Shawnee Custalow

Dead Fame : Band Promos

2011-11-03T16:47:00.000-07:00

This band has gained such a huge following in an incredibly short amount of time. I've been to see them twice so far, and can't help but dance along to their songs. Hear their music at http://www.facebook.com/deadfameofficial and catch them at a local show soon!

Katy and Eric's Wedding

2011-10-30T23:42:00.000-07:00

I had such a wonderful time working with Katy and Eric, and can honestly say it was the best wedding I have ever attended. My sides hurt the next day from the nonstop laughter everyone in the party caused. I absolutely adore this couple, and love that they love to have a good time. The wedding took place at Belle Isle State Park with the ceremony overlooking the river. Simply breathtaking.

Katy and Eric, thank you so much for asking me to be a part of your day. I wish you nothing but the best for the amazing future you will surely create together.

Jessica's Headshots

2011-09-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

Jessica is sweet & sassy opera singer who needed two different looks to represent both sides of her. We had a blast walking around The Fan and finding good backdrops. These are her serious and flirty looks. Girl knows how to work it!

Michelle Raymond : Promos

2011-08-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Can I just say how much I adore this lady? Michelle and I go way way way back to the days of elementary school, and I am so glad we've been able to stay in touch. She used to play her guitar for me and let me listen to each new song when we were kids. Now she is living her dream of having an accomplished band and putting out her own studio CD. These are some shots we took to possibly use as the cover and promos. Check her out at http://www.michelleraymondband.com/

...and this one is my favorite!

Happy Holidays!

2011-01-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone had a a wonderful holiday and is excited about the new year. The past couple of weeks here in Williamsburg have been a winter wonderland. Sabrina and Olivia have never been more excited than when bounding through a foot of white fluff.
Alison is camera shy. Its just her luck that her partner is a portrait photographer. Getting her to take a photo is like pulling teeth, but she agreed to do this for her mom. Moms always win. Here is our winter portrait we sent out to family and friends:

The dogs are totally putting us to shame, we can't even attempt to look that cute.
Check back soon to get updated on the awesome presents we gave each other, and some exciting news for the new year!

Monica's Senior Portraits

2010-11-26T21:52:00.000-08:00

I am lucky enough to have some of the best clients imaginable, and this family is the perfect example. I've had the pleasure of taking all three kids senior photos, and Monica is the last of the trio. She's grown into such a beautiful young lady who is eager to graduate and study abroad. Her mother and sister came along to keep her laughing endlessly. We adventured in Waller Mill Park where the autumn leaves covered the ground and provided a gorgeous backdrop. Then we headed to Colonial Williamsburg to hang with some horses and wander about town. It was so nice to see Monica and her family today; they truly are wonderful to work with. Check out some of my favorite shots from the day, or go to the proof site to view them all!

A surprise sneak attack from her older sister.

Bogey

2010-11-12T19:10:00.000-08:00

This week I had the pleasure of working with Connie and her sweet cat Bogey. Connie was the winner of a free sitting with me from the HHS Fashion Show, and I couldn't have hoped for more awesome clients. Bogey was a rescue and has his owners completely smitten. He was a perfect little model, and loved posing for the camera.

King of the Hill

2010-11-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

I truely believe that rescues make the best lifelong companions, and King is no exception. His parents fostered him as a puppy, and when he wasn't adopted after six months they brought him back home. This big boy is now eight years old and gives just as much love as he receives. This is his favorite chair and hangout spot.

It was a pleasure photographing King in his home environment where he is most content. Be on the lookout for some kitten photos from the winner of the free sitting with me!

Struttin' Paws and Prints

2010-10-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting the Heritage Humane Society's Fashion Show. People and pets hit the catwalk, and helped raise money for the care of animals. This years event was such a great success, due mostly in part to the Next Top Pet Model contest. The winners this year were Roxy and Brownie of the Nautical Dog in New Town, and they looked extra cute walking down the runway in their snazzy attire.

Congrats to everyone who participated in the runway show, and those who won fabulous prizes (one of which was a free sitting with me)! This event was so much fun to photograph, and I can't wait to work with the lucky winner.

Paparazzi Pets

2010-08-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

Today I finally started a project that has been on my mind for months, and shot some of Williamsburg's finest. I set up studio at Heritage Humane Society, and snapped away as each pup let loose and strut their stuff. They all have such distinct personalities and quirks, that each shot was completely different. This is a project that I will continue to work on and help as many pets as possible find their forever home. These prints will be hanging up at HHS and go home with the animal and their new family. Stop by the shelter to see all the photos taken and visit with the cutest creatures in town. A special thanks to Michael at HHS for helping handle and treat all the dogs!

All of these dogs are currently up for adoption at Heritage Humane Society:

Dalton

Flower

Hope

Koda

Trooper

Storm

Back in action!

2010-08-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

I know I've been M.I.A. for the past few months, but I decided to kick my lazy habit and start posting on the regular. Since moving to Williamsburg I haven't been doing much shooting, and that has to change as well. Many exciting things have happened recently though including a new addition to our family, Miss Olivia Jane.

This little monster has been chewing up everything in her path and terrorizing our older dog Sabrina. We are completely smitten and can't get enough of her puppy breath kisses. We have been fostering her through the Humane Society of Williamsburg since she was only one day old, and it was truely love at first sight. Be on the lookout for a photo project I will be doing for the Humane Society soon!

It's Finally Spring!

2010-03-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

The thing I love most about Virginia, is that we definitely get to experience all four seasons. Springtime has finally arrived, and just like clockwork the temperature rose to almost 80 this week. This meant that every possible moment was spent outside, and who better to hang out with than my best friend and fellow photographer Josh Lewis. Here are a couple shots of him from our sunny adventure to Texas Beach.

Springtime shoots are my favorite, and I can't wait for the next adventure! Take care everyone, and enjoy the beautiful weather :)

Special Deal!

2010-02-03T12:01:00.000-08:00

I've been working a lot lately with making my business more recognizable and known about. Look for these coupons at local businesses around Richmond and Hampton Roads!

Snowed in Portraits

2010-02-01T19:29:00.000-08:00

I wasn't looking foward to a second snow filled weekend this winter, but now I'm really happy almost 14 inches of white fluff kept me inside. This weekend was filled with hot cocoa, snow wrestling, lots of movies, wine and too many crosswords to count. It was a nice break from my busy schedule, and the soft light reflected from snow is always so gorgeous. Here are some window light portraits I took while we were stuck inside.

Roadtrip!

2010-01-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

I try my best to make a roadtrip out of everything. I think the best vacations envolve driving through new places and seeing the beauty of the open road. This past week I went with Alison to PA and we had quite an adventure. We gambled (and won!), ate vegan treats, saw my favorite band play, hung out in Philly, tasted wine at local vineyards, stalked the Omish, and laughed until our sides hurt. This is one of my favorite things we saw while driving through Lancaster, a shed with a tree growing through it:

Oh, and for New Years Eve we attended a Lady Gaga Gayla at a nightclub in York. I think Alison pulls off the big sunglasses look well!

Ashton's Fashion Portraits

2009-12-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

Ashton's mom sought me out when she saw my back alley portrait series. She loved the dirty but beautiful look about them, and wanted me to take portraits of her son in that style. (Ashton was one of my models for the original series.) We found this amazing abandoned factory field and ran around shooting as much as we could before the sun set. I absolutely love this location and the shots Ashton and I got this day.

this one was an outake. What a cutie!

Trouble and Lindsey's Christmas Card Portrait

2009-12-12T12:10:00.000-08:00

Take two ridiculously awesome girls, add two cute shelter dogs who ain't quite right, a muddy alley park...throw it all together and you get a fun shoot with super adorable pictures. Kelda (the smaller dog) was scared of my camera, and Buddy just wanted to jump fences and run in the mud. This is going to look awesome in the Holiday cards they're sending out this year. Hey ladies, don't forget to put mine in the mail ;)

Mary's Headshot

2009-12-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

Mary is applying to the theatre program at VCU and needed a headshot. I hadn't seen her since our theatre classes in highschool over five years ago. It was wonderful to catch up with her and chat. *Note: Even though you can't see them in the photo, Mary was wearing some stellar heels during this shoot. She informed me that it is supposed to make you feel more confident, and I think it certainly worked!

Amber & Cassie

2009-08-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

Amber and Cassie are both photographers, but its different when you are in front of the camera. They wanted some photos of the two of them since Amber is going away for a while. This shoot was so much fun, we had a great time running around their neighborhood together.

Amber, I wish you the best of luck at your new job Richmond is going to miss you!

Melissa and Roger

2009-08-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

These two had me giggling the entire time we ran around Carytown together. It was blazing hot outside, but it didn't seem to phase them at all. We even got to check out the Watermelon Festival for a couple minutes before we parted ways. Can I just say that I'm not ticklish, and totally jealous... because their tickle fights were much too adorable.

Crystal & Orry

2009-08-07T09:10:00.001-07:00

Cutest couple ever.

Pretty much sums these two up. I was thrilled to go on an adventure around the city with Crystal and Orry. I haven't seen them much since highschool, and it was great to catch up and laugh for a couple hours. I received a message from them not long after saying, "Shawnee we had so much fun today! Thanks for handling our awkwardness so well." Haha

Dear Crystal and Orry,
You two are awesome and I had a blast working with you. Take care, and I hope to see you again soon!

Summer Slump

2009-07-06T23:25:00.000-07:00

I have been lacking in inspiration lately, and not shooting much. My new roommate Sara is helping to push me along though. Here are some shots of her from an adventure we took on the 4th of July.

Nude Photos of Celebrities

2009-06-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my friends band Nude Photos of Celebrities from their show at the National the other night. They rule, and make me smile tremendous amounts during their sets. Check them out at a local show in Richmond soon!

New Blog

2009-06-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

I'm Shawnee, and this is my photo blog. I'm going to try my best to keep this thing updated, so check back to see what's happening in my life and my photo business! You can view my work and contact me at www.shawneecustalow.com. Thanks, and feel free to blog stalk me!