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http://shannonhodges.wordpress.com/

Oh Pictures of Me!!

This is different for me, I never have pictures laying around of me. So last weekend I asked my wife, Arjan, to take some photos of me. I gave her my Nikon D300 and after setting the exposure for her, I got these to work with. Some I had to edit a lot while others were ok, and no I don't have a Mohawk, I guess it was some of the saturation I was using that gives it that appearance. Anyhow, enjoy :) Thanks AJ-1 for helping me out. (for those you don't know, my wife's nick-name from her family is AJ, my youngest son, Ari Julian, is also an AJ, but I call him AJ-2)

~shan

Where did I go?

OK I had this long post ready to publish and while previewing it I hit the wrong button and lost everything. Maybe it was too long anyhow?

Well now the short version :) I cannot believe that it has been a month since my last post. I have been extremely busy with wedding videos and wedding albums and I have tons of pictures to post. However, I still have three wedding videos left from 2008 (2.5 if you consider I'm half way done with one now)!! Hopefully, by the end of March I'll be completely done with all of 2008, however having two boys in soccer is killing my schedule, oh well they are worth it.

I've got a new website that will be launching soon (probably just as soon as I'm finished with those 2008 videos)! I've been looking for a way to integrate both my wedding films and photography into one seamless website. The new site will also have a more controlled jukebox customizable to each gallery (apparently the senior guys don't like wedding music while viewing their pictures) :).

Upcoming projects: Later this month I'll be one of the photographers at a themed modeling shoot hosted by the MUSE PROJECT, the theme is: "Model Invitational" - Pinup / Vintage, which means the models can only come if they are invited. As a photographer I get to select/invite one model to go, however, I haven't selected anyone yet. Therefore, if you know of someone interested contact me ASAP, obviously they'll need to have some sort of a portfolio and be fun to work with. I've also been asked back by Missouri Business Week to film 2009 commericals, this was a blast last year, and I'm looking forward to what the kids have in store for me this year. More to come on that around the end of June.

Well check back this weekend as I may try and sneek in a few pictures from recent photo shoots, also Ari's six month photos too!!. As always THANK YOU!! ~shan

New Gallery Added

Hi folks, I've added a new wedding gallery on my website called "wedding style". From here I'm trying to upload my wedding favorites that truly show you my style of photography from each wedding. Some images you've seen on this blog, while others will be brand new to you.

I would love to hear any feedback from any of the gallery's. As I catch up on my 2008 weddings I will be adding a lot of video & photos for everyone to see. However, all this takes time and I must finish the rest of my weddings before adding much else to my site. That being said if you are interested in booking and want to see more, let me know and I'll send you some private links not yet published for the world wide web.

Thanks,
Shan

Heidi & Kyles Wedding Film

I have my most recent wedding film ready. This was shoot on Dec 2nd 2008 in Clearwater Beach, FL; this film was shown on Jan 3rd 2009 at the wedding reception.

Enjoy the film. Note that download times may very depending on your connection, comments always welcome.

click here to view the film

~shan

Beautiful Florida Sunset

I wanted to share this video frame that I'm working on. I was pulling in some video footage from a destination wedding and came across this sunset shot. I filmed this on my HDV Sony FX-1 Video Camera. The footage was down converted to standard definition where I pulled this frame out of Premiere Pro and took it into Photoshop and adjusted the color, all I can say is WOW. Now I wish I would have imported the footage as HDV. Maybe later I'll go back and do so.

Well back to work, more to come.

~shan

Tanner's Album has Released

I got a copy of the new album on Christmas, I've been listening to it all morning. You can listen and purchase it here or hear "Story of Our Lives" on my website http://www.shannonhodges.com/. You can cycle through the songs by moving your curser to the bottom right hand corner there is the navigation balloon that is hidden.

Tanner, the album sounds great best of luck!!

Now here is where I plug myself :) anyone needing album photos or any other kind of photography feel free to contact me at 573.219.1853 or info@shannonhodges.com

~shan

Destination Wedding

Ok, I've been back for less than a week from Florida and had to turn around and go to Bloomington, IL for a week. So I'm a little behind. Therefore, just to tease all my blog followers as well as Heidi & Kyle, I'm only posting one photo from the December 2nd Clearwater Beach, Florida wedding until I get through the rest. Hopefully after this weekend I can catch back up with all the wedding back logs, so check back often for the following events:

• a new wedding album design for Andrew & Emliee
• the images from Scott & Ashley's Lodge of Four Seasons
• the images from Roxy & Stephan's Jefferson City Wedding
• the images from Heidi & Kyle's Florida Wedding
• the cinematic wedding film from Heidi & Kyle's Florida Wedding
• 6 month photos of baby Jack
• the wedding film of Ivan & Irina
• the wedding film of Brian & Amy
• the wedding film of Jones-Beckhaus

Meanwhile, enjoy this beautiful image of Heidi & Kyle just moments before sunset, this image has my HDR processing applied.

Album Shots

I've know Tanner for many years now, when he asked my to shoot some photos for his upcoming album, I was honored that he asked. Tanner is a very talented musician, I hope to have some of his tracks up on my site soon. Anyhow, here are a few pictures from our Friday morning photo shoot, just an hour before I left for Florida. I hope you enjoy. As always comments welcome, enjoy.
~shan

Current Wedding Film

This weekend I'm trying to finish up the Wedding Film I'm working on for Jaime & Johnathan. Their wedding was a carnival themed wedding, which was very cool. Below is the intro to their wedding film. Now you are viewing a low resolution version of the intro so parts may appear jittery do to the conversion rate. I shot this wedding with High Definition cameras. With a total of four cameras covering the event.

Jaime & Johnathan haven't seen this piece yet, as they will be picking up their film this week before the holiday.

Comments welcome.

Thanks for viewing,

~Shan

Ari is now 3 Months old!!

As a professional photographer and a father I find it sometimes hard to take time out to take pictures of my own children. That’s exactly what I did this morning. Ari, my youngest just turned 3 months old earlier this week. Therefore, I had to pull myself away from the computer (editing wedding films) and just take some photos of him. I didn’t do a very good job with Riston, now 9 & Tsion, now 4 while they were growing up, so I’m trying with Ari to stay on track with all his pictures. I’m doing my babies first year collection with him where I take pictures at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year now all shot on location in the babies natural environment. I will finalize the collection with an album design showcasing the growth and development of the baby.

I currently have several baby first year collections in the works. So keep visiting my site and I’ll upload images as they come in. Meanwhile, you’ll get to see Ari, enjoy the photos, all comments welcome.

The photo above is probably my absolute favorite, this is so much like Ari!

Always with is mouth open, trying to talk or say that he is ready to eat again!

I love how the natural light falls off his body, who needs a studio anymore when you have a couch near a window?

Look at those eyes, compare my photos to other photographers, most of their images seem flat to me, whereas my images "pop" off the screen, don't you agree?

Ari loves his animal mobile, he just laughs and signs when it is playing.

Ari was trying to figure out why I keep holding something up to my face, if only he knew how beautiful he is!

As you can tell we love is Monkey outfit.

Call today to schedule your family portraits for the holidays or your babies first year collection, 573.219.1853.

as always, thanks for viewing my blog,

~shan

Jon's Senior Photos

I drove down to Jefferson City to take these photos of Jon. We stayed around the Governor's gardens and got some really cool shots.

This one was on the steps at the gardens.

The above photo was taken in the dark with my new D300 at 3200 ISO and cleaned up in Photoshop.

I like the feel of this photo, it has a little attitude and tons of expression with the surrounding scene.

Just a different shot, again trying something new and different each time I go out on assignments.

Jon told me that he really loves his watch so we incorporated in this photo.

Thanks for looking. Keep scrolling down to see all my recent senior sessions.

thanks,

Shannon

Ayron's Senior Pictures

I had a blast photographing Ayron's senior pictures. This kid was so much fun. Before each session I go over my style with the seniors, which is basically, be yourself. I didn't have to give much direction, Ayron was just able to deliver each time I took a shot.

Here is another multiple speed flash setup. Mainly, I'm just having fun and trying something new each time I go out. I come with no scrips or poses. Just my cameras and a couple of flashes if needed. I let the seniors be themselves.


The above picture was taken at dusk, with my new D300 at 3200 ISO, then cleaned up in photoshop.

Again, trying some different lighting techniques. You either love it or hate, however, I love it, so that is all that matters :)

We had so much fun with this hat.

So much passion and emotion. Thank you Ayron for having so much fun.

Kaylee turns 1 years old

It was Kaylee's birthday last week, so I had the pleasure of taking these photographs one day after she turned 1 years old.

Here we have Kesia, Chris, Kaylee, & Karen all enjoying a classic family moment.


Kesia & Kaylee get buried in leaves while trying to stay warm.

Kaylee & Karen take time out to share a mother daughter moment.

I love the picture of Kaylee playing in the leaves. I had to clean up the back ground as arms and legs were showing near her head.

I also love this picture taken with my 200 mm zoom lens.

Thanks for looking,

Shannon

Engagement Session

Heidi & Kyle are getting married next month in Florida. So be sure to check back for some destination photos from the beach. I hope the wedding is a lot warmer than the engagement session. Since we live in Missouri you never know what the weather is going to be like. Heidi & Kyle made the trip down from Kansas City to Boonville, to have these engagment photos taken. The session didn't last very long due to the weather, however, we got some really good shots in the short amount of time.

Senior Brothers

Here they are just goofing around.

Here are a few more pictures of some different lighting techniques.

Enjoy more of Max & Mason below.