By Terra Avilla
I think Shannon Cook knows when I am thinking about her, because twice, as I have been writing about how awesome she is, she has texted me about all the awesome things she is trying to do for our community.
Shannon is the owner and mastermind behind Blue Shutter Photography, but Shannon is so much more than a world-class photographer. Shannon is the mother to two beautiful little boys, a wife, an ultrasound technician, a volunteer, a dancer and a friend.
Shannon came into my life originally as the role of a photographer. She was doing a Thin Blue Line appreciation giveaway, and I was luckily enough to win the photo package.
During that photo session, Shannon followed Peach around the Lassen County Fair with the utmost patience, to capture our little girl’s personality.
I would order Peach over to the pretty flowers, as Shannon assured me it was all right, as she captured candid photos of Peach running around shoving Caramel apples in her mouth. (That photograph may be one of my all time favorites of Peach).
Shannon recently took updated family portraits that I adore. We were at Antelope Lake and Peach was jumping off of rocks asking Shannon a million questions, Pearl was trying to eat rocks, and Frankie was taking pictures of his own of the sunset.
We were quite possibly the most annoying family ever to work with.
As I frantically tried to herd my family into one area for a decent picture. Shannon worked her magic, even standing in the lake in her jeans attempting anything to get us a great family picture.
As my luck would have it, Shannon re-entered my life when she volunteered to be a dancing ‘Star’ for Lassen Family Services’ Dancing for a Brand New Me for last year’s event. Shannon was a die-hard competitor and went above and beyond to promote the event and sell tickets.
That lady gets things done.
I fell in love with Shannon’s heart – big and genuine. She is the type of female that all girls want to be around. Yes – she is gorgeous, but she is sweet and uplifting and is rooting for you. Even when I was nine months pregnant and had doubled my original body weight, Shannon told me I was beautiful and urged me to take maternity photographs.
Shannon’s talents though extend beyond photography. She works at the hospital and performs ultrasounds. I will never forget standing with Shannon at our dance show, when she was admiring the angelic ballerinas. She said, “I wish I could do that.”
I told Shannon how impressive it was that they were flexible, however, I wish I could do what she does.
To be able to tell an expectant mother and father the gender of their baby. To pinpoint it’s heartbeat so that they can see their baby’s heart beating from within them. To be able to skillfully measure a pregnant tummy and pick up on potential issues way ahead of delivery.
Scan an area and be able to catch cancer or other problems while they are still small.
She was there when I found out I was having my second girl. That joyful moment in my life – she will forever be a part of. That is what I wish I could do.
When she isn’t working Shannon is on the move. I have never met such a ‘planner’. Shannon is organized and goal focused – which is pretty much the opposite of how I live my life. Together we make quite a team.
This year I was doing a backpack drive at a store and Shannon just so happened to how up. She donated – then took a list of requested items, and mobilized her work mates. Three-days later she had thousands of items donated.
Another example, last year, I asked Shannon if she would go to Chico, to help CAMP evacuees with me. Without missing a beat she said yes. I did not have a definite plan, but she went along with the program and never complained. Upon our return, Shannon though, being who she is, recruited more volunteers and had a fully detailed agenda for the following weekend.
A world of “Terras” needs friends Like Shannon. We need people who are funny, and sweet, and a bright light, but also know how to get down to business and get things done. Shannon is very shy and doesn’t like being in the spotlight, but I can assure you, our community is better because we have her. Shannon is one of the reasons I love the place we live.
