UPDATE :: Only three spots left in the Fresh Style workshop!  
UPDATE :: Fresh Start workshop! is SOLD OUT! 
 
A few months ago I posted a question on Facebook about workshops, and we were completely overwhelmed by the positive response! So, today we are happy to announce our workshop, The Snap Shop! (Snap comes from SNP, short for Shawna Noel Photography). We are offering TWO Snap Shops :: a beginner's class, Fresh Start, and a more advanced class, Fresh Style. Scroll down to read all about them!

April 17 :: Fresh Start 
Class from 1pm to 6pm, with dinner and q+a session to follow 
 
A beginner workshop focusing on the basics of your camera and digital photography in order to create photos you'll love. We’ll talk about a range of topics from exposure, focus, posing, and lighting, to post-processing (plus anything else you ask!). This is a hands-on class with a live shoot. And no need to take notes during class; a take-home packet will be provided to help you remember what you learned! 
 
After a long day of class, dinner is our treat! You'll have time to ask us any questions you need answered. 
 
Nothing against point and shoots, of course, but A DSLR camera is required for this class.  
 
Maximum class size is 15. 
 
Price: $200 (includes dinner)  
To hold your spot, sign up here :: The Snap Shop: Fresh Start  
Additional information will be emailed to you after you register. Full amount is due to reserve your spot. Sorry, no refunds or cancellations, but you can transfer your registration to someone else. 
 
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April 18 :: Fresh Style  
Class from 1pm to 6pm, dinner and q+a session to follow 
 
An advanced class for photographers looking to define their style and push their creativity. We’ll be talking about inspiration, consistency, style, and branding. Our goal is to help you discover what your specific style is and how to adhere to it. 
 
Special guests from Milestones Photography and Katie Lewis Photography will be visiting the class to share info about lighting and social media. 
 
After a long day of class, we'll treat you to dinner and you'll have time to ask us any questions you need answered. 
 
A DSLR is required for this class, as well as working knowledge of basic camera operations (aperture, shutter, ISO, etc). 
 
Maximum class size is 15. 
 
Price: $300 (includes dinner) 
To hold a your spot, sign up here :: The Snap Shop: Fresh Style  
Additional information will be emailed to you after you register. Full amount is due to reserve your spot. Sorry, no refunds or cancellations, but you can transfer your registration to someone else.

If you have any questions about the workshops, please email me at shawnanoel@gmail.com or call me at 218-779-2294. I'm always happy to help :)

Finally, after jaw surgery and four weeks of blending all of my meals, I was able to eat real food today! And the darn splint that was attached to my teeth was removed! Hooray. 
 
Now that I can speak much, much better, I am getting excited for our annual trip to Las Vegas for the wedding and portrait photographer conference. We are heading out of town tomorrow and will be back next Thursday. If you are a photographer and are going to WPPI, text us at 218-779-2294! Making new friends is fun :) 
 
Here are a few photos that Kory snapped of me today ::

This is totally unrelated, but I just saw it on Facebook and had to repost it! Paul Salwey, the brother of the groom in the photo below, created this lovely piece of work from Kately and Josh's wedding portraits. I think it's way too funny. Enjoy (and good work, Paul!) ::

Tomorrow we are announcing details for our upcoming workshop, so check back then :)  
 
Also, on another unrelated note, I'm selling a Canon 5D. Email me at shawnanoel@gmail.com or text me at 218-779-2294 if you are interested!

Today it's been four weeks since my surgery and I'm feeling good! My jaw splint will come out tomorrow and I can't wait to eat real food. My first real meal after the splint comes out? PIZZA! If you could only eat mush for one month, what would your first meal be? I'll be reporting back tomorrow with photos of my new, post-surgery look (and maybe photos of me shoving pizza in my face).  
 
Last week we met up with Brietta and Kenn on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Grand Forks for their engagement session. They are getting married in Jamestown this summer and are expecting close to 500 guests! We can't wait for their big day ... it's going to be one heck of a party!  
 
We started their session around the gerbil tubes at UND then headed outside for some snowy photos. We had a good time getting to know a bit more about Brietta and Kenn during the session. I think that normally during an engagement session, the guy is making the girl laugh and smile (or they are laughing because of Kory's great jokes! JK! LOL!). But with Brietta and Kenn, Brietta was making the jokes! I especially love the photos of Kenn laughing from their session :) 
 
Enjoy the photos!

I've always wanted to go to the lake in winter. I like the idea of getting all bundled up to go on a hike or snowshoeing adventure. I like the idea of an outdoor fire when it's 10 degrees. And I like how calm and quiet the lake could be in winter.  
 
On Saturday I had the day off so we took a day-trip to Cass Lake. It was a gorgeous day, almost too warm, for enjoying the woods + lake. During our snowshoeing adventure I had to take my coat off because I was sweating like crazy! After snowshoeing, we grabbed lawn chairs and stuck them in the snow right out on the lake and sat there, enjoying the warmth of the sun.  
 
Here are a few photos from the day. 
 
The road to the cabin ::

The frozen lake :

GPS telling us that we are, in fact, on the lake (see the small blue dot? That's us).

Tweeting about the experience :

My winter-look :)

Snoesnowing :