Author: Shannon Hemauer

An Interview with Alisha. Oh My.

An Interview with Alisha. Oh My. Remember how the other week I blogged about Alisha the Assistant’s most recent session? I asked her to take a moment and fill out the client interview—she sends it to me and said she was laughing so hard over her answers that she was crying! I had a good laugh and told I was posting it in full. So, please enjoy the wittiness of Alisha the Assistant. How long have you been wanting to do a boudoir/contemporary glamour session and what made you decide now was the time to do one? As the Executive Assistant to the World’s Best Boudoir/Contemporary Glamour Photographer, you always want to do a session. Trust me, it becomes an addiction. Now was the time because Shannon said it was. And I just became a grandma so…Hello—Hot Grandma session! What made you decide Shannon Hemauer was the photographer to work with to do your boudoir/contemporary glamour session? There was really no decision. I simply looked for the BEST, MOST AMAZING photographer in the entire world and viola. Look at her site. Look at her portfolio, I’m pretty sure it speaks for itself. I love the gorgeous images, the light, sensual feel of some, the powerful and artistic feel in others. The simplicity that lets a woman’s beauty just shine completely. What was your favorite part out of the entire experience? The planning, the session, the reveal? The video clip. When I hear Shannon say ‘so there’s something I want to try’- I always giggle and feel like I’m running for president. Being Shannon’s guinea pig assistant is always fun—even when things don’t work out as planned, it’s going to be a blast. Ohhhhhhh but when her genius plans come together in such a stunning way—nothing is as sensational as being on

I BELIEVE Project: Rylie

I BELIEVE Project: Rylie Rylie is a sweet, bright-eyed 14-year-old girl who was selected as an I BELIVE Project recipients for 2016 because of her courage to be her true self. I started the I Believe Project in 2014 as my way of giving back to the women in my community—women who have faced a life-changing challenge (such as breast cancer) and shown how resilient they are in spirit. The ultimate goal of the Project is for each recipient to feel beautiful and feminine—something far too many women do NOT experience. So, what is Rylie’s story? Rylie was born physically male but has always identified herself as female. At the age of 13—an age where we’re all trying to figure out who we are as individuals—she shared with her parents who she felt she truly was. During Rylie’s session, which I shot in Wisconsin (my husband and I were in town for a family reunion), her mother couldn’t help but shed a few happy tears. She told my team she had not seen Rylie THIS happy in a very long time. That only a year ago, Rylie was considering suicide because she was depressed not being able to be the real her. It wasn’t until she had her family’s support that things started to turn for the better for her. But I don’t want this blog post to focus on Rylie’s male-to-female transformation. Instead, I ask that you take a moment and let her confidence sink in. To be 13-14 and to know, ‘This is who I am and I want to be open with my story,’ makes her, in my opinion, one of the most confident women I’ve photographed to date. The story I want you to focus on is that she had the courage to transform in a world that is still learning how to accept and appreciate

Date Night!

Shannon Hemauer boudoir photographer Dillsburg PA

Date Night! Last night I had a chance to go on a date with this handsome man, my husband of almost eight years, Brooks. We were out supporting our friend, Chris Harvey, as Columbia Kettle Works released Chris’ Iron Brewer award-winning Mango Double Indian Pale Ale (IIPA) beer. Brooks is the master brewer at Hemauer Brewing Co. (please go ‘like’ his Facebook page) and can often be found pouring at many of the local brewing events throughout PA. We often joke one day we’re going to open a place called “Beer & Boudoir,” where one side of the building is a brewery and on the other is the boudoir/contemporary glamour studio! He is my biggest supporter and I’m so very grateful for all that he does for our family. <3 Until next time, Shannon

Fact: Alisha is Beautiful.

Fact: Alisha is Beautiful. Short version: Watch her reveal movie. Long version: Read the blog. You may or may not know that Alisha—my amazing assistant—was my very first boudoir client in May 2014. This woman has literally been with me every step of the way of my boudoir and contemporary glamour portrait photography journey. We didn’t know each other before we started to plan her session—I used to work with her cousin (I was a technical editor/writer back in the day), who mentioned in passing Alisha was thinking of shooting a boudoir session… Two years later, I consider Alisha one of my dearest friends—she ranks up there with my childhood friend, Christy, and Air Force friend, Catrina (I was also in the Active Duty Air Force back in the day…I feel like I’ve lived several lives!). Anyhow, over the past two years I’ve had the pleasure of photographing Alisha on several occasions—I gift sessions to my entire team as a thank you for all of their hard work they put in for each client—but I think this session has been my favorite that I’ve done with her. It took a LOT of convincing to let Alisha let me take a before photo of her, but when I stressed the reason behind the before photo—it’s to show the women in my portfolio are everyday women—she finally agreed. Plus, I really wanted to show off her shirt. (Confession: I added the “Shannon Hemauer Photography” part…but now I’m thinking maybe I should have shirts like this made for my team???! 😉 ) So, you’ve probably noticed I do this particular pose with just about every woman I shoot—it’s SUCH a flattering pose! This one has a ’70s vibe to it. Repeat after me: corsets cinch in the waist. And yes, it is the corset

Lydia: Lady of Grace & Style

Dark-skinned beauty contemporary glamour portrait photography Carlisle PA

Flashback: Originally posted July 1, 2015 **** Lydia was my first all-contemporary glamour client—all four of her outfits were lovely, but she really came alive when she put on the baby blue outfit. When I met Lydia for her consult she confessed she wanted to do this session so she’d have images to use for her obituary. She’s in good health but is a planner and wanted her children to have one less thing to worry about when her time does come to return home to Jesus. I may have just tapped into a new client basis. 🙂 Lydia plays piano and asked me if I’d do the session at her home because she’s always wanted images by her Baby Grand. She really enjoyed raiding her closet and pulling out some of her favorite dresses. She just glows! This hat, I’m sure you’ll agree, is truly fashionable and she wears it well. Makeup credit: Nath Mao Look like fun? You bet! Contact me today to discuss how you want to be photographed. Until next time, Shannon