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.

What is that supposed to mean, anyway? Because I have a dog. And that dog doesn’t do a lick of work. Laziest thing ever. (notice the Santa beard on the lazy beast? ha)

So if that’s what “working like a dog” really means, I haven’t been working like a dog, but quite the opposite. Never been busier in my entire life: those last few months of 2009… a total whirlwind!

I can’t wait to share what I’ve been up to. I plan to blog a session daily (well, weekdays anyway) for the rest of the month. If I find myself “working like a dog” [ i.e... sprawled out napping on the floor or barking in the back yard for no reason] and miss a day, I’ll send a Panera gift card to the first person to call me out. I hope I don’t miss, because I’ve sworn off eating out, and I’ll use it myself to celebrate my awesomeness. So it’s a challenge, Internet… who gets the Panera?

In case you’re looking for my wedding work, I inadvertently deleted it from my website. I’m making some changes, putting up a new website dedicated just to my wedding work. So, rather than trying to fix my overeager mistake, I’ll just have to wait a few days to get it up and running. But in the meantime, I just had to mention that I haven’t given up shooting weddings. I still love it. In fact, here’s an image from a wedding this summer that I’ll be sharing soon.

I think this is my new favorite “first kiss” shot. I love that you can see the people that are supporting this union standing in support. When I look at it, I feel like I’m also standing in support. (which I am…) Dave likely caught this shot, but I can’t remember for sure. He’s become an awesome photographer, and if it wasn’t for insurance and 401k that he gets at his other job, I’d be tempted to bring him on full-time with me.

Mark your calendars for May 9! I’ll be in downtown Campbell for a day of mini-sessions… These don’t happen often, and I don’t know when I’ll do it again. So if you’re looking for the opportunity to get some pictures taken of your loved ones in a fun and fresh way, this is your chance!

The Deets:
You get a 15-minute time slot on the morning of May 9. You’ll be presented with 10-12 images to choose from in an online gallery, and every mini-session includes one 11×14 print (no substitutions, value $110). The cost is $150. Talk about a steal of a deal! I’m excited to be able to offer these occasionally, because I know that custom photography doesn’t fit into everyone’s budget, but everyone loves beautiful images of their favorite people and this is an opportunity to provide that.

These limited edition sessions book up quickly, so don’t wait! Email me to get on the list.

Last fall, we had a great time at the minis… here are some favorites!

Sorry I’ve been such a slacker in posting this! I really am excited about this place. It just makes me so happy. About a year ago, I envisioned what I wanted in a studio. Just a tiny place that is bright, clean, and happy. I’m pretty sure that place that I imagined came out of my head and plopped itself right onto Campbell Avenue. It’s so fun (and just a little weird) that it happened so perfectly. Totally meant to be, me and this place.

This image is from last November, I wasn’t quite finished yet, but I do love the door in the frame. My name on the door. It makes me smile every time I stand in front of it to unlock it.

The Open House was SO much fun. I really appreciate all of the people that came out to support me on this, and especially my friends Kathi and Kent. Kathi planned and bought/made ALL the food. I can’t even express how wonderful that was to be able to turn it over to her and know it was going to be in good hands. It freed me up to think about the billion other things I had to think about! KATHI ROCKS… I’m so lucky to have such an awesome friend. And Kent… my friend Kent is a professional party planner (her business is Events By Kent… go check it out!), so it was SO awesome to have her holding my hand, focusing me, lending me her experience and her calm head and pointing out all the details I needed to be aware of. She even made a timeline for me so I knew what needed to be done and when! I couldn’t have done this without them. Oh, and Dave.

My hero Dave. Really, this whole entire thing is due to him. While the first time I mentioned getting a studio he was pretty against it, he warmed up quickly and became my biggest supporter. He has put SO much time and effort (and money) into helping me realize this dream and I feel so incredibly lucky to have such strong support from him. He was able to transform this shabby little room into my cute little dream.

Ok… enough talking. I know what people really want to see is pictures! Probably my favorite spot, all sunny and happy.

(those blocks in the windowsill are supposed to say “smile” but they’re always getting played with… which is ok!)

Dave was so smart in the way he translated my vision of using this useless doorway as a little bookshelf thingy… you almost can’t even tell it was a door! This is going to change, actually… the family pics will find a new home above my desk, and more client images are going here. (ran out of time before the open house to get that final detail finished!) But I’m going to hate to move it because I love it!

CANDY.

Please excuse the messy desk in this one, it was minutes after the open house ended… Here’s my “&” wall… and you can also see where my collage of family pics is eventually going to go (the ones of my kids there are coming back home, ha ha).

This is my fun rainbow wall, each is a 16×16 print on foamcore, looks tiny in that pic, but it’s not… and the suitcases that make me smile inside the tv stand that makes me smile, and an orchid from a sweet friend that makes me smile.

So there it is! Most of it, anyway… there are a few details not shown that you’ll just have to come see for yourself. What do you think?

I spent the first half of this week in Las Vegas at a huge photography conference. It was crazy. And cool. And overwhelming. And inspiring. I’m so excited about the upcoming changes I have planned for the business. This year is going to be the best ever!

So… I have that big open house coming up on March 7 (and March 6, too…actually). I plan to blog every single day in the days leading up to the big open house. Don’t let me forget!

So to kick off my blog-a-day streak, let’s take a looky at miss Alicia’s session! This girl is a little miracle. Her mom told me that she had spent three years trying to get pregnant without results, and then, when she least expected it, along came this pretty little surprise!

I love that shot. I want to kiss those sweet little lips. But I never do. Because I’m pretty sure the parents don’t like that. Kind of not cool if it’s not your baby. So I restrain myself. I can’t decide if I like the color one better. What do you think?

That little hand! Again, trying not to be a weird baby kisser.

This little hand kills me too. I think she’s exhausted after a long night of partying.

I honestly can’t remember what was behind her that was yellow, and I don’t remember if I meant to capture it as a cool background, but I really dig the yellow! It was only in this one shot…

My nephew, Ian, is looking appropriately surprised and a wee bit scared. That’s kind of how I’m feeling. Because I’m announcing the date of the much awaited STUDIO OPEN HOUSE!

I can’t wait to show every one my new digs. And I’m also a wee bit party-planning phobic, because I always fear that nobody will show. So I’m going to bribe you to show. he he ha ha. If you make the effort to leave your house that day, I’ll make sure to reward you… nobody who makes the effort will leave empty-handed.

But first things first. The date. The big open house will be held on March 7, from 1-4pm. Mark your calendars!

I’ll give more details later, and plan to do a lot of blogging in the couple weeks before the open house, but for now, I think I’ll just let you see a couple more pics of the precious little guy… my baby brother’s baby. I took these during my Christmas visit… we only had about 15 minutes but it was enough!

Uh-oh… Someone told Ian about all the yummy food we’re going to have a the open house…

So, the plan in the next few weeks is to post all my backlog of sessions every couple days or so… but I’m just going to do it in random order. ‘Tis the season to work on making better habits!

I’ve also set a date for my studio open house! (I’m actually planning TWO dates…) Stay tuned for details and sneak peeks! And I made a trip to Glamor Shots. Not sure if I dare to share that… but I just might.

On to the pictures…

This session came at the best time. I was in the middle of my busiest time, right before Christmas and feeling a bit frustrated and stressed out. (Getting orders out is the hardest part of the job for me.) I didn’t know if I had the creativity or energy to do a good session that day. But once I got started, I had SO much fun! I cam back from the session feeling energized and excited and ready to handle the more mundane tasks after my creative break.

These kids… the sweetest, happiest kids you could ever hope to find. We had so much fun acting crazy… I think sometimes kids are caught off guard by the fact that an adult is being such a spaz… but it works! I won’t pretend like I’m not exhausted by the end, ha ha.

Little miss K had the cutest room. I love this shot of her… the way she’s looking at the her horse as if it just told a corny joke.

Jumping on the bed? Go ahead. But only when I’m taking pictures, ok?

Mr. Man loved his trains. I loved his smile.

I love how this shot feels like I wasn’t even in the room… like I was just spying on a natural moment…

And some mom love. So fun!

This makes me smile.

These shots make me warm and fuzzy inside. The close mommy moment. The three-year old acting thirty.

I know I said I wouldn’t be doing mini sessions this year, and I meant it. Between the normal Christmas rush and getting the studio ready, I just didn’t think I could handle it. I didn’t want to promise something I couldn’t deliver. But after repeated requests and wanting to accommodate as many people as possible, plus checking some big things off my to-do list, I’m feeling ready to take this on… THIS SATURDAY, November 22. (sorry for the short notice, but I wanted to be sure I could handle it before I put it out there!) If I fill up this Saturday, I may do a couple sessions the next Saturday as well, so let me know if that one works better for you in a back-up situation.

So here’s how it will work… We’ll do slots of 15 minutes each. You’ll get 10-12 images to choose from in an online gallery. Because of the tight holiday deadline, orders will need to be made within 3 days of my posting the gallery (which may take up to 2 weeks).

The cost is $100 and includes one 11×14 print (worth $95). In order to sign up for a session, please email me at shannon [at] shannonmontez [dot] com (I did that so the spam bots won’t get my email address…) with “mini-session” in the subject line. Please indicate what time of day you prefer (morning or afternoon). All sessions will take place in downtown Campbell… we’ll meet for all sessions at my studio (393 E. Campbell Ave, upstairs). You’ll have a choice between colorful walls and a grassy park-like area as locations.

Again… sorry for the short notice. I hope this doesn’t create problems. On the bright side, that’s less time to worry and stress about what to wear!

Other items in the above image will be discussed later…

A little early for that, I know. But seriously, it’s time to think about Christmas. The last day for sessions to be done in time for Christmas is November 15. Any session scheduled after that may not make it in time for Christmas. As of today, I have one Saturday session and about 4 weekday sessions still available before then, and that’s it! So if you’ve been putting off scheduling a session, don’t wait. I missed my chance to do the mini-sessions like I did last year, but I’m planning on doing a day of mini-sessions in the spring. Just too busy to add that into my schedule for this season.

The studio is *almost* ready for visitors. I just need to get myself a desk and put pictures up on the walls. Oh… and signage for outside. It’s looking good! I’m planning to have an open house sometime, probably in the beginning of November… but I’m waiting until it’s all finished before I commit to anything.

And now… for sharing time. I just finished up this session and don’t want to wait to share it… This family has such an amazing story. The mom contacted me because she’s going to have a kidney transplant next month and knows that she’s going to be pretty sick for a while. She wanted to have a family session done while she still felt pretty good.

Dad is a golf pro at Boulder Ridge Golf Course, so they were able to get us in on a Monday when the course is closed for maintenance. We had the whole place to ourselves. The weather was perfect, the sun was all beautiful and golden. We had SUCH a great time.

During the course of the session, we chatted about the upcoming surgery. I learned that the kidney problem was a result of her pregnancy… that her body attacked itself and caused her kidneys to shut down.

While they lasted until 30 weeks, this little dude had stopped growing and was less than 2 lbs when he was born. The doctors gave him a 5% chance for survival, and IF he survived, there was a 90% chance he would have brain injury or major complications. And yet, this miracle boy survived. And thrived. And is completely normal.

The love within this family is evident.

But the connection that struck me most was between mother and son.

Against all odds, they have each other. They fight for each other. They take care of each other. This upcoming storm is small compared to some of the things they have faced… and they’re meeting the challenge head on. Together.

If you’d like to view the entire slideshow, click right here.