Blog - Page 26 of 40 - Shannon Von Eschen Photography

A Lovely Workshop Sneak Peek – Sunstone Winery, Santa Ynez

I don’t know where to begin really…except for maybe at the very beginning. Touché? Um, yes. It’s just that I’m still SO overwhelmed with happiness remembering my travels to Santa Ynez last September to attend the amazing photography workshop of Elizabeth Messina. She has long been a superstar to me, a kind-of icon I literally swooned over every single time I saw a photo she took. Even her iPhone images leave my breathless–they’re just pure magic. But last September was amazing on so many levels. This idol of mine became a real-life person. Someone who physically and emotionally embraced me, someone who shared with me conversations over amazing food, and someone who wiped tears from my cheeks. More than once–though this last part is somewhat embarrassing. It’s just that after enduring the Boulder Creek Flood we’d been through only weeks before, I was overcome with so much sadness and joy all at the same time, the tears just seemed to come easy. Yet, most of those days, I smiled through them. Ironically, it was actually hard not to be present. Every last detail was thought of and even the way our food looked half-eaten on a plate was worth a second glance. Or, in many cases, a captured photo.

I have so many images I want to share, but I am starting with just the first few moments I saw as I arrived. The entrance where our classes and photo-shoots were to be held, the breakfast buffet that greeted us on a gorgeous table, the little vignettes that were set up around every corner, and the impeccably organized and sun-light classroom I’ve ever seen. …Elizabeth, your workshop was like walking into the most ethereal dream I’ve ever had. My eyes have hardly ever seen so much “pretty” all in one day’s time. And just listening to you talk and watching you shoot was worth every penny of investment to get there. I adore you on so many levels, but thank you for being so real and thank you for keeping my inspirations alive and my dreams always “luminous.” xo

I have so many images to share, but I not finished diving into them just yet. I really just wanted to get my experience out there and start at the beginning–with my first visual and emotional impressions organized here so I can always reference them. I forget very little about my life and experiences, but I live through the images I take while they transpire. Hardly anything makes me happier. 😉

And special thank you to Utterly Engaged for sharing the images of us attendees from this workshop today! I’m so happy to have even had a small part in it! 😉 xo

A Lovely Workshop: Elizabeth Messina | Venue Host: Sunstone Winery | Event Planner: Mindy Weiss

Event Planner/Workshop Designer/Florist: Mindy Rice Floral Design | Calligrapher: Maybelle

Rentals: Found Vintage | Paper Delights: Wiley Valentine | Food Styling: Elizabeth Colling

Tableware: Small Masterpiece | Artisan Bakery Foods: The Baker’s Table

A Little Nautical: Eli’s 2nd Birthday Bash is on Style Me Pretty Living

I have always known that I was an incredibly detail oriented person. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the one pointing out the obvious, or, what I think is obvious, in everything that crosses my path. I am a perfectionist to a fault and my parents continually used to tell me growing up…Just wait until you have kids. You won’t always have a clean house, vacuumed floors, or matching dishes. But here I am. A brand new THIRTY year old with a toddler. And, for the most part, I’m still holding those high standards for all the things I wasn’t supposed to have. I am not one to rest easy and I have to make time to relax. But photography is my life-blood and so I’ve been fortunate enough to have experienced some of the greatest parts to life: a job, actually two jobs, that are anything but JOBS. And then add in the best little thing to have happened in my life–Eli–and it just doesn’t seem fair. He’s way too good, too cute, and too much fun. And I’m way too in love. … When Eli turned one, I intended to throw my husband and I a party. I knew it was for mostly for us in celebrating our first year as parents because he’ d most likely never remember it, but I mustered up the energy to try and go “all out.” It was a blast, it was pretty, and I still remember all the details I had spent hours putting together. But then a year went by faster than it should have and he was turning TWO. Only a few weeks before the big 02, I decided to try and outdo myself. I have no idea why I’m so internally competitive, but I do it for those moments in life when I’m feeling less than worthy. Or less than my very best. On those days, I will sit for hours and scroll through all the things I’ve spent half my life documenting. It’s the same thing that keeps me still energetically photographing Eli’s everyday life one photo, once a day…600+ days later.

I am not the best mom. I am not the best photographer. And I am not the perfect person I continually strive to be. But I work a lot. I pray more. I cry hard. I laugh harder. I sleep (sometimes). And I love. A bit too much.

I’m so tickled and honored and overwhelmingly ecstatic (can you picture all that?! ;)) to finally share Eli’s 2nd birthday bash. And I don’t think I’ll be sleeping anytime soon from sheer excitement over the fact that one of my all-time coveted blogs has decided to feature it today! Style Me Pretty, I’ve been swooning over all your posts for years and I can NOT believe that not only my work, but my life, is being featured today. Thank you for seeing my heart in the details. And mom and dad, I know you’re abundantly proud of me for this party, this feature, and for having a clean house and immaculately matched dishes, but I have to be honest with you: I have a Roomba. And that is why my floors are always perfectly vacuumed. 😉

I love you Eli. So does Daddy. More than you’ll ever know.

The full feature on Style Me Pretty Living can be seen HERE! I am still SMILING.

Venue: CreekSide Tree Nursery | Wooden Decor: Frank Crabbs with Twigs & Treen

Antiques & Vintage Props: Amy Von Eschen | Cake: Intricate Icings | Vintage Stamps: Verde Studio

Food Labels: Natosha Cooke | Homemade Treats and Snacks: Kendall, Cheryl, Felicia, Martha, & Bernice

Culinary Styling: Kendall Lind | Invitations, Design, & Photography: Me, Shannon 😉

Thank you also to Party Pail who awarded me a “Best Decorations” badge of honor. 🙂

Personal: Spring…and a little Bare Root Flora

Dearest Spring,

I’m so happy you are finally here! And because I think it is entirely appropriate, I’m posting these swoon-worthy florals I received from both my amazing husband and my awesome friend last month. Even though it was Valentine’s Day, and thus, entirely appropriate, winter had had closed in on us, so these perfect blooms made me happy for so much longer than just a few days! They were just about the only thing keeping me still hopeful you were ever coming back. I can’t wait to see all the pretties you come up with in the coming weeks! SO happy you’ve arrived. Hugs all around!

Yours Truly, Shannon

These abundantly perfect flowers were lovingly designed by the most amazing friend of mine: Robyn, with Bare Root Flora. I urge you to check out her work if you aren’t already familiar! Trust me, her talent is sky high and I’ve never received anything so lovely & pristine. I literally felt like royalty receiving these beauties!! Husband, you nailed it. And Robyn, you have totally outdone yourself! Hugs and Love to you both!!