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, a Twin Cities-based (soon-to-be Dallas, TX!) photographer specializing in online dating profile photography, personal branding photography, business headshots, and senior portraits. Whether you’re updating your dating apps, refreshing your LinkedIn profile, building your business brand, or celebrating a senior year milestone, I create natural light portraits that boost confidence and help you stand out — authentically.
With 15+ years of experience — and a personal journey from single mom to entrepreneur (and a CBS feature along the way) — I know the power of a photograph to tell your story. From attracting more meaningful matches, landing dream clients, or marking life’s big moments, I create relaxed, real portraits that feel like you while making a lasting first impression.
I’m also the creator of the Empowered Evolution Mentorship Program for photographers, where I teach creative entrepreneurs how to build profitable photography businesses through intentional marketing, SEO strategies, and streamlined workflows.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me with my husband, my son, and our beautifully blended family, savoring life’s everyday moments here in Minneapolis–St. Paul (at least for now!). We’re relocating to Dallas, Texas in 2026 — and I’ll soon be offering my signature branding and dating photography experience in the DFW area.
📸 Ready for natural photos that actually feel like you? Whether you need dating photos, professional headshots, or personal branding portraits, I’ll guide you every step of the way so you feel confident and aligned with your next chapter. Let’s book your session today.
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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!!! 🙂