Photography Inside The Walls

Sharing some of the shots captured by two amazing photographers during the tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary.  There was great architecture and amazing lighting. It was an experience I was fortunate to be a part of. See my previous blog post to read about the history of the prison and what went down there! Stepping inside the cells was not easy...the thought of slamming doors and once held prisoners here...the thought of stepping into "hell"...it plays with your mind. However, after I talked myself into it and of course had an emergency plan in my head, in case I got trapped, I stepped in.  End goal accomplished.

📸: Emily Lynn Photography-Lawrence, Kansas
📸: Leslie Spurlock Photography-McKinney, Texas
HMU: Yours Truly

⏺Women's Cell Block⏺

{Leslie Spurlock Photography}

⏺Prison Yard⏺

⏺Death Row⏺

⏺One Phone Call⏺

⏺What they referred to as "Hell"⏺

⏺Post Office and Parachutes⏺

An afternoon in prison that I won't forget! 

Shona

When Jewels and Fancy Dresses Collide

Finally getting to share some of the AMAZING photos by Jim Bob!  This was such a fun shoot with a lot of shiny, fancy jewels by Marianna Harutunian out of Los Angeles. The beautiful clothing was designed by Natalyia Meyer, a Kansas City Fashion Designer and owner of the clothing store Lucia's Sarto. Jim Bob is so fun to work with...between his music and jokes, I don't know what I like best!! Ok, so maybe it was the photos he captured!

Photographer: Jim Bob, IG @oldmaninahatbob
Hair: Candis Ashley Artisty, IG @candis_ashley_artistry
MUA: Nina Bui, IG @ninabuity
Jewels: Marianna Harutunian, IG @mariannaharutunian
Designer: Natalyia Meyer, IG @lucias_sarto

Thank you to the whole team for this amazing day at the studio!
Shona

KC Skyline +The River Market + Running

When Steve Gibson asks you to be a part of a really cool running photo shoot..you say yes!  It was so awesome working with him in the River Market, doing one of the things I love to do, RUN!  And since I live in the River Market area, he suggested we shoot there.  Downtown Kansas City and the KC Streetcar featured in the photos were my favorite part about this shoot!  It took many times running back and forth to get the perfect shot, but I think he pulled it off!!...and I even got my workout in that day!  Besides that, the Kansas weather decided to misbehave that day, so I had to keep moving to stay warm!  This was a photo shoot very different than anything I have ever done, but I love working out and staying in shape, so I felt fortunate to be a part of it!
Here are just a few of the photos he captured.

Those views make me love Kansas City even more than I already do!

Shona

Fashion by Elda Doamekpo for Afielda

Designs -  High Fashion - Photography

High Fashion. The two words I think of when I describe a photo shoot I did for designer Elda Doamekpo of Afielda from Nebraska.  Her designs are incredible and so fun to wear!  My absolute favorite was the first look I had...the leather collar was to die for! Besides being to able to wear her designs and meet her in the flesh, I met some other amazing people too...models, hair and makeup and let's not forget the eyes behind the cameras...and there were a lot of cameras!

The location -  Unity Village in Missouri.  This place is gorgeous and the photographers at this shoot took the opportunity to utilize the most incredible spots for snapping these amazing photos.  I guess thats why they do what they do, they have an incredible eye for this.  Let's get to the photos! I am obsessed with everything about this shoot! Thanks to Tiffany Manson, Jonny Hackett, Ken Schmidt and Jim Bob for the amazing shots! This shoot was Fall 2016...I am a bit behind on this one!

Until the camera shoots again... 

Shona 

Le Sheikh by Cote Munizaga ~ Colleen Salmans Photography

Sometimes opportunities come your way when you least expect it...

I was at my last clinical day for Nursing School and I received a message from a dear friend regarding a photo shoot for Cote Munizaga by local photographer Colleen Salmans.  They needed a few models to wear her clothing line.  I thought, why not give it a shot? I sent in a few head-shots, not professional of course because well for one, I don't have any and two, I have never really given myself the title of a "model"...

Within a couple of hours they got back to me and just like that, I was one of the ones chosen for their photo shoot.  An exciting new experience and although the day of I was super nervous, the designer and photographer were two of the nicest people I have ever met.  Next up, I did some research on the designer and was amazed at her line.  Le Sheikh by Cote Munizaga is the fashion line and it's full of rich colors, unique designs, hand crafted one by one, using textiles from other continents.  One word, beautiful.

The first location was the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. This building has amazing architectural design and is one of my favorite's in Kansas City.  We shot outside and did some really unique photos in the parking garage.  The second locale, Art Alley in KC. If you have never been, google it and visit.  Brightly painted graffiti walls right in the heart of this beloved city, the perfect backdrop for this clothing line.

At the end of the photo shoot, I had done more than just take photos...I made new friends and learned a lot about them too!  Cote invited us to her presentation at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Arts for GUILDit, where art and business fuse.  Cote is not only in fashion, but also an interior designer who was born in Chile.  She came from Israel to KC and brought the fashion with her.  An amazing designer that I have gotten the privilege to know.

Make sure to check out Colleen Salmans Photography on Facebook and IG @colleen_salmans_photography. She is an amazing person and photographer.

Cheers to opportunities...
Shona