Shannon Holden Photography

Just thought I’d share this here for any of my readers who would like to join me. A dear friend of mine keeps a blog documenting her astounding life transformation in 2009 as she lost a tremendous amount of weight, and even more significantly, created new healthy eating and exercise habits for herself. She has been such a source of inspiration to me. After 9 years of pregnancy and breastfeeding, I had lost the idea that my body even belonged to me anymore. 2009 was my year to change that. I got myself addicted to exercise again. I stopped nibbling on my kids’ leftover chicken nuggets (most of the time). Breaking habits, especially those born out of a craving for convenience and a quick energy fix, is very hard. But once they are broken, it is such freedom! I lost 20 pounds in 2009. I am excited to lose another 20 in 2010!

So, when La posted her 100 Mile Challenge on her blog, I jumped right in! Who is with me? Just sign up on La’s blog, and let me know if you do … it will be a great journey to share!

100 Mile Fitness Challenge at The Curvy Life

Much love,
Shannon

This year seemed to go by faster than all the years before, didn’t it? My kids seem to grow bigger by the minute, and I just want to slow it all down and savor every second. Hence the reason I have not posted on my blog in the last few weeks. I’ve been savoring every non-business minute in my day. You see, in the portrait world, we work our tails off in the months of September, October and November. Just look at the Facebook exchanges between photographers at 2 a.m. in those months … how many of us are sitting at our computer editing in the middle of the night. By the time December rolls around, our houses are a disaster, our laundry is out of control, and we are often exhausted and missing our families. Normally I try to get the last of my clients’ orders shipped out in early December and then take the rest of the month off to bake cookies with my kids, sing carols, and catch up on sleep. But thanks to all that crazy rain in Atlanta this Fall, along with our unwelcome H1N1 invader (which hit my house as well as a few clients), I had so many reschedules that pushed my holiday season into late December. So in order to savor those precious family moments, I had to let some non-critical business tasks, like the blog, go on hold for a bit.

But I can’t complain! 2009 was an another amazing year for me. In spite of this horrible economy, I was blessed with many clients, old and new, that kept me happily busy month to month. I met such wonderful families and children this year, beautiful inside and out. How grateful I am for my clients, who so cherish these images of their children and value their investment in portraiture! This year was also one of incredible personal experiences for me. Several new friendships came into my life this year, dear hearts that help mine smile. This year, I saw both of my sons baptized as they chose to welcome their Savior into their hearts, a day that can hardly be equaled. My boys are both thriving in school, thanks to teachers and others that have poured their heart and prayers into my children to help them succeed. And my daughter is 100% potty trained! After 9 years, we are diaper-free in the Holden house … can I get an Amen? My husband and I are humbled by the blessings we have received this year, and we eagerly look ahead to 2010 to see what God has in store for us.

I’m just as eager to see what is in store for Shannon Holden Photography in the coming year. I’m evaluating some new products as we speak, testing out some new print options, and brainstorming some other business changes, including my online catalog and client information site. I’m heading out to Imaging, USA in just a couple of weeks and I know I’m going to come home buzzing with new ideas! Do you have something you’d like to see from Shannon Holden Photography in the future? Please comment here or email me … I would love to hear your feedback!

I’ll be sure to share some of my holiday sessions that haven’t been featured on the blog yet, so stay tuned for those in the coming weeks. And I’ve got new sessions as early as next week! My January calendar is already full, but I have a couple of spots open in February, and I’m also booking March through June at this time. Call soon to schedule your Spring portraits!

May 2010 be an incredible year for all of you. I look forward to seeing your smiling faces soon!!

Much love,
Shannon

P.S. Posts are boring without pictures, right? These are some images I made of my cousin’s children on our visit to Washington DC over Thanksgiving. We try to see each other a couple of times each year. My kids positively adore their cousins, Riley and Jake, and can’t wait to see them on our visits. And soon our family photographs will have a new face among us, as Riley and Jake welcomed baby brother Hudson just a few days after Thanksgiving. Another precious blessing for 2009!

I first met these two dolls when they were just months old. They were so tiny and peaceful. I was elated when their mommy called me again for a portrait session this year. I knew those two beautiful babies would certainly have grown into amazing toddlers … and they have! Now they are two years old and ever so adorable. As I am sure any parent of twins will tell you, they each have their own unique spirit. Nicholas is calm and thoughtful. I can tell there is a great intellect growing inside this young man. Madelynn is spunky and playful. And though I’m sure Nicholas would argue with me on this point, I think Miss Maddie might be the one who calls the shots most of the time. Both of them are simply darling, and have such a precious bond. Life is sweet, isn’t it?

Tamera, I’m sorry to have to tell you that you’ll have too many images to choose from. I am having a very hard time narrowing them down! For now, I hope you love your sneak peek. Thank you for the chance to spend a beautiful Fall day with you, Nicholas and Madelynn. It was such a treat to work with you again, and I loved playing with Nicky and Maddie. What a blessing they are!

There are people in this world that just make the day brighter, the colors more vibrant, your heart lighter. They make smiles appear effortlessly. You spend time with them and after you are … simply … happier.

This family is made up of those kind of people. Truly some of the nicest people I have ever been blessed to meet. They have a genuine love that they share with everyone around. I’ve been working with them for a couple of years now, and every session leaves me smiling. Up until now, I have just photographed their children, darling Lillian and Nolan and this year, sweet Amelia as a newborn. For their holiday portrait session, Mom and Dad joined in for a family portrait, and I was so thrilled that they did! They are a beautiful family, inside and out.

Lillian is a sweetheart. I love her beautiful curls and the gentle but playful spirit in her eyes.

Nolan is ALL boy! He likes to run, climb, and explore. He reminds me so much of my sons, especially my middle child, at that age. Isn’t he handsome?

Amelia is full of personality! Every smile she gave me during our session had it’s own unique signature. She is pure joy. They call her Mimi, which struck a sentimental chord in my heart, as my Grandmother Mimi’s name was also Amelia.

To the H Family … thank you. Thank you for being you! Thank you for making the world a sweeter place to be.

PS … and thank you for the apple bread and the adorable drawing from Lillian. Both were such a wonderful treat!