BEHIND THE LENS

Life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that takes our breath away.
--- John Beckett

Thank you for taking the time to visit my web site. I hope you find what you are looking for and would be honored if you considered using me for your photographic needs.

I am the creative eye behind the lens and owner/operator of Shelly O’Connor Photography. Photography was not a dream as a child or adolescent for that matter. It started as a curious interest in my early 20’s when I was given my first digital camera as a gift. Ever since then I have been seeing the world through the camera lens. That one camera has helped me create over thousands of images in the years that followed and each one of those images taught me something new about capturing the most special moments of life in the most beautiful and creative ways possible. I quickly realized that this was what I wanted to do. Everywhere I look I envision how it would look captured in a photograph. That is what drives my passion.

My photography is a gift. It has happened naturally and feels like the culmination of all my interests. It is something that seems to have always been there but decided to reveal itself slowly. I have found that photography has allowed me to see the smaller things in life and makes me look at things in a different way and gives me a different kind of appreciation for everything around me.

I love the challenges that come with being a photographer. I’m always learning and experimenting with new techniques, learning from books, articles, reviews and hands-on experience. My passion for photography drives me to continue learning new styles to produce interesting and captivating images and the unlimited potential of a digital camera continues to fuel my imagination. I love the new techniques, skills and creativeness that digital photography has brought to the world. I’m always adapting to new and creative techniques all the time.

I decided to turn my dream into reality. What had began as a hobby has over time developed into a growing business. I never thought it would turn into my profession. I have put my heart, soul and a lot of my time into growing my skills and my business. My business philosophy is simple. I do it because I love it. I started Shelly O’Connor Photography out of my love of creating memories with my camera. I have a hard time putting my camera down and therefore I’m rarely seen without a camera in hand. I am very fortunate to be doing something I love and am thankful for it every day.

Today photography plays a huge part of my daily routine and I consider my camera as being one of my best friends. Without it things would not be the same. I hadn't always known that photography would play such a huge role in my life as it does today. It wasn't always such an easy journey but with the support of family and friends I am able to do what I love and I believe it helps to make me a better photographer.

My love for photography has done so much for me. All because of a camera and the world and the world it has given me. I see the world so differently now that I have found my passion. Everything and everyone has beauty within them. I love nothing more than to create a memory in time with my camera. My joy as a photographer is to study the natural beauty through my lens. Photography is a passion for me and one that continues to grow. It’s been just over 4 years since I picked up my first digital camera and I see no end in sight.

I would like to dedicate my photography to the three people who helped make it happen. I owe part of my success to my father Wendell and to my grandmother in-law Joan, who helped me buy my first digital camera but more so to my wonderful husband Kevin, my inspiration, encouragement and support. And without him none of this would have been possible. He saw my dream and encouraged me to chase it and helped me get there. He put up with all the hours that we'd be out, having me constantly stopping to click off photo after photo waiting patiently in the background never telling me to hurry up or let’s go. After a year and he saw this wasn't a fleeting hobby he helped me get the equipment I needed and showed me not to settle for ordinary. He taught me that investing in quality now was more important then settling for second best and regretting it later. He told me not to worry about the rest and that all he asks for is I don't forget him if I make it. Nobody has ever believed in me like that. He pushes me to continue on to get more creative and to be better and better at what I do. Without his help and encouragement I wouldn't be here. Thanks to my father and grandmother in-law for my first digital camera and to my loving, understanding, and wonderful husband for letting me to follow my dream and for standing by me even when I’m out shooting.

To me photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. I’ve found it has to do with the things you see and everything to do with how you see them. My goal as a photographer is to help you to see things in a different way. To see them as I would through my lens and ultimately through my photographs.

I hope you enjoy my photos as much as I had the joy in taking them.
Shelly