Happy Thanksgiving!

Prismatic :: VT

(Above: One of my favorite photos taken last year, pre-covid, on a trip through VT to Montreal, CA)

Like most things American, this holiday comes with grim historical context. Colonization, at its core, is brutal and pretending otherwise does everyone a disservice. That said, I am not a historian and will not wax on about it, though I encourage you to research if you’re not familiar with the complexities of America’s past. However, what I can speak to is my experience with the holiday, and why it means so much to me.

I am not a “stuff” person, so holidays centered around capitalism are lost on me. I think commercialization takes away from the importance of what a holiday should be–a time to appreciate and celebrate your loved ones and a time to reflect on life. So Christmas is not my jam. (Sorrynotsorry!) But Thanksgiving?? Its a holiday where we are expected to EAT TOO MUCH and spend time with loved ones. And those are two things I excel at!

It’s also a time where people are encouraged to shift their perspective, and focus on the blessings in their lives, and I can definitely get behind that. 

So this year–despite it being 2020, the lost year–I would like to give thanks. My entire routine was upended and my anxiety, understandably, has been through the roof. But despite that, I find myself grateful. If I hadn’t been forced to stay home, I wouldn’t have learned to bake. I wouldn’t have worked with my brother to start a weekly video call for our extended family all over the country, and gotten to interact with my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandfather as much. I wouldn’t have taken up biking, which it turns out, is MUCH better for my knees than running. I wouldn’t have learned how much I enjoy photographing the birds at my bird feeder. I wouldn’t have focused on my garden, and in turn, realized how much better food can be when you start with fresh ingredients. In the grand scheme of things, these are little joys. But in a year with so much sadness, and anger, and fear, I’ll take what I can get.

This Thanksgiving is going to be different. We’re not having big family dinners, laughing all day together jammed into someone’s house–and that sucks. But I know I’m not alone in my situation. Many are sacrificing now to keep their loved ones safe, and I’m hopeful it pays off. Better days are on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to celebrating twice as hard together once its safe.

Many thanks to all of the people who have spared me a kind word and supported my creativity over the years. You’re the best. Stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving. ❤

Flow: The Art of Waterscapes

It’s here!  Want to get your hands on a FREE e-lookbook (loaded with purty photos and tips to help you get started on your own waterscapes)?

The best part??  Everyone who downloads their PDF copy of Flow: The Art of Waterscapes is automatically entered into a drawing for a FREE PRINT!  The drawing will happen on December 4 (next week) so don’t wait!

Want an extra chance to win?  Reblog this post and I’ll put your name in the drawing a second time.  I mean think about it…  I give you a free gift, you spend a second to share this awesome offer with your friends and followers, and I potentially give you another gift that you can possibly (probably?) re-gift to your Mom!  Do deals get any sweeter than this??  It’s like Black Friday x 1000.  Minus the crowds and fist fights over a TV and set of fuzzy pajamas with feets.

The holidays came early, folks!  By, like, a day. haha  But still.  This is my way of giving thanks to all of you for being so dang supportive of David and I this year, with the release of our first full length (hilarious) educational photo book, “Photography. DUH.”.
Because really, you guys rock.  For serious. ❤

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 🙂

Give Thanks

Silk Ribbons :: Ricketts Glen, PA

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. -JFK

There is so much in our lives, both good and bad, that fill up our days that it can seem overwhelming.  I’ve found though, that a moment of gratitude can do wonders to give you perspective about what is important versus what is just “noise”.  It can drastically improve your mood and remind us to have some humility.

 

That being said, I want to take a moment to recognize the sources of joy in my life, and then encourage you to do the same. 🙂

 

Today, and every day, I am grateful for all of the blessings in my life.  I have my health, security, stability and opportunities to improve my life if I’m brave enough to reach for them.  I live in a place that recognizes my basic human rights.

The Hearts Overflows

I am surrounded by people who love and support me.  I was lucky enough to be born into a family that values things like compassion, kindness, and laughter.  I get to share my life with an incredible man who supports my dreams and enjoys making memories with me.  I literally have the best friends a girl could ask for.

Dreamsong

I’ve seen enough beauty in this world to make anyone’s heart overflow with joy.  The power of nature, the rain, the wind, the lightning, the cold, the feel of the setting sun on my skin on a summer day, the colors of a dramatic sky, the smell of new grass and lilies, the sound of the ocean, watching children play and people love…

In Wildness

Adventure fills my soul, leads me to exciting places, introduces me to new people and enriches my life in a way that words can only barely describe.  I’m grateful to have wanderlust in my blood, to have had a family that nurtured it, and to now have the resources to follow its call.

Hope Rises

The world is such a wonderful, frightening, beautiful place filled with an exquisite tapestry of human existence.  Every day I draw breath I am grateful that I get to be a part of it, grateful for the experiences that shaped me and the memories that sustain me.

We Are One :: California

Thank you to each and every one of you for being part of my life.  Your support, your kindness, your smiles (or emoticons as the case may be), your love fills my life with so much joy.  You’ve all had a hand in shaping my life and I’m grateful for your influence.  It’s always appreciated when you take a moment to send me a note or comments.  I love the discussions and friendships that can be built from a photo.  And most importantly, you are a huge source inspiration.  Your perception and appreciation of my work is a humbling thing.  It’s incredible to think that my images can brighten someone’s day and my experiences (mistakes) help teach someone on the other side of the world.

 

Now, I challenge all of you to think about the blessings in your own life.  We all have our struggles, but perhaps focusing on the positives will help the negatives seem that much more bearable. 🙂

 

For those of you in the USA, Happy Thanksgiving week!  For my international friends, happy regular week! haha  Hope it’s a good one!

 

xoxo

Shannon

An Attitude of Gratitude

Vortex

Having a positive outlook on life can be hard, but intensely rewarding.  It’s easy to say a glass is half empty.  It’s much harder to say, “Thank goodness I still have half a glass to drink.  I’m thirsty, and that will help.”  Like anything else in life, seeing the silver linings in life is a skill, and when done faithfully, can become a habit.

Imagine a life where you exchange your expectations for gratitude.  The disappointments in life become much more manageable.  And there are fewer of them.  It’s easier to feel like you have enough, to appreciate the gifts you’re given and to see the blessings in life.

That is what I love most about tomorrow, Thanksgiving.  It’s yearly encouragement to be thankful for the things we have already accomplished, to see how far we have come, to appreciate our families and friends, and to see that often, we are lucky to have so much in our lives.  Most of us have a roof, even if we don’t own it.  Most of us have food, warmth and a computer with which to read this awesome blog…  We have life.  Even when it’s hard, it’s precious.

Tomorrow is a day to appreciate the positives.  Spend a few moments between tofurkey and pie reflecting on the good things in your life.  In the end, we can’t keep the gifts, the wealth, the stuff we surround ourselves with…but we can remember the path we took in life, the moments of joy and accomplishment, and be proud of how our experiences shaped us, and the choices we made because of them.  We can practice an attitude of gratitude.

The photo above was taken on a hike with my friend David (an awesome photog from Cali, check out his work!) while he was visiting in CT.  The leave whirlpool reminds me a little of the way water drains from a tub.  Felt appropriate as we make our transition from beautiful, beautiful Autumn….to very cold Winter. haha

 

❤ < 3 ❤

For those of you interested in helping me raise funds for the victims of Typoon Haiyan in the Philippines, when the time comes for holiday shopping, go here.  50% of profits through December 15 go to Care.org and the Filipinos in need.

For those of you interested in winning a holiday gift, go here, “like” the page and leave a comment on the contest poster letting me know which image you want.  Winner announced on Friday, so you only have a few days.