Shannon Petralito, is a Personal Trainer in the United States who had won a WBFF World Figure Championship and a Figure Universe Championship. That is two huge championship wins in separate organizations in the competition world. Shannon had done many photoshoots prior to reaching out to me which had not resulted in any hopeful outcomes other than great photos. She explains why she reached out to me in the first testimonial portion of the above video( which starts at 1 minute ) adding that she had seen how often I landed things for clients and how hard I try to help my clients with their goals but I express I make no promises other than I will see what I can do and she was happy with that, booked her shoot, booked her flight, and out she came. Not long after her shoot, I was pushing her hard for her first ever publication to be a big international cover. I was able to attain it but then my inner kid took over. I love surprising clients with outcomes and am proud to have done it countless times. This time, I got on a call with her and I mentioned how we commented at her shoot about her tan being a bit of an issue. I used that to make up a story about how it seems like the tan was a bigger issue than we had thought and the shoot was a bust as it was too hard to correct it in editing and we should talk next week about an updated plan. So I could tell she was sad, then 1 week later, I got her on a skype call and at 2 mins 35 seconds in this video is where she is about to watch and react to that day and the screen recording I made telling her the news that I was kidding and landed her, her first ever cover. wooo.
A few of our publication images. Shannon Placing 2nd Place in the Status Fitness Magazine Top 100 and our Cover and feature in FITNESS Magazine ( stage photos by Andrew Carruthers )
Landed our 2nd Cover + 4 page feature 2 months after cover # 1 and another 4 pages in a separate issue of BFW Magazine
Working with Shannon was awesome!
Here is a mesh of a few Testimonial/Announcement posts Shannon wrote about working together after working together, and after landing her both covers ( complete with mention of some on set shenanigans lol ) which can also be found on the TESTMONIALS page but figured I would include it here as well. I also posted a screen shot under these paragraphs of another post she made on another instagram account at the time as she had 3 of them going.
Shannon Petralito: ” HOLY SMOKES!!!! MY VERY 1st COVER!!!!! I’m an International Cover Model!!!!! WOW!! HUGE thank you to Jamie Watling for this opportunity!!!! I am on cloud freaking 9 right now!!! A dream and goal of mine since day one of my career and we did it!!!!! From the very first phone call with Jamie he was so professional in helping me plan this shoot and making me feel so comfortable before during & after the shoot! I don’t think I ever laughed so hard during a photo shoot!! It was definitely an adventure shooting out doors and it started pouring and Jamie had an umbrella ready, quoting Jamie, ” Pip Pip Cheerio “, opens umbrella and it snaps! Then he hilariously asks the mailman for a ride back to the car! Ha! Good times!!!! While I was sitting on a rock in the water, Jamie was changing settings on his camera and beat boxing, and his Makeup Artist started joining in with guitar noises and then went on for like 2 minutes, no one looking at anyone, was too funny, I almost fell off my rock. I was very entertained! During the shoot I learned so much from Jamie as far as what poses best accentuate my physique and he offered so many great tips that I continue to use today in front of the camera! I honestly feel like I am a better model because of him! After the shoot he did an amazing job at working so hard to push our images! Of all of the photographers I have had the pleasure of working with, Jamie really works super hard for his clients at helping them land not only smaller features but covers as well!!! Thank you Jamie from the bottom of my heart my friend for making a dream of mine come true, there were days when I almost lost Faith that being published just wasn’t something that was meant to be for me but you just made my year with this surprise via Skype today, you made me cryyyyy lol!!!!!! Love you my friend!!! WE DID IT!!!! Update: 2 months later, he landed us ANOTHER COVER!!! 🙂 yay If you are looking to book with an awesome photographer that makes it happen, book with Jamie Watling my friends!! He’s so easy to work with, knowledgeable, talented and he really works with you to help you maximize your shoot!!!
” A small town Irish-Italian girl from New Jersey, I’ve had my share of experiences, mostly happy, but not without struggle. I know what it’s like to feel lost and insecure, I know what it’s like to be bullied, abused, to feel unsafe, to feel unloved. I’ve been there and back, but never with any regrets – every experience has molded me into the successful, confident woman, wife and mom, that I am today. “
” It is that inner determination, hard work and ability seek out the right help, that has lead me to become a 2X World Champion Figure Athlete, cover model and fitness columnist. “
” Now, I want to share all of the hard work and experience with you. As a personal trainer and nutrition coach, working with all fitness levels and goals, I contiue to help 100’s of men and women transform their lives. “
” At the age of 30, I was looking to lose that post pregnancy weight and by the age of 33, I decided to enter my first fitness competition. With a strong desire to succeed and with an amazing support network, I’ve accomplished so much to be thankful for throughout the years “
” My personal choice to enter into fitness was a choice to better myself as a person – I needed a positive outlet, something that put me against myself, quieting the noise and helping me to focus on good, on growth, self love and self improvement. Proving to myself and no one else, that I’m worth it, that I could do it! “
Shannon is now Retired from Competitions but is an Online Fitness and Nutrition Coach.
More Videos & a great portfolio shoot offer for November, maybe even December :O
