Shannon Montez Photography Blog » San Jose's Family and Child Photographer, Shannon Montez, captures all aspects of family life: Families, newborns, children, babies, high school seniors, and weddings.

Tomorrow (Thursday) I’m participating in a panel discussion for the PPGBA (Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area)… They’re calling it a Diva Panel, and it’s a bunch of women who are photographers talking about the photography/woman thing. I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve ever been anywhere near being associated with the word “diva”. And I don’t think I’m comfortable with the word “diva” at any time for any reason, ha ha.

But anyway…

I think it will be fun and I was flattered and excited when they asked me to participate. I’m the “crazy family life/successful business/trying to balance it all” angle.  I don’t know that I’ve mastered my life in any way, I’m probably more an example of “what not to do” at times, but I HAVE learned a lot about life and business in this journey! I always love it when people get together to share what they know and help each other along the way. While I walk into it feeling nervous, I walk out of it feeling really happy and excited and inspired. So, tomorrow should be lots fun.

Of course, while I’m here, I’ve got to post pictures! I’ve got a really special place in my heart for families. Even my weddings/engagements I consider to be “family” photography because it’s really just the first family photos they ever take. It’s all people who love each other and devote their lives to each other and stand by each other and sacrifice for each other. Seriously, what could be more beautiful?

Here’s an awesome family welcoming a new member. Such a magical time, I always feel so honored to be there to witness it.

Thanks for your prayers.

Teddy is doing well. The surgery went as well as can possibly be expected. They were able to remove the entire tumor, and the doctor is confident that it’s benign (lab tests will confirm, but it takes a couple weeks). He was able to come home on Sunday after only a few days in the hospital. He had a rough couple of days because the anitbiotic they gave him made him sick and loopy, but once they figured that out, he did great. He’s sore, but so happy to be home. His parents are relieved and happy to have that experience behind them!

(a word about the image: it’s not mine. I found it online months ago, and didn’t save the location. I’m sorry! But I really love how it feels… reverent)

This isn’t my first time capturing these two. It is so fun to watch them grow each year!

Don’t they have the most amazing eyes?

This is their new best friend. Love the head tilt. Dogs are so funny.

The session was held at their beautiful home. Last year, we were mostly inside. This year, we played outside for the most part.

Love!

This was *such* a fun time. Molly worked with my sister several years ago. One day, she was cruising her favorite scrapbooking website, Two Peas in a Bucket, and saw a picture of my sister on a page. My page. Funny coincidence! She followed my scrapbooking for several years, then my photography. I was so thrilled and honored that she wanted me to shoot her wedding enough to fly me (and Dave) out to Pennsylvania! It was the first time Dave and I had taken a trip together since having kids. Can you believe it? We enjoyed it so much. I’ll share that part later. But for now, Molly and Bryan!

I really love these shoes. Fun and casual. Perfect.

LOOOVE these flowers.

Bryan’s daughter was a huge part of the day. It was so beautiful watching them become a family. It wasn’t two people joining, it was three. It was beautiful. I love the small version of the bouquet for little missy.

Getting pretty…

I love the little photographer.

I love this shot of Molly and her sisters.

Happiness.

Some details.

Moments before Molly pulled up to the venue… Love this father/daughter moment.

Molly pulled up in the amazing old car (her dad’s!)

I can’t even tell you how lucky we got this day. It was POURING. Pouring pouring pouring. It magically stopped long enough for her to get into the tent, then poured some more. In fact, much of the time during the ceremony, we could barely hear what they were saying, the rain was so intense and loud. Part of me was enjoying beautiful moments like these:

And another part of me was dying over the fact that she brought me across the entire country to be there for her wedding, to take beautiful pictures of her, and we were going to be stuck in the tent because the weather was just so crazy. I was praying that the rain would stop for just a little while so I could get her some pretty shots to make her investment worth it!

God listened. As soon as the ceremony ended, the rain stopped. We ran outside, hoping to get any pics we could during the pause.

To me, it felt like a miracle. I was so relieved to be able to capture these (and more) images!

The speeches were really touching. Everyone was in tears.

All of their rings…

The guys had some fun…

Dancing… man and wife…

Father and daughter…

I love this shot from the father/daughter dance… The ground was so saturated and muddy from the rain that in spots you could sink in the mud up to your ankles. They weren’t concerned… it didn’t dampen the fun at all, probably even added to it!

It was such a beautiful, amazing day. It was so wonderful to be a part!

(this was not photoshopped…)

Time to post a recent session! I’m so proud of all the entries I’ve made in the past month (and still have a ton to share), but I want to change the need to even “catch up” by posting images as they happen.

So here goes…

A sweet baby. Love them!

Yummy little rolls.

I’m not really sure what this bowl is meant to be used for, but to me, it seems perfect for little babies!

I love the interaction in these two shots.

Sweet little family.