And a firm believer that we should chase down those dreams. Like a wild animal. Like your life depended on it.

Because it does.

At least it does for me.

Because it breaks my heart to not live my dreams.

But to chase dreams is risky too. The looming failure. The doubt. That little voice in your head that says, ‘you won’t make it.’

But you will. You WILL make it. Even if you fall short of your goal.

Why?

Because you did what many would not or could not or even dared to dream of.

But you did. You dared. You tried. You fought tooth and nail.

And it’s scary. I know the fear. The crushing, overwhelming fear. The moments of defeat when things didn’t turn out just as I had planned. The moments of kicking myself when I was down and telling myself I should’ve done ‘x, y, z’ differently. The avalanche of ‘if only’ thoughts.

But all of those dark moments are worth going through to live my dreams.

To live YOUR dreams.

So get out there. Take a risk. Channel the inner wild animal and chase those dreams.

I found these fun and inspring quotes over on pinterest – here.

The post To The Dreamer appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.

Although I adore instagram and all the fun filters, I wanted just a bit more control.

And then I found the charming $0.99 app called VSCO CAM.

OHMYGOSH.

OHMYGOSH.

OH.

MY.

GOSH.

I love this app. It gives you the ability to take a very digital looking iphone image and make them look more like film. Something I love especially with me falling back in love with the stuff. And for the most part the filters are subtle, not super in your face like – ‘HEY! Look at me! I’m a filter!’ Just a nice enhancement.

This app also gives a lot of options when editing your photo outside of their 10 preset filters. Some of the adjustments that can be played with are, exposure, contrast, vignette, saturation, grain, just to name a few. Or, you can run your image through one of the presets and then further tweak it to your liking using those additional options. All very fun

Here are a few recent images using my iphone and then editing it with VSCO CAM.

When not immersed in iphoneography I like to mix it up with the fun and addictive 6 second video app called Vine. Vine is ridiculously fun. It allows you to capture a fun snippet of life, by either recording a smooth continuous clip or my favorite way, to record in chunks with different angles to tell a 6 second story. Most of which are of my dogs…I’m sure I will graduate onto more subjects as I keep playing with the app.

Finally, to wrap up todays Monday Mashup post – churros, strawberries and polaroids. Technically they are polaroids of churros and strawberries, but those two food items deserve merit all to themselves. On a recent trip to Costco (which I have a love/hate relationship with) I picked up 5lbs of strawberries. I remember thinking there is no way I can finish all these…But it’s not like they have smaller sizes at Costco…Not to mention they smelled like pure berry perfection. So, I caved.

When it comes to churros, the warm, cinnamon/sugary, deliciousness that they are –  I just can’t say no.. Plus, you’ve probably never seen someone sad or angry while eating a churro, because it is impossible not to be anything, but utterly happy while eating one.

Happy Monday! Go eat some churros!

The post Monday Mashup : VSCO, Vine and Churros appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.

The words ‘You can do even better’ rumbles and reverberates off the interiors of my mind – constantly.

I tell myself it’s just the curse of the artist that nothing is ever perfect. There could always be a way to improve. To become…Better. Stronger. Faster.

Like the Six Million Dollar Man, but with a camera, paintbrush or pen.

After years of wrestling with this demon I finally had this ah-ha moment. That voice, that little nagging voice is not there to bring me down. Quite the opposite. It’s there to keep me moving. To keep me growing. With out it, it would be so easy to become complacent.

And so, fight is over. I’ve put down the boxing gloves. We are no longer enemies, but friends.

And this friend I am truly grateful for.

Image taken with SX-70 Polaroid using Impossible Project’s Color Protection Film.

The post The Struggle appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.

But I can’t help it.

Part of my enjoyment of experiencing life, in even the smallest of moments, is documenting it. Creating a piece of art. Or failing at creating a piece of art. Either way the act of photographing makes me unbelievably happy. Mistakes and all.

In fact photographing with the SX-70 has given me a ton of mistakes as that camera and I are still figuring each other out. But it’s pushed me to see the world differently. Soft, dreamy with golden tones. Like I’m looking back in time to the 70′s.

In wanting to hold onto the unbelievable beauty that is Spring here in Northern California here are a few favs taken with my quirky SX-70 using The Impossible Project’s Color Protection Film.

For you Polaroid photography experts – Leave a comment telling me your favorite Polaroid film

The post Spring in Polaroids appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.

1. What do you know to be true, unquestionably beyond a doubt, certain with every cell of your being, completely, righteously certain?

Beyond a doubt, certain with every cell of my being – My love for Milan and his love for me. The world could collapse tomorrow, but as long as he was by my side, everything would be okay.

2. What was the dumbest thing that you used to believe in? What changed your mind?

That I couldn’t make a living doing what I love. I thought I should take the safe road. Be a teacher, then it was lawyer, then back to teacher. Because those were ‘safe careers.’ Then I thought I could be a graphic designer, it’s creative and it’s safe. I mean who doesn’t need advertising made or logos, I told myself. When all I wanted to do my whole life was be a photographer. That’s it. I had no idea how that could ever be a career. Even though my heart ached for it. And even though I was working as a photographer at another studio. I didn’t know how I could ever make it work.

Silly me.

What changed my mind was Milan’s support and belief in me paired with a blessing in disguise. I was working as a graphic designer for a local dot com and was laid off. I was heartbroken, as I loved the people I worked with and the company as a whole. Turns out getting laid off was the kick in the pants I needed to make my photography career happen.

And now four going on five years later – here I am. Doing the thing I never thought possible.

3. What do you know the most about?

Probably no surprise, but photography. It is both my career and my hobby. People ask me all the time, ‘what do you do when you’re not taking pictures?’ Honestly? I keep taking pictures. I love expanding my creative vision. Growing as an artist. And the best way to do so is with personal projects. So, when I’m not photographing for a client, I’m out photographing for myself.

And while I don’t know everything about photography and never will as art, in any form, is a constant journey and not a destination. I wish there was a less cliche way to say it, but it’s true.

4. Why do you do what you do?

When photographing for clients – I do what I do because I love connecting with others. Learning about them and then capturing who they are in a photograph. I love showing them how truly beautiful they really are.

When photographing for personal projects – Self expression. Photography is my outlet. My way to communicate to the world.

5. One word : breakthrough. What comes to mind?

Hitting a wall and breaking through. Seeing that nothing is impossible. And now I have the Doors, ‘Break on Through (To The Other Side) stuck in my head…

6. What has been one of your most memorable experiences in your career?

Documenting a birth story. There is so much emotion going on. It’s a feeling that is beyond words.

7. What global policy, credo, practice, or law would you like to decree?

Ice cream and marshmallows for everyone!!! Seriously. Who could be upset when eating either of those things?

8. What experience tested your mettle, but made you a better person?

About a year ago I injured a disc in my low back. Which by the way I don’t recommend….It was extremely painful and is an injury that takes a minimum of 9 months to heal with doing physical therapy, exercise and going to the chiropractor. The whole experience taught me patience and to appreciate my health.

9. Finish this sentence : “It’s a good day when…”

It’s a good day when…Milan and I take a leisurely hike through nature, with our two dogs running wild and ridiculously happy just before sunset. I take pictures. We talk. We laugh. Come back and enjoy a home cooked meal. It’s simple. But I love it so very much.

10. When was the last time you thought, ” Yes! That person has so got it going on!”?

Ryan Gosling. Did you mean like, ‘Oooh, that person has got it goin’ on girrrllll!’ Cuz that’s how I interpreted it

11. What question in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

What’s for dinner. Okay, so that wasn’t a very deep response… Honestly, it would be, ‘What do you want to do for a living?’ As I talked about in question one.

12. What are you positively addicted to?

Several things. And in no particular order…Marshmallows, Milan, and the Creative Process.

13. What’s the best advice you were ever given in terms of business?

Do what you love and the money will follow.

14. What’s the most common life advice that you could give to your friends?

See above.

15. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word devotion?

Dedicated to Milan and our life together.

16. What are you most interested in?

Food, photography and travel.

17. What are you incredibly grateful for?

I am incredibly grateful for so many things. My grandparents who were the first to show me what unconditional love is. Sammie and Olive for their spirit and always making me laugh. To Milan who truly believes in me. You can read more about what I am grateful for in these posts – here and here.

18. What’s your form of service to the world?

Giving people a tangible and authentic representation of their love via photographs. Of who they are in this moment right now. So that they can look back years from now and see just where their story began.

Now it’s your turn! Take one of your favorite questions from above and answer it in the comments below. Tell me I’m not the only one who would answer #10 with Ryan Gosling

The post 18 Questions appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.

It’s about creating a piece of art that represents you.

Your personality.

Your life.

Your love.

Capturing those things is more than just duplicating the trendiest pose in pretty light. And we’ve all seen those images. Yes, they are pretty. But something is missing. Or something is just plain off. You take a closer look at the picture and see that true emotion is missing. Or worse, the couple just looks uncomfortable.

It’s taken me years in honing my skill as a photographer to capture people and not poses. That skill is more than just mastering camera settings and lighting.

That skill is about connecting with – you.

So we meet and we chat. About anything and everything. I ask questions and I listen. And then listen some more.

Because it’s about you.

The post It’s about – YOU appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.

28lbs of pure stubborn energy. A mighty little dog if there ever was one. Spirit, sweetness and strength all rolled into one. With age you have grown even sweeter and make far more noises. Moans and groans when we pet you that voice your gratitude. But it is we who are thankful for you. And Olive too, despite her jealous nature and ridiculous need for attention, loves you so very much. You’re kinda neurotic when it comes to playing stick. And sometimes it’s not just a stick you are trying to pick up, but a tree…like the time you tried to take off with our Christmas tree after we moved it to the backyard. I must say it was very impressive to watch you drag a 6 foot Christmas tree. Which is probably why we didn’t get you in trouble. But most of all…

You have a heart that runs wild and free.

Image taken with Holga using Ilford 3200 film.

The post She Runs Wild and Free appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.

If I’m honest, I’m having a difficult time putting into words how much love I feel for you. Because it goes beyond words. Which is probably why I’ve deleted the last 5 drafts of this blog post.

I never thought that I could love someone so much and then turn around and love them even more. It’s only been 8 years, but it feels like forever and yesterday all at once. You are such an incredible person. You are unbelievably kind hearted, always think of others, and have so much integrity. Just to know someone like you is a gift, let alone to be lucky enough to be married to you.

I am eternally grateful to walk with you on this incredible journey called life.

Thank you to Brent Holland for capturing this photo of us

The post Happy Birthday Milan appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.

I pass my grandmother’s hearty and delicious country cooking of chicken and rice, salad, biscuits and green beans to the left. Watched the dishes cooked with love go round the table. And fill our bellies, but more importantly our hearts.

I sat on the edge of my seat as my 79 year old grandfather shared stories when he was only 17, in the Navy, and sailing around the world. Followed by my 81 year old father-in-law talk about almost the same, sailing the world for the merchant marine in his early twenties. Vibrant, vivid stories told with hand gestures. I held my breath as I hung onto every last word…overwhelmed by the living history sitting across from me.

I am forever grateful – for this moment.

Above two images taken with Polaroid SX-70 on Impossible Project’s Color Protection Film

The post Forever Grateful appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.

Something I was not expecting.

At all.

But I guess that’s the thing about love, it hits you when you least expect it.

You see I’ve been to Vegas before. Once for play and once for work. But this time it was different. This time we rented a car, booked a model and the 5 of us trekked out 45mins into the desert to Red Rock Canyon.

And my heart skipped a beat.

At the end of the shoot I got to do some fine art boudoir type images in the desert. Below is a teaser, the rest will be available on my boudoir site – theseareyourdays.com – soon  :)

A HUGE thank you to Naamah. Our very talented, fun and beautiful model. Naamah – you are extraoridinary.

And another big thank you to Alex Bridgman for shooting the awesome video of us on our fashion shoot.

The post Las Vegas Fashion Photographer : Red Rock Canyon appeared first on Shannon Rosan Photography Blog.