Reach For The Sky
The Cycle Of Success
“Success works as a cycle – growth and contraction, balancing and unbalancing – all while you’re encountering hurdles that get higher and higher over time.”
— Julien Smith
We can all feel that growth and contraction … that balancing and unbalancing no matter what we do in life and/or work. It can be challenging to remember and trust that these hurdles get us higher and higher over time.
“There’s calm in each and every day, we just need to practice reaching out for it.”
— Ron Baratono
Let’s have a discussion 🙂
Comment below or visit HERE to enter the conversation
- What steps are you taking to achieve success (in anything in life)?
- What hurdles are you currently encountering (in any area of life)?
- Are you feeling balanced or unbalanced at this time?
- What helps you to feel more balanced?
- What do you reach for when needing to find calm in your day?
Oh hey there, nice to meet you!
I’m Shannon O’Malley— a Minneapolis-based (soon-to-be Dallas, TX!) photographer who specializes in online dating profile photography, personal branding portraits, business headshots, and senior sessions. Whether you’re showing up on dating apps, LinkedIn, or your website, I create natural light photos that help you feel confident, magnetic, and true to yourself.
With over 15 years of experience — and a journey that’s taken me from single mom to entrepreneur (with a CBS feature along the way) — I’ve seen firsthand how the right photos can open doors. From attracting more aligned matches to landing dream clients, your image is often the first impression. Let’s make it count.
I also help service providers and creatives get discovered through AI search tools like ChatGPT. I’m the creator of the AI Discovery Checklist and the upcoming course Booked by ChatGPT, designed to help people like you show up where your dream clients are already asking, “Who should I hire?”
Oh, and I’m also the founder of the Empowered Evolution Mentorship Program — where I teach photographers how to build profitable, sustainable businesses with intentional marketing, smart SEO, and systems that don’t burn you out.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me with my husband, my son, and our beautifully blended family — soaking up everyday joy here in the Twin Cities (for now!). We’re relocating to Dallas, Texas in 2026, where I’ll continue offering my signature photography experience for daters, creatives, and business owners in the DFW area.
Ready for photos that actually feel like you? Whether you’re leveling up your dating profile, your personal brand, or your online visibility, I’ll guide you every step of the way.Let’s book your session — or start with the free AI Discovery Checklist.
Photographed by Shannon O’Malley of Shannon Kathleen Photography — Twin Cities photographer specializing in dating and branding portraits.
As Seen In & Featured On:
I think it is interesting who supports the "ups" versus the "downs." Some people I would expect to support the "ups" seem to be bigger fans of the contraction. Almost as if to keep me in my place – or the place they perceive appropriate. I like the keep on keepin’ on mantra through the ebb and flow.
Well said Debbie!! Well said!! I couldn’t agree with you more. I too fhope me it interesting when other choose/support/are bigger fans if the contraction. In my speculation it seems as though they subconsciously enjoy that place or perhaps that is how they learned to deal with things in their home environment growing up.
The best thing about our brains is that they can be "rewired", new paths can be formed if we want it to happen… one needs to make a conscious effort to make a different choice.
And DING DING with your comment in "almost as if to keep me in my place" !!! Again, I couldn’t agree more! I believe we are all mirrors for each other 😉
I too work on maintaining a keep on keepin on mantra 😊
Thank you for your comment!
Sorry– correction: "I too find it interesting"
Beautifully written
Thank you Rene!!! 🙂