Shannon Montez Photography Blog » photography

Twins! | Bay Area Family Photography

shannon — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:55:35 +0000

I have such a weakness for twins. Is it because my dad is a twin? Or that two of my brothers each have a set of twins? Or that with a sister who was my same size and only one grade apart from me, I felt that maybe we should’ve/could’ve been twins? Or that one time, at camp, as an initiation, I had to carry around a walnut baby, and in our group I was the only one that got twins? I don’t know. But I love them. Kinda wish I’d gotten my own set. But instead, I’ll just enjoy other peoples’ twins.

Like these ones:

I love me a crying baby. I can’t help it.

Big sis is the best!

My *favorite* type of family shot. Real, loving, close.

These eyes… sigh….

I love these next two snuggly shots:

Isabel and Chris | Burlingame Wedding

shannon — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:21:19 +0000

Isabel and Chris. Seriously, two of my favorite people in the world! We have so much fun when we’re together, and I think everyone who has met them feels the same way as I do about them. Their reception was full of people from all over the world who were enchanted with this lovely couple!

The car, which Dave wanted to spend much of the day photographing… (notice his elbow and the flag in the reflection… love)

Chris’s “first look” as Isabel walked down the aisle is my FAVORITE EVER. I almost cried right along with him!

Adding something new here… a shout-out to the other people involved in pulling off such a wonderful, fun day:

Wedding Coordinator: Samantha Bryer
Caterer: Kevin Weir, Weir Catering
Florist: Edmond’s Plaza Florist
Cake: Two for Two Cakes
Flamenco Guitarist: Brian Stone
Hair and Makeup: Jeanne Marie Klofter
Venue: St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and Family Friend’s Home

Danielle and Chad | Campbell Engagement Photography

shannon — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:20:29 +0000

One nice thing about taking a few months away from the blog during the busy last half of the year (otherwise known in the photography world as “busy season”) is having so much fun work to share during the first few months of the year (known to me as “recovery season”). From some awesome weddings and engagement sessions to a bunch of adorable families, my computer is bursting at the seams with stuff to share from the last few months! I’m planning to share three times a week until I’m caught up. That’s not too hard, right? Right! So, to start out, I’m going to share the images from Danielle and Chad’s fun engagement session.

For their engagement session, we shot around downtown Campbell, right around my studio! I loved the commute. I looooved the light. Kind of missing this light, we don’t see the sun as much in January!

Chad is a professional fighter, so these pic are fitting. I think we all know who wins these fights, though!

Glow | San Jose Maternity Photography

shannon — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:07:50 +0000

There is something about the anticipation of becoming parents for the first time that is just beautiful for me to see. Mom is not the only one glowing. This session was the perfect illustration…

I was going to say they’re going to be amazing parents, but I already know that they are! (baby session up next!)

A Sneak Peek | Bay Area Family Photographer

shannon — Sat, 22 May 2010 04:45:42 +0000

Well, it’s 10:30 pm, the kids are asleep, the husband is snoring beside me on the couch, and I’m catching up on my Oprah while putting the finishing touches on a session who will be meeting with me tomorrow to see the images. What better time to post a quick sneak peek for them?

So… in some kind of record time for me between session and blogging it… here goes!

This sweet little missy was so happy and smiley, I really didn’t have to do anything to make her smile. I didn’t even have to work. Easy Peasy.

I really love this shot, how it shows that she’s in the adorable crawling stage, and how mom is cheering her on in the background.

This smile… we saw it a lot. So happy that smile takes up her whole face! Dad made her so happy, I loved their connection.

This shot… she’s actually on her dad’s back, upside down, and I’m shooting up at her. I think it’s funny that you can’t tell.

Dad is an avid gardener. I like that his human crop and his veggie crop are both represented in this shot.

In this shot, dad is holding her upside down and you can’t even tell. Oh, you can? Oh… yeah…

Happy happy family. Love it.

Martina and Ara | San Francisco Engagement Session

shannon — Sun, 16 May 2010 06:43:25 +0000

Martina and Ara met during the infamous Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco. It was only fitting that we have their engagement session there! We spent the whole session at Golden Gate Park. We had amazing, gorgeous light, and they are a wonderful, happy couple. We had the best time. Seriously? How cool is my job!!

Here are some favorites.

I really love this “grandma shot”. They look so relaxed and happy here. [I call the looking and smiling shots "grandma shots" because these are what makes grandma happy. She might be disappointed if all we had were artsy fartsy shots!]

This light… I was dying. They were laughing at how giddy I was while I was taking this.

This is at the beach… I love their bare feet.

I love the feel of this shot.

Mini Sessions, Past and Present… Part 2

shannon — Fri, 14 May 2010 05:25:22 +0000

And the fun continues…

I still have a few spots available for next Saturday’s mini’s. Downtown Campbell is so much fun because of the variety of looks in such a small area.

I really love the variety of footwear in this family.

Mini-Sessions, Past and Present

shannon — Thu, 13 May 2010 06:31:32 +0000

Short notice, yes. But the sessions are only 15 minutes… how much lead time do you need?

Announcing May Mini Sessions! Downtown Campbell. May 22.

Cost: $150, includes one 11×14 print. Contact me for details, shannon [at] shannonmontez [dot] com

Last time I did mini sessions was last November. I loved so many of the images, I’m going to have to break the sharing into two posts.

More tomorrow…

A Recent Session | Morgan Hill Photographer

shannon — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:20:29 +0000

I am so in heaven right now… this weather is amazing. The sunshine, the greenery, the perfect temperatures… I can’t get enough. I can’t stay inside. Today I decided to ride bikes to the park with Franklin for lunch. And then, when it was time for dinner, we decided to ride bikes to the taqueria to grab dinner and then to the park again! The kids flew their mini kites they’d gotten in their easter baskets, the sun was setting with that gorgeous light that makes my heart sing… I didn’t have my camera, but that’s ok… I enjoyed the moment thoroughly.

It’s the perfect time for pictures though! Right now, everything is so lush and green and amazing. To prove it, here are a few shots from a family session from a couple weeks ago. So much fun!

Beautiful Little Missy | San Jose Child Photographer

shannon — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:55:13 +0000

I’ve been shooting this sweet girl since before she was born. It’s just SO much fun to watch these kids grow! Watching other people’s kids grow and change is fun and doesn’t come with the tinge of sadness that happens when your own baby gets bigger. So, bonus.

Anyway… We had lots of fun.