Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Shannon.
Hi Annie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always been attracted to stories and finding new ways to tell them. Growing up, I would sit and listen to my family talk for hours, sharing stories from “back in the day.” Youtube was big back then, and I thought it would be cool to have a youtube channel, but I quickly discovered how shy I was and jumped ship. I had an “expensive” T3I camera that I had purchased that I didn’t want to waste, so I naturally started taking pictures of everyone and everything everywhere.
An opportunity arose for me to go to Spain as a missionary and to raise funds, I took pictures for people, and when my trip was cut short, I had a photography business when I got home. At 18, I started photographing weddings, and when I was 21, the door opened for me to become a missionary in Mexico and Latin America. While I was in Mexico, I took photos everywhere I went. I wanted to tell the true story of Mexico, not the narrative of a horrible life we are accustomed to hearing.
While there, a few of my friends got married, and I was blessed to take their wedding photos. I never stopped telling stories, and I hope and pray that the images I took while on missions make an impact. In 2020 when the pandemic hit, I had every intention of staying in Mexico and serving in missions, but God had other plans. You see, I had dreams of returning to the States and restarting my Wedding Photography business, but this time with a focus on service, not just taking pictures.
I didn’t know what that looked like, but when the door closed for me to stay there, I flew back to the states and reopened my business. At first, I leaned into being an Adventurous Destination Wedding and Elopement Photographer because that is what I had done while on missions, but it didn’t 100% click. While taking a marketing course, I attended a zoom call with my teachers, who opened up the floor for questions.
With tears welling up in my eyes, I confessed that I thought I wasn’t truly marketing to the right clients, that although I love adventure and destinations, I have asthma and bowed legs that make it difficult to hike miles and miles for an elopement. One of the teachers encouraged me that God uses all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose, and then the comments flooded with ideas from others in the class.
“Vows with a View,” said one, “Accessible Photography,” said another. And then it clicked… Everything fell into place in my mind. You see, I had grown up around people with seen and unseen disabilities my whole life and have always been one to make things accessible for my friends and family with disabilities or special needs. It’s just natural.
Two of my worlds collided at that moment. I could continue to document Intimate Weddings and Elopements, telling the whole story of a couple on their wedding day, and also have a focus on accessibility, making it possible for couple’s to have special moments with their grandparents or their family members or even make things accessible for couples who have special needs themselves.
So here I am today, I photograph weddings and take special care to document the story of two families becoming one, not just the Instagram-worthy moments of just the couple in a pretty place, although I do take those pictures too.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing worthwhile comes without its obstacles and challenges, and because I choose to look at all the blessings, it’s harder for me to recall the moments that existed, although they did. Such as taxes. I highly recommend a CPA for that reason; You can’t afford to have their advice at least. Or figuring out which gear to purchase or contracts or location scouting.
One of the biggest challenges was moving back to the states during the pandemic and reopening my business. Not only was there reverse culture shock, but there was a hot minute where I had to reestablish myself as a Wedding and Elopement Photographer. It’s been smooth in the sense that God always provides, and I always serve the clients I am called to serve, but smooth doesn’t mean it doesn’t take a lot of hard work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love to capture the whole story of a wedding day. From when I arrive, I am taking pictures of the location and setting, the little details and the candid moments of the family popping in while a bride is getting ready, and the tears that well up when they see her. I make sure that no detail goes missed and even the quiet moments, the ones that seem minute to others but are significant to the couple.
I capture those memorable first looks with Grandma or Grandpa and make them happen. I ensure family members in wheelchairs can access where we are taking pictures. I make a safe space for family members who are neurodivergent and need a song or something to help them relax and smile in the formal pictures (or be part of them).
I code the metadata of photos for the blind so they can enjoy the images when requested. I am currently learning sign language to serve the deaf community and make family formals accessible. I am fluent in Spanish and often use it to communicate with family members whose primary language is Spanish.
I have cross-cultural experience and document multicultural weddings in a way that shows the best of both cultures. I do all that to capture the wedding photos of my client’s dreams and serve and love them well. Photography is how I capture their story in stone, and offering accessibility is the icing on the cake.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My relationship with God matters most in a personal sense; I would not be here without Him. In fact, from a professional since, my business would not be here without him, so having Christ as my rock is what matters in my business as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annieshannon.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annieshannon.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theannieshannonco
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@annieshannonco
