I opened an e-mail from a gal who was super enthusiastic about my workshop. I think her excitement made me even more excited! She needed a little time to fit it into her schedule. Meanwhile we stayed in touch. Each time my monthly newsletter would go out she would remind me how anxious she was for her turn to come around. Well…her turn is almost here! On August 7th us two Southern gals will team up for Shana’s {Walk The Shot} workshop. I can’t wait to see her! I am hoping that she might grab me a basket of fresh Georgia peaches on her way down. ;-) To. Die. For.
Please help me welcome Shana to the Blog. I have to tell you that some of her answers below completely cracked me up!!! When you have a free minute be sure to stop by her Blog and say hello!
At what point did you develop a love for photography? Experience level? Ultimate goals?
I’ve always loved pictures. Well, as long as I wasn’t the one in them! :) My mom started me early looking at outfits and determining if they would make a pretty picture. But, I didn’t get into photography until my daughter was born in 2006. I didn’t know any better so we went to a dept store chain for newborn pics. It was a disaster!!! I realized that the employee was just a “button pusher” and not a photographer. She set up the shots someone else told her to do and really had no idea how the “pose” would translate into a printed picture. Not only were the pictures horrendous the experience was terrible. I remember trying to find a corner to nurse. The lightbulb went off! I’d always wanted to be artistically creative but can’t draw to save my life so I decided to experiment with my camera. I started with my point and shoot and moved up to my first dslr right before my sister got married in May 2007. It immediately became an obsession. We moved shortly after that to a new town and I was pregnant with my son. After he was born I submersed myself into photography. He was born with a fairly large scalp nevus (very noticeable birthmark) right on the front of his head. I was lucky to have a good bit of camera knowledge and a good friend that is a photographer at that point so that I didn’t have to endure the emotional stress of finding a a photographer that I was comfortable with. After he was born, learning my camera gave me something to focus on while we determined what we were going to do for our son. We did have his nevus removed and I was able to document that process as well. Those pictures will truly take your breath away! I started second shooting with my friend and spending countless hours learning about photography and how to use my camera. I started Shana Cawley Photography in January of 2009. I’m still learning every time I pick up my camera and a hope that my business will continue to grow.
Why did you choose to book a {Walk The Shot} workshop?
I’m pretty sure I came across Dawn on the Phaunt message board. I don’t frequent that one nearly enough, but something on FB that was mentioned about a live interview she was going to do. Something made me check her out. I saw her work and immediately felt a connection to her images. Those were the kinds of images I wanted to capture. When I heard her talk…well, I couldn’t feel more at home with that southern accent! I was immediately interested in a Walk the Shot workshop. It was at the beginning of the year that I started emailing Dawn about booking a workshop. There are lots of great workshops out there, but I feel like I will benefit more from working with Dawn right now. Dawn is so approachable and sweet! I absolutely can’t wait to get to Jax and learn from her! I am definitely a one on one learner.
Some fun random facts about Shana…
1. Are you an early bird or a night owl? – Most definitely a night owl!! I don’t really hit my stride until about 4pm. If I’m tired and don’t get in the bed by 10pm, I’ll probably be up to 3am after that second wind kicks in! Not so good when my kiddos are up at 6:30 am but apparently most photographers I know are up all night editing, too!
2. Coffee…blonde or brunette? – I usually only drink coffee if it’s cold outside. But, if I do it has to be as blonde as possible…dress it up with whatever nonfat no sugar goodness ya got!
3. What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? – I actually went through a stage where I was obsessed with WWF…yes, Monday Night Nitro. Ok, I said it….don’t ask! I have no explaination.
4. What’s your favorite smell? – Gardenias. My parents always pick them and bring them in the house and my grandparents had a gardenia bush outside of their garage. I love that smell. :)
5. Sit and watch or get up and dance? – Well…ya see…this is easy. Dance!!! If anyone that even remotely knows me is reading this, I’m sure they are laughing. Hush and keep your stories to yourself!! Yes, I dance. Not nearly as much as I used to and the song choices have definitely changed. “Shake what yo’ mama gave ya” has been replaced by “We are the Dinosaurs”.
6. If you were granted an all expenses paid trip to anywhere in the world where would you go? – That is probably the hardest question. I want to go everywhere! I was going to say Italy because of the yummy food and beautiful landscapes, then I was going to say France because I took 3 years of French and would love to know if I actually retained any of it, and now I’m going to say Greece. I saw a friend on FB post pics from a recent trip and it really looks amazing!! I love the colors!!
7. Do you clip coupons? – Yes. Do I use them? No. Should I? Yes. Why don’t I? Because I lose them once I clip them. :)
8. If you were going to be a contestant on Survivor what would be your one must have item? – 110% sure I would never be a contestant on Survivor. I don’t camp in any way shape or form. I’m not an outdoorsy kind of girl. I would need the top of the line RV (which I have no idea what that even is!) and a jet plane to take me back home!
9. Sweet or sour? – Both. Sour gummy candy I love! I’ll eat them until I burn all of my taste buds. :)
10. Do you shop at Wal-Mart? And…it’s okay to answer yes. Wal-Mart is my favorite store! – I do. It’s not my favorite store, though. I’d say my favorite store is Target. Mostly because there isn’t one here in Milledgeville…as of yet! They’ve been telling me there’s one coming soon since we moved here in 2007. I think it was just a ploy to ease the move. I long for the day my favorite store actually doesn’t involve pushing a buggy up and down the aisles!
11. What was your favorite cartoon as a child? – I don’t remember watching cartoons very much. I’d say The Smurfs. I was more obsessed with the Dukes of Hazzard. Yes ma’am….I am a Southern girl!
12. Do you play the lottery? – Not very often. I actually don’t think I’ve ever purchased a lottery ticket, but I’ve scratched off a few.
13. What is one thing that you splurge on? – Hair products!! Once you’ve been through the hair traumas I’ve been through, you learn! God gave me this crazy hair and it has taken me years to learn to handle it. And just to keep things interesting He changes it often! Sometimes it’s crazy curly, other times it won’t curl at all! I’m constantly having to change up the hair recipe.
14. Did you ever skip school? – Kinda sorta not really. I never skipped as in my mom didn’t know where I was. My senior year of high school was silly. I think I had 2 “real” classes and the rest was filled with peer leadership, teacher aide, etc etc. I’d go and leave early but ALWAYS with an excuse. I figured out if I didn’t put makeup on that I looked so pale the teachers thought I was sick. Easy peasy! College, well, that was different. :)
15. Are you willing to admit that you loved Ice Ice Baby when it first came out? – I loved it then….I love it now!! And if you say you don’t then you’re either lying or too young to know the awesome-ness of this song!
16. Waffle cone or regular? – Waffle if I had my choice, but regular when I’m with the kids until they can handle a waffle cone. I’m not afraid of messes, but the mess from the regular cone is good enough.
17. Do you push boundaries in life or do you prefer to play it safe? – It depends on the situation. I’ve been known to push boundaries, but sometimes it’s not worth it. I like to weigh my options. :)
18. Would you rather travel by car or plane? – Once again, it depends. I’m not a big fan of flying only because I haven’t flown much and I have no understanding of how that big plane stays in the air. I know there is a perfectly logical scientific explanation, but I don’t understand. But, if the destination is good enough a Xanax will get me there just fine!
19. What chore do you dread the most? – THE DREADED WHITE LOAD!!! I remember my mom asking me to fold the laundry when I was young. I’d go to the laundry room, open up the dryer and it would be PACKED to the top with socks, undershirts, handkerchiefs, and MY DAD’S UNDERWEAR!?!?!?!? UGGG!! I come from a family of 6 so there was no such thing as a small white load. When I opened the dryer and saw what needed to be folded I’d often take a minute to weigh my options. Would irritating my mom by not folding the laundry be worth it?? Sometimes, it was! :)
20. Is your purse well organized or a hot mess? – A.HOT.MESS!!! Creative people aren’t known for their organizational skills. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Dawn, these are some of my favorite posts of yours. I like to read about who’s coming to visit you. Can’t wait to hear how this WTS turns out.
You’re right! Shana is very funny. Looking forward to hearing how the workshop goes…keep us posted :)
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