Shannon Stellmacher Photography » Children’s Lifestyle Photography

A New Bundle of Joy!!

Shannon — Tue, 18 May 2010 07:47:55 +0000

My brother and his lovely wife were blessed with their second little girl. I drove like a maniac to the hospital hoping to get there in time, but she came quickly. Only 45 minutes old when I met her for the first time, and cute as could be. She nursed, snuggled her Mommy and Daddy, and when she had the chance…….looked at me knowingly with one open eye. Congratulations on your new little bundle!! xoxo

Warning! Future Stud Alert!

Shannon — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:53:19 +0000

Here’s a recent shot of my little man Jake on his 7th birthday a few weeks ago. He’s got the serious look going on, but I still dig it…..

Napa Sonoma Lifestyle Photography ~ Sophia’s Birthday!!

Shannon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:44:57 +0000

We celebrated Sophie’s 2nd birthday on Sunday! Such a big girl now, and cute beyond words. I love you Sophie!

Sophie’s Birth

Shannon — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:26:36 +0000

Sophie’s birth was an absolutely incredible experience, and I feel so blessed to have been there to photograph it. She was born “on-time” one day before her due date……..which was perfect since I had kept that weekend open just in case. It was surreal to watch her come into the world, and to witness the miracle of life. Jake was so excited that Sophie was on her way! He was very concerned for his big sister and tried to comfort her the best he could. Jessica delivered naturally without pain medication. Sophie came into the world alert and gazed intently at her mother as she nursed. It was amazing to say the least!! Thank you Jessica for letting me share these images!

My Beginnings

Shannon — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:54:15 +0000

I’ve been asked a lot lately how I got started in photography. It’s been a passion of mine since early childhood when I began photographing my two younger brothers. My earliest projects involved dressing them up…….usually in my clothing, or from whatever I could get my hands on from my 3 sisters. The boys didn’t stand a chance. Yes, their baby books are filled with images of them in skirts and blue eyeshadow. Despite the fact that they refused to dress as girls past the age of five………I love them dearly for enduring these early sessions which helped to reinforce my love of photography. We still laugh about it to this very day. The following image was shot with film when I was fifteen. The original plan was for the little one to be “the biker chick”………..but he put up a fight during the make up application and insisted on being a “biker dude” like his older brother. They were so cute posing like tough guys. You can see my original post here.

Summer Fun

Shannon — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:52:04 +0000

Every year I am anxious for Summer to end. Usually, a third of the way into Winter, and I am ready for Spring again. So, it didn’t surprise me today when I started to long for some fun in the sun! I had a smile on my face while processing these images of Jake and Sophie last Summer in Tahoe. They had a wonderful time just being together……….and of course enjoying the sun, sand and surf! I can’t wait to go back and feel the sand between my toes!

Children’s Lifestyle Photography ~ Baby Brooke

Shannon — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:57:26 +0000

I had the pleasure of photographing my darling niece Brooke for her announcement. She was so darn cute I could barely stand it!

Something Old, Something New| Children’s LifeStyle Photography

Shannon — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 07:10:32 +0000

It was a long hot summer. Jake was just three here, and so darn cute! We had been playing outside, and I really wanted to get some window light shots of him. I lured him inside with the promise of a snack, and sat him by the window in hopes of creating an amazing portrait. Jake had no intention of taking off his hat and was most uncooperative…….or so I thought at the time. Seeing these images today, his cute little expressions, remembering how he wouldn’t sit still, or face the light…….well, it just doesn’t matter. I can see his spark and almost hear his thoughts. Jake, thanks for always being yourself!

Sophie| Children’s Lifestyle Photography| Sonoma

Shannon — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:58:37 +0000

It’s been a busy wedding season, and I have basically been planted at my computer processing day and night. I needed to get out and photograph something for me, something that wouldn’t have a deadline. So off I went with the kids. It was last Friday……..which I think was the hottest day EVER. Jake nicely refused the adventure by saying “I really wish I could go with you mom, but I was sweating all day at school and need to go swimming!” So…….he hung back with his dad in the pool. Here are a few of my favorites with Sophie……..

Photographer in Training!!

Shannon — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:04:00 +0000

On a recent visit to the beach in San Diego, my son Jake was especially passionate about capturing some really cool sunset images! For his sixth birthday, he wanted a camera more than he wanted new toys, which really says something since he loves his toys! Now, whenever I go out to scout locations, he always wants to come along and bring his camera! Here’s a few of my shots from our day at the beach, and one of my little guy!

Sophie and Jake ~ Children’s Portrait Session

Shannon — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:21:54 +0000

Jake is a first grader now!!

Shannon — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:02:03 +0000

I cannot believe an entire school year has gone by already! It seems like just yesterday I posted here about Jake’s first day of kindergarten. My little guy is now a big guy who likes his hair spiked. He’s lost two teeth and gained a few inches, and the most exciting part…. he is now officially big enough to ride “Indiana Jones” at Disneyland! YAY!!

Taylor’s First Birthday!

Shannon — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:33:04 +0000

Today we celebrated my niece’s first birthday. Here she is enjoying her first taste of ladybug cake! Happy Birthday!

Retro

Shannon — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:31:23 +0000

I am often asked how long I’ve been a photographer. I think it’s true for most artists………we really can’t remember a time when we weren’t creating. It’s who we are! I shot this image of my little brothers when I was 14 years old. I was 9 when my first brother was born, and that is what probably sparked my interest in photography. I just loved to dress him up as a girl (the poor kid), apply blue eyeshadow to those big brown eyes, and shoot as many rolls of film as I was allowed. By the time he was 5 years old, he began to protest playing “dress up”, and my youngest brother followed suit. So………I was forced to agree to make them “tough guys”! I spiked their hair, colored in their eyebrows and “mustaches” with eyeliner, drew tattoos on their arms, and grabbed my camera! The result……….my favorite image of my baby bros! I’m actually thinking of recreating this shot with my son…….hmmm….do they still make tube socks with stripes?

Children’s Lifestyle Photography

Shannon — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:48:56 +0000

The intent of this portrait session with Michael and his brother John………( more to come from this session later) was to get a few traditional shots of them for the family Christmas card. We captured lots of fun shots of the boys being silly, and several of them looking directly at me with those gorgeous smiles. However, what I love most about my sessions with children, are the images that capture them in the raw. A child just being themselves! I love how these shots show Michael’s shy yet playful nature.

My little guy is so cute!

Shannon — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:47:43 +0000

We’re getting ready for another baseball season, and I just can’t believe it’s almost been a year since Jake’s first season. I ran across this image last night and started feeling a little nostalgic! I need to bring my camera to his games more often!

Baby Ryder

Shannon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:31:55 +0000

Here are a few from Ryder’s 9 month session. He is just the cutest little guy ………and such a flirt! His smile lights up the whole room.

Sophie in Sonoma

Shannon — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:37:00 +0000

Sonoma is especially beautiful this time of year. I was thrilled when I spied this darling pumpkin patch on the way to a wedding in September…………..and just had to go there with the kids. We went twice, once in September, and then a few weeks later mid October. The first time, Sophie was only interested in eating the hay. I couldn’t get her to look at me at all, but she looked so adorable surrounded by pumpkins and sunflowers! Last week, we decided to go back with her halloween costume………an adorable pink bunny. And yes, she still wanted to eat hay!

They grow up so fast!

Shannon — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:41:00 +0000

My son Jake started kindergarten on Monday. It’s taken all week for me to adjust to our new routine. I would have preferred the afternoon schedule, but the teacher we wanted was in the morning……….so I will just have to get into bed earlier! Jake is doing great and loves school. Today he “let” me leave right away after 3 hugs and kisses…………

Here’s my little man on the first day!

Anna’s Baptism

Shannon — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:41:00 +0000

My adorable niece Anna was baptised on Sunday. I just happened to bring my camera along to capture a few shots! The ceremony was held at

St. Francis of Assisi Church in Sacramento. I must say, it is quite a beautiful church.

Anna couldn’t have been any more adorable. She wore a custom made bonnet created from a hankerchief purchased in Florence Italy. My brother Chad and his wife Roxanne purchased three on their honeymoon in anticipation of their future children’s baptisms. I wish I planned ahead like that!

Roxanne is an amazing artist………….so it was only natural that she would decorate Anna’s nursery with her own original fine art. These customized pieces of fine art for the nursery (and other unique items for you hip moms out there) are available at http://www.annaviolet3.etsy.com/