We’re excited to bring a new series to the blog called Behind the Lens, where we get to know the photographers behind the camera. First up is one of our talented Creative Team members, Shannon Killion. Shannon is our resident sports photography aficionado and her passion for photography is contagious!

Shannon, what inspired you to pick up your first camera? How long ago was that?

I’ve always loved photos. My earliest memory of actually choosing to take photos was back in 1983 when I was ten years old. I went to Girl Scout camp and convinced my mom to let me take her Kodak Disk camera with me. Even then, I had the tendency to be the documentarian as I took photos of the pickup truck loaded with gear and our messy cabin, as well as my fellow Scouts.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and you as a photographer. What was it that made you want to become a photographer?

If I am going to be honest about this, my competitive nature is what drove me to want to be a better photographer. I used to look at photos and think, “I can do that.” And then I realized it’s not as easy as I thought and my competitive cockiness has given way to a thirst for knowledge and the desire to take the best photos that I can. That’s what I love about it now: I am always learning. Also, I want to document life, especially the things that my family is involved in.

Tell us a little about the subjects you love to photograph and your style as a photographer.

Favorite subjects? It might be faster to list the things I don’t like to photograph! I love capturing my kids and their teammates playing sports. It’s so much fun to come home and see just what split-second I have captured. Freezing action and seeing things that I may have missed with the naked eye is so satisfying! I also love macro photography (bugs and flowers)…again because of the wonder of capturing things you might not notice with the naked eye. I also enjoy candid photos of my loved ones. I feel like candids are more honest than posed photos.

Aside from photography, what is a favorite hobby or pastime of yours?

I love to read, but the thing that I get really excited about it pens. Fountain pens. I love the way they write, the variations in ink color with each stroke. I have over ten fountain pens right now. None of them are exceptionally valuable, but I do have some that are super-cool including the one my grandfather gave to my grandmother in 1943, my great-grandmother’s dip pen and one my husband found in our garage that dates back to the mid 1920’s.

And let’s not forget the bottled ink. It’s a problem.

What do you do to learn and grow as a photographer?

I have joined several photo-a-day groups online. I love the camaraderie and conversations that come from sharing a photo each day. The challenge of sharing a photo each day forces me to think creatively. Also, my favorite part of the online groups is meeting people from all over the world, people like me who enjoy photography and enjoy sharing bits of their culture.

Out of all the locations you’ve photographed, is there one that stands out as being your favorite?

I am a sentimental fool (and I embrace this about myself.) My favorite location is my grandma’s farm. My great-grandfather built the outbuildings. My grandfather built the farmhouse. We are surrounded by wind turbines. It is home to me.

A close second is my hometown of Princeton, IL. The town is filled with historic buildings and beautiful old homes and even boasts two covered bridges.

Is there a photo/photo shoot that stands out as being your favorite?

I tend to be more of an opportunist as a photographer, rather than setting up a shoot. In May, I made an exception. I had this idea in my head for a gift for my father-in-law. All four grandkids play ball and I thought it would be awesome to get portraits of each of them in their uniforms.

We danced around trying to find a date when none of the four kids had games (easier said than done) and then the weather was not ideal. It clouded up when I wanted nice warm evening glow, but beggars can’t be choosers. I’m super-lucky in that I live across the street from a softball field, giving me a prime location

At first, I tried for individual photos of each kid, using poses I found on Pinterest. My kids are used to mugging for the camera, but my nephews just weren’t loving being in front of the camera.

I switched to group photos. And they cooperated and I loved the photos (my father-in-law did too.) I added a little “Fire” from Love that Shot’s Simplicity Collection to warm up the photos and I was just pleased as punch. It helps that I adore all of these kids!

Thank you so much, Shannon, for giving us a little peek behind the lens of your camera! Be sure to visit Shannon’s blog and Facebook page for more awesome photography and let her know we sent you!