Interested in Modeling?

Hey All! For those interested, we've set a date for our next aspiring model workshop via the Model Integrity division of the studio. Here's the flyer for this next event, scheduled for Thursday evening August 6th. Whether you'd like information on how to get started in modeling in MN for yourself, your daughter, or your best friends' neighbor's newborn, this is the place to start. :)


To RSVP for the informational open call portion (pre-workshop), or to register for the workshop, please email modelintegrity@juno.com or give the studio a call! Also check out our recently updated Model Integrity website at www.modelintegrity.com

Delia & Hunter

Most any photographer who also happens to have children will tell you that the hardest subject to take pictures of is their own kids. This is absolutely true in my case. While I think that I am generally incredibly patient and relaxed when I shoot, I find myself agitated and irritable as I try to get my own 2 year old son to sit still (just for 3 seconds, really?) and my 6 year old daughter to give me a smile that is not "the cringe."

Three shoots later (really; I come up with creative ideas, head off to location with them, and come home with NOTHING) I shot these natural light shots by our front door one day on a whim when I especially liked Hunter's shirt and thought Delia was having a good hair day.



Needless to say, these are now my current favorites of the kids and I plan to have large prints made of both of their headshots for our living room. I am made cheerful by Hunter's playful smile and Delia's genuine expression with the dimple. Additionally, I've compiled them to work as the kids (much-overdue-to-be-updated) modeling comp cards (which is what you see here) for their local agencies (as the other two very "planned" shoots did not produce the desired results). :)

Sometimes the unexpected can result in the best of the best. Cheers to that! Wishing you all little unexpected joys this week. :)

Cherish Today

Hi All,

I'm taking off here soon for the July 4th weekend, but wanted to wish you all a splendid summertime and a safe weekend.

It pains me to say that we lost a friend earlier this week in a swimming accident, and certainly the weight of his death has been upon our week. Nathan, who was only 30, and his young wife, parents of four little ones, were friends of ours from church before they moved up north just a few years ago. While we have seen them only minimally over the last couple years, I know without a doubt that Nathan lived his life with purpose and joy, and for God's glory. While it's hard to understand why this young husband and father's life was cut short, it is a reminder to all of us of how to value each day, to cherish our time and our loved ones, to keep priorities and perspective.

My heart hurts immensely for our friend, Nathan's wife, and their precious little children, and I know they'll be in my prayers for a very long time.

It couldn't help but cross my mind that every single picture they have of him will be so treasured, especially by the youngest children who might not remember him. Certainly a photo is treasured even when one lives till 80, :) but all the more in this case. So as you're having fun this holiday weekend, remember to take lots of pictures of your kids, your friends, your spouse. To celebrate them, cherish them, create a memory and an heirloom; and also just for fun. :)

~Shannon

Star Trib News Story - Nathan

Family Memorial Fund

A May Wedding - Steve & Jan

Steve & Jan gave me the opportunity to share in their wedding last month. While May could be a risky month for an outdoor wedding, the bride & groom were blessed with incredibly gorgeous weather. I have just finished up the editing for the event, and here are some of my favorites:

This is my absolute favorite... you've gotta love the killer light!


How cute is this? A little "bird house" style port holding water and lemonade for guests... perfect for warm summer days.














At the reception, they had guests sign rocks with their names & wishes... what a great keepsake!





Blessings Steve & Jan! Thanks for letting me capture the beautiful day for you.

Our New High School Senior SPOKESMODEL!

Here she is! Our new spokesmodel for "The Senior Scene," our senior picture division. Read more about her below...



Welcome Kamaria!

Kamaria is currently a Junior at De La Salle High School in Minneapolis. Highly involved in her high school and happy to hang with friends, she peaked our interest with her vibrant attitude and community involvement. Kamaria shares more about her school, her life, and charity of choice, the “Starry Night Prom”…

What are your interests?
I love to play tennis, go shopping and hang out with my friends.

What are you involved in at your high school?
I am on the tennis team, step team, and competition cheer.

How did you find out about the Senior Scene Spokes model Contest?
A friend of mine found out about it on the Internet and told me about it.

Why did you want to be the next spokesmodel?
I wanted something new and different to try and also I liked the whole idea behind it.

Tell me about your charity:
Starry Night Prom is a prom for individuals of all ages with disabilities. It is put on in the month of May.

What made you want to become apart of this charity?
… because it is important to do things for others. I got involved with it through my high school. I have been working with Starry Night Prom since I was in 9th grade. It is all student-run.

What are your plans for the future?
I would love to attend college and study Journalism at either Howard University in Washington, D.C. or Hampton University in Virginia.
--------------

We're exciting to have Kamaria on board for this first year of our Spokesmodel program. Wish you could be her? While the spoksmodel contest is closed, we are still accepting limited senior representatives from various schools across the Twin Cities. If you're interested in representing "The Senior Scene" at your school (& reaping the perks that come with it!), email us at featherbluestudios@juno.com with your school name & request an application.

Also, our "Senior Scene" catalog piece is in print this week, with a special free gift inside! If you're an upcoming high school senior & received our first postcard, expect yours in a week or two; if not, email or call us to get your special copy!

Featured Product: Photo Jewelry

Shiny & shapely, jewelry always offers its own delight. But mixed with personal, precious, artistic images, its power magnifies. Which is why I'm excited to say, I recently received the first order of the new sterling silver photo jewelry line the studio will be carrying. This line has a lot of possibilities as gifts & treasures for all types of people - moms, brides, grandparents, dads, daughters, & more... Perhaps in the future I'll have the chance to feature the money-clips & belt-buckles perfect for dad, or the adorable night-lights to light up a little girls room or be the light of grandma's eye, but for now you can set your eyes on these...

To keep things inspiring & custom as always, I've added text to a few of them, and will be offering this one-of-a-kind artistic add-on to clients as well. Check out my very own "lucky charm" in the green. That was a while ago, but he's still cute as ever. ;) Ask for a catalog next time your in the studio, and check out the samples on display... so many possibilities!

High School Senior Pictures - Marissa

I know the blog is a bit photo-starved lately :) so though time is in great demand this week, I thought I'd put up a quick posting of Marissa, a recent Senior I worked with. Marissa is fun & silly & creative and was a blast to spend the day with. The waterfront images really turned out beautiful... wish I had time to put up more, but here's a few peeks. Enjoy!