PaBoudoir.com: Shannon Hemauer Photography

03/23/2024

After months of thinking about it, I have decided that it's time for me to close my bo***ir photography business. While I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE shooting bo***ir, I'm ready to leave the business side of things. I have given my heart and soul to my business for ten years, and I am ready to put down the stress being a business owner brings.

On March 1st, I accepted the Director of Outreach and Marketing role with the Polar Bear Foundation, the educational foundation of the Northern York County School District. I am responsible for revamping their website and marketing material, creating solid workflows, and streamlining communication between board members and supporters. I am in my element!

Don't be sad that I'm closing my business! I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible as a photographer and business owner. I never expected to own a business; however, my passion for bo***ir photography was larger than my fear of failing. I went into business when this genre wasn't well known, and some thought I was silly to shoot exclusively bo***ir because I was limiting myself...

"What if I fall?" "Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?" ~ Erin Hanson

I have soared!

I went from knowing only how to use the camera's 'auto' mode to mastering the camera in manual mode and understanding lighting. I have earned awards from The Portrait Masters and the Association of International Bo***ir Photographers. I have helped hundreds of women see themselves positively, and hundreds of women have moved me with their stories of strength, courage, and perseverance.

I set out to be a part of something bigger than me, and I have accomplished that. Now, it's time to move on to even bigger things. I will continue to make a positive difference in this world, just in a different manner.

Before photography, I earned a BA in professional writing—I was a tech editor/writer for ten years. I love writing/editing. I get a lot of joy from taking something good and making it great. How lucky am I to leave one career I love to return to another I love?

I want to thank my clients—you are why I did what I did. I want to thank the stylists I've had on my team over the years—Makeup by Ashley, Nath Mao Professional MUA, and Beauty of a goddess. I want to thank my two assistants—Alisha and Dianna. I want to thank my photo retoucher, Allie. I want to thank everyone who has supported me, loved me, and shared my posts.

My heart is happy. I am at peace with my decision. I'm going out on top, Baby!

My last booked session is May 29th.

Much love,

Shannon

03/18/2024

It's more than "just" a photo shoot. It's a confidence booster, a way to see yourself in a positive light, and something you do for yourself.

A testimonial from a recent client:

"Just got my photos back from Shannon and HOLY MOLY!!!! What a confidence boost!! Someone hit the “play” button on Shania Twain because “I feel like a woman!”

Having always been a less-than-curvey figured woman, I’ve always felt like less of a woman, or like I was stuck in a young teenage girl’s body, and felt that nobody took me seriously as an adult. To put it in perspective, when my husband and I had gotten engaged, I HATED trying on wedding dresses because I felt like a little girl playing dress-up. My husband knew I’d been eyeing up Shannon’s services for a few years, and as a gift in celebration of the beginning of a new chapter in my career in the finance industry, my husband decided to surprise me with a photo shoot with her ❤️ This experience with Shannon has shown me that I AM sexy just the way I am.
I took one of my best friends with me to the shoot, and we had a blast! My husband LOVES the photos, so much so that he’s even opted to get scheduled to get one of them tattooed on him 😮🤭

Shannon keeps you extremely well informed throughout the process from start to finish, and she provides you with so much education on everything from start to finish, that it helps calm your nerves for sure! You’re never left to guess or wonder about anything you may or may not need to do either in preparation for or during your shoot.

Athena and Dianna are fantastic too! They’re both awesome at what they do and all of them as a team are so great at making sure you’re aware that YOU are gorgeous just as you are. I’m now looking forward to my upcoming makeup lesson with Athena soon so I can learn how to complete a day-to-day version of my makeup that will give me the confidence I need to build my financial business confidently!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ All the stars! Highly recommend!" -Harley

03/07/2024

https://www.pabo***ir.com/rain-bay-survey/

I've wanted to have a rain bay at the studio for years, but when my studio was in Carlisle, I didn't have the space for it. But! Because my studio is now at my house, I can build a rain bay in our temperature-controlled garage—I can use the bay all year round!

However, I'm wondering if there would be enough interest from clients to justify building a rain bay, so I need your help by filling out this short survey to gauge the level of interest.

WHAT IS A RAIN BAY?

It's where I can make it rain on command, and you can dance in the water droplets! You can splash, play, and get truly unique images—no other photographer in the area (that I'm aware of) offers this service.

Please take a moment to fill out the survey and let me know if you'd be interested in adding the rain bay to your bo***ir experience. (Or even a stand-alone photo shoot that is not bo***ir.)

https://www.pabo***ir.com/rain-bay-survey/

NOTE: All images are sample photos provided by photographer Daniel Woods. At the moment, none of the photos are mine.

02/20/2024

Who's been on a ???

I just returned with my husband and our boys from a seven-day cruise to the on the Carnivale Legend and had so much fun! We left Baltimore on 2/11, cruised to Naussa, Princess Cays, and Freeport, and then back to Baltimore on 2/18 (Welcomed home with snow on the ground!)

I cannot say enough good things about the crew of the Legend—all were so polite and genuinely happy to help. Our stateroom attendant knew us by name after only meeting us once, and the team of servers assigned to us for meals was just as impressive. We enjoyed the nightly Broadway-style productions and caught several comedy shows, too.

I've traveled to Hawaii and Mexico for vacations, but I have to say the Bahamas have the prettiest water—so blue and clear you'd think it was a swimming pool. My photos with the water in them are not touched up at all—it's that pretty!

Each day we had a new towel animal in our room, and E and I even took a class and learned how to make an elephant using two towels.

The best part of the trip: I didn't have to cook or clean for a week!

Here's what we'd do differently if we go on another cruise:

1) Start and finish in warm weather. Leaving a cold Baltimore for warmth was easy. Coming back from the 70s to 40s sucks. Plus, part of the time spent sailing to/from was in colder weather, and no one was swimming. So we'd either take a cruise later in the year so it's warmer in Baltimore or leave out of Miami.

2) We'd spend the money and get our boys their own room to share—four people in a room is way too many.

3) Go for five days vs seven. By the sixth day (Friday), we were ready to be home.

So, who has been on a cruise? Where did you go? Any tips for future sailings?

02/19/2024

“I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” Malala Yousafzai

02/18/2024

02/16/2024

“We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves.” Shirley Chisholm

02/15/2024

"Learn to embrace your own unique beauty, celebrate your unique gifts with confidence. Your imperfections are actually a gift.” -Kerry Washington

02/14/2024

THIS OR THAT: GET TO KNOW YOU VERSION

Do you like your nails to be short and sporty, or long and pointed? Square tips or rounded?

I've always done square tips, and I personally like the short, sporty length for me. And I love a deep red with a tiny bit of metallic sheen! So pretty!

But, when it comes to choosing nail length for bo***ir photos, there is no right or wrong answer. I think what's more important is the color selected: I usually suggest my clients opt for classic colors like deep reds, pale pinks, nudes, French with white tips, clear, and even black.

But honestly, the most important thing when it comes to nails for a photo shoot, regardless of length or color: no chipping.

So, what is your go-to nail style? Comment below.