It all started with a simple assignment for Snohomish City Lifestyle—a loving local cover story on florist and boutique owner Candice Szarzec of The Petal and the Stem for our February 2024 issue. Photographer Shannon Beauclair was tapped to capture the feature. But what began as a simple photoshoot blossomed into something far more magical: a creative partnership rooted in mutual respect, artistry, and the shared values of beauty and community.
“I photographed Candice when Snohomish City Lifestyle was just starting out,” Shannon recalls. “I remember walking into her shop and thinking, This place is special. That energy stuck with me. Fast forward a year, and business had slowed down - I found myself craving a collaborative, meaningful creative project—and her shop immediately came to mind.”
Known for her emotive editorial photography and global portrait work, Shannon reached out with an idea: What if we brought something beautiful to life—together? The vision was simple but bold: a live editorial photoshoot staged right in Candace’s shop, with wearable floral fashion as the centerpiece.
Candice didn’t hesitate. “She called me right away and said, ‘Yes. Let’s do it.’”
And just like that, floral fashion took on a new life.
The resulting event was a dreamy fusion of live art and local spirit—an afternoon where floral crowns, blooming jewelry, and living accessories weren’t just styled—they were sculpted in real time. With hair and makeup by Beauclair Studio, gowns from For the Luv of Bridal, live music by Goodnight Suzie, and wine tasting courtesy of Rush Lattin Cellars, it was a full sensory experience—where art, flowers, and fashion collided.
“These weren’t just accessories,” Shannon explains. “They were living, breathing statements. Every piece that Candice created was a celebration of resilience, beauty, and storytelling.”
Rooted in Purpose
Both women brought more than just talent to the table—they brought purpose.
For Candice, flowers have always been more than petals and stems—they're her way of surviving, thriving, and giving back.
At just 13 years old, homeless on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, she began making leis and selling them to tourists just to get by. “Now at 47, I can say I never gave up on myself,” she reflects. “The way I give back is through flowers”—seeing each bloom as a feeling, a memory, a way to express love and gratitude.
That spirit of giving is woven into every part of The Petal and the Stem, which delivers custom florals seven days a week, creates hundreds of wedding arrangements each year, and regularly supports local causes—especially first responders and community wellness initiatives.
For Shannon, the shoot supported a mission close to her heart: organ donation awareness. Through her ongoing photography work with LifeCenter Northwest, she honors the families of organ donors—highlighting the beauty and strength of giving life to others.
“Photography has never been just about images for me,” Shannon says. “It’s about connection. About telling stories that matter—whether that’s for a small business or a grieving family. I want my work to mean something.”
What made this collaboration so special wasn’t just the art on display—but the mutual respect and intention behind it. “When I collaborate, it’s with people who share that same spirit—kindness, community, authenticity,” Shannon says. “It wasn’t about what I could get. It was about what we could give.”
And it was. From sweet treats and thoughtful giveaways to real-time styling and storytelling, this was more than a shoot—it was an experience. One that showcased what happens when two passionate women come together not to compete, but to lift each other up.
Events like these are reminders of the magic that happens in small towns. That partnerships born in passing can become powerful moments of connection. And that when we lift each other up, beauty follows.
“We didn't just host a photoshoot,” Candice says. “We created an experience. We brought people together around flowers, art, and giving back.”
And just like her first lei sold on a Hawaiian roadside, that simple spark of creativity continues to bloom—in every flower, every photo, and every heart it touches.
Visit The Petal and the Stem Floral Boutique, located in historic downtown Snohomish at 1234 1st Street or visit https://thepetalandthestem.com/
Book your next portrait or branding session with Shannon Beauclair Photography at https://www.beauclairphotography.com/
“Photography has never been just about images for me, it’s about connection, about telling stories that matter." ~ Shannon Beauclair