."

"Ottoman Door & Curator; Fortress of St. Gilles, Tripoli, Lebanon."

"Muslim Couple; Harissa, Lebanon."

LebJournal Interview!

2009-03-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

My passion for the Levantine Middle East is no secret, so you can imagine how flattered I was to be interviewed recently by my good friend Alain Safa for LebJournal.com. Alain, a Lebanese-Swede, and I met years ago online and formed a friendship over our shared love for Lebanon and Photography. We talked shop: Shannon Dagher Photography; How & why I fell in love with Lebanon; Some Shannon stories and favorites...basically...a nice way to spend an afternoon. Alain: Shukran, and I look forward to visiting you and your beautiful family someday. :)

Click the Image to read the Interview.

Corporate Shoot : AMG.

2009-03-04T22:40:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I had a fun afternoon on a corporate photo shoot. American Management Group (AMG) held a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for their new office in Greenville, North Carolina. Luckily, we dodged the icky Winter weather, and the Sweet Tea was delicious. :)

CEO of AMG, Byron Van Epps.

AMG Employee, Lorraine Harris.

Always room for a laugh!

AMG President Paul Wright (L) with CEO Byron Van Epps.

AMG employee, Ashley Williams.

Mayor Pat Dunn, City of Greenville, NC.

Local Officials on hand for the ceremony.

The Ceremonial Scissors make an appearance.

L to R:

NC. State Representative Marion McLawhorn, Senior V.P. Jackie Van Epps, CEO Byron Van Epps, Greenville Mayor Pat Dunn.

Miss North Carolina 2009 (and former AMG employee!) Miss Kristen Dalton.

Proud parents & AMG employees: Linwood and Sallie McLawhorn.

Directors of AMG.

AMG CEO & Senior V.P

Byron & Jackie Van Epps

Catching up over lunch...
Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton & Allison Clary of AMG.

San Francisco.

2009-02-23T20:32:00.000-08:00

Back-tracking this train just a bit, here's some favorites from my frolic up to the Bay Area back in *eek* October. A good friend of mine went to school up there and was returning for a weekend of nostalgia and invited me along. Umm, free road trip with great company? Where do I sign up.

I should mention that since I only had ONE DAY in Frisco as a tag along (mostly spent catching up with friends), the majority of these images were shot on-the-go. Quite literally. Some were shot from a moving car. But, making the most of travel situations is the name of the game...and I still managed to come home with some lovely shots of San Fran's icons. Oh, SF...I barely scratched your surface...next time...oh yes...we will meet again soon...

Heading into the city from Sonoma Co. via the Golden Gate Bridge.

I loved this street moment. Thank God for red lights.

The One & Only.

Trans-America Pyramid.

Union Square.

Alcatraz.

Climbing towards Lombard St.; Alcatraz seen in the Bay.

A picturesque corner.

Bloomingdale's @ Union Square; from the roof of the parking structure.

A Bodega Bay seagull; where 'The Birds' was set & filmed.

An unforgettable sunset @ the Golden Gate Bridge.

Anatolia the Turkey.

2009-02-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

Here's a little straggler from a recent trip to Bath, North Carolina. Bath happens to be North Carolina's first & oldest town, est. 1705. Even today, Bath remains a small village, but has a beautiful harbor on Pamlico Sound.

This little guy was the pet of a local Antique dealer. He was raised from birth and was tame to the point that he followed me around like a puppy and gobbled for attention.
I called him Anatolia.

Travel...With A Point.

2009-02-12T19:43:00.000-08:00

Joshua Tree; CA.-AZ. Border

On September 21, 2008, my mother and I loaded up her SUV to the gills and set out. Our destination was a long way off—my grandparents’ home in Raleigh, North Carolina. And we were aiming to make it in 3 days. Were we rushing? A bit. But riding passenger, photographs were still possible. *whew*

For those of you rusty with the math (personally raises hand), that’s over 2500 mi. Divide that by 12-14 hr. days on the road…and, well, my butt got numb. Very numb.

We traveled along trusty US Interstate 40, which pretty much cuts a straight line from L.A. to Raleigh. Which is nice…straight lines make it hard to get lost. (Hard. Not impossible. Watch the map.) While this was my third time making this journey, it was my first armed with a camera. I was determined to enjoy the scenery and grab some snaps whenever I could (fast shutter & clean windows, people!)

The breakdown of big cities passed through is as follows:

- Flagstaff, Arizona
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Amarillo, Texas
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Asheville / Lake Lure, North Carolina
- Greensboro, North Carolina
AND finally...
- Raleigh, North Carolina

At the end of the road, I took stock. I had hundreds of images to document the distance traveled, as well as a few helpful hints:

ALWAYS have your camera handy! ALWAYS! The entire way across country, I had my Canon on my lap. Photo opportunities come up fast and they don’t wait for you to dig through your bag.

Likewise, anytime you leave the car…bring your camera with you. Just good sense anyway, but more than that, you never know WHAT you’re gonna see. I even brought my camera into the bathroom with me. Because…well…sometimes there’s interesting stuff to capture.

SHOOT EVERYTHING. You’re passing through. You may never see it again. And you’ll kick yourself later if you don’t. Besides, sometimes it’s the most inane shots you take that turn out to be the cream of the crop.

Embrace the Road! No, I don’t mean literally…get out of the street. I mean, try new things. It’ll make your trip THAT much more memorable if you create real memories. I ate Buffalo. See. Memorable.

Avoid chains. Try independent restaurants and dives at each stop. They have INFINITELY more character (Hello, photographers!), and you’ll get to meet the Locals to boot! If you see kitsch, pull over.

If you insist on shooting photography out the window of a moving car (who? ME?), make sure you have the strap wound around your arm so tight that your fingers are looking a little dodgy. And rank up that shutter speed. A lot. Unless you’re going for blur. Lots ‘o blur.

A note on hygiene: The second you get into your motel room, strip the comforter off the bed and throw it in the corner of the floor. Never look at it again. They don’t fit in a standard washer/dryer…so guess how often they get cleaned? Also, B.Y.O. hand sanitizer. (See note above about ‘interesting’ bathrooms.)

Lots of motels & hotels now offer free breakfasts. Pay attention to this. They rock. And it saves you money. Dooo itttt. *shakes fist*

Comfort cocoon!: Have dry snacks for when you get the munchies (aim for filling, not sugary); watch the liquid intake (“Bathroom break #372? Here we go!”); find something to keep your mind swift (Did you say ‘License Plate Bingo’?!), and satellite radio beats 200 miles of static or *Hank Williams. (*My sincerest apologies to the Estate of Hank Williams)

For any of you now jonesing to re-create this voyage, swing by your local AAA office first and pick up a “TripTik.” It’s a portable, customized map of your entire trip…complete with local interests, food/gas/food stops, etc. Truly invaluable.

Waffle House; Arkansas

Meteor Crater; Arizona

Historic Route 66; Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Hampton Inn; Arkansas

Rest Stop; Tennessee

Gas Station Souvenirs; Arizona

Cherokee Trading Post; Clinton, Oklahoma

Buffalo Dinner @ Cherokee Trading Post; Clinton, Oklahoma

There's One In Every Family; Raleigh, North Carolina

Weekend in the Mountains...

2009-01-22T01:48:00.000-08:00

Arrived late Friday night to spend the long weekend in Lake Lure / Asheville, NC. with some family.
It was definitely cold (around 10 degrees F), but beautiful. I even managed a few fun photos when we ventured out from the warmth of the fireplace & hot chocolate...which took some doing...

Sunrise over Lake Lure, NC.

An obliging miniature horse; Rutherfordton, NC.

A Carolina Blue sunrise.

THIS was cool! My Aunt took us to a local river where you can pan for gemstones! They also had a gift shop with stone and fossils from around the World. On top of being fun, my little cousins toted home some gorgeous rocks and I got a few photos...everybody wins!

One of the owners; she must have been freezing.

A Siberian Cave Bear, which dozed off 95,000 YA during an Ice Age. Oops. I am 5'5" and only came up to its bottom rib. Yikes.

Some of the owners' loot. Niice.

And, the tree by the river. The bright green moss grabbed my eye.

My First Snow.

2009-01-21T20:34:00.000-08:00

I've seen & done quite a lot in my relatively young years, but I had yet to experience one thing that was definitely on my list: Snow. The opportunity was (quite literally) dumped on me Tuesday morning when I woke up to watch the Inauguration...and there was a snow storm. Outside my door. I was instantly reverted back to the mentality of a 5-yr.-old as I played outside in the wintery-goodness all day! I even managed to snap a few photographs before paranoia got the best of me and I put my camera safely back inside the warm, dry house...and went out to play some more!

My First Taste of SNOW!

I came downstairs to this:

Ahh...lovely.

BEFORE the street was completely covered...

15x100 Member Profile : Shannon Dagher

2009-01-10T01:52:00.000-08:00

"From her bio:

Shannon Dagher is a Photographer, Traveler, and Cultural Anthropologist with a passion for the Middle East. Dagher is currently based on the eastern seaboard of the U.S.–and wherever her travels take her.

Why do you take pictures?
I shoot photography because I need to. Shooting photography is almost a reflex for me; like breathing. I never leave home without my camera…because then I’ll miss something. Shooting lets me see things. Photography is my comfort, my passion and the way I live my life.
..."

Read the full interview here!:

15x100 Member Profile : Shannon Dagher

Angela.

2009-01-10T01:13:00.000-08:00

This is Angela. She is an extremely talented musician from L.A. She is also one of my oldest and dearest friends. :) Before I relocated to the East Coast recently, Angela and I spent a day shooting.

Nothing like a beautiful smile and a mild November afternoon in southern California...

Here's some of my current favorites from the day:

C'est Fini!

Shannon Dagher : 15x100 Member

2009-01-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

In Dec. 2008 I was invited to join a photo collective called 15x100. 15 Photographs by 100 Photographers.

15x100 is an international photography collective. Visit our website at http://www.15x100.com to experience how cooperative photography can change the world.

15x100 is a collaborative unit which is greater than the sum of its considerable parts. We are endeavoring to be a block of talent which can offer something new and powerful to the world of photography.

15x100 is not another photo sharing site. Our members are deeply committed to producing the best possible photography through 100 different perspectives.

In the words of my dear friend Paul Collins (a fellow 15x100 member), from our Member Forum: "...the fact that having been invited to be a part of this magnificent group of incredibly talented and creative people still blows my mind."

Save JPG.

2009-01-03T22:12:00.001-08:00

http://www.savejpg.com

Happy Holidays!!!

2008-12-30T14:52:00.000-08:00

I've been absent FAR too long and I just had to drop in and wish everyone a very happy holiday season! I've just relocated cross-country (L.A. to NC.)--which was as arduous as it sounds--and am still in the process of getting things settled...such is the reasoning for my relative quietness. :P But, not to worry! I have tons of LONG-overdue posts coming (my photos are backing up big time!), as well as a complete update of images on my site. Just bear with me a little longer...and, hey, you'll all be busy celebrating New Year's anyway, and then BOOM! I'll be back with more. :)
All my best wishes for a peaceful life in the coming year. Remember to find happiness in the little moments...they're what get you through. :)

See you soon!,

Shannon
xo.

Atlanta, GA. RE-CAP!

2008-11-11T03:24:00.000-08:00

Hey There!

Sorry for the unusually long pause...LIFE went and happened on me.
But, because of that...I now am working on editing photographs from THREE trips (Georgia/Alabama, Cross-Country Drive/L.A.-->N.C., and a quick trip up to the Bay Area, CA.)! I haven't quite finished them all, but I do have some fun & juicy photos to share with you all, and have snuck a few into their corresponding galleries on the website. But let's start with my August trip to the Atlanta-area.

My Dad lives in Atlanta, and I was born there...so it holds a really special place in my heart. :)
I also managed to get REALLY off the beaten track this trip, roadtrippin' to both Savannah and into Alabama. SOOO...without further ado...my two-amazing-weeks in Georgia:

Payphones @ LAX Intl. Airport...headin' down South! :)
*You can view this larger in the "In-Transit" gallery of my website.

Women watching their children play in the Chattahoochee River.
*You can view this larger in the "People" gallery of my website.

"Wildman" Dent Myers of Kennesaw, GA.
*You can view this larger in the "Portraits" gallery of my website.

Kite, GA.

Mint Julep & Fried Green Tomatos?
Helllloooo Savannah!

Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, GA.

And then there was this little gem: The Thunderbird Inn
Savannah. GA.
(Renovated by SCAD students)

Westin Peachtree Plaza
Atlanta, GA.

And this 'lil guy always makes me smile. :)
(Centennial Park, Atlanta, GA.)

And then on my way home...

Hope the sneak-peek wet your whistle! I may post stragglers (Alabama? Where'd you go??), and I'll be following up ASAP with images from the other trips.
Hope this lovely Autumn weather is agreeing with you...my favorite season. :)

As for me, I'm off to sleep!

...and...I'M OFF!!!...Again. :)

2008-09-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

Mom and I leave in about an hour (yes, that's 7am) to start our drive cross-country. Mmmm...driving 12-14 hrs. a day, 2559.25 mi. total, to try and make it in 3-days...sounds like fun, eh? Well it's worth it. ;)

We'll be taking US Interstate 40 (my third time...no complaints), passing through:

- Flagstaff, Arizona
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Amarillo, Texas
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Asheville / Lake Lure, North Carolina
- Greensboro, North Carolina
AND finally...
- Raleigh, North Carolina

Where Mom is settling and all my extended family is. I'm staying for a bit for some extra time with Mom and to help her get settled, to visit my Southern family I haven't seen in years, and to photograph it all. My cousin will even be giving birth while I'm there. SO...wish me a safe journey, and when I return I'll have more photos of the South then I'll know what to do with. Two trips down South in two months...too cool. :)

Flying back Sat., Oct. 11th...so look forward to catching up...unfortunately I wont have regular computer or internet access (if any at all). But, rest assured, all messages and correspondence will be promptly answered upon my return. So, until then...I'm off the map...or, really, on it, I s'pose.

Love.
Shannon
xo.

Headin' Down South...

2008-07-31T14:28:00.001-07:00

Well, more like out South. Atlanta, GA. to be exact!

*Images in collage above are from my last trip to Atlanta, way back in 2005! My, how my shooting style has improved...time for another trip! :)

I leave tomorrow for Atlanta for 2 weeks! Dad lives there and was kind enough to send a FF ticket to get away for a bit. I was born in Atlanta and love it there...so beautiful, and a perfect mix of city and country, IMHO. :)

We're plannin' on really gettin' off the beaten track this trip...as I've done all the "sights" at least twice. I'm excited for some random road & day trips, small towns, mountains, nature, fortuitous photo opportunities, meeting, chatting up and photographing amiable strangers in small southern cafes. We're even talking about heading to Savannah and into Alabama. Ahh...just the ticket.

SO...I'll still be keeping up with "y'all" via e-mail (shannon@shannondagher.com), but be on the lookout for some amazing photographs when I get back.

Be back on the 15th!

Love.
Shannon
xo

Smashes Champagne Bottle Against My Chest

2008-07-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

TA-DA! I'm here. :)

I'm sure by now you've figured out my site was launched (albeit, early) by my web hosters...but no matter! I'm still scurrying to scan, edit and upload some of my negatives (pre-digital)...but I'm just about happy with how everything is looking! :)

Once all my Galleries are complete, I will be enabling a feature that allows you to "favorite" images throughout my site (effectively adding them to the shopping cart). When you're done browsing, you can head to the Cart to finalize your selections (*choose from a variety of sizing options/packages)...and purchase Fine Art prints just that easily! :)

Granted, this is when the site is COMPLETELY DONE...which I will announce; my deadline to myself is this FRIDAY, JULY 25th! Keep me accountable, dammit.

On a sidenote: I picked up my two prints for the "Photography at High Speed" exhibit from the framer's yesterday...and they look awesome; they'll be for sale through the exhibit through the gallery (so you can inquire with them once it opens). :) I took them straight away to Millard Sheets Center for the Arts in Pomona, CA. (*where they'll be on exhibit starting Sept. 5th), and on the drive home I spotted this...so, naturally I cut across two lanes of traffic to pullover and shoot it. :)

Other than that...things are generally surreal and hectic right now, but I'm staying afloat. There's a new Photo Challenge over at my favorite JPG Magazine:
JPG Photo Challenge: Items We Carry

I shot a brilliant one last year, but my life has (evidently) changed so much since then, that's it's no longer relevant. I may take a break and shoot one later. :)

KEEP CHECKING BACK!!! :)

.love.
Shannon
xo.