Shonna Hawkins Photography

06/03/2026

To my friends, community, and fellow nature lovers,

Every morning, weather permitting, you can find me out capturing the sunrise. For me, photography is so much more than a hobby or a business. I live with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Injury (cPTSD/I) and survive on a fixed income through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), receiving just $1,168 a month. Living on this budget is an incredibly heavy, daily struggle.

Wildlife photography is my saving grace. Being outdoors, connecting with nature, and capturing the beauty of the world is massively healing for me. It keeps me grounded, gives me purpose, and fuels my soul. I share my work on my own website and sell my art through Fine Art America, working hard to turn my passion into a sustainable income.

But today, my heart completely broke.
After my morning sunrise shoot, my faithful companion of over a decade—a 2012 MacBook Pro—finally gave out and died completely. It will no longer turn on.

Right now, I have a memory card full of fresh morning photographs of local ducklings and goslings that I am dying to see and process, but I have absolutely no way to access them. Without a computer, my daily routine is completely halted. I cannot share my morning sunrises with you on social media, I cannot update my website, and I cannot upload new art to Fine Art America to try and make a living. I am completely stuck.

Because of my tight monthly budget, saving up for a replacement computer on my own is an impossible mountain to climb. That is why I am humbly reaching out to you for help.

My goal is to raise enough funds to purchase a reliable, refurbished MacBook Pro so I can immediately get back to doing what I love, maintaining my website, and sharing the healing power of wildlife with all of you.

Every single donation, no matter how small, will directly fund a lifeline back to my art and my mental well-being. If you are unable to donate, sharing this link with others would mean the world to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my story, for your kindness, and for helping me get back behind the lens.

With deep gratitude,
Shonna Hawkins

To my friends, community, and fellow nature lovers, Every morning, w… Shonna Hawkins needs your support for Help Me Replace My Broken Photography Computer

05/31/2026

There is something incredibly humbling about sitting quietly on the shores of Kempenfelt Bay and watching a brand-new life navigate the world.

This little Canada goose gosling is part of a massive brood of twelve siblings I’ve been documenting recently. If you look closely at the beautifully soft, blurred background, you can see the rest of the family foraging together under the watchful eyes of their parents. But for just a brief, beautiful moment, this tiny soul—the smallest of the litter—stepped out from behind the rugged safety of the stone and looked right at me.

For me, ethical wildlife photography is all about respecting the agency, comfort, and consciousness of these beautiful beings. I never push for a shot or disrupt their natural behaviour; instead, I wait for them to choose to share a moment with me. This little one gave me a brief, conscious glance, completely aware and curious, before heading right back to the safety of the flock.

With its delicate golden down feathers catching the cinematic morning light and a single yellow dandelion adding a touch of springtime charm, this photograph captures the fragile yet resilient spirit of our local Canadian wildlife.

✨ "The Little One of Twelve" is now officially available as a fine art print in my gallery. Perfect for anyone who loves the quiet, soulful moments of nature.

Formatting options, canvas, and fine art papers can be viewed here:

https://shonnahawkinsphotography.com/featured/the-little-one-of-twelve-shonna-hawkins.html

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