Shawna Herring Blog

Intentionally adjusting perspective

Shawna — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:32:42 +0000

Do you ever find yourself in a rut? Knowing in your mind what you ‘ought’ to be doing but finding yourself repeadtedly doing something else? I do. It’s very irritating. Take for instance texting while driving. I know it’s wrong, I’ve seen the commercials and heard the stories of what can, and often does, happen. Do I put it into practice? No. I somehow think that I’m ‘different’ or ‘that won’t happen to me.’
Wrong.
Last week I made a last minute stop at a friends house before driving to Athens and as I was slowly heading down their driveway I grabbed my phone to re-set my google map for directions and while I was looking down I blindly (that’s how it is when you look at your phone instead of the road) rolled right into a tree. CRUNCH! I was shocked, embarrased, horrified. The tree was fine, but my 4-runner suffered $2100 in damage to the left fender. Thats a $500 deductible for me and I felt ABSOLUTELY SICK as I thought of such a stupid mistake. Then I felt really, really grateful. Thank God it was 5 MPH into a tree and not 50 into a person. It could have been so much worse.
Hello wake up call. I hear you.
I admit this not becuase I’m proud of it, (NOT) but becuase it helps to just be honest about things. See, I know that you hear the same stupid lies in your ears that I do….”You don’t measure up”! “If people really know the truth, they would reject you”. “You are the only one with this issue and everyone else has their life together so much better then you”. Blah. Blah. Blah.
What a Lie.
I’m just like you. At times I feel frustrated, inadequate, lonely. I wonder if I’ve missed the boat, I dwell on the past and my mistakes. I second guess myself on my parenting and wish I were a better friend and example to my girls. On and On it goes. But then I feel that tug on my heart and that quiet voice breaks in that whispers, “I’m here”. “I see you”. “I know you”. “You ARE good enough”. “I love you”.

That’s when I have to stomp my foot, shake my fist, take a stand and put what I know into action. I have to grab ahold of those negative emotions and squeeze them until they disolve in light of the truth. There is no one like me. I have tremendous purpose. My experiences and honesty affect other people if I’m willing to be open. I can make a difference in the lives of others. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
I admit that I get into routines that aren’t that great. But I also realize that I have the choice to get out of them. I can activate what I know to be true into my daily life and let it make a difference.
“If you never put your faith into action then you are only agreeing with an idea”.

So I’m going to Haiti next week for 5 days. Yes, it’s last minute. It’s random. It’s a bit selfish. But I need it. I need to step into that reality of the uncomfortable and absolutely basic atmosphere so that I am forced to have a reality check. I have to have it.
I spend way to much time doing things that are pointless.
I need revival.
I need renewal.
I need love to take over.
So I’m going to Haiti.
They have it. What they dont have is a rat race, cell phones, internet, facebook, shopping malls, TV, big houses, A/C, Costco, surplus, electricity, the Jones’s living next door….
They have love. plain and simple. No distractions. They have the bare minimals, if that. No electricity, so when the sun goes down, it’s time to go to bed. We will wake up at 4 am to the sounds of Haitian praise and worship to God in the IHOP (prayer, not pancakes) and spend the day loving God by serving people.
Major reality check.
I’m overdue.

Brand new life

Shawna — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:22:47 +0000

Oh that baby skin. Those little rolls and folds and tiny little limbs.

Jenny and Jon ~ Engagements

Shawna — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:32:49 +0000

We hadn’t met before their shoot. Jenny contracted me online for an engagement session as their wedding is in Texas and they had already contracted a photogrpaher for that. (booo!) so when she suggested Piedmont Park I wasn’t sure what to expect. If you didn’t know, I am anti Piedmont park only becuase it’s over used. I was pleasantly surprised when they agreed to stop OUTSIDE the park, well, I didn’t really ask them so I can’t say they agreed but we got some amazing images of the two of them in the general area.

Thanks for the laughs and the great time, Jenny and Jon. Good luck with your wedding! XOXO

Alexi’s Bat Mitzvah ~ Summerour

Shawna — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:14:27 +0000

What a great party! Alexi turned 13 and had an awesome Bat Mitzvah at Summerour. Check out the pics and make sure to watch the slideshow at the bottom for more.

Seating assignments

The event was so much fun thanks to the following vendors.
Venue: Summerour
Event Planner: Terry Saxe from Special-T-Events
Entertainment: Krazy Boyz
Catering: Endive

VIEW SLIDESHOW {{{{{{{{{{{{{HERE}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Baby M. ~Atlanta baby photographer~

Shawna — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 23:41:13 +0000

I met Melissa and Demetrius at the beginning of the year (see here) and fell in love with baby M even before I met her. Needless to say I was thrilled to get the call that they were ready for their next family portrait session. I arrived to meet another member of the family who had been soaking up as much baby love as she could possibly get. Mima’s (Nana’s, Gigi’s, aka Grandma’s) are the best to have around while adjusting to the new life of being a parent.
Oh be still my beating heart!

When I was a little girl I had a Holly Hobby canopy bed. I had a HH doll and I would even draw HH’s all the time. This is a picture perfect HH hat with beautiful full cheeks.

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Alexi and Jason ~ High Falls Engagements

Shawna — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 04:19:53 +0000

Sometimes when I meet with brides about shooting their weddings and it feels very business like, we process what we can do for one another, analize the match, sleep on it and see what happens and other times I leave thinking to myself, “Whether or not she hires me, I would love to be her friend.” That’s the vibe I had after meeting with Alexi and talking about life, travels, love and the future. So obviously I was extra happy when she informed me that I had won out the competion and we could begin planning for their engagement photos.
They are both fans of the outdoors, they love animals, and are the opposite of high maintenance so we choose High Falls Park in the heat of the afternoon and laughed and had a blast. Tru the dog kept us all entertained. We sweat a LOT too.

Tamara + Ron ~June 17, 2011

Shawna — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:35:30 +0000

Because she can.

Danny from The Savage Garden is nothing short of a genious. His alter piece was AMAZING. Go ahead, check him out.

The bride and groom aren’t really crazy about cake so they brought in options. You can have your cake and eat other stuff too!
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This image is one of my favorite from the wedding and here’s why. The dark blue dress on the right is Tamara’s mom. The light blue dress is her stepmom. I know that not everyone is able to mend and move on to reconcile in a way and Tamara not only had 2 ‘moms’ there but her 2 ‘dads’ were there as well (the black suits) and the love that they all have for their daughter was tangible. More often than not, divorced parents hardly speak to each other and sometimes it’s even awkward to take photographs together but this family, I’m happy to say, displayed something above and beyond the usual and I for one, recognized it felt admiration and respect for their relationships.

Congratulations, Tamara and Ron. It was so much fun getting to know you and your family. I left the event feeling like a richer person. Muah!
The fabulous vendors that made it all possible.
Coordinators: Wedding Soiree
Caterer: Proof of the Pudding
Florist: The Savage Garden
Makeup: Nickey Martin Makeup
Hair: Dedra Allen
DJ: Anthony Cook
Lighting: Spectrum
Videographers: Timepiece Videography
Officiant: Rev. Martin Odom
Cake: Classic Cheesecakes

Wanna see more? {{{{{{{{{{{{Check out their slideshow}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Chantel + Jimmy ~ Washington D.C. Engagements

Shawna — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 02:27:04 +0000

it’s a serious effort for me to not call them Ken and Barbie. I mean that in the most classic way. They are both gorgeous in their own right but when they get together they cause some serious environmental changes. Empty the shelves, gotta get-my-copy kind of madness. I flew up to DC for the day and even though the weather was super hot and muggy, (it was actually a record breaker) they were total champs, even during the flash downpour. We spent time around the monuments, the water front and the wonderful Georgetown where we met our mutual friend Sam and headed to Jimmy’s favorite pizza place for dinner, 2Amy’s.

I had such a great time hanging out with you, Chantel and Jimmy. I simply can’t wait for next spring when we’ll all be together again in Dominican Republic. Much love to you both.

Ayana + Marlon ~ May 28, 2011 ~Ventanas, Atlanta

Shawna — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:33:30 +0000

I had the total pleasure of photographing the wedding of Ayana and Marlon, aka ‘Maxwell’ last weekend at the beautiful Ventanas in Atlanta. With skyline views, perfect weather, palpable love in the air and wonderful people all around, it couldn’t have been any sweeter.

Edge Design Group did an incredible job as always on florals and design.

This is Brian Green from F and G Weddings. He brings the fabulous to every wedding he deisgns and coordinates. His weddings are so hip, so smooth and so over the top, and I always look forward to working with him. Rob rocked it that night too!

I love this elevator shot.

Sweet Cheats of Atlanta providedpure joy to any sweet toother all night long.

The food was incredible. A Divine Event went over the top on presentation and artistry. There was a gourmet mac and cheese station that totally ruined me for every other kind of mac and cheese I’ve ever had.

The first dance was like watching a personal version of ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ No kidding. Ayana and Marlon slipped into full dance mode for a sexy tango number and I can safely say that they won the vote for best first dance EVER. Hands Down!

Bradley snapped this awesome shot from above.

There is nothing like making a big exit, and leaving in a bright, shiny, red, helicopter is pretty big.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs. Baker!! You are inspiring as individuals and even more as husband and wife.

Vendor list that rocked the house!
Venue: Ventanas
Creators and Coordinators: F and G Weddings
Design and Florals: Edge Design Group
Catering: A Divine Event
Wedding Cake: Bakers Man
Yummy Cupcakes: Sweet Cheats
Stationary: Papered Wonders
High energy and full service child care: Elegant Event Sitters
Entertainment: DJ Truski
Makeup: Sylvia Smith
Hair: Tina Marie
Officiant: Rev. Annette
Videographer: Three Ring Media

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Tyrone & Nikki Walker ~ Savannah, Georgia Wedding Photography

Shawna — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 13:34:25 +0000

“Ten years in the making” was the theme for the romantic Savannah wedding of Nikki Johnson and Tyrone Walker. Ten years of dating, of discovering each other, of planning their lives together and of breaking familiar patterns within relationships that would have otherwise certainly have come between them. They worked it out, step by step, day by day, year by year and on May 27th they became husband and wife. The cycle has been broken, Nikki. Congratulations are definitely in order.
Their beautiful invitations were nestled into spanish moss in a custom designed box and delivered to each guest as an indication of what was to come. Papered Wonders creates incredible stationary and The Mansion at Forsyth was the perfect place for the event with it’s swanky decor and Southern charm.

Nikki was filmed for the show, “Say Yes to the Dress” which will air July 8th on TLC. Three Ring Media also did a stellar job. This was the first time I worked with them and I was totally impressed to see that they offer same-day-edit. Guests were able to watch a beautiful story line of the couple including segments of the wedding day itself. The segment was shown on a monitor next to my slideshow during the cocktail hour/reception, which I thought was a fabulous addition.

Nikki and Tyrone’s story is a testimony to the conquering power of love and commitment. It was intoxicating just to be around them. The entire planning process leading up to the day was meticulously attended to by Michelle and her team at Lemiga Events. She brought calm precision to every detail and the entire day was flawless.

The Ceremony was located at Orleans Square with Spanish Moss stretching to listen all around. The rain fell for almost 2 hours before the wedding and graciously stopped 5 minutes before the Ceremony started.

The lighting in the ballroom was beautifully created by JLK Events and table linens were custom designed by I Do Linens. Florals by Aesthetic Floral & Event Artistry. The bride was brought to tears when she saw the completed room.

I loved every minute of this wedding. As always, the bulk of the details and all my favorite images can be found in the slideshow below.