Shannon Holden Photography

I love this family! I had the privilege of working with them every few months through Beau’s first year, and big brother, Tyler, joined us for a few sessions. It was such a treat to see them again, both boys a year older and getting cuter by the day! Tyler was an angel for our session, so happy and cooperative. Beau was a busy little guy, but he gave me plenty of adorable smiles and just the right second. I love seeing the relationship that grows between brothers at this age. It always reminds me of my two boys in their younger years. Aside from the 100,000 mosquitoes that decided to join us this evening, it was an all around great session. (I can’t tell you how many little black spots I’ve photoshopped out of the images – there was an army of those little evil bugs trying to get these sweet boys!)

Steve and Jennifer, as always, it was a true joy to work with you to create these portraits. You are such a fun, beautiful family. I’m so glad I got the chance to see you again!!

My children have another new cousin! We are thrilled to welcome Emma Grace to our family, born just a few weeks ago to my husband’s brother and his wife. We spent a weekend with them recently at their home in Tifton, Georgia to meet Emma. She is so beautiful! I love her head full of dark hair, and those her long graceful fingers. Poor Keith and Stacy didn’t get too much sleep those first few weeks. I remember those days so well!

My sister-in-law, Stacy Holden, is also a professional photographer. (And may I say, I am so excited to have another photographer in the family! Now someone else can help feed my mother-in-law’s addiction to portraits of her grandkids!!) But as I know all too well, it is rare that we, the photographer moms, get to be IN a photograph with our children, not to mention our newborn babies. So it was my honor and pleasure to create a few portraits for Keith and Stacy and their daughter, Claire, as they welcome Emma into their lives. I only wish we had included their chihuahua, “Teacup” in the portrait!

Thank you, Keith, Stacy, Claire, and Emma! Love you guys! See you soon!

Darling Larissa is almost 9 months old. We had so much fun at her session. Her mommy brought along such a great wardrobe for her little girl, some beautifully sweet dresses and this adorable pink tutu, which she tells me she found at Baby Gap, in case you would like one for your little girl! Larissa is a very curious baby, quietly observing the world around her for most of her session. She was quick to flash that smile when her mommy sang to her though. And towards the end of her session, she was very eager to start exploring this fun park where we met. We have lots of crawling photographs.

The very last portrait happened on our way out. We thought we were wrapped up and done for the day and were heading back to our cars when I spotted this gorgeous setting behind one of the buildings. We helped Larissa get her footing to stand next to the rock ledge. One shot was all it took … perfect!

Thank you Larissa, Mauro and Elizabeth for a delightful morning. I truly enjoyed working with you!

It has rained in Atlanta for the past 5 days. It is forecast to rain for the next 10 days. I think I saw the animals lining up two by two on my drive this morning.

After three sessions rained out this week, including today’s, I had not really planned to pick up my camera this afternoon. My boys were playing Wii, and my daughter was dressing up her dolls, and I was doing some editing when out my office window I saw a glimmer of …. could it be?? …. SUN!

My daughter just had her third birthday two weeks ago. Earlier today, I was trying to determine just when I might shoot her 3 Year Portraits. My session schedule is crazy busy for the next 6 weeks (‘Tis the season!) and the rain is making it even crazier. I thought I might just have to put off my daughter’s portraits until November. But when that long lost sun peaked through the trees and clouds today, I decided to make the most of it. These probably won’t be her only portraits for this year. For one thing, I hadn’t really planned on the post-school pigtails for her official photographs, but it is look that I will always remember from this age. (She calls them “Erica Tails”.)

Sometimes just capturing your child as they are in the moment is what really matters anyway.

So here is my little girl, all three years of her. Her giggles, her curls, her giant blue eyes, her suck-her-thumb-and-twirl-her-hair habit, her crooked eyebrow that I call God’s Thumbprint, her silly self, her gentle self, her magical, bright spirit. She adds such color and light to my world. She is one of a kind. She is fearfully and wonderfully made. She is Erica.