A Christmas Spectacular with the T.C. Williams High School Choir

It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially if you love choral music! There's just something right about dozens of voices joining together for some Christmas cheer, and one of the best choirs in the Washington, DC area is from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA. I popped over for their annual Christmas concert this week and was treated to a thrilling concert of holiday classics, African rhythms, and even a little PDQ Bach with kazoo accompaniment. It was a great preview ahead of the choir's performance on the upcoming "Christmas in Washington" to be aired on TBS.

On the Road to Christmas, A Stop in New York City!

New York City is one of my favorite places to be at Christmas time, so it was a treat to watch the city beginning its Christmas preparations - from Cartier's jewel-box building wrap, to the ice-skaters in Rockefeller Center, to tiny tots transfixed by the Lego store's miniatures. 

Shannon the Photo Gal: The 2013 Dupont Circle High Heels Race: Highlights...

Shannon the Photo Gal: The 2013 Dupont Circle High Heels Race: Highlights...: The best part about Halloween in Washington, DC happens just a few days before Halloween - it's the annual High Heels Race. This year&#3...

The 2013 Dupont Circle High Heels Race: Highlights Reel

The best part about Halloween in Washington, DC happens just a few days before Halloween - it's the annual High Heels Race. This year's race was filled with color, style, and enough feathers to make a Vegas showgirl swoon. Check out some highlights from this year's fashion parade!

The Scene: A Fashion Photo Session with Actress/Stylist Martia Simms-Beard

When you first meet Martia, you notice her warm and engaging manner along with her poise and confidence. It's a wonderful and surprising combination, especially in someone who's barely into her twenties. So when we were preparing for her photo shoot, we spoke a lot about her dreams and how she sees herself. We wanted to show her sweetness and her strength, and the range of emotions between the two. We kept makeup and clothing simple, working with make-up artist Ashley Novak of Glam on Demand. Martia, who is also a stylist and fashion blogger, acted has her own stylist.

Batter Up!

At Bat, photograph by Shannon Finney, Alexandria, VA, September 26, 2013

Just as the boys of summer were wrapping up the official 2013 Major League Baseball season, there was still time for a new little slugger to step into the batting box. And while the helmet might be a size or two too large it's not large enough to hide the smile on this little batter's face. 

Shannon the Photo Gal New York Fashion Week Recap

For those of us who await the Vogue September issue with the joy and anticipation of a child awaiting gifts under the Christmas tree or a football fan getting ready for the Super Bowl, New York Fashion Week is a must. I took my camera and hit the sweltering streets of NYC to catch the fashionable "working it" under the hot late summer sun. Fashion is rarely about comfort, and the men and women of fashion suffered for their art with leather shift dresses, leather skirts, leather leggings, and tall leather gladiator boots. Some tried to keep things cool and sophisticated with billowy pajama-inspired silky separates. It was a great time and I'll have enough fashion memories to keep me happy - at least until the 2014 fall shows:) 

Leather never looked so ladylike

Perforated white = one of my favorite dresses. The beachy blond strands are a bonus!

The royal blue of the turned back cuffs just makes a girl want to get dressed!

Joanna Coles, Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine is strength and beauty in this
fitted sheath and leather booties.

Seeing double with these sophisticated safari-inspired looks

Bare midriff, leather a-line skirt with grommets, and a sexy bondage-inspired heel is
how you work Fashion Week

While the mercury didn't agree, this Fashion Week guest certainly thought it was Leather Weather

Downward dog doesn't seem to be happening at this sidewalk yoga installation

Hey! There's no SMILING at Fashion Week!!

Sometimes the photographers become the stars of the show:)

A little Goth, a little 90s, and a jewel-toned floral print 

Keeping it cool in custom shades

J. Alexander and Robert Verdi keeping cool in the heat at New York Fashion Week

Putting the "style" in stylist:)

Made in the Shade on the way to Betsey Johnson

The Pyjama Game grows up!

In Good Company - Three friends enjoying Fashion Week and each other!

Red and blue make stunning!

Simple elegance beats the heat every time

Who says fashion can't be fun AND pretty??

Two stylish, walking billboards:)

Joe Zee of Elle magazine is in the mix with his palette of navy and black, and his great smile

Violet the Beautiful:)

Black and white and faaaaaaabulous!

Taking a page from Mrs. Carter or Minnelli?

An unforgettable fashion foursome!

Beautiful blooms balanced by a structured black beauty of a tote

The Lincoln Center Fountain doubles as waiting room

Mesh is the word!

A Three Way Tie - Three different ways to work the dress/structured tote/gladiator-bondage sandal

Leather isn't just for fall and winter anymore

Some of the most important people at fashion week don't walk the catwalk - All hail the photographers!!

Purple Power

It's gotta be the shoes!!??

Parting shot from the steps of Lincoln Center

On the go in head to toe leather!