Photographers have so many images in their heads, evolving and taking shape much like a painting, a sonnet, or a minuet grows in invisible silence long before it can be shared outside the artist’s mind. This image has been coming to life in my mind for quite some time now. The wonderful thing about the slow month of January is the time it allows me to finally bring these images into reality.
Much love,
Shannon
I’m still here! Just two days ago, I finally wrapped up my busiest Fall portrait season ever. My heartfelt thanks go out to my clients old and new for making 2011 an incredible year! I am one very fulfilled, and slightly tired, photographer! Needless to say, in all the long hours and even longer to-do lists of the last two months, my blog fell off the priority list. I have so many sessions I can’t wait to share! But until January, I am sleeping late and spending time with my kids baking cookies, playing video games, reading stories, watching movies, and above all, reflecting on the miraculous gift that arrived on a midnight clear about 2000 years ago.
I hope 2011 has been a year of love and laughter for your family, and I hope that 2012 will be one of bright blessings as well.
I leave you with an image of my daughter from Christmas Past, taken when she was just a year old. May your holidays be filled with wonder, sparkle, and delight!
Much love,
Shannon
“My story’s just begun…”
Wow … that was all I could say when I heard Madison sing the first note of the first song she performed that night. We’d come out to hear her sing, my children and I, along with some friends and their kids. I was instantly blown away by her talent. We loved every song we heard in the next couple of hours, as Madison played the guitar and the piano, and sang some of her own original songs along with covers of some old and current favorites.
My daughter has a new line on her list of things she’d like to be when she grows up … a musician like Madison Shea. She was mesmerized by Madison. At the end of the night, I was shocked to see my often shy daughter running right up to Madison and whispering something in her ear. Madison smiled and leaned down to give Erica a hug. When she came back to me, I asked Erica what she’d said to Madison. “I told her that she did a great job and she looked very beautiful,” she said. She was absolutely right.
Photographing these promotional images for Madison was a joy and an honor. Just like her music, she carries herself with a lyrical grace and a depth of soul. God has gifted this young woman in so many ways, and I am looking forward to following her journey from here.
As in all of my blog posts, I wanted to share a few of Madison’s images here, but I also wanted you to hear her. With her music company’s permission, I put together a slideshow of her images set to one of her original songs. Click this link or any image on this post to hear “Fairy Tale” by Madison Shea. I think you’ll agree, she’s pretty incredible.
Oh, and did I mention she’s still in high school? All that talent already unfolding such a young lady … simply amazing. I can’t wait to see, to hear, what’s next for her.
Music by Madison Shea – available on iTunes
www.madisonsheamusic.com 
I love working with this family! I have been photographing these three for years now, even before there were three of them! Ava is gentle and elegant, Henry is energetic and charming, and Robert is bold and hilarious. All three keep me smiling and laughing. Their sweet mom has become a good friend over the years. I always look forward to our time together. One of these days I’m going to talk her into a family portrait! 
Much love,
Shannon
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