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SHANNON PIERCE | RICHMOND, VA PHOTOGRAPHER

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SENIOR + LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

editorial style senior portraits 

SHANNON PIERCE | RICHMOND, VA PHOTOGRAPHER

  • Families
  • Seniors
  • Contact | Investment
  • About
  • Blog

Kamryn - Glen Allen High School Class of 2018 Senior

June 22, 2017 Shannon Pierce
Glen-Allen-High-School-Senior-Girl-2018

I'm so excited to kick off Summer with my first class of 2018 senior! I was so stoked when Kamryn contacted me months ago about booking her senior portrait session! 
Kamryn started the day by getting her hair done at Imago Hair Salon on W Main street. With fresh, beautiful curls and the cutest flower crown we were all set to start!

Just like a true Richmond native, Kamryn has a heart for art and wanted to incorporate that into her session. We headed down to Shockoe Bottom near the Canal Walk to start her pictures at the murals.

We were concerned that the flower crown wouldn't be very noticeable but now I can't imagine the shoot without it! It was the perfect combination of pretty and artistic! Colors everywhere!!

Flower-crown-senior-girl
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flower-crown-senior-portrait
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Glen-Allen-High-School-Senior
dreamy-flower-crown
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Richmond-Virginia-Canal-Walk-Senior-Girl
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I absolutely LOVE the variety we got! And have you ever seen eyes more BEAUTIFUL than hers??

Kamryn dear, you are so beautiful, you are so much fun, and YOUR EYES ARE INSANE! I just love hanging out with you! Congrats on making it to senior year! I hope it's the best one yet!
 

In Senior, Richmond VA, Fashion Tags High School Senior Portraits, Glen Allen High School, Class of 2018, Senior Photo Shoot, Senior Girl, Flower Crown, RVA Murals, Street Art, Imago Hair Salon, Summer, Shockoe Bottom, Canal Walk, Casa Del Barco
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Happy Monday everyone! I'm reminded as a lot of us are transitioning into new seasons, and new routines, that no matter where we are standing that we take life one day at a time and live it to its fullest. That's never been an easy thing for me to do personally. But what helps me is to practice gratitude amid chaos. Today I am thankful for my friends, despite not necessarily seeing them as much as I would like to. I'm rooting for them and i know they are rooting for me. I'm also thankful for this wonderful planet, despite the madness it's currently going through. Nature has such a way of being itself. It's terrifyingly beautiful. I'm thankful for my partner Thomas and Kermit the Dog who love me unconditionally despite me being very hard to love sometimes. I'm thankful to be able to live today. Mondays are for gratitude. Also how beautiful is my friend Sara? I think her smile is the best.
Let's celebrate our wins! It's only Wednesday but tell me what wins you've had this week so far! I gave myself more time to work on my curls after my shower last night. I finished half of my new senior portrait info packet that I send out to all my seniors(dm me if you want one!) I went to the gym last night despite feeling like jello from driving 8 hours the day before. I also finished an entire french press by myself...I'm not sure if that's a win or if I need an adult to tell me no more often. Share one! A win is a win. None are too small to be a win!
I love my senior guys. There's a stigma around guys and photography, either they're "not as easy to shoot", "not as versatile as a girl who can wear twirly dresses", or "guys don't want their photo taken". I'm calling BS on ALL of this! Guys are human and more than deserve to be photographed and made to feel awesome and confident. Every guy I have worked with has told me, before even seeing their pictures, how great it felt to be photographed, to be styled, and how fun the experience was. I have to think that this is simply because they were willing to look at themselves as deserving. We girls talk openly about our insecurities, but we ALL have them. And as humans, so complex and unique, we ALL deserve to see ourselves in the light that photography allows us to. As cool, confident, and epic individuals! Shout out to my bros! And to all the photographers who are raising the standard for senior guys to be in the spotlight!
#TBT to the shortest session I've ever done! Mary Michael and I went to Pony Pastures at Sunset on a complete whim one summer night after we tried several times to coordinate our schedules so that we could get her senior portrait session in. The light was inspiring and I just called her to see if she was free and she rushed over with some clothes and we got some shots done! I believe we only had 20 minutes, with clothing changes! I'll always vouch for giving yourself optimal time for your shoot(which includes booking it at the beginning of your school year so you can enjoy, and use them throughout your senior year!), but more than anything I vouch for getting them DONE!! Your senior year will be one of the most unique moments of your life! And it's such a vital moment to freeze so yuh ou never forget it. I'm so glad we were able to get to the river that night.
You get to decide the legacy that you leave. Leaving it at that today. (:
As much as I encourage people to have their portrait taken more often I'm not a good listener to myself with that. It's a vulnerable step to take. The moment you step in front of the lens your mind immediately fills with every last thought and opinion you have of yourself. And that's ok. I think it's fine to think those things, so long as you dont well on them. Actually, once we pinpoint those items on our self hate lists we can start to offer ourselves grace. Look at the list, and then ask yourself why you want to take a photo of yourself. Do you want to look or feel pretty? Do you want to show off your personality? Do you want attention? Do you want to see yourself as something of value and beauty? Do you want to impress someone? It's human to want these things. But I think the motive behind these ideas really reflect who we are and how we view ourselves and other people. It would be so nice to gain a bunch of followers and likes from this photo. If I could gain more attention maybe I'd become more popular, liked, wanted, or loved. But it might be so much more beautiful to just be myself. To share my passion that lies behind portraits. To hopefully elevate the vulnerable efforts that are slowly, but surely, being elevated on this platform by people who crave real. My first impression of this photograph was "wow my skin is all blotchy, my bangs look weird, my toes are the only part of me that's tan, and why do I always look pissed off?" Then I see you post a photo of yourself. And I dont think like that about you. When I look at you I see a complex and wonderful human. A creative being 100% unique from anything else in the world. How foolish is it that I don't look at myself that way. When all I want is to be authentic. Start the journey of loving yourself, babe. 📸 @rachmariej
Perhaps once you believe the fact that some people don't actually care about you, you'll own a new and real confidence that draws in the people who are worth your time and relationship. Because honestly, a put-on confidence only draws in people who "want" to be like you, who take one look at you and start thinking about themselves, only to never really think about you as a human again but something to compare themselves to. But a confidence that has it's own true opinions, that stands tall when they screw up, owns their faults, that embraces where they are rather than dwelling on greener grass, and who can carry themselves without relying on others approval; that confidence is awe inspiring, and could trickle throughout the world day in and day out. It would attract people who appreciate authenticity, and repel people who dont have the maturity to relate. Who knows, maybe it could inspire a positive change in them. And at the end of the day, how could you not show yourself approval?
Did you see my last post?! I'm giving away a class from the weaving expert and total babe @emilynicolaides! Emily approaches the art of weaving from a stance that promotes well being in your mental health. I find this brilliant, and from taking her class myself, I can say how healing it truely is. Just how yoga, or a walk on the beach can bring you back to your most peaceful form, weaving is another outlet that I think is such a beautiful way to explore that. So I'm giving away one of her classes! And to be completely honest it feels really weird. Because I'm not doing it for "followers". I'm doing it because I believe in the community of high schoolers that I've made friends with here on this platform. I'm not looking for followers, but to meet more of you creative and vulnerable young people who are changing the way the world sees life in healthier ways. So go to my last post to enter! 🎉🎉🎉
GIVEAWAY AT THE BOTTOM!! "Art is something that has helped me with my mental well being so much throughout the years. Whether it's reading poetry, making collages, listening to music, or choreographing a dance, I am refreshed by the creative outlet that those activities provide. Having the ability to view and create art is something that is very important to me and something I will never take for granted. As someone who has struggled with their mental health, finding a way to channel what I was feeling and dealing with was such a blessing. Once I started to put energy into creating and feeding my soul with positive messages and influences, I was able to handle what I was going through so much better." - @emmarose03 I've been seeing a pattern in life. Art=Healing. We are creative humans, but when our mental takes over it's so easy to shut down. For me, when I'm not knitting, cooking, practicing the art of photography, I let negative energies dwell inside of me. I end up letting them sit until they build too big inside and I start approaching a break down. But with art I have an outlet to put that energy into. I'm creating a space where it's just me and my craft. I'm forced to focus, and in doing so I not only get my thoughts and feelings organized, but also create something beautiful. So for the exciting part....I'm giving away a weaving class! My dear friend @emilynicolaides has recently developed her first online weaving class. I took this class in person when she first started teaching weaving and I can't begin to tell how much fun and peaceful it was! I know this one is going to be even better! Anyone is able to buy her class until 11:59pm TOMORROW night! But because I've been so inspired by my community of high schoolers on Instagram choosing authenticity and vulnerability when it comes to mental health, I knew I wanted to give one of her classes away. The rules to enter are simple. 1. Follow me @shannonpierce_ and follow @emilynicolaides 2. Comment on this image and tell me what art form you most connect with as a release from stress and overwhelm 3. Tag a friend who you think could use this weaving class as a creative outlet!
ATTENTION! My wickedly talented friend @emilynicolaides, the queen of the art of weaving, has just opened enrollment to her first ever online class for circular weaving. I took the very first class she ever taught this method of weaving and it brought so much joy for me. Shes so smart, creative and I cannot wait to see what she does with this online class. Honestly guys, this would be one of the most fun and enjoyable things you could do for yourself this summer. It's so therapeutic and excercises your mind in so many ways. Do yourself a favor and check it out! I'm so excited!! @emilynicolaides P.S. I own the circular weaving in the top left corner of the first image and it's by far the most beautiful piece of art in my home. I'll just stare at it forever.
I work with kids a lot. As a nanny in my day job, and as a photographer in my own business. Lately it seems like every time I take a moment to really look at a child I cant help but think of the world they will grow up in. It's one of the scariest thoughts. And yet I am comforted from knowing so many amazing parents. Parents who are teaching their children what true love looks like by example. Teaching them how to take care of the planet by growing their own food, and lessening plastic consumption. Taking their kids outdoors to play, it to the library, both free activities that we sadly overlook so much of the time. I just love the kiddos and see leaders when I look at them. They go by their own instincts, are phenomenally creative and love equally. And when they fight hard, they love even harder. It's pretty neat.
Debating the next hair style! What would you do to my hair??

Shannon Pierce is a high school senior + lifestyle photographer in Richmond, VA, living to create an amazing, artistic photographic experience that will capture the essence of YOU in this moment, and the insanely rad and unique individual that you are!
This is it!