I set up a pop up studio at a local shop in Brooklyn. Skate Brooklyn is a shop I frequent, especially during snowboard season.They relocated last year to a pretty unique location in Park Slope. The location allowed them the space to build a mini skate ramp at the store, which attracts a rather impressive variety of shredders. It’s pretty awesome to see how the skate and snowboard community is brought together on any given day at the shop. I had the pleasure of photographing several of Skate Brooklyn’s sponsored skaters, Nick Hinman, Jerome Moore, Michael Pitruzzello and Kempsey Alexandre. Keep an eye out for these guys, they are all over the NYC.
I probably sound like an old fart, but I think its fantastic that parents are coming in and working with the shop to set their kids up with their first skateboard or even snowboard! They come in stoked and engage the staff and learn quite a bit from the talented skaters who come through. In a time when kids consider tooling around with an electronic device as “playing, it puts a smile on my face when I see them at a local skate shop. (Ok, I’ll spare you of my kids/electronic devices rant until the day I actually have children. )
The Surf/Snow culture has been a part of my life since my early childhood. Although I couldn’t skate, I loved attending skate competitions with my brother and friends who were passionate about skating, they also introduced me to mountain sports. Several times a month in during the winter season my elementary teachers braved several bus loads of rowdy stoked kids to New Hampshire I ceased every opportunity available. (Clearly our teachers were equally crazy about it.)
Ever have a “MAJOR DUH’ moment when you think to yourself, “This is SOOOO MUCCHHH FUNN!!!! Why am I just discovering this now??!!?” Recently, I bought my first skateboard. (yes, at the age of 35 years young.) I was inspired to start to do a pop up session, when I spoke with a mom who got her first skateboard when her kids asked for one. Had rad is that? Thanks, Hollie!
What is my point? If something peaks your interest, explore it! You have two options, NOW or LATER, and often the latter of the two leads to NEVER. A little encouragement or support can make such a difference in someone’s life. That same encouragement was what helped me find my biggest passion…photography. One of these days…I hope to get one the mini ramp myself, but that is a long way down the road. It was a pleasure to meet everyone and thanks for coming by to show your support.
I had the pleasure of returning to Tall Boy Industries second annual Boston Hair Fiasco to continue a personal project on facial hair. The Boston Hair Fiasco was held at a the same music venue as the previous year, Church. I had several repeat subjects as well as some fantastic new faces this year. The event had a great band lineup, including The Family Township, Coyote Kolb, White Dynomite, and The Life Electric. Sailor Jerry was parked out front with their air stream while the bar served up some delicious rum cocktails in addition to Pabts Blue Ribbon.
It is always a fun challenge to setup and shoot portraits during a raging party. Thanks to everyone who participated. In between portraits, I grabbed some fun party candids as well. Below are a few of my favorites and the rest along with some fun candids can be view on my facebook fan page here.
Hello! Skate Brooklyn and I will be hosting a Pop Up Studio Session at their Skate Shop on Saturday, October 27 2012. I will be offering a limited number of 15 minute sessions, subjects are encouraged to bring their favorite skateboard or snowboard in for the session.
I love the color palette of Italy, especially Rome. The soft and muted colors really pop in hard sunlight. I would like to share some street photography, I captured while in Rome last spring. One photograph is in Venice, the obvious and rather expected canal photograph. I wasn’t going to post it because it is so expected, but I like the way the dark green shutters complient the door in Italy. Italy is one of my favorite countries in the world, beautiful views, food and people.. and WINE! I’ve never traveled south of Rome but I hope to make that adventure next time! Enjoy!
Best,
Shannon
Street Scene in Rome.
A classic car and perfect side street scene in Rome, Italy,
I had the opportunity to travel to Croatia last June with a childhood friend. I am so happy Megan suggested we check out this amazing country. This place is seriously green and I loved every little village we visited. But the village that stole my heart was Rovinj. We meet so many wonderful people and had so many fun nights hanging with a crew of artists who reside there. I thought I’d share a few pictures from Rovinj and a bit of our trip out to Plitvice National Park.
I wish I was as talented as Megan to express in words how amazing this trip was for both of us. We hadn’t explored together in decades and this was seriously a playground like no other. I do hope you enjoy these photos and perhaps get inspired to check out this wonderful country.
Last Month Tall Boy Industries produced the first Boston Facial Hair Fiasco at a Church, a popular restaurant and live music venue in the Fenway area. When I heard about the event from Tall Boy, I inquired about shooting some portraits of participants at the event. The event was a huge success, the bands, staff, sponsors and participants were great. (Pabst Blue Ribbon and SHAG were official sponsors) I can’t wait for next years. Thank you to everyone who sat for a portrait! If you don’t see yourself here on my blog, you can find additional photos on my Facebook Fan Page
Last fall, I photographed the Mashpee Pop Warner D Team on the same school field that I once competed on as a child. It proved to be a fun and nostalgic photo experience. Prior to heading back home to Mashpee, I reached out to two dear friends to discuss my project. I knew I wanted to shoot portraits but, I also wanted to photograph their game. I had never shot action photography so I had a few technical questions. I knew the perfect person to call, one of the industries most talented action shooters, Rob Tringali. I’m convinced Rob, has a few extra camouflaged eyeballs on his head because he always captures stunning imagery both on/off the field. After talking with Rob, who gave me some great tips (“Don’t drop the lens”..thanks ROB!!!) and affirmed that I did need the lens I had my eye on using. (Canon’s 300mm 2.8 L series lens) I made my second call. Monte Isom, who is known for his stunning athlete portraiture and who also happens to be the first photographer I ever worked for in NYC. Hard to believe that was almost nine years ago. Monte hooked me up with the lens I needed as well as discuss my ideas for the portrait. Thanks guys!
It was a collaboration of all sorts, friends from two very different times of my life. With the help two childhood friends, Chad Gingras and Kim Cuozzo the production went nice and smooth. I built a “pop up studio” on the side lines of the football field and ran power by generator thanks to Leon Pinsonneault. The “studio” which created a lot of curiosity on the side lines and my concerns of too much light bleeding through was fixed with heavy painters canvas. (Another perk of having a finish carpenter assisting you). We set up prior to the game so I could shoot the action and then the portraits after the game. Although I wanted the photographs to have a studio portrait feel I wanted them to be authentic as well, so I chose to photograph the kids after the game. Win or Lose, they played their hearts out. I want to thank Kim Cuozzo for all her help coordinating with the other parents, model releases and ice cream bribery for good behavior. Thank you D Team, parents and all the Coaches for making the shoot a fun experience!
Back in 2009 I shot some behind the scene stills on a music video directed and produced by Trevor Bittinger and Brandon LaGanke. The video was shot at my friends apartment who also happens to be a very talented designer, Jesse Hectic. It was my first introduction to the band members of Jupiter One, K Ishibashi, Zac Colwell, David Heilman and Pat Dougherty.
Tuesday night I attended a solo show of K’s (check out his new EP here), at the Living Room in Manhattan . The room was filled with friends and fans and the performance was kick ass. It was a treat to see k perform solo for it was a first for me. On my way out, David(Also a member of Jupiter One and Fancy Colors) mentioned that Zac Colwell was playing at Glasslands with his other band, Chappo and invited me to join. We headed over the bridge to Brooklyn in time to watch the entire set, which was fantastic. Many of the faces at K’s show had resurfaced to watch Chappo perform as well.
It got me thinking about the artists in my life here in NYC. I am constantly being introduced to amazing creatives through my community of friends. Whether it is a fellow photographer, designer, set builder, musician, sculptor…. It is an artist community like no other, a family. We open our doors, lend a hand, share gear, whatever is needed to help each other to create and express their art. I feel so fortunate to be supported and surrounded by so many amazing individuals. Thank you. Thank You. You are family and I am so grateful to be have all of you in my life.
Best,Shannon
2009 Throwback
Tuesday Night at The Living Room
Later that night… Chappo at Glasslands in Brooklyn.
It has been a very busy couple of weeks. Here is a test I did with little miss Tatiana. She amazes me with her grace, strength and spirit. She rules. Cheers, Shannon
I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon. Within five minutes of meeting Alli, she had me laughing hysterically. Ten minutes later, we were laughing, yelling and running around her backyard like two crazy kids. I am so grateful that I can call this “working”. Cheers, S
