Merry Christmas!

It's that time of year when families come together, the kiddos run and play, all of the gals are cooking and baking in the kitchen, someone (usually me haha) is running out to the store at the last minute, because you forgot a gift or food item. And to top it off you are so EXCITED to wake up in the morning to see the kid's faces when they see what Santa has brought! Christmas is wonderful in so many aspects, but never to forgot the true meaning of Christmas. =) So, as I sit back and enjoy the kids playing, family laughing and chatting - I remember that there is someone who was born to give us all life eternal. For this I am blessed in life and in spirit! Happy Birthday Jesus!!

So, today I wish the Merriest Christmas for all of my family and family of friends - Yep! All of my clients have become my family of friends. =)

Merry Christmas and I hope Santa ;) brings you LOTS of goodies.

XOXXO
Shannon Wermers

The Totally Gorgeous S. Family!!

I had the pleasure of spending some time with this incredible family! They were so fun and their little girl was such a cutie pie. =)  We couldn't have asked for a better day for their session. It was 72 degrees, sunny with some clouds and a cool sea breeze! It was simply beautiful. =)  

I had a wonderful time with you guys and I hope that you enjoy your "sneak peek"!! 

This is Daddy's sand hill...... lol ... I said they were fun. =)

Thank you again for choosing me to capture your memories! Again, I had the greatest time with you. 

XOXXO

Shannon Wermers

Pensacola Photographer

6 lbs down and my AWESOME gym!

Well, I'm still doing the diet throughout the holiday season - which is HARD! Especially when I'm a baker and love to make goodies! So, here I am making fudge, brownies, and cookies and all I can do is look at them!! haha... So not fair. =)  I have indulged a tiny bit, but I really want to keep up w/ my routine - ya know?! 

Speaking of working out - I have found THE BEST place to workout at. =) I joined Pensacourt and LOVE it. They have the friendliest and most helpful staff and trainers! Everyone is more than willing to answer questions and they even do evaluations, so that you can monitor your progress! This truly isn't your "ordinary run of the mill" kinda of gym - it's a family owned business that cares about your health and well being.  They have two locations one on 9 mile and on Langley. So! If you are in the market for an AWESOME gym - please check them out!  

Oh! One of the best parts of being a member there is for those of us that have KIDS!!  They offer Child Care!! Yes!! For those of us with small children that's a MUST have. The gals in the child care center are so good with my girls and my girls just adore them! Honestly, they are the best hands down and all around. 

Check them out at http://www.pensacourt.com

Tell them I sent ya! ;)  They all know me.... lol   *only because I'm there EVERY day!! haha...  =)    They'll hook you up w/ a guest pass

Happy Birthday!!

Today is a very special day. My little girl is turning 3!! Hooray. =) I cannot believe that she is three already...it's almost unreal.

Three years ago today I was holding a beautiful baby girl in my arms and today.... well, today I get to watch my "big girl" blow out candles, rip open presents, "play mommy" to her little sister, and talk about her friends and what she wants for dinner. She amazes me each day with her incredible personality.

Today, she opened one of her presents - a tutu and cute little hat. She looks up at me and says, "Mommy photo-shoot?!" LOL What a kid!! =) So we dressed her up and had a photo-shoot.

So without further due - here is my Adorable Cadence J.'s 3 year photo-shoot.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

She is trying so hard to hold just 3 fingers up!! lol...so cute

I love you pun'kin!!

XOXXO

Mommy

P.S. Curious on where you can get the awesomely cute tutu or fuzzy hat?

I bought those from this cute children's boutique; TY & KC

They are located at 823 E. Gadsden St.

Pensacola, FL. 32501

Phone: 850-332-6171

Check them out for some really cute stuff!

Thanks Jenny for finding that adorable children's store TY and KC =)

Cans for comments!! This is an amazing Food Drive!

Hi gang!

So many photographers are doing this! It's such an awesome idea, so I thought I would jump aboard. 

Christmas (and Thanksgiving too!) is such a giving time of the year; so many things to be thankful for - healthy friends and family, job prosperity, a roof over my head, food in my mouth and so on. =)  Unfortunately, there are many who are without during these times and well, sometimes throughout the entire year. 

This really hurts my feelings! Cans for comments was started by a fantastic photographers -  Chris and Lynn @http://chrispluslynn.blogspot.com/ and so many since then have joined this cause!

For every comment made on my blog - I will donate a canned good to our local food bank; Bay Area Food Bank. 

Please help us - help others by commenting on our blogs!  I will be posting links to my fellow participating photographers!! Let's do this!!!!!!

*If you would like to donate to this charity or would like to drop off your canned goods - please drop me a line.

Thank you!

Here are some of the amazing photographers that are participating -

Chris and Lynn  http://chrispluslynn.blogspot.com/ 

Amber Hughes - http://blog.amberhughes.ca/

Scott - http://www.thinkphotographics.com/

Kristel Wyman - http://kristelwyman.wordpress.com/

Courtney Paris - http://courtneyparisphotography.blogspot.com

Totally Tubular Ghiglino Family Beach session

I had a fantastic time with this wonderful family! They have two little boys that were just a blast to be around. They were so funny! They were all about Scooby Doo - so we had a great time getting them to look at me by saying "Is that Scooby over there - Oh! I think I see Scooby !! Oh my - I think he's out there surfing! Can you see him?!"  It was hysterical. =)  Tricia and Luigi were wonderful people. I had such a great session with you guys! Thank you for using me to capture your memories! 

Here are some highlights from our session =)

Here is the beautiful family....

Luigi and Tricia (aka Mommy and Papa)

The cuties

Mommy and the boys

Papa and the boys

When I say they were a fun family! I meant literally meant that!! lol 

Thank you for such a fun session. You guys were a blast!!

XOXXO

Shannon Wermers

www.portraitsbysw.com

My kiddos Portrait Session

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I thought I would share my little girls' portrait sessions with you! =) My oldest is almost 3 and my little one is 19 1/2 months old. Even though my oldest will be 3 on Friday, I decided to take her 3 year portrait a little early... lol. 

We took some on the beach with their pajamas (Idea I "borrowed" from a previous session) and then some studio. 

Here are my little girls.  =)

She was giving lil' Sissy a hug. awhhh...

XOXXO

Shannon

Recipe Day!! - Spring Salad -

Hi everyone! Well, not only do I LOVE photography, but I also enjoy cooking and baking - hence the weight gain! lol. Well, since joining fellow photographers on our "battle of the bulge" (lol) I have decided to share some of my recipes with everyone! I hope you enjoy reading and following along! If you are interested in being Fit - please leave comments on the blog with your story and how you are coming along! I would love to hear from you. Take care!

Today, I have a salad recipe for you. =) Yummy!!

Spring Salad

Ingredients:

Spring Salad mix 

Strawberries (4 whole ones sliced)

Roast Beef ( 2-3 pieces of sandwich meat... I use the deli, but you can get pre-packaged)  Cut into pieces

2 tsp Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette (I use the Old Cape Code brand)

handful of Pistachios or almond nuts

1 - 2 tsp Crumbled Feta Cheese

Directions:

In your bowl pour desired amount of lettuce. Add strawberries, Roast Beef, and nuts. Pour 2 - 3 tsp dressing over top and toss. Sprinkle the Feta and enjoy!!

Add salt and pepper if desired.

I hope you like this recipe. It is pretty tasty. Let me know what you think and I will be posting some new recipes within the next week. I think we'll do a Ginger Chicken. Who says eating healthy has to taste bad?!

XOXXXO

Shannon

Day 3 - Dieting Temptations!

So, as many of you have read by now - I am starting a diet! Yippee... and especially right before the Christmas holiday. All those chocolates, fudge, pies, cakes, candies....must I go on?!  lol  This is why I HAVE to get my workouts going strong, so that I may have some of those things without gaining 10 pounds. ;)

Today has been pretty good! Went to the gym and boy did it feel sooooooo good to stretch!  I Did some cardio and worked on legs! Even though my legs were still sore from working out the other day. lol  Today was a good day.

Meals:

Breakfast - 1 bowl of Oatmeal, cup of coffee and water

Lunch - Turkey and cheese

Dinner - Grilled Chicken Wrap

Loads of water today.... I feel like I'm pregnant again; having to go every 10 minutes!! hehehe..

Temptations!!! I took the girls to Chic Fil A tonight and while they were gobbling down waffle fries, chocolate milk and those tasty battered and fried chicken nuggets; I was scarfing down my grilled chicken wrap - and I ate a couple of fries *eeekk* but I did have Diet Coke Caffeine Free...which I have done really good about now having soda. Go me!! lol

On another note -

I have a session booked for Saturday with a great family! I am so excited to meet them!! So, stay tuned for some of their session sneak peeks!

Good night!

XOXXO

Shannon

Day 2 - Ouch it hurts!!! and what's on my ipod

So, I slid out of bed and my legs and butt are KILLING me. haha… and as I’m making my way to the kids’ rooms - I’m keep telling myself “It is ALL worth it…this pain means that something is working!"

*yes, keep telling yourself that…lol*

So, same routine as yesterday as far as meal plan. I CHEATED!!!! I had a few of my daughter’s french fires….eh, I know, I know!! Weakness right there. But just a few…much better than the whole thing.

Went to the gym did 30 minutes of cardio and then did arms/upper body. Feeling pretty good right now! Yay!

Now for this week’s rendition of “what’s on my ipod”  Nosey people want to know!! lol  

I don’t know about you guys, but when I’m working out “what are other people listening to?” So, I do this on my photography blog and thought that I would also share on this blog too. Here we go!

5 Songs

1. Womanizer by Britney Spears

2. Sandstorm by Tunnel Alliance 

3. Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit

4. The Devil went down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band

5. I don’t care by Fall Out Boy

Bonus song - Footloose by Kenny Loggins

Hope you enjoyed reading today’s entry! Stay tuned for more of “what’s on Shannon’s ipod” and I will be putting some great recipes together to share with you! 

XOXXO

Shannon

Day 1.........Just the beginning of my becoming fit

Honestly, it hasn’t been a bad start at all. Surprisingly! I went to the gym (thank GOD it offers child care! - major plus) worked out for an hour and 20 minutes. Did 40 min. of cardio (burned 400 calories) then did Legs. When it was all done - I felt GREAT!!! Now, since having only one cup of caffein - I have a slight headache! yuck! It’s the price I’ll pay for getting rid of the horrific “muffin top”. lol

Meals:

Breakfast - I had an egg w/ wheat toast and 1 cup of coffee

Lunch - Turkey sandwich, handful of grapes - loads of water

Dinner - I’m making baked chicken w/ veggies

I’m so excited for this journey with everyone! We are going to look HOT! =)

XOXXO

Shannon

To Eat or Not To Eat?!?! ..... That is the question!

In the beginning there was a photographer yearning to be fit…………

Hi! I’m Shannon and I am a foodaholic…. lol ;)  No really, I don’t know anyone who cannot pass by a chocolate filled candy bowl and not grab one - or a handful, or has two or more sodas a day! =)  Well, that about sums me up right there. I LOVE chocolate, ice-cream, Italian food, Bread (all carbs in general - especially PIZZA), and soda. This will be a challenging time, but I know that with having such awesome people to join in this crusade with - I CAN and WILL do this.

A little about why I need to do this - I had two babies back to back. They are 16 months apart - and believe me - it did a number to my flat stomach! Yep, that’s right!! No more bikini beach moments for me; unless it’s a “tank-kini”. I want to fit into my jeans without that unfashionable “muffin top”!! Some of you know what I’m talking about….uh huh…. yep, when your belly bellows over the top of your jeans - like on a muffin!!! Ick… lol.

Here are my Stats (in the narrator voice of the Sports Channel dude  haha) 

Height: 5′ 1 1/2″  (YES! That 1/2 inch is VERY important!. lol) 
Weight: 148 lbs
% Body Fat: 24%

(This part will be coming soon)

Measurements

Chest:
Biceps:
Belly: (at the biggest part)
Waist size: (for pants)
Hips:

Goal - Is to drop 24 lbs and get super toned. =) I have to get rid of this MUFFIN TOP!!!!!!!!

Well, thanks for taking time out to read all my rambling! lol   Give me some feedback throughout this journey!! Oh and come back and check out some “awesome” before photos - it’s sure to get you to smile or laugh…either way it might make your day. =)

Gobble...Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

I hope that everyone has enjoyed their Turkey Day?! It was a beautiful day filled with great friends, fried turkeys, pies and watching the kids play. I couldn't have asked for a better day. I literally am in a food coma and no matter how stuffed I am - I still want to eat more?! Why is that?? It must be programed into the whole Thanksgiving holiday. Who knows?? lol.

Good luck to all who will brave the black Friday rituals! Watch out for those who will snatch the "last item available" out of your cart - yes - this does happen. Sad, I know......but true. Have a great evening and a wonderful tomorrow.

Stay tuned for my journey to "getting fit in four months" along with some amazing fellow photographers. We will be eating right, working out and blogging about our successess, and our moments of weakness - basically the good, the bad and the ugly!! lol.. It will be a lot of fun to see how we are faring through it all. And hey! Why not join us?? See how much you can transform in a few months - whether it's loosing weight, toning up or both! =) It will be a great time, so keep checking in because we are starting on Monday!!!! Wooohoooo.....

Gobble...Gobble!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOOxcEIdTA8

XOXXO
Shannon

Rockin' good time......it's the M. Family Beach session

Had the best time today w/ these amazing kiddos! They have grown so much over the year - since last years Christmas session! They are each such wonderful kids. Mommy had a great idea of putting them into pajamas for this years photos.  How FUN is that?! We took some by the Christmas tree (very cute!) and then off to the beach for some "winter" pajama fun. =)  

Thank you for the wonderful session - I, as always, have the best time with you! Can't wait for baby Menteer to show up early next year!! =)  Congrats!!!

Here's some photos of today's session

Catch a Wave..... it's the totally awesome B. Family

I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful family! Little Izzy was such a doll and loved running or should I say rolling around in the sand. lol. =) She was such fun to be around. Mommy and Daddy are such wonderful people - I had a great time visiting with you guys.  They have a SURPRISE baby due in March! Congratulations you guys!!! I am so happy for your family and I cannot wait to meet this little person. I love surprises when it comes to having babies. The anticipation about kills me, but when that little gal/guy is born and when the doctor announces what it is - It is the GREATEST and BEST surprise that could ever be. =)  Izzy will be a Big Sissy and I know they will have LOTS of adventures together. 

Thanks again for the wonderful beach session. I had so much fun w/ you guys and I cannot wait for the arrival of baby. Congrats again!

Here is your session sneak peek - 

XOXXO

Shannon Wermers

In The Moment Photography

Pensacola, Florida

www.portraitsbysw.com

Love is in the air........ The Hart's Beach Session

What a wonderful session I had with this incredible couple! They were so much fun and were up for anything. =)  It was a bit cold outside, but they hung in there and we got some amazing shots. We did two locations on the beach. First we started under the pier and worked our way down the beach.  Amanda and Chris - thank you so much for the great session. You guys were so much fun! 

Here is a sneak peek at your session!

Thanks again for the opportunity to capture your memories - ones that you will cherish for years! =)

XOXXO

Shannon Wermers

www.portraitsbysw.com

Christmas music?? lol

Okay, so some say - and this includes me - that nothing Christmas should be played or displayed until after Thanksgiving!! Right?! 

Well, then why in the world am I playing Christmas music on my site and blog?! lol  I can explain!! ;)   

Since I am doing Christmas sessions, I thought I would also put up some Christmas songs so that when you are looking through the site and blog - it would give you that Christmasy feeling. =) lol.... (a little cheesy?? maybe, but that's me! lol)  Plus, I LOVE this time of the year and well, it only comes around once a year.........so I'm soaking it in!!! ;)  

I hope you enjoy the songs while you are visiting my site and blog!

Merry Christmas - oh and of course Happy Thanksgiving   ;)

XOXXO 

Shannon Wermers

pensacola, Florida

www.portraitsbysw.com

This weeks addition of "What's on Shannon's IPod"

It's been a crazy week and a half! Busy, busy, busy...not complaining though! lol. I hope everyone is having a fantastic week so far.

Here's what's on my IPod - random pics

1. Just Like You - by Three Days Grace

2. Burning Love - by Elvis Presley

3. 1999 - by Prince

4. Would you go with me - by Josh Turner

5. I don't care - by Fall Out Boy

Well - there you have it...more of my awesome music pics! lol

Have a good night!!

XOXXO
Shannon

Future Heartbreaker.....

I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful family today. There's Mommy - Camren, Daddy - Jonny and baby girl - Isabel (3 months). Isabel was such a wonderful baby and possibly the next GAP baby model! ;)  Our little model was a true star during the shoot. Thank you for the great time! You have such a beautiful family and it was a joy to photograph you!

Here's a sneak peek -

Thank you for letting me share those memories with you and congratulations on baby Isabel!!

XOXXO

Shannon Wermers

www.portraitsbysw.com