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About

Photographer

Sheila Hannus

FACT:

I ADORE FASHION & SHOPPING AS MUCH AS I DO WATCHING OR READING GOOD SCIENCE FICTION.

FACT:

I HAVE TWO MEDICAL SCIENCE DEGREES AND NOT USING THEM MAKES ME A HAPPY GIRL.

Yes, I'm a photographer, but I'm sure your deductive reasoning has already lead you to this conclusion. More than a photographer though, I strive to be an artist.

When shooting any type of session, whether it be a destination wedding in Italy or a quick headshot update, I bring as many creative ideas as I can and ensure my clients vision is brought to life, and that's before a shoot even starts! My clients hire me because they expect beautiful images, but they WANT a piece of art.

So, how did I arrive where I am today? Even as young as four years old I preferred to be behind the camera (so my mom says). Although I wanted to be a lot of things (astronaut and archaeologist topping the list), there isn't a time I can remember NOT wanting to be a photographer or cinematographer.

At age twelve, when nominated by a scholastic achievement organization to travel to Europe with other teens from the United States, I came home with hundreds of photos of detailed European architecture, instead of goofy typical pictures of teens. This trip only strengthened my desire to create and capture the beauty of art, be it in people or things.

From being a lead photographer for a large yearbook in high school, spending the summer before senior year studying at Maryland Institute College of the Arts, being accepted to North Carolina School of the arts as one of only 40 invited out of hundreds applying for entry into their film program, I planned to follow my dream. OK, I said accepted, not attended. Coming from a business minded family, and as with many artists, I found pressure to pursue a field where the possibility of long term employment would be greater.

So, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree and an Associates degree in health science, in two and a half years and both with honors, concentrating in Radiography. I was still taking pictures, but of bones... oh the irony.

Something was missing though, so I started a Master's Degree program to be a Physician's Assistant two weeks after graduation. It didn't take long to realize that more letters at the end of my name was not the answer to my happiness. All along the way my camera still hung snuggly around my neck and through my travels to other countries I continued to view life through my lens. I even found myself taking art and photo classes through various colleges just for fun, while picking up various photo jobs when I could fit them in. I had known the answer all along, but somehow I was able to jump out of a plane (literally!) while still managing to find myself terrified to take the jump into full time artistry.

Obviously, I strapped on my metaphorical big girl parachute and took the photography plunge! I am blessed to have the support of family and friends, and have never looked back.

I have a wonderful (and spunky) family and I value my time with them as much as the quality of art I provide you. So, to create a harmony in both business and family life, I only take a limited number of weddings per year, as well as limited portraits per month.

About